Isearch Worksheet**#2

Isearch Worksheet: #2


What do you want to write about?
**How to make my house a better home.

What do you want to find out about your topic?
**What really needs to be fixed and how.

What are your questions about the topic?

**1. How much money is too much money to spend?

**2. How to prioritize on projects?


**3. Do we plan to stay long enough to finish it all?


How does it connect to your life?

**A home that I wanted to have for my family, but needed improving.

Give three reasons you like the topic

1. It seems to always be an on-going debate as to what needs to be done first because of all the different ideas that we have for the house. And makes family time discussions.

2. It is something important to myself and my family

3. It makes me feel excited to see the finished product.

Give three ways your life might change if you answer your questions

1.  Figure out how to not overspend!


2. Feel prouder and happier with my home

3. I would feel more connected to the home and may not be able to move afterwards.
Do you already know the answer to your question? If the answer is sitting in a single book somewhere or if all you need do to find the answer is make some simple decision or ask one person one question, it isn't going to work out for a research paper becuase there isn't much you can research. Is it that kind of question and answer? If it is, please redo the worksheet.

* I thought this one out a little simpler than the original one I had written. I guess that I had been too vague and not settled on one particular subject. I originally had placed some ideas for my brainstorming topic ideas, but when I placed it on the worksheet to more or less verify my ideas, I confused myself. I guess the Psychology class came out! So, I hope that I narrowed this one out a little better?

Isearch Topics/ideas Worksheet Graf#7

• Paper


• Chalk pastels

• Graphite pencils

• Drawing

• Blending

• Walking

• Dog leash

• Sketcher sneakers

• Milkbone biscuits

• Gardening gloves

• Tulip bulbs

• Trowel and shovel

• Flower pots

• Gardening

• Dragonflies

• Windmill

• Mowing

• Mulching

• Bird feeders

• Swimming

• Beach ball

• Floats

• Wine making

• Zinfandel

• Music

• Singing

• Cooking

• Baking

• Pumpkin bars

• Pickling

• Canning

• Tackle box

• Fishing

• Nightcrawlers

• Canoeing

• Blackflies





Cool morning summer air

Get out before it gets too hot

Where to place the new bulbs

Don’t forget to keep the worms for fishing

Should I keep the red mulch

Black seems classier maybe
Needing better gardening tools

Thinking to invest in gardening knee-pads

Which bug repellant works best

Bug repellant scent or effectiveness, which is priority

Should I wear a net helmet or is that too far

Pesky bugs with no win at all,  a bug zapper could help

Maybe place the bird feeders and birdbath closer to the flower garden

Thoughts of purchasing dragonflies

Seeing the flowers bloom makes it worthwhile

Graph #5

Brainstorming Idea; Graf#5

 If there is one thing in life that I have learned, things work better using structure. And I hold on to advice as much as I hold on to the pennies in my penny jar. Someday, they will all be worth something. I like the list of  items or subjects and I believe that it helps promote ideas when you see it in front of you. Or I also see it as a thinking tool. The more that your brain thinks about something, it almost makes you think of other things that they are related with. It seems that it keeps a constant thought, bouncing down a chart. The only thing that I could say that I may have a hard time with,is wanting to combine all of the items or subjects in my essay. I would be afraid that it would be too much and become too elaborate to keep the reader interested. Kind of like dressing up and wearing all huge gaudy fake rhinestones on your shirt or for jewelry. It's nice and shiny, but too much and people start to look away. Not to offend anyone because I love shiny things, too! Maybe that is my problem, as to why I elaborate?  So, I think trailing your ideas is very useful. Now I hope I can prove to myself on the essay. Thank you for the sample.

Question about our Graf Blogs

I am wondering or double-checking if it is okay for students to comment on other students Grafs?  Not that I am out to criticize anyone's work, but I have looked on other students blogs and found some of their stories very interesting. I just didn't want anyone to feel that their privacy was disturbed, or that there is this strange person lurking in "zombie land" to try and be the 'other teacher'. Just maybe some uplifting advice that keeps them writing?  Thoughts?  Thanks agin!

