Review of Syllabus for Class

Instructor: Kelly Barista
Class: Introduction on getting to know more about me
Office: K101
Phone: 224.566.8890
Email: Kbarista1980@gmail.com
Office Hours:
By appointment
Texts/Technology
• None
• Google email address-you will need to sign up for a Google account. It is free to use!
• Website : http://bigfeetgirl.blogspot.com/2011/02/teaching-adults-irish-dance-through.html
Objectives:
The Learning outcomes for this course:
• Exploring and understanding how to create a personal blog
• Setting up a Google account and understanding the tools
• Students will become familiar with their own heritage and where they came from
• Presenting the project in a creative way
• Students will demonstrate through their presentation and blog the use of creating a blog and explaining their blog to everyone in the class

Grading/Evaluation:
Attendance and Participation: 20%
Understanding on creating a blog: 10%
Answering questions on blog: 25%
Developing your own blog and Presentation 35%
Bringing in an artifact or treat from heritage: 10%
TOTAL: 100%

How to set up a Blogger Blog
http://www.stevendkrause.com/academic/docuverse/blogger.html

Despite all of the hype with "blogs" in recent years, a blog really isn't anything much more complicated than a means for publishing a writer's work on the web in an easy to read and easy to update format. Some blogs are very personal, resemembling a diary, while others seem more akin to newspaper or magazine journalism. For our class this term, you will keep a blog where I'll ask you to post several short writing responses this term. Most of these exercises will be just a few pages long and they should help you working on the longer writing projects this semester.One easy way to do this is with Blogger, a free and easy to use service. Here are the instructions for how to set up a blog with Blogger (and they are current as of December 17, 2006):
Step 1: Go to http://www.blogger.com and sign up for a blog
Again, it's an easy to use service, but let me give you a few pieces of advice on how to accomplish this:
• At the start page for blogger, click on the orange arrow that says "create your blog now."
• Blogger now is part of Google, so if you have a Google account (which allows for things like gmail) you should use that to set up your new blogger account. If you don't have a Google account, now is a pretty good chance to set one up. Otherwise, it is just a matter of following the instructions on this page.
• Be sure to check the "terms of service" box; of course, you might actually want to read through it a bit first, though the rules are pretty standard for these sorts of services.
• Save your username and password some place. In fact, I would encourage you to write it down some place. Don't lose this!
• When you're done, click on the orange "continue" button, which will take you to another page. If you did something wrong or you supplied a username or password that doesn't work, Blogger will stop you from proceeding until you fix the error.
• The "Blog Title" will be what appears in the title portion of your blog. I recommend you keep it something simple like "My English 328 Blog" or whatever you want.
• For the address of your blog, I'd encourage you to use your username. So, in my case, the blogger blog address would be http://krause328.blogspot.com Unless you know what you're doing with ftp functions, you should use blogspot.com to host your blog.
• The "word verification" section is a security set-up the blogger folks have; simply type in the word you see in the funky font into the provided box. Click "continue" when you're done.
• You can choose any template you want for your blog, and you can also change the template later if you would like. Click continue when you're done.
• After waiting a few moments, you should get a screen that says your blog has been created. Good for you! Click on the "start posting" arrow and get to work!
Step 2: Get posting!
• The posting screen for blogger is pretty straight-forward. Give your entries a title, type in the appropriate window, and use the editing tools for your blog entry as you want. We'll talk about more advanced options for your posting later, but if you know any basic html, you can incorporate most of that code into your blog posts.
• To post or "publish" your post, click the button at the bottom of the screen "Publish Post." If you start writing something but you don't want to post it until later, click where it says "Save as Draft."
• When you publish your post, blogger will process the information and then, if everything worked (and it usually does), it will give you the option to "view blog." Take a look at it; you should notice a couple of things:
o The address for your blog-- something like http://stevendkrause.blogspot.com-- is the address for your blog. Send this URI (web address) to me! I will link to your blog from the class web site.
o Readers should be able to post a comment to your post by clicking on the "comments" link.











