more practice with podcasting

Pretty sweet...(not the not-so-flattering video of me) now let's see how easy it is to use in the classroom...

Podcasting experiment

http://feedvalidator.org/check.cgi?url=http%3A//stewiessmartthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Brief History of the Ipad

What the Ipad has "history"?? Check out the link to see all means of communication leading up to the nifty device....

http://52tiger.net/brief-history-of-the-ipad-prologue/

All Students Can Be Successful On-line

Need more reasons to use on-line communication with students?? See the article link below:
http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2012/06/13/03fetzer.h05.html?tkn=TXYFJdvxDaTEtcUNoxKpMt93GpEQZU%2FPRMOZ&cmp=clp-edweek

Best Tools for SS Teachers

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xatMHsbf1i4IWEUjAp2k0IADulA06aUM339-32-jJnk/edit?pli=1

Ed Tech Tools...

ED TECH TOOLS ROCK!

So in the classroom, I've used Kidblog, Prezi, Glogster, Voki, Wordle, Google Sketch Up, Animoto, Xtranormal, Fakebook... and many others. So what else is there out there? And yes, I am in constant search of good, easy-to-use Classroom 2.0 tools, to captivate, engage and spark creativity.... Sorry my future students... I just LOVE stuff like this!  Of course I will plan on exploring more out there...And by the way, to my past students, sorry for sometimes causing you frustration over the years as I explore all the applications of these tools. You know me... I'm always looking for ways to use the computer, make you think (or make you work) and make you my Ed Tech guinea pigs! Just so you know, I have enjoyed learning with you along the way. So thank you for your enthusiasm, energy and willingness to explore and take risks with technology!


So here are some sites I want to use in the future... The criteria I look for is...
Cost... FREE is BETTER especially with limited budgets...
Multi-use - How many ways can I use the site?? How many subjects can this be used for?
Ease - How much frustration may be caused using this Web 2.0 tool?


Fakebook... http://www.classtools.net/fb/home/page
Instead of using Facebook for teaching, try Fakebook! Just remember to save regularly and check out the Tips page to assist you!

Twister...http://classtools.net/twister/
Like Twitter only Fake! Think about creating fake tweets from a character and linking them to your blog or maybe even your Fakebook!

QR Code Treasure Hunt Generator... http://www.classtools.net/QR/
Perhaps go beyond the traditional Treasure Hunt. Try this generator to leave positive messages for Religion or Wellness... Or even use it for English Language Arts Projects with Representing...

Podbean... http://www.podbean.com/
Think ELA and sharing views on a novel chapter or section. Book talk groups can give their feedback to the selected reading, and explore their thoughts, insights, connections... so many possibilities!

Eduslide... http://www.eduslide.com/
Lots of ways to use the site... I've seen other sites like this however...

Webchops... http://www.web-chops.com/
So teachers can avoid advertising or questionable material on the web, this can be especially important if you are trying to direct student attention to specific ideas minus the "clutter"... Students could potentially use it to help organize jot notes or information taken from different sites... Hmmm, got to think further about this one.

Knowitall... http://www.knowitall.org/subject/index.cfm
Kind of a know it all site of videos for learning in the USA... not a lot of world or er... Canadian content (not sure if I saw any...), but there are quite a few links to NOVA and PBS which are usually pretty interesting.

Skill Builders ... http://www.arcademicskillbuilders.com/
A great "arcade" of learning games - Note they can be used for the IPAD... supercool! Skills focus on Math, spelling and even typing!

Check out http://www.blabberize.com/  you can create strange and unsettling voice animated pictures like the samples on this blog!

Want a Plethora of great tools for the classroom? Check out  http://www.classtools.net/
It is honestly a One-Stop-Shop for cool Ed Tech Tools! This was my favourite find this year of cool tech tools for learning.

Lots of great stuff at the following....

http://onceateacher.wordpress.com/2010/01/14/ten-free-web-2-0-tools-for-the-classroom/

If you find anything else worth noting, please tweet me @jstewiestewie 

Rude Child Comments...

