Blog entries are all complete, students are practicing making reflective comments.
Pink day viewing questions are due Friday.
On Friday, Students are to compose a blog reflection of 1-2 paragraphs exploring the importance of taking a stand against bullying. They are to incorporate their reflections from the questions into their blog. They are also expected to use the writing process.
1. Brainstorm key aspects of their viewing questions that they wish to include.
2. Compose a rough draft using these questions. Reflecting on an effective introduction, topic sentence, supporting sentences with details from their questions, then an effective conclusion.
3. Drafts are to be typed in Word, spell/grammar checked, then pasted into Kidblog.
Due: Tuesday
If for some reason students can't type it they are to write on paper then come in early to work on the assignment.
ELA- Writing- Blog posts listed below are overdue. Students need to ensure they are complete or one's ability to participate in blogging will be greatly reduced! If you can't blog, then write your answers and hand them in in Monday. You will still be expected to type them in our Kidblog account.
AR Reading - students are expected to read novels and complete AR tests every 2-3 weeks. The focus is on reading of course and not necessity on points. Students will have a chance to set reading goals and improve their reading.
In French, students are to ensure their Basic French handouts are complete. We will continue our lessons with "J'aime..." next week.
School Run Fridays - be prepared!
Note there are other assignments on the Agenda board for other teachers, therefore there is more than just this homework. Please monitor homework with the Agenda.
This week we started blogging and sharing our thoughts on "Two Islands" and The Lorax from our Global Citizens Unit. Please see the assignment from a couple days ago on this blog.
Blogging has many parts: the post, the comments, and the sidebar.
If you do a good job with all of the parts, your blog will be more interesting.
Today we discussed how to make a quality comment. This is especially important because blogging allows for interaction, almost like an on-line conversation.
So to make what you say relevant to the person's post you are commenting on, there are a few tips you need to remember.
The Commenting 3C's + Q
1. Compliment - Start off positive. Compliment the person on something specific you have read or observed in the person's blog post.
2. Comment - Comment on something relevant and meaningful about what the person wrote. Be specific about what you're commenting on. Remember your comment might not always be agreement. You can "politely and tactfully" disagree.
3. Connect - Connect with something the person wrote. Text to self, text to text, text to world - but explain that connection with details. Try to give a complete explanation or picture to your audience of what you're talking about. Or think of it as adding information or insight - or another point of view.
4. Question - Ask a specific question about something written or to the writer. Keep the conversation going!
Content is key!
As a class, we will evaluate our blog comments. Each student will be expected to self and peer assess comments, as this opportunity to reflect and assess will make you a better writer.
The Quick Evaluation Guide to Comments...
A one-point comment is a general comment that doesn't add very much to the post.
Example: I like your blog. Please visit mine!
A two-point comment adds something to the comment conversation. A commenter might compliment the writer in a specific way or add new information.
Example: I like how you say.... I also think.... because...
Or, have you thought about....
A three point comment is when a Connection is made. Try to make a connection (text to self, text to text, text to world). Maybe the post reminds you of an experience that you've had or something you've read or seen in the news. Share that connection! But explain the connection fully, so your audience knows what you're talking about.
Example: In your post when you say.... It reminds me of .... (Connection explained)
Finally, for a four point comment... try to end your comment with a relevant question. That way, an interesting conversation can develop.
Example: After reading what you said about.... I wonder....
Or - Why do you think that...?
Have you thought about...?
Remember, Bloggers should always proofread a comment before publishing!!
If you are worried about spelling or grammar, use your tools... Your digital tools!! Type your blog post or comments in Word. Then use Spellcheck and grammar check to help catch mistakes. But be sure to revise for quality content, interesting voice and word choice - as the computer can't do all that.... Well, maybe try the thesaurus feature! After you compose in Word, copy/paste into Kidblog.
Here is a video made by a group of young student from a class in Australia, with tips to help you take your comments to the next level!
On Tuesday, Oct. 15th... students are asked to wear pink as a statement to stand up to
bullying. The purpose is to create awareness regarding bullying and how
students can stand up in solidarity to show that they actually care about this
issue.
Pink Shirt Day / Anti- Bullying Awareness Questions
(I posted this last year... teachers feel free to use any of these questions...
Students in my class, we will be exploring these questions in discussion... * Write in Sentence form being sure to use the question in your answer. This will be evaluated in ELA as part of Viewing...
Previewing questions... 1. Why do you need to take a stand against bullying?
2. Why is it worth it to take the risk and show you care? Viewing Questions... 1. Where did the video take place?
2. Who were the two boys that started the movement, "Pink Shirt
Day"?
3. a)What did they do to start the movement?
b)How did this gesture make a difference to the boy who was being
bullied? To other victims? Bystanders? Bullies?
4. Why do you think that the movement has gained
such popularity around the world?
5. Why is it important to note that an American News station reported on
this event?
6. What would have been the consequences of doing nothing or being
"apathetic"? How are bystanders almost as bad as the bullies? What do
bystanders need to develop within themselves?
Post Viewing Questions... Watch 2 other videos - you must watch the ANTI BULLYING AD (boy with red
hair) plus one additional video...