Graf#4 & Unique Graf#6

To answer your advice; Graf#4

What I want to write about today, doesn't automatically mean what happened today. Though sometimes it is the easier. I agree that sometimes I overthink of what to write about due to feeling on the spot, but John has made me feel more freely about what subjects and personal views are important to me. That helps! It also helps me find something I do want to write about. It's important to have the work come from a part of you, that what makes it your work.. I guess other people can write about the same subject, but their views can be totally different. And if it is something that comes to mind easily, then anyday, everyday and today wouldn't matter. Letter verses an essay, does that mean it would be much more personal or more direct? I would also think that creating a visual would keep the reader coming back for more and have created a time, place or event would help them understand where you are coming from. To make it my essay, in a personal experience, I would have to be telling it to you, but is there an overusing of I to you? Sometimes it is hard to want to pick a topic or subject that others want to hear about, depending on who your peers are, but maybe it's not the subject entirely, but the delivery of the information. Maybe just write, then pick the topic? I hope that my teacher and I always enjoy my writing, but criticism helps create a better writer. I wouldn't mind if others read my writing, the more, the merrier. All comments would be helpful. And I always think that if it matters to the writer, it never sucks, but may just need a little tweek. Oh my, does this seem like a letter though?!

I thought to write another essay to see if I could use your advice, line per line.


Unique Graf #6



Sometimes I think that the easiest things to write about are the events that happen every day. Though it doesn't really make my mind think about what every other new day would bring. So, I have thought of something that I have found interesting and possibly unique. Maybe it isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it mattered to me. That's what I wanted to write about. Currently, I am a forty year old mother of four children; a 21 year old, a 20 year old, an 18 year old (the one and only girl!) and a 16 year old. So, does that not sound unique or do you just feel sorry for me? My 21, 20, 18 year old, my husband and I are all taking classes at EMCC this spring simester. And to make it even more intriguing I am taking one class with one son and another class with my daughter, who is still in high school. I am sure that other families have been or at the same stage in life as we are, but all of this would be the first time for me. I have been out of school for over 20 years! That's 20 years ago! Some of the students in my class were probably being born at that time! And I have to say, times have changed very much in 20 years. If my thought process in life was half of what my children have now and with so much more being offered, I would have traveled a different road. However, I probably would not be writing this the way I originally set out to. My children actually considered me as a "study buddy", verses just the older lady in class. That sent giggles and a warm feeling inside, as I knew I had instilled pride and respect and just palin family love. I so enjoy the daily discussions and the advice on our train of thoughts about our class syllabus.  What another great way of  being able to have family time! I could go on and on forever about my children and my future changes in life. What I am hoping for for all of us. But in a sense, I am supersticious and do not want to bost too much and ruin the possible outcome. But that's just me. I would truly be interested to know of other families that have gone through this trial and error. And I enjoy letting people know how proud I am right now. So, like I said, maybe this subject may not be a total interest to all, but I am a proud Momma. And I just can't help it!

Graf #3

Office Desk Inventory




*Over-sized calculator

*Abilify stapler



*Framed wedding pictures



*Pictures of children and family



*Office tied Teddy bear



*Tiny baby bunny figurine



*Probation Officer mug*



*I love you cards



*Thank you cards



*Computer monitor



*Computer keyboard



*Speakers, volumed down



*Pens (red, black inked)and mechanical pencils



*2 Black sharpies-one thin and one thick



*Pink, blue and yellow highlighters-one of each



*Colored Paperclips in holder with 58 cents of pocket change



*Purell bottle with name on it



*Avon hand lotion-Silcone hands



*Eyeglasses in case from Lenscrafters



*Napkin tucked in coffee mug that say “have a good day”



