Casey’s Class

Inner Self-Care

On March 6, 2020

Hello Casey’s Class

So this week I have been super sick.. I know gross but don’t worry at least I don’t have the coronavirus! It got me thinking a lot about my inner self-care that it probably most important but also most neglected. So here we go on my thoughts this week!

Most people (also me) when they get sick or run down they immediately panic about making it to work or school… right? Like omg I can’t miss work I have bills to pay or my teacher is going to kill me with some crazy make up assignment or doc me marks if I don’t show up. So what do we do? We show up half assing work/school and spreading our germs all over the place… But what we also don’t think about is how pushing ourselves to show up for these things affects us mentally. It’s going to make getting better 2x as hard and mentally we are burning our selfs out even more so when we do get better we still feel like poop. I decided that I would take some time off to get better and let me tell you it was the best decision. First off my teachers we so understanding and when I came back to school I motivated and ready to learn! While I was home sick in bed I did lots of thinking, reading, and sleeping.. I started a new book that is about becoming a better version of yourself and creating a new mindset in order to have a more positive perspective on life. It talks about about making all your decisions based on love instead of fear and when you can do that your whole sense of self care and interactions with the world changes. So I started trying it out. Thinking about everything I have done out of fear and how I could have approach it differently. Once prime example is going into school even though I was super sick. Was I doing it for me or because I was scared about what my teachers and peers would think? Then I switched to making a choice based on love and I thought no I need to stay home in order to get better and my teachers will understand. And they did and I got better, and my wellness got better. Over all I came out the other side healthier mentally and physically!

My point here is start making choices based on love instead of fear. Self-care doesn’t always have to be something tangible or an activity. It really starts within yourself and when you can make a shift in your mental well being that’s when you can really start living a more mindful and calm life that doesn’t burn you out.

So if you’re sick stay home and get better!

What’s Cookin Good Lookin?

by Casey Hunt

On February 27, 2020

In Free Inquiry

Hello C’s Class,

Coming at you with another self-care blog! Today’s blog is about…Food! Which is something we all love and if it’s not then get out of blog right now… goodbye!

So food is something we literally all need to survive but a lot of the time we aren’t thinking what we are putting into out bodies. I am someone with a lot of food intolerances, so I do a lot of cooking which also happens to be a stress reliever. It is comforting to know what I am putting in my food so that I know what is going into by body in order to properly nourish it.

In order for self-care and or wellness to be successful you need to be covering all aspects of it. You can’t just sit and watch movies drinking wine and become this relaxed, healthy, and mindful person. Although yes movies and wine are a form of self-care that I love, it doesn’t mean I do this everyday and that’s all I do. I like to cover all my bases. Like you have read, I have a sleep routine, I exercise, I watch movies, and so much more. Now another way is good food and good food with good friends is even better. So this week I found the most delicious recipe for tofu and it has made me the happiest person ever! I look forward to cooking it and eating it… It’s amazingggg! I find joy in find recipe inspo and cooking. If it doesn’t bring you joy then don’t do this for self-care. Remember that this is my journey that I am sharing with you! I have been dying to try out a new pizza place and last night I finally did! I got together with 2 of my girl friends and we went for pizza and had meaningful good conversations and lots of laughs. See this is self-care that is fun and nourishing for you body! I mean how many of you have a “comfort” food you each when you are feeling down? Why do you think you make that food? Because it makes you feel better! So there you have it folks! Good old self-care starts in the kitchen… or restaurant if you can cook? Both work!

Well, good luck cooking up a storm! Stay nourished friends!

Inquiry Queen

by Casey Hunt

On February 27, 2020

In EdTech

Hello C’s Class,

Today I want to share with you all about the amazing presentation I went to this week. Rebecca Bathurst-Hunt… (AKA inquiry queen) is an amazing Kindergarten teacher!