1. a) What do you notice about the bullies? Are they ever alone?
b) Why do you think that the bullies targeted a person?
2. If you ever confront a bully one-on-one, they always back down,
because they are __________. They lack the confidence to stand up to you
because deep in their heart they know that their behaviour is wrong. Why do you
think that some people bully?
What do their actions say about them?
3. What did the people who stood up to bullying do to make a positive
differernce? What strategies did they employ? What challenges did they
confront? What did they accomplish? 4. What responsibility do you think teenagers have to address bullying
problems in their schools and communities (this includes cyber community ie:
Facebook)?
5. Do teens have more, less or equal responsibilities to address these
problems as the adults in the community?
Remember that with every person, even a
bully, we all have reasons why we behave the way we do. The bully acts out
because he or she don't feel good about themselves (sometimes they might not be
willing to admit this - even themselves) so they put others down. It is for
this reason, that we need to do what Jesus taught us and forgive.
It may take time... but it's important
to do. If you have ever been a bully, forgive yourself - then try to make a
difference and change your behaviour (and attitude) for the better. It's never
too late.
6. Go to your blog
(kidblog.org/missiontomakeamark) and write a reflection on this day and what it
means. Use these questions to assist you.
Hi Grade 8, I set up a math interactive "gamification" site to reinforce what you are doing in Math. It is similar to Mathletics, with one exception, it's FREE!
Mr. Baumgartner explained what you are currently working on, so I hope to set up some challenges and games to reflect your unit on Ratios, Rates and Proportion.
The link to access the site is below, and each of you will be given a special login id and password. Here is the link to the site, passwords and logins will be administered in class.
Throughout the 2013-14
school year, our class will be using technology to enhance learning and prepare
students for future challenges. Many of these technologies require students to
publish to the Internet. These include the use of blogs, podcasts, and digital
photography.
Blogs
A Weblog, or blog as
they are commonly called, is a special type of Web page that can be created and
easily updated using a Web browser. Each new entry has its own date stamp. Each
entry has a comments section where visitors to the blog may leave comments for
the author. For example, students in our class will respond to prompts and
discuss quality literature within our class blog.
When we start blogging, we will focus on just blogging with students from our class. as we become more proficient as bloggers, then we will increase our audience to another class in the Regina Catholic School Division. Later we will move towards blogging with classrooms from other parts if the world. In part of this process, students will have the opportunity to examine on-line safety, ethical use if technology and digital citizenship.
So to begin, our Class Blog will be found
at http://kidblog.org/missiontomakeamark/. This
site provides secure and private safety features. This blog is a "Walled" environment, that requires passwords and userids. Some features include:
1. Teachers have administrative control over all student blogs
and student accounts.
2. Comment privacy settings block unsolicited comments from
outside sources. The only comments permitted are those that are approved by the
teacher or moderator. All audio and video productions are uploaded by me and,
as subscriber to the site, all comments must be approved by me in order for
them to go public.
3. Kidblog does not collect any personal information from
teachers or students.
Having a real audience
is one of the key components to this program. In addition to receiving comments
from their classmates, as I mentioned previously, I hope to arrange collaborative opportunities for our
class to receive comments from other classes who are invited to visit our web pages. It would be quite engaging for
students in other parts of the country or world to visit our blogs and comment
on our writing.
Podcasts
A podcast is a digital
audio and/or video recording published on the Internet and available for
downloading. For example, select student presentations will be published to the
class website via podcasts. We will be using web tools such as vocaroo.com and blabberize.com
as voice recording services and embedding student mini-podcasts into our blogs.
Digital
Photography
A digital photograph is
a still picture that can be stored electronically and published to the
Internet. Students may post pictures of class activities, student work, and
special events in their classroom blog, which is not open to outside users of
the Internet. The context of the photos will connect only with student work, as
the blog will be used as a Digital Portfolio of the student’s learning.
Security
Our use of the
aforementioned technologies has been designed to minimize risk to your child.
All student blogs, podcasts, and any other published work will be closely
monitored by me and will be published online only after I give my approval.
Students will be required to refrain from sharing personally identifying
information such as last name, address, phone number, age, etc. Students will
take part in Digital Citizenship lessons or tutorials to further educate them
in using digital technology appropriately and safely. Lessons as well as additional
home resources can be accessed at commonsensemedia.org. Or feel free to visit the library website for links at www.stfrancisschoollibrary. weebly.com
Permission
Before your child may
start blogging, podcasting, or using these collaborative digital tools, I am asking for
you and your child to discuss and sign this form. Please keep the second copy
for your future reference and return the form to Ms. Stewart-Mitchell as soon
as possible.
If you have any
questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Stewart-Mitchell at St. Francis
School or by email at j.stewart-mitchell@rcsd.ca.
Sincerely,
Ms. Stewart- Mitchell
Student Blogging
Guidelines/Podcast Consent
1. Students using blogs
are expected to act safely by keeping personal information out of their posts.