There are actually lots of ways you can have fun with this site... some applications are even educational... Maybe take a character picture and create a monologue with a character's thoughts from a novel... or a character from history... or speaking in another language...

Do you like bumblebees?

Blabs from my fans!

Try your own, set up an account for FREE!
http://blabberize.com

Dystopian Character Fakebook Links...

The following are links to Fakebook for our Dystopian Novel Study. These are all the links to Fakebook that students have created so far. If a student's name is not on this list, then they have not linked their Fakebook link to kidblog, which means they probably have not started this project. So if you do not see your name... please post your Character Fakebook link right away. If you don't know what to do, then you need to scroll down and read the directions on one of the previous blogs or read through the handouts given in class.

Be sure to explore the setting and exposition of your novel, add a few "Character Friends" and start writing posts that fit your novel. If you chose a character which is not essential to the novel or who "disappears" right away, then restart the Fakebook page. Remember you were told to choose a character wisely. This Fakebook project is one of the expected novel study assignments, as is your weekly Reader's Response Blogs.

I posted my sample Fakebook as a guide of the types of posts you might make.

One more thing... be sure you SAVE EVERYTIME YOU GO IN AND MAKE A CHANGE.... THE SITE WILL NOT DO THIS AUTOMATICALLY!
~Stewie~

Ms. Stewie's Fakebook (Hunger Games) http://www.classtools.net/fb/11/iUZ5Gh

Bobby's Fakebook (Maze Runner) http://www.classtools.net/fb/46/c3U2Td

Mark's Fakebook (Eleventh Plague) http://www.classtools.net/fb/87/e9WdVh

Amanda's Fakebook (Hunger Games) http://www.classtools.net/fb/39/M8kkBX

http://www.classtools.net/fb/26/Y6ikQU

Carly's Fakebook (Matched) http://www.classtools.net/fb/49/3HSchL

Paul's Fakebook (Divergent) http://www.classtools.net/fb/60/3JGbT4
http://www.classtools.net/fb/60/3JGbT4

Max's Fakebook (Maze Runner) http://www.classtools.net/fb/2/MhZhZD*Max recheck your URL for your character. This link on kidblog is incorrect.

Tin Tin's Fakebook (Matched) http://www.classtools.net/fb/41/iY6ZVV

Dominic Fakebook (Divergent) http://www.classtools.net/fb/20/bFEgR5

Jellyn's Fakebook (Divergent) http://www.classtools.net/fb/33/fgjXhL

Brett's Fakebook (Maze Runner) http://www.classtools.net/fb/7/KQDXhC

Carissa's Fakebook (Matched) http://www.classtools.net/fb/37/WD4JRc

Jordan's Fakebook (Maze Runner) http://www.classtools.net/fb/23/Qk9g4G

Christine's Fakebook (Matched) http://www.classtools.net/fb/56/SgRdT6

Khadeeja's Fakebook (Divergent)  http://www.classtools.net/fb/77/54AKJD

Micaela's Fakebook (Hunger Games) http://www.classtools.net/fb/45/2L8DEY

Henry's Fakebook (Hunger Games) http://www.classtools.net/fb/16/bYLgVT

Brennan's Fakebook (Hunger Games) http://www.classtools.net/fb/5/UdV2EQ

Emilio's Fakebook (The Eleventh Plague) http://www.classtools.net/fb/30/VfaaNE

Charmaine's Fakebook (Matched) http://classtools.net/fb/78/2KKUDW

Lundy's Fakebook (The Eleventh Plague) http://www.classtools.net/fb/95/ZU37em
http://www.classtools.net/fb/95/ZU37em