So what did I learn? Well, inquiry based learning is so cool and fosters creativity and wonder in the minds of young children. Before this presentation I knew what inquiry was but not really how to implement it into a classroom let alone a kindergarten class! Basically there are 4 categories of inquiry. Structured, controlled, guided, and free! I love this model as it really outlines how you can progress through the stages through out the school year. Okay so more on Rebecca. She has the most open and creative mindset, and seems like she has such a kind heart. I love that she gets to know all her students and fosters a relationship with each of them in order for her to help them to decide what they wonder about so they can explore it as a class. Rebecca creates an open dialogue with her students that creates a safe and inclusive environment that is so inspirational! Her classroom is so amazing. There is so much provocation around the room that allows her students to wonder, explore, foster imagination, and so much more!

There is also so much alternative seating, quiet spaces and tables and carpets that would be so beneficial for all students. I love that her classroom is warm, inviting, and inclusive. The only down side is that she told us that she basically has paid for everything that is beautiful in here class… So there goes all my money… Anyways here’s some cute pics of the classroom and here is her insta because you neeeeeed to follow her! Go! Right now! I will wait…. Also here is her book that is publish and that I just bought off amazon!

Anyways, that is all for today!

Pros and Cons of Assistive Tech

by Casey Hunt

On February 27, 2020

In EdTech Inquiry

Hello C’s Class,

Coming at you with another collaboration from Kaylyn, Aria, and I! We have been talking to you all about lots of cool ways to bring in assisted tech to support students with learning disabilities. Today we want to talk about the general pros and cons of implementing this into the classroom. So, if you’re curious keep reading…

Image result for assistive technology classroom

Okay, let’s talk about some of the pros! Most obvious assistive tech supports students that learn differently which will enable most children to be able to learn in the classroom despite their abilities. It can help students with diverse abilities become more independent and personalize their learning to their zone of proximal development. For students that have a hard time communicating, it can aid in giving students the voice they need in order to be successful in their educational journey. By enhancing student’s communication, assistive tech can reduce anxiety and enhance peer connections. Overall assistive tech will help to improve academic skills by fitting to the needs of each individual student.

Alright so we hope we have convinced you to all start implementing assistive tech in the classroom…but wait… what are the cons? Before you go ahead buying everyone an iPad lets talks about the concerns.

Like i mentioned above, assistive tech might involve having to have iPads in the class. Well, iPads can be expensive and as we all know, teacher budgets are not that big. If schools don’t provide these little screen geniuses, then we will all have a hefty bill to pay off. Assistive tech also takes training. The different apps, and resources we can implement in the classroom takes some knowledge to manipulate. So, unless you are super techy or have an EA in the class that has training you may be out of luck… and lastly… some teachers genuinely have no idea how to use tech and don’t like it. If this is the case maybe just retire? I’m kidding, but seriously, if you aren’t comfortable with using tech in the class well get comfy and take some classes, do your research because at the end of the day the pros outweigh the cons.

I hope these pros and cons have given you all a little bit more insight on whether or not assistive tech is for your class. All children deserve to get a chance to be successful in their educational experience. So do some learning of your own and get techy!

Check ya later! Kaylyn, Aria, and Casey

Music Midterm

by Casey Hunt

On February 26, 2020

In Music

Hello C’s Class,

So as you all know I am learning to play the guitar… Well update I’m actually not that bad. Today’s blog will be about what I have learned so far and how much I have accomplished from my musical growth plan.

I was really struggling to make my strumming pattern sound good with the song. I felt like giving up but instead I found a new youtube video that explained it way better and now I can actually play the whole song! Through this video I learned how to do the strumming pattern, where my hands should be and what chords I should be playing. Looking at my musical growth plan, so far I have checked off being able to hold my guitar, I can tune it myself, I sit up straight and move from chord to chord pretty smoothly (can still work on this), and I still have to look at my fingers when playing… But that is okay, this is a process. Throughthis as
signment I have got out of my comfort zone. Many times I wanted to give up because I just didn’t understand what was going on. But then when I found the new video to follow everything clicked. Although I am not perfect, I feel really proud that I started not even knowing how to hold a guitar and now I can kinda play one song! I wasn’t able to check off all the things I said I would be able to do from my growth plan, but I can do a whole lot more then I thought. I have been leaving my guitar out in my living room and that alone has made me practice so much more! I enjoy practicing once a day and that is something I never thought I would feel. My video I will be sending into my teacher will show case what I have learned so far. Wish me luck!