Course Schedule for Weeks 1-10
Week 1: Introduction
• Introduce yourselves online and tell what your background is (heritage , where you came from and anything else)
• Review Blogger Handout
• Teaching Adults about their Irish Heritage and Why its Important
• Teaching Adults about their Irish Heritage and Why its Important
• Kelly Barista's Technology Plan!
• Review Syllabus
Week 2: Irish Dance Steps and Shoes
• Begin my creating your blog via blogger and sending the website
• Begin by reviewing Week 2 on the blog given to you: http://bigfeetgirl.blogspot.com/2011/02/teaching-adults-irish-dance-through.html
• Make any comments or questions on the blog that were asked of you
Week 3: Irish Dance Costume
• Log into blogger and begin reviewing Week 3
• Post something about you and your heritage and make comments on classmates blogs
Week 4: Riverdance and Jig
• Begin by reviewing Week 4 and review the question that posted by me
• Please review the videos in the blog
• Send me a Reflection Email on how you think the class is going and if there are any changes you would make to Kbarista1980@gmail.com
Week 5: Irish Dance Companies in the Chicagoland area and Pictures of Irish Step Dancing
• Please review post and answer questions that were posted by me
• Start working your own blog
Week 6: Feet of a Dancer and Irish Blessing
• Please review post and answer questions that were posted by me
• Start working on your own blog


Week 7-9: Irish Heritage –Weeks 7, 8 and 9

Hi Students,

I am happy to announce that you are half way done with "Introduction on getting to know more about me" class. I hope you have enjoyed the last 6 weeks of the term and enjoyed the blog and about my Irish Heritage.

Now it is your time to start on your individual blog. Please remember to review the questions that were asked of you. I am letting you discover yourself and your own heritage through this project. Please review my questions, your answers and student comments.

You can use a blog and follow my instructions on explaining about your own heritage:
Remember to Include:
1. Introduction on you
2. An interview with parents and or relatives
3. Interesting facts and stories
4. Poems, Movies, Clips, Art from your heritage
5. What you have learned about your heritage

You will be able to use classtime and we will be meeting on Computer Lab K101 for the next three weeks, so you have plenty of time to work on this blog. I will be available for questions or concerns.

Remember to have fun, be creative and remember this about getting to know more about yourself!!!

Week 10: Presentation and Treats
• Everyone will present their treat or finding regarding their cultural background. You will have 5-8 minutes to present. Please bring an artifact-picture, song, piece of clothing or something to class. I will be making a scrapbook for my next quarter’s class.

Week 10-Presentation and Treats

Everyone will present their treat or finding regarding their cultural background. You will have 5-8 minutes to present. Please bring an artifact-picture, song, piece of clothing or something to class. I will be making a scrapbook for my next quarter’s class.

Irish Heritage-Weeks 7, 8, 9

Hi Students,

I am happy to announce that you are half way done with "Introduction on getting to know more about me" class. I hope you have enjoyed the last 6 weeks of the term and enjoyed the blog and about my Irish Heritage.

Now it is your time to start on your individual blog. Please remember to review the questions that were asked of you. I am letting you discover yourself and your own heritage through this project. Please review my questions, your answers and student comments.

You can use a blog and follow my instructions on explaining about your own heritage:
Remember to Include:
1. Introduction on you
2. An interview with parents and or relatives
3. Interesting facts and stories
4. Poems, Movies, Clips, Art from your heritage
5. What you have learned about your heritage

You will be able to use classtime and we will be meeting on Computer Lab K101 for the next three weeks, so you have plenty of time to work on this blog. I will be available for questions or concerns.

Remember to have fun, be creative and remember this about getting to know more about yourself!!!

-Kelly Barista

Irish Blessing-Week 6

Irish Blessing


May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

May God be with you and bless you:
May you see your children's children.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.

May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.

May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.

Feet of a Dancer-Week 6

This is one of my favorite songs and lyrics. My dear friend Kristen sang this song when she was leaving and moving away. It is still a dear memory to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4EcvlZpzLc

Feet of A Dancer
By: Maura O'Connell (discography) Back to Roth's Song Index
On: Philo So Far, Just in Time



Chorus
I hope you find the feet of a dancer, I hope you can sing in the rain
I hope you find all the easy answers to your pain
I hope you find love and affection, someone who cares
I hope you find all the right direction everywhere.


It won't be easy, but what can I say
There will be trouble on the way
And around every corner, there'll be terror and tears
But always remember that we're here.

Chorus


A shoulder to cry on, whenever you're low
You know you can rely on us, you know
'Cause there's nothing too crazy, and there's nothing too dear
But always remember that we're here.

Chorus


Bridge:
Even when the rain comes falling down
You know it's falling down on you

Chorus

***Student Question: Please post any songs or poems you might find relating to your cultural background. Please give a meaning as to why you chose it.

Pictures of Irish Step Dancing-Week 5

Performing at my wedding above
All of my best friends-the "old dancers" at my friend Katie's wedding in 2007.

Kelly performing a jig

"old timers"

Jenni and Kelly performing the two-hand jig

The old dancers at my wedding-it was a great time!

