Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Learning Vocab in school
When I was in school I think vocabulary or spelling was the one subject I hated the most. I know hate is a strong word but I think it can be used here. The pattern I am going to describe was much the same from 1st grade through 12th.
Normally on Monday the teacher would put the words out 10 to 20 words and we would write them down. Then on Tuesday we would have to write down the definitions to the words. On Wednesday we would have to do dictation, which is where the teacher would read sentences that included the spelling words and we would have to write these sentences. Then on Thursday night we would have to write the spelling words five times each and finally on Friday we would have the spelling test.
This was one of the most pointless things I have ever done. For the definitions I would copy the definitions absentmindedly from the dictionary taking no real time to digest what I was reading and writing. I was just trudging through the assignment. With the dictation I could never write fast enough to keep pace with the teacher and she only read the sentence twice before she or he moved on. The only part of the process that I think actually helped me with the spelling test was the writing of the words five times each. In this I was actually learning the words.
Despite all of this I was still a horrible speller through my school years and into my adult life. It was not until I was about 25 and decided to go back to school that I realized how poor my spelling skills were. However, with the help of Microsoft Word and having a job where I had to write every day I slowly improved on my spelling skills. I think what also spurred me along the most was when I told my father that I wanted to go back to school he told me that my grammar skills were “terrible.”
What helped me learn words was reading them in books. Seeing the words and if I was unsure of the word many times reading the whole sentence would flesh out the word. If I was to teach spelling or vocabulary I would want the students to read the words in different short stories that had the words. I know this might be a challenge but I am sure I am not the first one to think of this.
Now my son, who is in the 3rdGrade, seems to be having a whole new experience with learning spelling and vocabulary. He has a nine block set of options to choose from for week. He has to complete them in a tic-tac-toe fashion. His teacher has embraced assisted technology and the internet to help him along. He has the option of writing the words five times, which is one he normally chooses. He can also make a voki of his words and create word searches. Willie has had enormous success with these tactics and he vocabulary is much more advanced than mine at the age of 8.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
I Don't Know What I Am Doing!
This weekend I saw the true value of schools maintaining a program for wood and metal shop. Unfortunately, the one opportunity I had to take wood and metal shop was the first two years of that Manchester Twp. Middle was open and we had no wood...or metal and we pretty much read text books on the subjects.
So now here I am at the age of 40 and can barely use a tape measure. Who suffers for it. My son Willie as I try to help him make a pine-wood racer.
The rules that go into making these cars are on par with that of Sprint Cup racing.
1) No more than 5oz in weight.
2) car can be no wider than...I don't remember.
3) car must clear 3/8 of an inch from the ground.
The car that me and W made was far too wide and I put the weights on the bottom so the clearance was messed up as well.
I realized we were in trouble when I went to put the wheels on and saw that I had cut the front end too close to where the wheels go into the front of the car. Putting in the wheels essentially split the wood in the front.
From there it was all down hill...
When I told W that I thought we were gonna have to scrap the Pine Wood Derby he was a true Trooper. He told it was all good and he would get to sleep in on Saturday...
However, I will say this. If W sticks with Scouts, next year watch out! Were coming back...and our car will ROCK...and ROll to VICTORY!
Labels: Pinewood derby, rob Kerns, Scouts
Sunday, January 22, 2012
My Growth of as a Reader and a Writer
Rob Kerns
ECI 541
21 January 2012
Evolution of Reading and Writing
“Love of the written word,” is a term I received from my high school English teacher Cliff Biggers. At the time I thought he was out of his mind. Today I hold his words in a entirely different context. The road is complex, from my early life where I originally thought that reading was a chore, to now when I enjoy reading immensely. Writing role of writing in my life seems to have stayed the same; as a laborious chore that must be endured as a means to an end.
I am not sure when I actually began to learn to read. Like most children I am sure it began for the most part when I was in the 1st grade. However, where I learned the basics of reading in the classroom I think it is from watching shows like The Letter People and The Electric Company. From these programs I learned the rules of words and began to know how to read words that were not presented to me in the classroom.
Growing up I read what little I could endure. Meaning I only read what I absolutely had to. In the 4th Grade we had this project where we had to this series of book reports to move Snoopy across this gigantic window to his house. For each book report you read you moved Snoopy one step closer. At the end of the year I had moved Snoopy only about half of the way to his house. The only person in the class I remember getting Snoopy to his house was Renae Meltzer. She is a real estate lawyer in Miami, Fla., now. The books I read were primarily Judy Blume and Encyclopedia Brown. They were not very big and I could get through one of them over the course of a couple of nights reading before bed.
Little did I know that this habit of reading a few pages before bed was the beginning of a habit that I would carry with me through my life. It takes me much longer to go sleep if I am unable to read a couple of pages of something. My habit of reading something easily digestible continued through my school early years. Normally I would do an activity out of Games magazine or read a Marvel comic book.
With as with most young boys I was willing to do whatever it took to get the attention of a girl. It was the influence of one such girl that got me reading more. I met a girl that I became quite smitten with and she had a love for Stephen King books. I saw this as an opportunity to forward a conversation with her.