Anna's Fakebook (Maze Runner) http://www.classtools.net/fb/78/4JXBHL

Ariel's Fakebook (The Eleventh Plague) http://www.classtools.net/fb/21/A4QfH8


Rolan's Fakebook (Divergent) http://www.classtools.net/fb/68/TadJdZ

Emilio's Fakebook (The Eleventh Plague) http://www.classtools.net/fb/30/VfaaNE

Jadin's Fakebook (The Eleventh Plague) http://www.classtools.net/fb/63/KXMGR2


PJ's Fakebook (Hunger Games) http://www.classtools.net/fb/73/M7BCQV

Matthew's Fakebook (The Eleventh Plague) http://www.classtools.net/fb/37/mL9bBR















http://www.classtools.net/fb/26/Y6ikQU

Amazing Race Prezis

Mr. Csada's Grade 8's as well as our class are completing Prezi's for the French Version of the Amazing Race (for details, see the Home page of this blog)....


Here are links to the awesome Prezi Presentations. I bet the creators of the Amazing Race might get some good ideas if they check out this blog... Welllllll..... you never know!!


Anastasia, Katy and Carissa L.
http://prezi.com/av5mceq0ftna/the-amazing-race/


Dana, Ashley and Louise for getting their Prezi finished on-time!
http://prezi.com/kcqicppg92cx/la-incroyable-course-francaise-edition/


Zach, Bailey, Renz
 http://prezi.com/oou3uzlze2ki/lincroyable-course-autour-du-monde-tje-amazing-race-french-presentation/


Francesca, Imee & Rovielyn
http://prezi.com/jgt1s42zsirg/french/


Erika, Chantelle, Patrice
http://prezi.com/2qvkcx5arpwr/french-the-amazing-race/


Jessica
http://prezi.com/gohce1zviarx/belgium-chad/


Brittany
http://prezi.com/gohce1zviarx/belgium-chad/


Andrew
http://prezi.com/9vmsfgkpu_bx/french-project/




Brettsky
http://prezi.com/s_z6u5h7t7ir/the-amazing-race/ 


Rolan
http://prezi.com/lhhpvuhlg1z-/amazing-race/


Carissa
http://prezi.com/klx6lxdup2uk/present/?auth_key=u7v1bo6&follow=w6smufltbril


Mark
http://prezi.com/f6xhf8ho2nwt/amazing-race-madagascar-en-francais/
















A TOAST TO YOU AND YOUR CREATIVITY! 
Host of the Amazing Race, Phil Keoghan,  would be proud of your work! Well done grade 7/8's!
Ms. Stewie

Math 8 Review for Diagnostic

Ms. Stewart-Mitchell 's Math 8 Diagnostic Test Review With Math Links 8 Textbook


*A big thank you to Mr. M for giving me a start with his review sheet, which I added more equations and examples to... Please work through the review, it will assist you greatly in getting ready for the Diagnostic Final, which goes on your Term 3 Reportcard.


PREPARATION LEADS TO SUCCESS!



Section 1 Multiple Choice


1. p. 85 #7 and p. 112 #6 & 7


2. p. 99 5 & 7, p. 113 #12 & 13


3. p. 51 #5 & 6; p. 70 6 & 7


4. p. 142 #5; p. 151 #12


5. p. 145 Example 1; p. p. 151 #16, p. 149 #8


6. p. 203 #9; p. 209 #12, p. 208 #7


7. p. 151 #14; p. 149 #11 * Review term: Simple Interest


8. p. 49 Example #2, p. 52 #8


9. p. 396 Example #2, p. 392 #10 a & b


10. p. 313 Example #1 a and p. 315 #4 c


11. p. 386 #12, 16; p. 382 Example 2 **Linear Relations/Algebra


12. p. 64 Example 1 and p. 67 #6; p. 68 #18  **Unit Rates/Algebra


13. p. 358 #13 a, p. 360 #8 d  **Linear Coordinates


14. p. 107 Example 1; p. 102 Example 1; p. 104 #9  ** Pythagorean Relations


15. p. 137 Example 1; p. 137 #18, p. 136 #14; p. 130 Goalie Statistics Table 


16. p. 107 Example 1; p. 111 #11, p. 110 #7 **Pythagorean Relations


17. p. 175 #13, p. 173 #1 ** Surface Area


18. p. 180 #5; p. 178 Example #2  ** Surface Area


19. p. 29 Example 1, p. 32 #4, p. 39 #8a ** Data Managment/Graphs


20. p. 385 #7 b, 11 b  **Linear Relations/Algebra


21. How is a prism different from a pyramid? Examine the nets. **Surface Area


See page p. 174 #7 and p. 172 Example #2 * See Curriculum Guide Example With Ms.SM