Since I retired from Irish Dancing in 1995, I have performed in numerous family weddings, reunions and friend's weddings. I was married in July 2006 and I had invited many family and friends who took Irish Dancing. As a surprise by my cousin who was an Irish Dancer with Mullane Irish Dancers in Chicago, she surprised me by having Mullane perform and then all the "old dancers" performed. Here are some pictures from my wedding and other friends weddings. http://www.mullanehealyobrien.com/

***Student Question: Please list any fun facts or pictures about your cultural background.

Irish Dance Companies in the Chicagoland Area-Week 5

I grew up taking Irish Step Dancing in the years of 1986-1995. I took dancing for Richens Academy in Columbus, Ohio. Back in the day when I took it there was only one dance academy in Columbus, Ohio. Now in 2011, they have grown and I even have two friends who started their own company in Columbus, Ohio. Talk about going full-circle. They are the Regan-Rankin Academy in Columbus, Ohio. http://www.reganacademy.com/MISSION.html

I competed throughout the mid-west for all of my Irish dancing career and the Chicagoland market was huge and very competitive. Most of the years that I grew up taking Irish Dancing the competitive and popular Irish Dance group that was in Chicago was Trinity Irish Dancing

http://www.trinityirishdancers.com/

Trinity has performed on numerous tv shows; Johnny Carson, the movie "Backdraft" and WGN, The Today Show and many more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luF2kzWxYcM

Here is website of schools all over the United States

http://www.feisworx.com/school_list.php

***Student Question: If there are any social groups in the area that meet to discuss about your cultural background, please list, conduct an interview or visit one of them.

Jig-Irish Dance Documentary-Week 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ4D2cg48uw

Here is the Irish Dance Documentary that I am dying to see. They have been showing the trailer on facebook and youtube. I am hoping it will come to a theatre near me soon!

Here is an article about the documentary: http://www.irishcentral.com/story/ent/unateresa_eye_on_irish_dance/jig-trailer--a-feature-length-documentary-by-award-winning-producerdirector-sue-bourne-117466233.html

Riverdance-A Phenomenon-Week 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rjj9kAL9W4

Riverdance has become a phenomenon since its first showing in 1994 at the Eurovision Song Contest. I was 14 years old at the time when Riverdance came out and I was still dancing at this age. It was such a exciting time in Irish Dance and everyone who I danced with was excited. I was at a dance competition in Toronto, Canada and rode the same elevator with Jean Butler who was the female lead for Riverdance for many years. Riverdance is a theatrical production that tells the story of Irish Culture and Irish Immigration to America.

Many of my friends that I danced with went on to audition for Riverdance their Junior and Senior years of High School in 1998 and 1999. I had had about 10 friends who I danced with who have traveled the world with Riverdance and performed. I have one friend, Joe Moriarty who has been dancing with them since 1997 and I have attached a short clip of Riverdance and he is the male lead. This was a recent performance he had in Columbus, Ohio-my hometown. Riverdance has been such a positive influence in the Irish Culture and a huge success across the United States and in Europe!

***Student Question: In your cultural background is there any type of performances or plays that have captured the essence of your heritage? Please use examples.

Irish Dance Costume-Week 3

Solo Irish Dance Costume for Girls

Solo boy costume
Old Irish Dance Costumes for boys and girls

Several generations ago, the appropriate dress for a competition was simply your "Sunday Best" when going to church. In the 1970s and 1980s, ornately embroidered dresses became popular. Today even more ornamentation is used on girls' dresses, for example lace, sequins and brilliants, silk, extensive embroidery, feathers and fur. Irish Dance schools have school dresses, complete with a small cape, bloomers, and a headband. These are worn by "Beginner" (Bun Grad) through "Novice" (Ullmhuchan) dancers. When dancers reach a level decided by their school, may get a solo dress of their own design and colors. Solo dresses can range from 100 to 5000 dollars, and are unique to each dancer. In competitions, solo dresses are usually only allowed to be worn when competing in the Mean Grad level or higher. Today in competition, most men wear a shirt, waistcoat, and tie assigned by their school paired with black trousers or a kilt. But when they get into the higher levels, as the girls do, they get to pick their own waistcoat, shirt and tie.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_dance

***Student Question: What types of uniforms or outfits did your Cultural Background have and please describe and show pictures in your own blog.