*Dried rose in vase



*Office phone with important numbers highlighted



*Cell phone



*White out bottle



*Nivea chapstick for winter lips



*white and yellow lined paper



*15 Patient Profile Folders piled in a metal tray



*Fortune cookie paper fortunes taped to the monitor










Is this a typical State worker’s desk? There looks to be a lot of work that needs to be done, but they are stacked in a prioritized and organized pile, to her liking. This person has been made to feel quite at home at their work area with comforting reminders and gifts from family, friends and loved ones. Little reminders of every day thank yous, have a good day or job well done, help make the every day efforts feel unforgotten and appreciated. Even so, there are many variables that show this person is constantly working and researching. Icons which blur out the entire screen, along with scattered forms and reviews that enforces the daily duties. Notepads are engulfed with notes and the highlighted areas are important to remember. Pens, highlighters and the handy-dandy white sit and wait for action. Humorously, an over-sized calculator is evidence that the dusty eye glasses do not get used regularly! Loose change left in the paperclip holder must be saved for another hot cup of coffee.There is chap stick stashed in an unused coffee cup. Would it be the “back up” tube to keep the dry winter lips away? Speaking of the unused coffee cup, it has a Probation Officer emblem on the side. Hmmmm...troubled person maybe? It was a possible theory until seeing the related last name on the other side. Phew! That made it a little sketchy for a second! Crumbs on the keyboard shows to be a dedicated worker, to have eaten lunch while working. It’s possible! Never the less, regardless of the work, may it be at the desk or at the home front, determination always gets the work done. Apparently, the fortune cookie paper stuck on her monitor which read; “People learn little from success, but learn much more from failure”, kept her grounded. So, what makes this desk any different from any other desk? Obviously, the sticker that that read “Property of the State of Maine” penalized this worker as being less than others. At least in some eyes. Though the site of the workspace speaks a different volume.

Graph#1 and Graph#2

                                                                  My Hands

            When I look at my hands, I see oversized knuckled fingers with wrinkled skin. I’m part oriental; shouldn’t I have nice smooth tiny hands? What happened there? Can you say “Awkward!” going to have a manicure done by a little oriental girl with hands twice as small as mine? Ok, so maybe I am overly exaggerating a little, but they are “my” hands.  However, when I look over to my left hand and see all those shiny diamonds, I can’t help but to feel finally accepted and truly happy. But it also reminds me how my hands got to be the way they are now. Seeing the obvious doesn’t always speak for itself, but to look back in life, it makes more sense.  Look, I am a forty year old woman and not on my first marriage. In between lives I worked very hard as a single parent. Most single parents understand what I mean. You are hands on at everything and work diligently at whatever had to be done, never stopping to care for one’s self. So, in fairness of the rough outlook on my hands, it had soothed my children when Mommy held their hands or wiped their foreheads when they were sick. Of course working at its best is when I would groom my hands through their hair after a nightmare or just holding them on a bad day. It made them feel secured and loved, as it still does. On a humorous, yet personal side, my husband loves to kiss my hands. It makes me feel like royalty! I know, it’s crazy, but he wants to let me know how much my hands are important. Get your mind out of the gutter! It’s called love and appreciation. It’s because of all the hard work I do at home; dishes three to four times a day, scrubbing the floors, digging in the garden, folding laundry, walking the dogs, so on and so on. And that’s after we get home from work! So, I guess regardless of how or what I think of my hands, I have learned that there are others who appreciate them and see them differently. Apparently, having caring and hardworking hands is what life has given me and that I can be proud of.

                                                            

                                                            Worse Teacher

                        I have to say that it took all the way until my senior year of high school before I truly experienced a “bad teacher”. And not like the movie either! I have come across a few teachers that I could care less for, but obviously they did not impact my life enough to remember them.  I did have a teacher for half the year for a Government class and not to name any names, so let’s call him Mr. Wag. First I want to say, by no means, was he a mean or rude teacher, but he was “jock” posing as a teacher. When I mean is his brain was thinking sports, when his mouth was supposed to teach government. Do you know what I mean? He would sit at his desk and dictate what chapter to read in class, while he sat at his desk and read Sports Illustrated! No interaction at all, except when he tried to relate the similarities between Congress and  baseball. Who learns this way? And if so, what do they learn? In my case it was to not like the class. And I like baseball! Even better, when we had our quizzes, it served as our “Chapter review”. Answers you had which were wrong, you had to figure out why. Wow, what a great class it was, not! I always tried to find something intriguing about all of my classes, but  it just was not working in this class. Needless to say, I don’t remember anything that I learned or did I learn anything? Just that it was the worse class and the worse teacher that I had. I would have expected more from a teacher and even though there were some teachers I was not too fond of, I grew to understand why. They pushed me to work harder and to achieve my abilities and accomplishments. When I was younger, I did not appreciate them as much. As an adult, I can understand the difference and this is where I realize what makes the worse teacher. It is not the ones that made you feel stupid because you got your answers wrong or wanted you to stay after school to get extra help, but it’s the ones that do not put the effort in to really teach, hence the word “teacher’. They are the worse teachers in my book. With that said, I am glad I only had to endure that situation once in my life and in hopes it stays that way.

Testing...

Hope that I am doing this right!  :)