So I picked up the smallest King book I could find, Carrie I believe, and read it so I could have a conversation piece. Much to my surprise I enjoyed the book and bought another one of his tales. Before I knew it I had moved from his smaller books and was trying to find any opportunity to read a couple of pages of The Stand and It. Where I have not read many of King’s recent releases it was his books that got me reading.
My love of reading biographies stems from accidently reading a few pages of the Jim Morrison biography No One Here Gets Out Alive. Reading the actual events of a rock and roll legend captured me. Where I am told that the book contains many inaccuracies, it was this book that moved me into my primary book of choice to this day. Currently I am reading Ben Franklin’s autobiography and enjoying every page.
Where reading is a love that had grown with my life writing is a love that has not grown as much. This is quite humorous as writing was the means of my paycheck for most of my time in The Navy. It is through the written word that I learned a trade that I made a career out of.
When I decided to go back to school and get a degree I realized, quite quickly, that my writing skills were lacking. When I took English 101 and 102 I found myself editing, reediting and editing again many of the things I wrote for class. It was a hard lesson but I learned how to write a term paper.
Then I found myself in the Navy’s journalism school. Where I went there to learn radio broadcasting, the Navy had other plans. They wanted me to learn how to write news and feature articles. Where the design of a story is very formulaic there is quite a bit that goes into the actual writing of the story. Like anything worth doing it took practice and time to develop the skill. Over time I was able to develop this muscle enough that I became the editor of one of the Navy’s leading monthly publications. The Navy Reservist.
During this three year period writing and editing became my everyday life. Writing stories about the goings on in the Navy Reserve as well as assigning and editing stories from around the fleet. Where I have never considered myself a good writer I quickly discovered there were many who were much worse than me. This was a job with many challenges but the fruits of my labor were seen at the end of every month with the publication of the 32 pages, plus cover, magazine.
The highlight of the time as a writer was when I covered a naturalization ceremony for Sailors becoming U.S. citizens. Seeing the expressions of emotion of those Sailors who were becoming citizens was overwhelming. Writing the story was effortless and there was little editing that went into it.
Writing to me is a job. I wish I was able to sit down and draw words from my mind. When I read the articles written in newspapers I in awe at their style. Reading authors like Hunter Thompson, Earnest Hemmingway and Jack Kerouac who are able to weave such a tapestry of words amazes me. I should note that none of these men lived happy lives and all three killed themselves through alcohol and for the most part took their own lives, their words that they left us live on.
When I write I am working. I am not sure if it was the same for them. Perhaps it was their gift? Unfortunately it is not mine. I would love to see the original drafts of James Woodward’s pieces to see how hard it was for him to develop his stories and know how hard it was for him to develop as a writer.
Looking at my evolution as a reader and writer it has not been overnight. It would seem that I needed some catalyst to move me into the next phase of reading or writing. Whether it was a desire to talk to a girl or the want of a paycheck, something had to push me along. I do enjoy reading and the Christmas gift of a Kindle Fire will keep me in books for quite a long time. Writing continues to be challenge. I am able to work the keys occasionally to add to my blog but it is not as effortless as I would like. To end with a quote I will give the words of the Baseball Hall of Famer, Johnny Bench, “Practice, practice, practice.”
Thursday, January 05, 2012
I Hate Exercising
I hear all the time about how much exercising is good for you. I lived half my Navy career with running being pushed down my throat. Now that I am retired from the Navy I can hardly stand the thought of doing any kind of extra physical activity.
I see friends of mine very proud of their weight loss achievements and I am happy for them. For me I think I am happy not to. I have looked into possibly getting a weight set and doing that. However, the idea of getting out there and actually doing a full exercise regiment fills me with a sense of disdain.
Perhaps it is because of the way that many people, who are into working out, carry themselves carry themselves. Their, "I am better than you," attitude. Not for me.
Would I like to weigh less...sure. However, I do not think I am up for a full cardio blast at this time.
Labels: working out.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Drop off at School
When I was a kid we got up in the morning, got dressed, went downstairs ate breakfast, put on our coats and book-bags and then walked up to the bus stop. When I was living in South Carolina the walk to the bus stop was a quarter mile away. Not to mention when I was in South Carolina living on Canterbury Lane, I had to walk past a house with two big dogs that use to chase me and any other kid when we walked by.
When I moved to New Jersey the bus stop was only two houses away but we went out there in all kinds of weather and we waited for the bus. Sometimes it rained sometimes it was REALLY cold, sometimes the bus was late but you know what...WE WAITED FOR THE BUS.
Today I see kids being taken to school by the car loads. I never saw as many kids being dropped off when I was a kid or being picked up for that matter. If I had asked my dad or mom to drop me off at school just because they would have told me to carry my tail to the bus stop.
What is so different today from when we were kids that makes taking the bus so bad? The buses are newer and the ride to school is not that long. Heck W's school is right outside the neighborhood.