Irish Dance Steps and Shoes-Week 2

Soft Shoes
&

Hard ShoesThere are so many different dances in Irish Dance. They are all done with either a soft shoe or hard shoe that has taps on them. There is the Reel, Slip Jig, Light JIg and Hop Jig that are done with soft shoes. Treble Jig and Horn Pipe are danced with hard shoes. A reel step 4/4 time and the slip jig a 6/8 time. Being light and quick on your feet is a benefit, along with keeping to the music.

***Question for Students: What kind of traditions of dance do you have in your cultural background, if any?

Teaching Adults about their Irish Heritage and Why its Important

The main reason I am teaching adults about Irish Step Dancing is because I believe that in our readings that Adults need to know why they are learning something. They also want to know how this will benefit them.


The Learner’s Self-concept

http://frank.mtsu.edu/~itconf/proceed00/fidishun.htm
Knowles, Holton, and Swanson emphasize that “adults resent and resist situations in which they feel others are imposing their wills on them.” (1998, 65) In spite of their need for autonomy, previous schooling has made them dependent learners. It is the job of the adult educator to move adult students away from their old habits and into new patterns of learning where they become self-directed, taking responsibility for their own learning and the direction it takes.

Technology is a perfect path for the facilitation of self-direction. The ultimate ability of initiatives such as web-based learning to be non-linear allows an adult to follow the path that most appropriately reflects their need to learn. It becomes extremely important for those who are designing technology-based adult learning to use all of the capabilities of the technology including branching, the ability to skip sections a student already understands, and multiple forms of presentation of material which can assist people with various learning styles. All of these can be used to permit students to follow a path of learning that most appropriately suits them.

I feel like blogging about Irish Dancing is a way to express my ideas, pictures, videos and is a fun way to have adults learn Irish Dancing in a fun and interactive way.

Background & History of Irish Dance-Introduction on Getting to Know more about me"

I began taking lessons for Irish Step Dancing when I was in the first grade with Richens Academy of Irish Dance in Columbus, Ohio. It is now called Richens-Timm Academy. I took dancing for until I was in eighth grade. I quit dancing so I could pursue other options in playing volleyball in high school. I was very involved with the academy and loved it. I met amazing friends that I call family and they are so wonderful. This is a picture of our dance reunion in Summer of 2009. Here is my dancing group's website: http://www.richenstimm.com/

Background of Irish Dancing

Irish Dance has been around since about 400 A.D. Peasants from all around Europe came to Ireland with special dances from their home countries. They put their steps together which then created the form of Irish Dance.

The Vikings destroyed most books from the 7th and 8th century. So little is known about Irish dance history before then. The Viking raids ended in 1014 when Feisianna began. A Feisianna was the combination of a trade fair, political gathering and cultural event. It also had sporting events, story telling, crafts, music and dance. During the 12th century Celtic traditions declined. In 1366 the Statute of Kilkenny was decreed imposing heavy penalties against anyone practicing Irish customs. Dance declined for a while then continued on in secret.

During the 16th and 17th centuries “crossroads dancing” became very popular. The clergy condemned “crossroads dancing” so the Gaelic League introduced the first Ceili in 1697. This let dancers dance indoors under supervision. The Ceili was not held in Ireland but in London. Traditional Irish culture continued in secrecy until the 1700s. Around 1750 less strict attitudes allowed Irish dance to flourish. Dance was taught by Dance Masters. A Dance Master would travel around the country staying in villages to teach dance steps. Having a dance teacher staying in your village was cause for pride and boasting by the community.

In 1929 the Irish Dancing Commission was founded to make rules in teaching, judging and competitions. It is still around today. In the 1930s and 40s enthusiasm was low due to immigration and unemployment and interest in music was down.

In the 20th century dance instruction begins at an early age. Girls rarely danced solos before the 1920s. Dance styles also changed, arms and hands were not always held rigid during solo dances. Hands were more relaxed and usually on their waists. It was said that Parish priests considered rigid arms less provocative and were said to increase a girl's self control.

An Irish dance competition is called a feis. One can be found somewhere in the United States every month of the year. Spring and summer months are usually the busiest. Regional competitions are called Oireachtas (pronounced uh-roc-tas). The best dancers qualify for the national competition and then the world competition. The All World Championships are held every year in Ireland at Easter time.

http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/00374/history.html

Kelly Barista's Technology Plan!

Just in time for St. Patty's day and my favorite time and holiday! I took Irish Step Dancing for 10 years while I lived in Columbus, Ohio. From the time I started and stopped, I have always been asked to teach, show a step, perform at a wedding or share my knowledge about the Irish Step Dancing Tradition and background. For me it was a great time in my life. I am still friends with many of the old dancers and we had a reunion two years ago in Columbus, Ohio.