22. p. 29 Example 1 ** Data Management/Surveys (logic)


23. p. 29 Example 1 ** Data Management /Graphs


24. p. 423 #3, p. 422 Example 2; p. 415 Key Ideas ** Probability


25. p. 29 Example 1, p. 34 #10, p. 36 #6 a ** Graphs and Percent




Section 2 Problem Solving Practice Questions


Question A


p. 413 #13


p. 152 #10


p. 151 #16




Question B


p. 255 Example #1


Key Ideas p. 257


p. 258 #4 a, b


p. 261 #18


p. 273 #8 and #9


Question C


p. 419


p. 420 #4 and #5


p. 421 Method #1 and Method #2


Examine 2 methods Table and Multiplication…


***Multiply the number of choices and get your total combinations.


Take Total Number of Choices for Items 1 x


Total Number of Choices for Item 2 x


Total Number of Choices for Item 3 (and so on depending on Total Number of choices)…


Question D


p. 71 #14


p. 348 #6


p. 349 #7




Section 3 Basic Math Computation


* Be prepared to work on the following concepts. Do basic computation examples from the textbook on these concepts. We will of course practice in class.




Order of Operations


Linear Relations


Exponents


Fractions – Adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing


Mixed Numbers – subtracting, multiplying


Square Roots


Exponents and linear relations


Proportion and Unit Rate


Ratios and Percent


Fractions and Percent


Linear Relations and Fractions

Dystopian Fakebook Reminders

Fakebook Reminders.... You should have the following completed...



1. Bio (family, birth date, home town, school, interests, favourite quotes, movies, books)


2. Fakebook character friends...


3. Setting shown - Beginnings of the book... interactions with other characters (place and time frame... feelings at beginning)


4. Character Rant - Dystopian society angry rant... Feelings about the society you live in... anger towards ancestors for the problems you have in you society.


5. Character Memories - Memories of how things were for the character, and how things are at about 2/3's way through the novel.


6. Character Changes - Evolution of your character... Interactions with other characters about how you've changed. (5-6 interactions)....


7. Climax and the Character - Strong emotional recount of the events in the climax. How do you feel as a character? 
**Join a group that's against something in your novel. Create a "friend" that is a group... ie: Districts Unite Group... (do this the same as the friends).


8. Resolution and Final Feelings - Leave us wanting more of your Fakebook! How does everything end for your character? How do you feel?

Ms. SM's Dayplan

JENNIFER STEWART-MITCHELL

DAYPLAN – DESHAYE CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Thursday, June 7^th, 2012 – Day 1

9:00 – 9:15 DEAR – Silent Reading or AR testing time. No talking. Students are to read from their Dystopian Novel – Section 5 (or finish Section 4 if necessary…)

9:15 – 9:35 RELIGION – Make a study sheet for the Religion test on Friday. Use your jot notes. Compose the study sheet in partners. The study sheet is to be handwritten, therefore a computer is not necessary. Students do not need to use the videos, as opportunities have already been given for this. If students need to watch videos again, they may do so at recess or noon-hour or at home.

9:35-10:05 – ELA READING – Lit Circle Group Discussion

 Students are to meet in their DYSTOPIAN LITERATURE CIRCLE groups and discuss how the characters have changed or evolved in the novel. Explore how the events, setting, and interactions with other characters have impacted and changed the characters. If some of the FAKEBOOK CHARACTERS have not changed very much, DISCUSS WHY THERE HAS BEEN LITTLE CHANGE. On loose-leaf, make a CHART similar to the example provided on the DYSTOPIAN LITERATURE CIRCLES BOOKLET, and JOT NOTE RESPONSES to the QUESTIONS above and the questions given in the HANDOUT.

