Gone Fishin'

2005-10-02T22:13:00.000-07:00

Muskie Mania in Indiana!

My husband could not stand listening to all this talk about fishing any longer! He drove over an hour today to Big Barbee Lake to hunt the great water wolf.

Of course I asked for details... 1.) south wind, 2.) water temperature measured 68 degrees, 3.) the day before a new moon, 4.) 8:30 in the morning, 5.) bucktail with a white blade and a white tail, and 6.) 43 inches long

Information inquiry IS NOT LINEAR! (Lamb) Now, I'm wondering if his retrieval technique is unique? Hmmm.

...my turn in two weeks!

2005-10-02T21:44:00.000-07:00

Assessing...

I have shared a few of my feelings throughout this process. Tonight's feeling is a sense of relief mixed with anxiety...It's late and I still have to pack and leave early in the morning for an out of town conference.

When assessing student information inquiries, I use the RubiStar website at http://rubistar.4teachers.org. What a fabulous tool! I was introduced to this site two years ago and have used it ever since. The classroom teachers, students, and I each have rubrics to complete. The rubrics assess student participation in the inquiry process and their products.

I enjoyed using Lamb's 8W's to guide my inquiry process. It was helpful as well as thought-provoking. My background enabled me to tie in resources relating to almost every stage.

Lamb's timeline was extremely helpful, yet I had difficulty meshing work and personal responsibilities with it. My inability to meet a couple deadlines were discussed with Dr. Lamb during the very important communication and collaboration sessions offered throughout the 8W's.

I am pleased with my final product. It has been a while since I made my own slide show. Sound is not present because I didn't like the choices and I didn't choose to take the time to create my own.

So what would I do differently? I should communicate/collaborate more with my instructor, but will I next time? I should stick to my timeline, but will I next time?

...Wishing

2005-10-02T19:22:00.000-07:00

Communicating...

Interested in viewing my multimedia presentation? ...my slide presentation rubric? ...my oral presentation rubric? ...my process rubric? Visit the elementary level POD on Oncourse and look for the Jody files.

...Waving

2005-10-01T19:17:00.000-07:00

Creating...

What is an effective way to communicate the information I have? The possibilities seem endless. Yet as I ponder the many suggestions listed in Eduscapes, my thoughts keep returning to a muskie guide that visited our resort lodge every Monday evening during the summer. He answered questions from novice fishermen and told a variety of fish tales. (All the while trying to pick up a few guide service dates.) My connection to this gentleman has affirmed my decision to create a multi-media slide presentation. Of course, my audience at the present is limited to an instructor and classmates, but in the future I may decide to take this show on the road!

I can always create an advertising campaign, brochure, bumper sticker, etc. when I become a female muskie guide. Hmmm, the possibilities are endless! Creating such products relates to Information Literacy Standard #3: "The student who is information literate uses information accurately and creatively." Hmmm.

What about the students at NJSP? What choices do they have? I must remember to share the products and assessments found at <http://www.bcpl.net/~sullivan/modules/tips/productselem.html>.

...Wrapping

2005-09-29T21:11:00.000-07:00

Organizing and Synthesizing Ideas...

Dr. Lamb's Weaving Checklist includes

Processing information -- concept mapping, comparing, organizing, analyzing, and synthesizing
Reviewing the results -- reviewing and questioning information gleaned
Citing sources -- reviewing copyright and permission to use information, avoiding plagiarism

In my elementary classrooms, I use Venn diagrams, charts/tables, and Kidspiration/Inspiration to help students organize their thoughts. Lamb's Teacher Tap and Marzano's Classroom Instruction that Works describes several transformation scaffolds for classroom usage.

The synthesis process is often the most time consuming, but my graphic organizers made the task simpler. I chose to use Kidspiration and a KWL Chart to organize my research. In addition, I made several "note cards" on my word processor. Questions and answers were reviewed and sources were double-checked.

As I organized and analyzed the information, I came to a point where I was ready to create a final product. It is during this phase of organizing that I began eliminating the information that I chose not to use. I had too much information! To use or not to use...

...Weaving

2005-09-28T20:59:00.000-07:00

Support, Wiggle, Support...

Students in Lamb's Wiggling stage may require additional support. In an ideal classroom, every student would be utilizing research-based instructional strategies on a daily basis and the Wiggling stage would be a natural part of the learning process. But more likely than not, teachers (and library media specialists) will need to assist learners with strategies.

