Profiles and Designs......Here We Go Blogger, Here We Go!!

We are back from our little break.  I hope you all have a good time and didn't eat too much turkey.  It is amazing how technology has yet another part of our lives.  "Black Friday" events have been around for a very long time.  What about "CyberMonday" events?  How long have they been around?  I wonder how many employees are crossing their social personal side to technology (shopping) with their professional side (shopping online at work?)  Have you thought at all about doing something for others during this season of giving?  There are many opportunities to help others.  Being kind to others doesn't have to involve money.  A simple gesture, like holding a door and letting someone go ahead of you, goes a long way.
I went through your blog posts over the break.  I am very impressed with your first drafts.  Generally speaking almost every one of you forgot to be sure you had capitalized all "I's" when they appear as pronouns.  I will give you back your paper post with written feedback.  Please make the recommended corrections.  I would also like you all to read your posts aloud in a "6 inch" voice.  I will model this for you and explain my reasoning.  It is a strategy I use myself.
Once you have made the corrections to your first post, you will move on to the assignment awaiting in Google Classroom.  Please take your time working on your Blogger profile.
During our second meeting this week I will take you through the steps of creating the base of your blog.  You will then be given time to personalize this "template."  This is when the fun really begins.  I can't wait for you to get started!
Have a super week!!
  ~Mrs. White

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Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Can you believe Thanksgiving is already here?  Being from Massachusetts, especially from Cape Cod, makes this holiday even more special in my opinion.  I was born and raised in the true "first landing place of the pilgrims."  Growing up in Provincetown, the first landing place was pretty cool.  Did you know the pilgrims washed their clothes in Provincetown harbor?  Seems silly and cool all at the same time.  Have you ever climbed the steps of the Provincetown Monument?  There is a lot of history right here on our "little rock."  How do you and your families celebrate Thanksgiving?  What is your favorite part?
If any of you answered, "Watching the parade," then you are in luck.
Today we are going to take a look at this historic event.  We will start by taking a look at a "sneak peek" at this year's new additions.  This year is the 90th anniversary of the famous parade.  You are going to be given the opportunity to design one of those monstrous memorable balloons for the 100th anniversary parade in 10 years.  You will find a document of resources in your latest Google Classroom assignment.  At the end of class we will share your creations.  Can't wait to see them!!
Enjoy your time off and don't eat too much pie!!
~Mrs. White :)

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While I Am Out.....

Hello My Budding Bloggers,
    As you know I will not be in these last two days of this week.  I am confident you have all the tools you need; ones I have provided and ones you are bringing with you.  I can't wait to read your rough drafts of your first blog posts.  For some of you blogging will come very naturally; as I recognize some natural story tellers in my classes.  For others, this may be a bit frustrating.  Blogging is a writing genre all its own.  As you are creating this first post, try to picture your audience.  It will be filled with people of all ages from all over the world.  How would you introduce yourself to them?  What do you want them to know about you?  Using the questions I have left for you will help you do a great job.
The Resource Packet:
At each of your workstations there is a packet of resources.  Please find and review each of the pages mentioned below.

• The first page is filled with some hints and tips.  
• When you flip over to the back side of the first page you will find the actual "how to" or steps to writing your first post.  There are 9 questions for you to ponder and answer.  You don't have to answer them in order.  Be sure to create a paragraph (or two) with your answers; not a list.
• One of the resources is a page of "sentence starters."  I found a blog with these ideas.  Try to use a couple of them.
• I included a resource with the steps for finding and saving an image for your post. It is the process we used a couple weeks ago in class.  Be sure to sign in to Novell.  **If you cannot sign in to Novell I will help you with this process next time.
• I won't be grading this rough draft, but I will be giving you a lot of feedback. You will have many revision opportunities.  Eventually I will be assessing your post with the rubric I've included so take a look at it.
• Finally, the back page is a copy of the BPS Blogging and Commenting Guidelines. 

I have added two new items to Google Classroom.  The first is an announcement containing a presentation of the BPS Blogging Guidelines. You will view this presentation and then move on to the second addition.  You have a new assignment; Creating Your First Blog Post.  Please "OPEN" this assignment and get started.  If you don't get to the image step; don't worry.  The most important part of this assignment is your introductory paragraph.  

Please go to Google Classroom and start the process of introducing yourself to the world!!!!!!

Fondly,

~Mrs. White :)

The Time Has Come to Be Creative Communicators!!

This week we will start one of my favorite "jobs."  This week I will launch you all in to the blogging pool.  This will be a slow process.  You will start in the shallow end of the pool and be wearing swimmies.  Have no worries.  I am sure most of you will be swimming with the sharks by the end of the school year.   We will start be finding out what you know about blogging with a Kahoot.
One of the first things we will do is to "dissect" a blog; learning all of its parts.
The next important component of blogging here at BIS is understanding the BPS Blogging and Commenting Guidelines.  These guidelines were created by students at BIS.  I am so proud of the work they did to create them!
After reviewing the guidelines you will create your first post; paper post.  In this post you will introduce yourselves to the world!

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It's a Wrap!

It is finally here......ELECTION DAY!  After months of campaigning, the final decision will be made this Tuesday.  Do you think there will be a lot of people voting or very few?  This has most definitely been one of the most controversial political campaigns of our country's history. If you are interested you can check out the history of Presidential Elections.  I am thinking many of you are also very tired as your bodies are still trying to adjust to the change in time.  Why do we change out clocks?  Click this link to find out more.

We have a short and crazy week.  There is no school on Tuesday.  Teachers will be in school, but students will not.  Our week ends on Thursday this week as we will honor our veterans on Friday.  I hope everyone takes some time on Friday to remember all those men and women who have served our country and sacrificed so much so we have the freedoms we enjoy.

In this short week we will finish up our History of Email timelines.  If time allows I would like to start looking at blogs, but we will have to wait and see.

Enjoy your short week!
~Mrs. White :)

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