*** PRIOR TO GOING INTO GROUPS, STUDENTS MUST GET LAPTOPS.(Minions, get the laptops at 9:40).

ELA – READING: Character Fakebook Assignment

 All students will use LAPTOPS AT THEIR DESK, or they may use the DESKTOP COMPUTERS. If necessary, 4 students may use the computers in Mr. McCulloch’s room or in the Library. (But that is it. Everyone must use the computers in the classroom. Students may work in partners, provided that they are quietly working.)

I WILL BE CHECKING THE PROGRESS OF THE CHARACTER FAKEBOOK ASSIGNMENTS VIA THE CLASSROOM WEBSITE.

10:30-10:45 RECESS

MATH – Continue the new Unit 10 assignment. The 10.1 Assignment given yesterday (see the blog and dayplan) is due for Friday. The grade 8 Math class will be at a different time than usual, therefore students are still expected to TRY THEIR BEST and complete the assignment.

When finished the assignment, go on MANGAHIGH.COM and complete some of the exercises/challenges that related to Linear Equations.

*Note, the Math Diagnostic Test will take place Monday, June 18 and Tuesday, May 19^th (If there are any events that conflict, we will test Wednesday, June 20^th.)

11:45-12:45 LUNCH

12:45-1:15 ELA – Peer Evaluation of Practice Rad Test (finish). Reminder, the “real” RAD test will start Monday.

1:15 – 1:45 HEALTH - What homework/tests do you have coming up? Write in your Agenda.

2:15-2:30 RECESS

2:30 – 3:20 FRENCH – Work on Le Voyage (Travel) Prezi Presentation. Laptops are booked. *See handout and blog for assignment details.

3:20 END OF DAY PROCEDURES – Agendas, clean up everywhere, and prayer.

REMINDERS...

HUNGER GAMES MOVIE - NEXT Thursday, June 14. Leave at 11:35 for the Southland Mall Cineplex. Bring a lunch that day. Make arrangements if you walk siblings home. If you have not yet brought your $5.... Well... What are you waiting for??

Bring ARTS ED MATERIALS. 

See IMPORTANT DATES ON THIS BLOG FOR MORE.

Math 8 Assignment for Wednesday

Start Unit 10 for Solving Linear Equations – This is a new unit. Students can work in partners.
Students must complete definitions / questions for the following…

a) Equation vs. expression

b) Variable

c) Numerical coefficient

d) Constants

e) Linear equation

f) Inverse operations - What are opposite operations? Give 2 examples.

g) What does it mean to “Solve by Inspection”

h) Explain the “Literacy Link” – purple area for 1/3 t or t/3

Assignment: Show You Know p. 373 (top and bottom of page) and p. 374

In partners, summarize the key ideas into 3 steps with examples – See p. 375.

Textbook Assignment (start and complete the initial questions): 10.1 p. 376

Level A: 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 11 a and c, 13 a and c, 15 a and c, 17 a and c

Level B: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 23

Level C: same as Level B plus #21, 28

All due: Friday

Dystopian Links

Dystopian Character Fakebook Assignments...

Since we are getting to the end of the year, and I noticed that students are not keeping up with a few assignments, I decided to post a general update on the Fakebook Novel Project. Normally I would only paste this on kidblog... but I need to ensure that students get this message directly. Keep in mind that you are to also keep up with your blogging assignments on kidblog as well. All assignments can be accessed via the links below.