Experts in the literacy field have stressed the importance of modeling research-based strategies for learning. Harvey and Goudvis found that proficient readers are making connections, questioning, visualizing, making inferences, determining importance, and synthesizing information. According to Marzano, researchers at McREL identified nine instructional strategies that have a high probability of enhancing student acheivement: identifying similarities and differences; summarizing and note taking; reinforcing effort and providing recognition; homework and practice; nonlinguisitc representations; cooperative learning; setting objectives and providing feedback; generating and testing hypotheses; and questions, cues, and advance organizers.

Harvey, Stephanie and Anne Goudvis. 2000. Strategies that work. Portland,Main: Stenhouse Publishers.
Marzano, Robert, Debra J. Pickering, and Jane E. Pollock. 2001. Classroom instruction that works: Research-based strategies for increasing student achievement. Alexandria, Virginia: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

These researchers have convinced me that after explicitly modeling these strategies, I must gradually give students more responsibility for task completion. I must scaffold the students' attempts and support their thinking, give them feedback during conferences and classroom discussions. Dr. Lamb describes several reception scaffolds that help provide support. (Teacher Tap, Wiggling)

Most importantly, students must communicate and collaborate throughout the cycle. I tried using the Expert Central website for this inquiry. Unfortunately, the muskie fishing experts were not experts on Indiana lakes. Needless to say, Teacher Tap provides many "Ask-an-Expert" possibilities for other inquiries.

...Wiggle, Support, Wiggle.

2005-09-26T21:39:00.000-07:00

Moving to and fro...

I know that I have plenty of resources, I'm just uncertain whether or not they are the best resources.

In this stage of the 8W's information inquiry process, I am to use and evaluate my selected information resources. Dr. Lamb suggests the following tools.

Evaluation Wizard http://21cif.imsa.edu/tools/evaluate?act=&step=1&curstep=3&url=&eval3
Teacher Tap: Evaluating Internet Resources http://eduscapes.com/tap/topic32.htm

Lamb's Teacher Tap site equates strongly to Joyce Valenza's checklist which was mentioned in an earlier entry. It's time to get busy!

...Wiggling!

2005-09-24T13:51:00.000-07:00

More sites to evaluate...

I tried using Inspire today with no luck. Google, on the otherhand, provided over 100 hits for Indiana muskie fishing. I quickly reviewed eight or more sites and decided to add three more to my resource list.

DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/fish/fishing/muskie.htm
Indiana Game and Fish http://www.indianagameandfish.com/fishing/in_aa091802a
Muskie 411: The Guide to Muskie Fishing http://www.muskie411.com/sitemap.html

...and to wiggle through.

2005-09-22T18:28:00.000-07:00

Expanding my web of inquiry...

More questions popped into my head while I sat reading Tony Rizzo's book.

How many hours in a day are spent catching the average muskie?
Does the Figure 8 cast retrieval bring in more fish?
Does the time of day increase one's chances of landing muskies?
Should I be checking monthly moon charts for the best days to fish?

Earlier I mentioned that I was tense and apprehensive. Now, as I read, I feel optimism and confidence in the ability to complete this quest.

...and expanding my knowledge.

2005-09-18T20:51:00.000-07:00

Evaluating Indiana Muskie Guide Websites

According to Information Literacy Standard #2, "The student who is information literate evaluates information critically and competently." (Information Power)

How does one evaluate a muskie guide website? I plan to use Joyce Kasman Valenza's "Website Evaluation Questions" to check Mike Ice's site at http://www.icemansguideservice.com/ and Mike Hulbert's site at http://www.mikehulbert.com/fishingreports.shtml. (i.e., Is the information accurate? What are the author's qualifications or expertise in the area? When was the information created or last updated? Is the author simply promoting an agenda?) Later.

Resource for Valenza's Guidelines:
Loertscher, David V. with Connie Champlin. 2003. Indiana learns: Increasing Indiana student academic achievement through school library media and technology programs. Spring, TX: Hi Willow Research and Publishing.

2005-09-17T20:35:00.000-07:00

My Resource Web

Books:

Heiting, Steve. 1992. Musky mastery: The techniques of top guides. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications.

Rizzo, Tony. 1997. Tony Rizzo's secrets of a muskie guide. Canton, Michigan: Willow Creek Press.