My main objective for this technology plan is to incorporate a way of giving you knowledge about Irish Step Dancing. I will focus on:

Background and History-Week 1

I feel as children and adults we are self-directed and teaching and learning from ourselves is a big theme in defining the adult-Week 1

Dancing Steps and Soft and Hard Shoes-Week 2

Irish Dance Costume-Week 3

Riverdance-Week 4

Jig-the Movie-Week 4

Where you can take Irish Dancing for Adults in the Chicagoland area-Week 5

Re-Cap and Pictures-Week 5

Feet of a Dancer Poem and Song-Week 6

Irish Blessing-Week 6

As a student-please begin on researching about your heritage and start working on thinking of ideas for the class.

Baby Clothes and spending tons of money-guess what you don't have to!

So being almost six months pregnant--the worry wart of my personality is setting in...I need clothes, I don't have much for the baby (we haven't had our shower), I need to keep reading my books! All of my worries are starting and they are waking me up at night or keeping me from sleeping. I have heard this happens, but geez!

We'll yesterday I was on one of my favorite websites, Craigslist.com and plugged in Maternity/Baby Clothes. I got a couple good ones that popped up and saw one that was great and the woman that I contacted lived right by my work. We made an appointment for me to come over and look at clothes. She has triplets and an older daughter. I was so excited and at lunch I drove over to her house. I was greeted with a smile and surrounding her dining room were bins of clothes from Newborn to 18 months. I could have went crazy, but since we don't know the sex I was trying to contain myself and choosing only clothes that were gender neutral and also a couple cute girl and boy outfits. She was so sweet and so nice! I am so looking forward to reading her blog http://www.4littlebees.com/about-2/ All of the clothes were so cute and in such good condition. I got so many onesies, pants, a couple sleep sacks and outfits for $26.00 bucks! Love a good deal--I am hooked now on looking for baby clothes on craigslist and at garage sales! I can't wait to meet our baby--then I can go wild! But for right now--this was perfect and such a good start to Baby Barista's wardrobe!

Thank you so much Mama Bee!

Bigfeetgirl thanks you!

Love is...

It has been a while since I have posted one of these but I can't help to feel great on this Friday--it's sunny outside, it's the weekend and everything seems to be in a good place and where I should be in my life. Life throws curveballs, but you have to roll with the punches and see where it takes you.

Have a great weekend!

21 Week Ultrasound

Last Thursday was very exciting--we had our 21 week ultrasound. I was supposed to go for my 20 week ultrasound, but the Blizzard came and we had to reschedule. It was a very cool moment in time that I'll always remember.

They tell you to drink lots of water so they can get a good reading on the baby and take all the measurements...I drank a lot more water than needed. After waiting an extra 30 minutes with a full bladder they were finally ready to take us in.

The ultrasound tech was very nice and she got lots of good readings on the baby...which is great! We didn't find out the sex and we are keeping it a surprise! I can't wait to know in June which seems like a long time away, but I know it will come quick!

Baby Barista is measuring at 1 pound, heartbeat at 139 and healthy! So excited and glad to hear everything was healthy and wonderful. Grandma Mimi got to come and she was so excited also!

Can't wait to meet Baby Barista in 18 weeks! wow--that is crazy!

Due Date: June 22, 2011

Bye January!

So it's January 28th and it's almost February! All I can say is thank gosh! This past month has been the most insane, crazy and horrible month.

Things that I have disliked about January:
1. Going back to work and school
2. SNOW
3. Cold Temperatures
4. Being in the house
5. Winter Boredom
6. No Sun or Warm weather
7. Holidays are over
8. My flu and cold that I got and had to go to the ER to get fluids pumped in my system. I was a sick pregnant girl and miserable
9. My cracked tooth that just happened eating Starbursts!
10. My Sciatic Nerve bothering me ALOT

So trying to think Positive and looking forward to the months ahead.

Things I am looking forward to in the next couple months
1. Warmer Weather-Sun
2. My 20 week appt Ultrasound in February
3. St. Patty's Day corned beef and cabbage (wish it was beer too, but a couple more months)
4. Getting ready for the baby-buying the crib, our showers, enjoying being pregnant
5. A spa getaway in March in Wisconsin!
6. Baby Classes in May
7. Half way finished with my Winter 2011 Classes
8. 2 more classes then a break when the baby comes
9. Reading, relaxing and Nesting
10. Meeting Baby Barista in June 2011

To everyone who dislikes the winter--plan some fun events, getaways, trips to the movies, dinners and outings with friends! At least February is a short month!

Have a great weekend!