So, here is an update regarding your expected Fakebook assignments - If you need more information on the Fakebook assignments - or on blogging, go to the links below for the assignment...
http://stewiessmartthoughts.blogspot.ca/2012/05/for-upcoming-dystopia-unit.html

http://stewiessmartthoughts.blogspot.ca/2012/05/dystopian-unit.html

Students Who are Up-to-date with the Fakebook assignments...
Excellent - E, Very Good - VG, Good - G
Carly - E
Tin Tin - E
Dominic - E (great "leader transmissions"- very authentic)
Jellyn - VG
Brett - E (great dialogue and development of character's voice)
Carissa - E (super memories and development of character's point of view)
Christine - VG
Khadeeja - VG
Emilio - VG
Rolan - E (great use of videos for the character... nice choice of music)
Lundy - G
Anna - VG
Micaela - E (although, change Gale's picture...)

Students Who Need to Do More on the Fakebook Assignments...
Bobby
Mark
Amanda
Paul
Jordan
Brennan
Charmaine
Jadin
Henry (extension made due to you being that you are new to the class and Canada)

Students Who Need to Start Their Fakebook Assignments... (or send me the link on kidblog, as stated in your assignments and discussed in class).
P.J.
Jake
Matthew

Other Notes...
* Max, I have seen your new Fakebook page, but can you resend the new link to me on kidblog?

Dystopian Novel Groups and Sections

Maze Runner

Max
Bobby
Jordan
Brett
Anna
Section 1:Ch. 1-13
Section 2:Ch. 14-27
Section 3:Ch. 28-39
Section 4:Ch. 40-51
Section 5:Ch.52 - Epilogue
 
Divergent

Khadeeja
Jellyn
Paul
Rolan
Dominc
Jake
Section 1: Ch.1-9
Section 2: Ch 9-16
Section 3: Ch.16-23
Section 4: Ch.24-30
Section 5: Ch.30-end

Eleventh Plague

Mark
Jadin
Lundy
Ariel
Matthew
Emilio
Section 1: Ch.1-9
Section 2: Ch. 9-14
Section 3: Ch. 14-20
Section 4: Ch.20 - 27
Section 5: Epilogue

Matched

Carly
Christine
Charmaine
TinTin
Carissa
Section 1: Ch.1-6
Section 2: Ch. 7-12
Section 3: Ch. 13-18
Section 4: Ch.19-25
Section 5: Ch. 26-32

Hunger Games

Brennan
Amanda
Micaela
Colton
Henry
P.J.
Section 1: Ch. 1-5
Section 2: Ch. 6-11
Section 3: Ch. 12-17
Section 4: Ch. 18 -22
Section 5: Ch. 23-27

Fakebook for Dystopian Characters

Create your own Fake Facebook page pretending you are a character from your Dystopia novel... and edit as you need to go... Try it out! You can even go back and make changes after you link to your blog... So what is it exactly?
A web-based Facebook template that can be edited, saved on the Web (students will need to supply a password to retrieve their saved page; then they will be given the URL/web address to their saved page), and printed.
How difficult is it to use? Quite easy. Any questions, follow the directions in the Tips area...

Check out the page "created" by one of my favorite characters. View some of his favorite videos and his list of "friends"!!

I absolutely love this site... You can create a character, even upload pictures to make it suit the character and upload bios and create "conversations". It really gets you into the mind or point of view of the character, and allows you to create "conversations" which would demonstrate interactions with the character that would connect with the book. Use your imagination and imagine how the character would behave, share your post with Dystopian Lit Circle peers and see if they imagine the character as behaving the same way!

You can save the page, edit it for later (remember the password) and even embed in a blog like Blogger or Wordpress, unfortunately not kidblog. So yes, you can't embed this in kidblog, just save the URL from the page you create and SAVE and link it to your blog post!

http://www.classtools.net/fb/home/page

http://www.classtools.net/fb/11/iUZ5Gh

Tips and Tools to Guide you in creating the Fake Facebook page...
http://www.classtools.net/main_area/fakebook/helpsheet.pdf

Here is the page, to get rid of the ads, just click "View Fullscreen"

View Fullscreen | Create your own

Other sites to try if you find "FAKEBOOK" challenging... There's Google Template you can try... called, "LITERARY FACEBOOK". I like the expectations on the site.

https://docs.google.com/previewtemplate?id=1kfk1q22frnIG6qgwP0_yB8DfOuqiGNbNBGBNbgNCG-g&mode=public&pli=1#

INFORMATION TO INCLUDE ON THE FAKEBOOK PAGE...
Create a "Facebook" page for a character from literature. Have fun but be accurate.