Saric, Jim and Steve Heiting. 1999. The complete guide to musky hunting. St. Germain, Wisconsin: Musky Hunter Publications.

Sternberg, Dick. 1992. Northern pike and muskie. Minnetonka, Minnesota: Cy DeCosse Incorporated.

Internet Sites:

Iceman's Guide Service. http://www.icemansguideservice.com/

Mike Hulbert Guide Service. http://www.mikehulbert.com/fishingreports.shtml

Live Interviews:

Jonathan Arndt

Larry Arndt

Magazines:

Esox Angler. Esox Angler, Inc. http://www.esoxangler.com

Musky Hunter. Esox Promotions, Inc. http://www.muskyhunter.com

Videos:

Joe Bucher: Musky Collection. 1998. Joe Bucher TV Productions.

The PIG Video: Secrets for Catching Hawgs. Bob Mehsikomer's Simply Fishing Television Series. 45 minutes.

2005-09-17T10:24:00.000-07:00

Planning my search...

Webbing, the third step in the 8W's information inquiry process, directs students to locate, search for, and connect ideas and information. Lamb's classroom checklist for Webbing includes the following:

Planning a Search Strategy
Identifying Key Ideas
Addressing Individual Differences
Identifying Types of Information
Selecting Resource Formats
Using Starting Points
Conducting an Internet Search
Webbing Information
Contemplating

Traditionally schools have been dependent upon knowledge presented in textbooks, relatively small library collections, and individual teacher's knowledge of a subject. Even the best designed text, the most well supported library, and the most hightly skilled teacher cannot match the abundance and currency of the information available on the Internet. (Kuhlthau) To accomplish research on the Internet, students and teachers must learn to navigate it skillfully by using search engines. (Eisenberg) What a challenge!

The Internet is only one of many resources on my format web. I am also considering live interviews, books, magazines, videos, and web pages.

The student who is information literate knows how to structure a search across a variety of sources and formats to locate the best information to meet a particular need. (Information Power) I'm ready...

...and hungry for info.

Resources

American Association of School Librarians and Association for Educational Communications and Technology. 1998. Information power: Building partnerships for learning. Chicago: American Library Association.

Eisenberg, Mike and Bob Berkowitz. 2000. "Applying Big6 skills and information literacy standards to Internet research." Book report. 19(Nov/Dec): 33-35.

Kuhlthau, Carol Collier. 1997. "Learning in digital libraries: An information search process approach. Library trends. 45(Spring): 708-724.

Lamb, Annette. 2005. http://eduscapes.com/info/topic71c.htm

2005-09-16T18:50:00.000-07:00

Simply Wondering....

Wondering is the second stage of Lamb's 8W's of information inquiry. In this stage, one must keep an open mind as he/she brainstorms options, discusses ideas, identifies problems, and develops questions. Lamb suggests a series of steps to guide the inquirer through this stage:

finding a purpose
questioning
connecting to prior knowledge
finding your focus
narrowing your topic
contemplating

Why am I working on this personal inquiry project? My quest is three fold: 1) It is an assignment. 2) I want to seek information that is unrelated to my work. 3.) I'm simply wondering, "Why me? Why did I catch that muskie? How can I increase the likelihood of catching another?"

Dr. Lamb suggests using the ThinkTank with young people to help them brainstorm questions. The topic of fishing doesn't fit well in the tank, yet I was able to create several questions based on prior knowledge.

Why did I catch a muskie in June on an Indiana lake?
What factors or conditions improve one's chances of catching this fierce freshwater predator? (i.e, air temperature, wind direction, sky conditions, season, water temperature, water clarity)
How many of these factors or conditions must be favorable to increase my chances of catching a muskie?
Which factors or conditions are the most important?
Which bait is preferred - artificial or live?What structure is available on the lake?
What tackle is best? (rod, reel, line)
What depth do muskies prefer?
What is the forage base of the water?
Which lakes in Indiana are stocked with a substantial number of muskie?

My prior knowledge about fishing is limited. For instance, I know that the factors/conditions mentioned above affect my chances of catching fish, yet I do not know which are best. (i.e., which season, what temperature, what lure)

Robert Marzano stresses the use of graphic organizers in several of his books. I have found that electronic tools, such as Kidspiration and Inspiration, help motivate and organize students. In addition, the tools enable students to find focus.