Here is my video! https://youtu.be/I8LkV9QbgPY

Learning Process

by Casey Hunt

On February 18, 2020

In Music

Hello C’s Class

So I am still learning how to play the guitar… and it is harder than I thought. Basically I set out to learn one song for my mid term that has the chords D and A and I thought, well how hard can this be…Welllllll hard.

Last week we brought in our instruments into class to do some practicing and to ask for help. So that is definitely what I did. I explained my situation to the teacher and told her straight up “I suck and I am going to fail!” I know… pretty honest of me but seriously that is how I felt. I told her that there was no way that I was going to be able to achieve my goal by Feb 27th! She explained that all of this is a learning process and that we don’t have to be a super start by the mid term…THANK GOD! My mind was feeling more at ease now that I know I just need to try my very best and show progress! Which I definitely have. Last time I blogged I think I said I was getting the pattern down and learned the chords. Well I am here to tell you that I have learned more about the learning process which is important but I did learn new things on the guitar… Which I think is probably more important as I need to pass the class! I got better at switching from A to D quickly (still not perfect) and I learned how to do the strumming pattern that actually sounds good…well pretty good. As I continue to practice after I blog, I am going to continue practicing to switch from A to D without looking and do my best to make my sound more sharp and clear. Really pressing down on the chords to make my sound better, and playing the song with the real song to see if I can use the right tempo and speed so that I am playing it to the beat of the song! Wish me luck!

A for Apple

by Casey Hunt

On February 17, 2020

In EdTech Inquiry

Hello C’s Class!

We are here today to discuss more about iPads and the assistive technology created by Apple to help students with different learning impairments. Many different Apple features can assist students with various learning and literacy, vision, hearing, and physical/motor skill difficulties. Apple has a section outlining each of these special tools they have created to help aid students. Click here to see their website! We will now be discussing some of the things outlined on the website.

Learning and Literacy: “Guided Access” limits what actions can be done on the Ipad. This can help students with Autism or other attention and sensory challenges stay on task. You can disable to use of the home button, different parts of the screen, and the turning motion. “Speak Selection” can be used to highlight a section that will then be read out. This can help students follow along with the words as they are read aloud. The dialect and speed can be adjusted to fit the needs of the student. “Siri” can assist students who have challenges typing. Siri can do anything for students just by voice command such as setting reminders and sending messages. “Dictation” is a built in form of Siri that allows you to speak your response back to either a text message or email for students who may struggle with Dyslexia. “Safari Reader” was a super cool one that changes the look of a website. For students who may become distressed from sensory overload can use this to reduce the visual clutter and help highlight the information actually important to them.

Guided Access:

Speak Selection:

Safari Reader:

Visual: “Voice Over” helps students navigate the technology through a gesture based screen reader. “Siri” can also benefit students with visual impairments by simply speaking the task and Siri will do it for them. A note at the bottom of this section stated that there are also Braille displays available on IOS devices.

Siri:

Hearing: “Mono Audio” helps adjust the audio channels that usually have a distinct right and left side. This can be adjusted to play both at once as well as adjust the volume for other auditory challenges. “Closed Captioning” is available for videos so students can read along of they have difficulties with the video sound.

Physical and Motor Skills: “Assistive Touch” allows students to do multiple tasks with a simple touch of the screen. This alleviates any difficulties students may find in using force and multiple buttons. It creates one menu for several tasks to adjust to their specific needs. “Siri” again can be used here as it allows students to say what they need done. Siri can navigate for them.

Assistive Touch:

There were a couple things we did not touch on but they can be further explored in the website link at the top of this blog post. Apple has made big steps to allow all students to be able to use technology. Many of these features can be super beneficial for students to allow them to utilize technology to help advance their learning. Many schools are now using funding to get carts of Ipads in their schools which can greatly help students with learning disabilities as shown in this post. We were super happy to read this page and credit Apple for their great strides in creating assistive technology for students with learning disabilities!!