1. Insert a picture of your character (how you think he/she looks), or let Fakebook find one for you. If you use your own picture, you will have to save it first from the Internet, then upload to the site.


Insert a text box for the following:

2. Character’s name

3. Where the character spent most of his/her life
 (Hometown)
4. Whether he/she was single, divorced, or married

5. Character’s date of birth (make an educated guess)
 and parent's names (make them up if you have to as well)
6. Character’s hometown, state, or country
 (use the futuristic name of the place that fits the novel)
7. Show the likes and dislikes of the character. Make sure they connect with the novel, there must be a a real connection for the mention in the bio.

8. List one school he/she attended and one place he/she worked. 
9. Make up a minimum of 15 wall posts the character would have made.
10. List at least 8 people that the character would have been friends with on Facebook. On Fakebook, you can just click on "Add" and make up fake friend names. Fakebook will find images for you. Be sure to create friends that are mentioned in the book or just make up the names of friends. For characters in the novel, be sure to have these characters comment on what your character posts.

11. Make up at least 10 interactions or fake conversations that other characters would comment on your character's post. (see the one I created as an example).
12. Make up two Facebook groups the character would have joined.
 *** If you are able to on Fakebook, use your imagination and create a fake Group's post.
13. Include posts that connect with what you are reading in the novel (and not just silly stuff) and expand upon what the novel doesn't say. If your character dies or disappears, then just make more posts for a shorter period of time. 
14. Show the emotions, thoughts and key events that impact your character.
15. Include at least one song, that would be something that would inspire your character or be of significance for your character. Be sure to include a post that states why the song is special for the character, but in their point of view.
16. Include a news website or a news cast that shows something in our current world that connects to the novel. The event must be worldly and demonstrate an aspect of the novel that explores issues from Social Studies. The event can be political, environmental or explore economy. Include the newscast or website link as  "an event from history" for the character. Be sure to explain why the character would be interested in this website or newscast. What would be of interest to the character?
Additional Ideas...
16. Place a dot on all of the places that character traveled over the course of the novel. (You can use any tool for this one) *** Is not an option on Fakebook, or you can try a link with Google Earth.... 


** Note that for all the novels you can "make it work". For example, there were some elements of technology in The Hunger Games, even for the poor districts. Make up a reason for having access to Fakebook. In books like Maze Runner, Divergent and Matched, you can tell the setting is futuristic, so it's fairly easy to come up with a reason for Fakebook access. Finally, for The Eleventh Plague, maybe state that you are typing on one of last solar computers to exist, and that due to some computer network running on it's own, you are able to still post to Fakebook... Who knows... like I said, make up a somewhat plausible reason. The novels are all fiction, so you can come up with your own reason.

Dystopian Reader's Response Assignments

So far grade 7/8, in ELA you have completed....

SECTION 1 - "MAKING PREDICTIONS"
 Reader's Response #1 on Kidblog. This connection to Section #1 reading. In your first reader's response, you were to focus on Section #1:"Making Predictions" (see the full description of what you are to complete on the handout given in class) and respond to the assigned questions.... 1 .What's your prediction for the the end of the novel? 2. Which character will experience the biggest change? 3. How will the book end? What are the clues from Section #1? 4. How does the setting show a dystopian society or dystopian control?

FAKEBOOK ASSIGNMENT - Create a Fakebook page for a character from your novel.  Be sure to include a Bio (hometown, likes, dislikes, favourite things, parents, when you were born), add "friends", start adding a few posts from your character's perspective that connect to events in Section 1 of the novel.
Remember to also create a Fakebook character and add it to Kidblog. This page will be added to this classroom blog, so that students (and parents) can check out your progress!