Lamb also suggests that students complete quick surveys of materials in libraries and online to help decide whether or not their topics are too broad or too narrow. Large projects may be viewed in chunks and narrow topics expanded.

When designing research questions, Lamb prefers the use of words like "what if, formulate, predict, invent, or imagine to get you started thinking about meaningful questions." So what if I the conditions are different than that day in June...will I still catch a muskie?

...and Questioning.

Resources:

Lamb, Annette. 2005. http://eduscapes.com/info/topic71b.htm

Marzano, Robert, Debra J. Pickering, and Jane E. Pollock. 2001. Classroom Instruction That Works: Research-Based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement. Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development.

2005-09-15T19:03:00.000-07:00

More on Watching...

To accomplish the first step in the 8W's inquiry process, I explored and observed my daily routines. I thought about my strengths and weaknesses as a teacher, wife, mother, and volunteer. It was important to me to take a break every day to record my experiences and thoughts. Some of my journal entries were written in paragraphs, some lists, others in webs.

What did I discover? I found that I enjoy taking impromptu rides with my husband, that my son and I can make a scrumptious chocolate chip cheesecake, that several teachers are anxious to begin mini-inquiry projects, that Shaquille O'Neal is three inches taller than one of our third grader's dad, that even though I stopped teaching Sunday School this semester... I can find time to substitute teach, that our Kiwanis group appreciates the rubric I made to judge the Fun Day in the Park posters, that my flowers do look better if I keep them watered, that my husband and I have permission to "cast a few" at a friend's pond whenever we get the urge, that I want to learn more about weather forecasting, that my son has an interest in Vikings and that I have little knowledge to share on the topic...the list continues.

According to Carol Kuhlthau, one should examine his/her thoughts and feelings within each stage of the information search process....So how did I feel throughout the week? In the beginning I was very tense, nervous, and apprehensive at the work ahead. Later, I felt relaxed and appreciative as I enjoyed family, friends, cohorts, and God's many blessings.

As I approach the next step, I feel comfortable knowing that my first topic choice is still my favorite. Fishing is a lifetime sport that I can enjoy with family and friends...why not perfect my abilities and increase my knowledge!

The student who is an independent learner is information literate and pursues informatio related to personal interests. (Information Literacy Standard #4) I definitely am...

...ready for Wondering.

Resources:

Arndt, Jody. 2005. "My personal journal."

Kuhlthau, Carol C. 1987. "Emerging theory of library instruction." School Library Media Quarterly. Vol. 16:23-27.

2005-09-07T21:25:00.000-07:00

Be an explorer and an observer...

The world is a fascinating place. Young and old alike should "stop and smell the roses." Because of hectic lives, many people fail to set time aside to "watch" the world around them.

The first step in Dr. Annette Lamb's information inquiry process is entitled Watching. This phase of the 8W's requires exploration, observation, reading and viewing, writing, and discussing.

My quest begins with numerous questions. When do I schedule time for exploring? Am I observing something special? Will I regret the time spent reading for pleasure? What type of journaling should I use? Who will be my audience for the discussing stage? Will family members have me committed?

My plan:

Explore and be more observant on a daily basis.
Continue to read a newspaper, journal, or book daily.
Record my observations, thoughts, and feelings.
Share some of my journal entries with family, cohorts, and blog readers.

...watch the world around you!

Resources:

Google Images. Accessed 7 September 2005. www.asthmawa.org.au/images/photos/23001.jpg

Lamb, Annette. 2005. http://eduscapes.com/info/topic71a.htm

2005-09-06T20:31:00.000-07:00

When the wind is from the west...

My husband Larry caught this baby on an Indiana lake. According to his records, the air temperature was 55 and the wind was blowing approximately 10 mph from the southwest. The water was clear, so he used his white bucktail with the red and white spinner blade.

fish bite the best...

2005-09-05T20:33:00.000-07:00

Why Me?

With help from an experienced guide, I caught my first muskellunge this summer. What a thrill!

I am a novice even though I have been surrounded by fishermen my entire life. It has been said that many avid fishermen have yet to reel in a muskie in Indiana. Why me? What factors or conditions improve one's chances of catching this fierce freshwater predator? What bait (artificial or live) is preferred? What other lakes in Indiana are stocked with muskie? Could I become more knowledgeable on this topic than my husband and son?

My quest begins.