Thanks for tuning in! Catch ya later,

Kaylyn, Aria, and Casey

Learning Guitar

by Casey Hunt

On February 12, 2020

In Music

Hello C’s Class

Today’s blog is focused on my journey about learning the guitar. In my music class we had to pick an instrument to learn through out the semester…I chose the guitar. Why? Well, I thought the guitar was a super cool instrument to play but I now sorta regret it because it’s HARD! So wish me luck…

What have I learned? Well, so far I am learning one song with the chords D and A. The song is “Boys Round Here” by Blake Shelton. I have been practicing about everyday with 15 mins or so. I first started with learning chord D. After learning the proper fingering for this chord I practiced the strumming pattern. It goods, down, down, down, up, up,up, down. So it seems pretty easy but honestly I am struggling! After getting down this chord with the strumming patter I moved to learn the other chord. I learned how to properly do chord A and then practiced with the same strumming pattern. Basically this song switched between D and A using the same pattern each time. Super easy right? Well not so much for me…but I am trying! I downloaded an app called Chordify to help me learn the song and hopefully will help me be able to play the song by Feb 27th. Going forward I am going to continue with what I have learned and start practicing moving quickly from one chord to the next smoothly. I have been following the youtube video below to learn my song. I am a little worried that by Feb 27th I won’t be able to play the song but I am going to keep practicing and trying my best and hopefully will improved over the next 2 weeks!

Anyways, that’s all for today! Keep posted for another music blog next week and see if I have improved! Wish me luck!

Beauty Sleep

by Casey Hunt

On February 12, 2020

In Free Inquiry

Hello C’s Class

This week I want to talk about beauty sleep and how I go about my nightly routine.

So, this semester I have been feeling unmotivated, tired, and just plain old run down. I was so focused on doing my self-care journey to help improve my life that I forgot one of the most important self-care practices…SLEEP! If you are looking for ways to improve your sleep and get more energy keep reading!

Since starting my self-care journey, I have been inspired to make better life choice in becoming a new me…as corny as that sounds it’s true. The other day I was thinking about what my next self-care idea would be and I kept seeing things come up on my Pinterest about making a bedtime routine. I mean little kids do it and they seem to wake up chipper? I mean most of them? I don’t know maybe I am wrong but there is a reason they have a bed time and I thought why don’t adults? I mean if anything, we need it more… So I set out to make a routine! I will link some resources below for tips on how to make your own routine and some of the products I love before bedtime!

I think sleep often gets put on the back burner… but why? Sleep is something every person in the world needs in order to function. Unless you’re some crazy human that has been able to get on with no sleep…maybe stop reading my blog…this won’t apply. But honestly, if being present at work, at school, while with friends or family is so important then why are we compromising ourself in order to make more plans but get less sleep? I honestly don’t get it. We aren’t super humans so why do we think we can can stay up till midnight on school days, then get up early for school, then go out till 2am on the weekend, and then get up early for work and do it all again? Then we are surprised we feel like crap or get sick! Well, no wonder we get sick, we are treating our bodies like we are invincible. Have some respect, we only get one! Then I kept thinking why am I compromising sleep? Because if I go to bed now, I will miss that episode on netflix that is going to still be there on the weekend? Do I fear I’ll miss something if I stay in on the weekend? Or maybe I think that cramming in all the studying I needed to do for a test tomorrow will make me get an A on it… honestly you will probably still fail but now you’re going to fail and be tired. It’s really a lose lose situation. Bottom line is, go to bed people. All of that will still be there in the morning and if you missed out on a big night out, just be glad you get to wake up rested and not hung over. Start sleeping and take care of yourself so that you can be present when things really matter. If you have to take a mental health day to catch up and get your body aligned that’s okay. Just don’t do this every week… Your professors and employers will catch on soon enough.

I’m getting distracted… All you care about is my night routine right? Okay I am getting to that.