SECTION 2 "DEEP THINKING QUESTIONS"
Today, we explored questions that you may have as you read, as well as questions that I think you should think about (that connect to reading strategies). Compose responses to the questions below and other Deep Thinking Questions that you have. Write this response in Word, then copy/paste into kidblog.
*Identify - Author's message? Author's intent for writing the book? What is the main idea or theme? What kind of dystopian novel is it?
*Infer - What is the underlying message of the text? What is being said between the lines? Fill in the gaps about what you already know and what you've read.
*Connections - Make connections between Section 1 and 2 and other aspects of your life or the world we live in.
     **Make personal connections/TEXT TO SELF (characters and people you know... events and the impact on the character and how you can connect to it...);
     **Make world connections/TEXT TO WORLD (What events in this novel can you connect to in our world today or in history?? Remember we are studying a unit in Social Studies Which explores resources and quality of life... this should connect. Maybe explore the role of technology in our world with the role of technology in the novel. Is "Big Brother" watching our every move or are we freely posting our every move to social media sites like, Facebook and Twitter??;
    **Make connections to other texts, or movies, or novels, or tv shows/ TEXT TO TEXT. Is there something else that you have seen or read that reminds you of this book? Explain the connection with specific events from the novel.

FAKEBOOK ASSIGNMENT- Add details to your Fakebook for your character. Add more interactions between characters. Compose a "Rant" on behalf of your character. The main objective of the rant is to allow you to "tap" into the emotions of your character and what they feel. Your Rant must connect to the theme of the novel or the current state that your world is in. How did the actions of your "ancestors" (that's us) allow it to get to this point? What rights did they enjoy that you no longer enjoy? How was their world or environment different than theirs? What are they missing out on??

The following questions may help you compose your Rant. If you are reading...
1. The Hunger Games - Your rant should be about why you live in the districts. Why do you have no choice in jobs or what district you live in? Why do you not have any say in the government or how things are run? Why is there so little food in your district while the Capitol lives on plenty? Why is so much violence televised in a reality tv show considered "entertainment"? How did violence and suffering becoming entertainment? How did people become so insensitive to the plight of others?

2. Maze Runner - Your rant might be about how you are a "guinea pig" or a "hamster" in a maze and that  you can feel someone is watching you and messing with not only your life, but in your survival! How would you feel if the time when the sun rises and sets was controlled? How would you feel if you had no choice but to live in cramped quarters like the "buggin' Glade"? How did people give up control? How did people lose their rights so that they lost control over their lives and could be treated like a scientific experiment?

3. Divergent - Your rant might be about the lack of choice you have in the faction that you are sent to. How you have no choice but to pass the tests or join the pathetic ranks of the Factionless. You might be upset that you no longer can interact with your family if they are not part of your faction. You might be upset by the brutality of the tests, or the ruthlessness of other people in your faction. You might wonder why your ancestors encouraged this fragmenting of society. What lead to this?

4. Matched - Your rant might be that the computer is deciding not only what you eat, what you do for fun, what you study, what you become when you get older, but who you marry. Why did your ancestors allow it to get this point that a computer decided based on a questionnaire who you should be matched with? Why did choice disappear? Why did the people become so dependent on the computer making decisions? Why does the computer decide when people should die of old age? Why is everything so strictly scheduled?

5. Eleventh Plague - Your rant might be the current state of the environment? Why did governments push their anger to the point of a catastrophic war? Why did governments of the past release a virus that would wipe civilization? Why are you in  a state where there is no government? No economy? No industry? ... Nothing but vigilants who roam the countryside fighting over resources... How did things get to get so desolate? What were the warning signs of the past that your ancestors ignored? How do you feel about your life now??

Reminders

Do your Section 3 Blog assignment on Visualizing as you read and "Four Ways to Respond to Literature" response question (see this blog... Section 3 or your handouts - they are the same thing.)

Be sure to complete the Character Fakebook assignment which is adding memories ... Due Friday!