You agree not to post or give out your family name, password, user name, email
address, home address, city, country or other information that could help
someone locate or contact you in person. You may share your interests, ideas
and preferences, although most posts will relate specifically to a writing task.(Keep in mind that most of our blogging will be predominantly within the confines of our classroom. If there are opportunities to blog with another classroom, further information will be sent home).
2. Students agree to
never log in as another student.
3. Students using blogs
are expected to treat blogspaces as classroom spaces. Speech that is
inappropriate for class is not appropriate for your blog. While I encourage
students to have discussions with other bloggers, I also expect that they will
be respectful and represent our school in a positive way. Keep in mind all
posts come to your teacher first, so if inappropriate language or content is
shared, it will be moderated.
4. Blogs are to be a
place for students to give their opinions. However, they are first and foremost,
a tool for learning, and students will be expected to follow the same rules we
have for classroom discussions.
5. Blogs are a way for
students to share their writing with real audiences. Classroom peers who visit
your blog will leave comments or respectful, helpful messages. The idea is that
students are able to give each other feedback and collaborate.
6. Students who do not
follow these guidelines may lose their opportunity to take part in the blogging
activities. And in these situations, students will do alternate assignments using more "pen and paper traditional means".
Please sign and return one copy of this letter and keep the other
for your information.
I have read and
understood these blogging guidelines. I agree to follow them.
Responses are to be written in complete sentences, using the question in your answer. Write your response on www.kidblog.org/missiontomakeamark
Unless" 1. What does this mean? 2. What message can you infer? 3. What was the author's intent or purpose in writing the book and for choosing an "open ending"? (Open ending means you can imagine an ending or leaves room for a sequel). 4. What connections can you make? a)Text to self... b)Text to text... ("Two Islands" and The Lorax) c)Text to world...(Two Islands, The Lorax and what's happening in the world. Find an article or a video, create a link in your blog and explain the connection.)
I Need to Wake Up...
Go to another post on my blog to view/listen to the song...
and be sure to think of connections to The Lorax and Two Islands.
What CONNECTIONS CAN YOU MAKE?? Add these to your blog response. If you can't make any connections, see my other selection of songs related to the Environment theme. Click on those links.
In ELA, be sure to complete the Terry Fox Viewing Questions and hand in Tuesday. Note all are on this blog.
Tuesday we will be continuing the "Two Islands" questions.
AR... In the next week you are to research and find a book which connects to our theme Global Citizens. This book can be current or futuristic but must relate in some capacity to making a positive difference in the world. Whatever book you choose, you will be expected to blog reactions and connections to our theme. Try to select an AR book. If it is not an AR book, let me know.
Students you are going to try out blogging in ELA! The purpose is to provide a real way of connecting to other students in our class and sharing ideas. Only students in our class have access to this blog, as it is a secure site, therefore the general public will not have access. Each of you will be provided with a userid and a password (which you are to change right away). To access our student blogging site, go to
Read the questions below, so you are prepared to jot note responses.
During viewing...
As you watch this ESPN video, jot note your responses to the questions below.
Connections:
What connections can you make between the video and yourself? What challenges did Terry experience that you relate to?
What connections can you make with the video and other selections we've read or you have read? (Remember we are studying about what it means to be a global citizen)
What connections can you make with the video and the world? Are there events or people in the video that make you think of others?
Inferring:
Based on what you watched in the video, what was Terry like as a person? What evidence do you have to support this idea?
In addition to the actual the physical challenges Terry faced, what were some other challenges can you infer? How did he keep going?
After viewing...
Why do you suppose Terry's quest was called the Marathon of Hope? Why do you believe this? What evidence is there to support your opinion?
Evaluate:
Why is it important for students to learn about Terry Fox? Why do we show support every year with a Terry Fox Run?
Why is it that the Terry Fox Run is honoured in more than 51 countries worldwide? Review the following site to for more evidence:
RAD (Reading Diagnostic Assessment) testing was Tuesday. We will finish up on Weds.
Free the Children paragraphs - all drafts was due today. Ample time and instruction was spent on six trait revision process, therefore students are expected to demonstrate what was learned in class.
WEDNESDAY...
Terry Fox run in the morning and canoeing in the afternoon. Wear appropriate clothing for both events. Please support the Terry Fox Foundation and donate what you can to Cancer Research!
Did the writer give us the exact words spoken or thought?
Did the author tell us how the narrator’s body reacted to different feelings?
Did the author use active verb s and pint pictures of what the narrator does?
Did the author use any specific words for sounds?
Show, Don’t Tell: An Overview of the Craft Element
1. Use active verbs to show what’s happening. (called, stepped, hung, though, swung, raised, pulled, watched, dropped, ran)
2. Use the exact words a character spoke (“Strike two!” the umpire called.)
3. Show the feelings of a character by what he does. (hung his head, heartbeat throbbing in my ears)
4. Paint pictures with specific words or groups of words. (I raised the bat over my shoulder and waiting, I dropped the bat and ran and ran and ran, first base.)
Grade 8's you were told about an opportunity to have a site where you could post homework etc.... So I created a class under the Edmodo site, which is free and limited to only students in our room. Please go to the Edmodo site to check it out.
In order to get in you will need the group code, which is...: qos44d - Just sign up with https://www.edmodo.com