My routine: First I picked a bed time that is attainable to most of my week days. I chose to start my routine around 8:30 and to be sleeping by around 9:30 at the latest. Next I went to the most important rule in a bedtime routine…No electronics. Our world is so controlled by texting or sending that last email, or checking your instagram one more time before bed. Noooo! Stoppp being a slave to your phones! So my rule is to set an alarm for my morning then plug my phone in and then don’t look at it till the morning alarm goes off. I try and do this at least an hour before shutting my eyes to go to sleep. After this I put on my PJ’s, put a bit of my “sleep well” oil on and then hop into bed with either some water or hot peppermint tea. Then I read a book until I feel like I want to fall asleep then brush my teeth, put some more oil on and then go to sleep! I also turn off/down my heat so that the temperature in my room allows me to stay asleep and make my room really dark. That’s it! Super simple, easy, and attainable. Except for when I work my night shifts from 9-2am… that a different story.

Unplug and do what feels right for you. Those texts messages and insta posts can wait and will still be there in the morning. Stop putting everyone else before YOU! How can you effectively help or engage with other people if you can’t first take care of yourself first?

Here are some resources!

Sleeping Tips

Making a routine

Sleep Well roll on oil

Book I am currently reading

How to apply oil: I like to apply it on the bottoms of both feet for quick absorption and put it on both sides of my neck as shown in video! This stuff works like a dream!

I hope you enjoyed this blog and go and get a good restful nights sleep!

Internet Genius

by Casey Hunt

On February 11, 2020

In EdTech

Hello C’s Class

In my class today we had a really excellent guest speaker that scared the crap out of me… Basically he is an internet genius and told the class how scary the internet can be and all this other crazy information that all of you will want to know, so keep reading!

Let me start things off with asking, who all uses snap chat? Probably all of you at some point or you currently have an account. Well guess what. Snap chat has EVERY SINGLE picture and or video you have taken on snapchat! So not just the ones you have sent but all those ugly selfies you have taken and then deleted, yup they have those too. So should you delete you snap? I mean probably, or just stop taking ugly pictures and remember what ever snap sees, the snap world has access to… Holy crap I probably just blew your mind because mine sure was at this presentation.

Okay what’s next? This one is just a tip for all you creepers out there. Have you ever stocked someone on insta? LOL yes you have because that’s basically what insta is for. Have you ever been humiliated because as you are creeping some hot guy and you accidentally liked his pic from like 50 weeks ago? Well hot tip coming at yeah, put your phone on airplane mode and BOMB… nothing will happen… try it, go tap that pic as many times as you want. You’re welcome.

Want some more advice? Basically don’t be an idiot! If you are second guessing posting a pic, a status, video, sharing someone else’s video then DON’T DO IT. Some female elementary teach put a pic of her students on her TINDER profile… Like how dumb can you be! You guys are smarter than that! If you don’t have consent to do what you are doing or maybe in your head you think “hmm I would never show the principal my tinder profile with my students in it” them hmmm maybe it’s not a good idea! If you are worried about someone seeing a pic of you doing something you shouldn’t be doing or you think that you would never want you employer to see a certain pic then don’t post it. If you don’t get it by now not to be an idiot on the internet then I don’t know how else I can help you..sorry not sorry! I warned you…

As a future teacher I have a few words of wisdom for those who have kids, teach students, or really anyone that likes to learn something new and share it with others. Educate those around you on using social media pleaseeee. Teach people that once you put something on the internet it will probably be on there forever. But you think “well my insta is private so no one will see a pic of me at a party…” News flash hunny it’s called taking a screen shot. So if your friend takes a screen shot of this pic of you at a party and you deleted it because you are applying for a job well right before your interview this friend makes a post saying “happy birthday girl, party hard” and it’s the picture of you wasted at a party, whelp see yeah later job. Be so carful and educated those around you to also be so carful. Go onto you social media accounts, go through you info and pics, set up privacy settings, and think twice before you post.

This is just some of the things that I learned but I will be going through all my social media accounts to ensure that I have privacy settings and no information out there that someone could use or any pictures that I wouldn’t show my future employers. You all better be doing the same! Below is a TED Talk of Jesse Miller who presented in my class today! Enjoy!

Oh also here is a video I edited on iMovie in class today! lol don’t judge I am new at this… If I get better at it, I will give you some tips and tricks on how to work it. For now just laugh at my editing skills..

Anyways, that’s all for now! Keep posted for more blogs this week!