One of my neighbors told me she never lets her son ride the bus.
To be honest here I have dropped off W, from school. However, it was a thing of I am needing to leave early, come on lets go now.
So again I ask, why is it so important to take your kid to school in the car instead of using the bus that is going to run anyway?
Labels: busing, Holly Oaks, Lakehurst, rob Kerns, s.c., School, summerville
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Walking Down Memory Lane
Every now and then I find myself wondering about websites I use to visit. It is weird how a website can be like a friend you have fallen out of touch with. You use to have contact with the site once maybe more times a day. If the site had a forum maybe you were part of the community. Perhaps the site was one you introduced other friends to and then they too were part of the site and all its glory.
Then things change....
Perhaps the site changed its layout and you were uncomfortable with it. Could it be that someone else got the domain name and then all the sudden the site you use to go to for your favorite cross-stitch patterns now had all this info on automotive repair.
I know I stopped going to some sites due to their adding endless pop-ups. I think that is mainly a thing of the past but it was enough to drive me away.
This leads to the old line in relationships, "You changed man!"
Or...it could be...you just did not find the info on the page something you were caring about anymore.
You begin to communicate less and less and then finally no contact at all...it happens. People change and so do websites.
This morning I was chatting on Facebook with a high school friend who recently got into podcasting about his show and it got me thinking about shows I use to listen to but do not anymore. So, I began to look around and not too surprising many of them are now gone or have changed completely.
This led to another thought thought about other websites I use to frequent for various news and info. To be honest I think the browsing history of a person says alot about who they are. The Web as been a active part of all of our lives for more than 10 years now.
So I challenge you, my much appreciated reader, to think of 10 websites you went to on a daily basis five years ago...do you still go them today?
Friday, December 09, 2011
An intro to Scouting
A few months ago Regan's youngest, W, voiced an interest in scouting. When I was a kid I had thought of doing scouts but, alas, it never was to be. So I Regan and I talked about it and she was open to it for W, as long as it did not interfere with school. She alsooffered me a warning.
Now when I think of scouts I think I am like most American's and get the image of the good kid helping the old lady across the street and having a strong sense core value about him.
So off to a local meeting we went. Upon entering the door a kid jumps out in front of us and shouts that they have juice and smiles!What I received in my warning told quite a different story. Regan's older son D, had done Weblos a few years ago and decided that it was not for him...some of the kids were a bit...off. I spoke to my brother Ronnie...he too was a Weblo, he encouraged me to give it a shot with W.
I nearly walked us out at that moment.
No...W wants to check this out...so we will.
Willie starts tal
king to a few of the boys...he is getting along and the parents are nice.
However, some of these kids were bouncing off the walls like they had not had
their meds in weeks. W was quite excited about the activities coming up so we s
igned up.
With W's age/grade group he is a Bear Scout. He is enjoying the experience so far. He got to march in the Christmas parade here in Garner, N.C., and he has already earned his first badge, the Bobcat.
I understand why my folks were abit reluctant to get involved with this though. In order for the kid to REALLY get alot of scouting at such a young age the parent really has to be engaged in the process. I am happily surprised when I found out how interactive the local scouting website is with tracking the scouts achievements. Yes, you still have the book but the website is very interactive. So W is moving along and doing stuff. I am pretty sure he will have the "What's Cooking" achievement knocked out by the next pack meeting!
Will he keep going with it past this year? Who knows, but he seems to be enjoying it now.
Labels: Garner, North Carolina, scouting
Not Forgotten
They say in order to write one must have something to write about. When I was pounding away at the keyboard before I had some things to say. Before here I was blogging over on myspace. I had a pretty good run going...people were reading and commenting.
Then a couple of things happened:
1) My life ugly. It was looking that I might have to leave the Navy before retirement and I was pretty upset about it. This leads into #2.
2) I did something no one should do...I blogged angry. Where to this day I feel what I blogged about was correct it was not a good idea to air these things in such a public place. Truth be told I am not sure where I could have aired them at the time. I was literally trapped on the far side of the world with no idea of when I would ever be coming home. Some higher ups at my command found my blog and gave me a what foring and from what I understand some people back on the island were held accountable for how I was being thrown around.
3) Life just moved me away from this.
Now here we are almost two years since my last post and I am in a much better space. I have retired from the Navy and I engaged to a girl who is the best thing that ever happened to me.
So here I am back at these keys punching away and not sure where to start. There have been alot of things going on that I would love to write about. The world, the President, of course just the things I observe on a daily basis and if you know me at all TV.
So why don't we start again...you and me...the writer and the reader and we will see where this goes.
Things about Rob K. that are different now then before:
I am writing and posting from Garner, N.C.
I am engaged to the love of my life Regan. I looked all around the world to the right girl and there she was, right down the street from where I lived in New Jersey.
I am working on getting my teaching certification to teach middle and high school social studies and government.
I could go on...but I am thinking alot of this will come out in the blog.
So....lets go!
Labels: Diego Garcia, Garner, Navy, North Carolina, rob Kerns
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