Back to the Grind....

I don't about you, but I feel as if our vacation went by at lightning speed!!  I spent a couple of days with my daughter down in Nashville.  We heard some amazing up and coming singers and had a great time.  You can check out her work and some of the local up and coming talent on her blog, Jam Catchers.  Nashville is most definitely a very cool place to visit.  I hope you enjoyed your time off and are ready to get back to work.

This week we will continue working with ISTE Standard 3:  Research and Information Fluency.  I will start off class number one this week by sharing a site about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which seems fitting as Black History Month is coming to a close.  After we evaluate and discuss this site, I will ask you to answer the question I have sent you in Google Classroom.  You will then work on a website evaluation activity using a mystery QR code (if you didn't do this before vacation.)  We will also use Kahoot to do a final of review of website evaluation.

During class two this week you will create, edit, and publish a new blog post.  Speaking of your blogs, I have also created an announcement in Google Classroom which include the link to a form I need you to complete.  This "Blog Collection Form" will allow me to access and view your blogs so I may give you feedback.

Have a super week and welcome back!!!

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Let's Continue the Conversation

I don't know about you, but I really thought the Patriots were going to pull off that two point conversion.  It was quite a game.  I am still in a state of shock that "our" season has ended.  It really was a good game; a true nail biter.  I am very proud of our Pats.  They played an amazing season; especially considering they played the entire season with many players on the disabled list at one time or another.  This link will take you to a recap of the game, just in case you missed it.
This week you will practice commenting; continuing the conversation.  You will have an opportunity to create a paper comment on your classmates' blogs.  I will then review your comments and give you some feedback. Commenting is definitely a skill which needs practicing.  I have shared a resource with all of you in Google Classroom.  This resource is a blog post I discovered a couple of years ago.  Mr. Fisher shares some super "Comment Starters."  Please use some of these during our activity and when you continue to comment on blog posts.

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Publishing and Profiles

The publishing push is on!  If you did not publish your blog post last week, you will most likely be taking care of it this week.  During class one you will publish and then work on your Blogger Profile.  I have some resources for you to ensure you are "practicing safe use of sharing information when blogger."
It will be a little bit of a crazy week with our 1/2 days for conferences, so come in ready to work!!!
Before we get started please complete the three student created surveys below.
Earth Day Survey
Favorite Shirt Color Survey
Water Survey

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Applying Blogging Vocabulary

During class today you will apply or use the blogging vocabulary introduced last week.  You have done this in other classes.  For example, in ELA you may have been asked to write sentences using new vocabulary to demonstrate your understanding of the meaning of those words.  You won't be writing sentences to demonstrate your understanding; you'll be exploring blogs!!  At each of your workstations you will find two resources. The first resource is a copy of the blog diagram from last week (completed.)  The second resource is a document with four QR (quick response) codes.  Each of these codes will take you to a different student blog.  Please be sure to leave these for the next class.  I have created an assignment in Google Classroom titled, "Blogging Vocabulary Activity." Follow the steps below to complete this assignment.

1.  Please log in to Google Classroom on your computer workstation.  Once in Classroom please "enter" my class and "OPEN" this assignment.  In the work space of the assignment you will see the Google doc, "Blogging Vocabulary Activity" which I have created for each of you.  Please open this doc.  
2. Open your iPad. 
3. Open your "Organization/Feedback" folder
4. Locate and open your "Qrafter" App.
5. You will need to scan each of the QR codes with the camera on this app.
6. Select "Open URL in Safari"
7. Using the information in the appropriate blog, you will type the answers to each of the questions on the Google doc.  Be sure to answer in complete sentences using correct capitalization, punctuation, grammar, and spelling.
8. You should have time to review the answers with the teacher.
9. Be sure to "TURN IN" this assignment in Google Classroom.
10. *If for some reason you do not have your iPad, the links to the four blogs are listed below.

Hey Kids Blog

Everything Pre-Algebra

Blogs By Kids

Learning Alongside My Students
   11.  **If for some reason you are not able to get in to Google Classroom, the teacher will have a paper copy of the questions for you to answer.

Mind blowing...Game-Changing!!!

I had an amazing and "mind blowing" two days last week.  I attended the iPad Summit which was hosted by EdTech Teacher.  At this point I am still trying to organize my thoughts.  I have so many new thoughts, ideas, and yes Apps to share, but I need to figure out the best way to share what I have taken away.  This will come in due time.

To get back to the tasks at hand....my students will continue working on blogs.  Designing the "skin" of your blog is the most exciting part in some regard.  First of all, it seems real.  Secondly, it is a way to convey to the world (your global audience) a little bit about you.  After all, this blog design is unique to you.  So please take your time and put some effort and though in to it.  I changed my blog around for a solid month before I became satisfied with it.  I will occasionally add some pieces and even take some away if I feel they have lost their usefulness.  So explore and have fun!!

We will be creating a "study guide" for an assessment you will have next week before we leave on break for Thanksgiving.

I hope you had a super weekend and are ready to design and share a piece of you with the world! :)

Blogging 101

    It has certainly been a crazy month.  I cannot believe October is almost over!  This weekend we gain an hour (HOORAY!!) as we set back our clocks.  Why do we change our clocks?  Check out the information on the Daylight Savings Time post.

    I know some of you are still having difficulties with your Apple ID's and getting your Apps, and I am addressing that with individuals and trying to problem solve.  We are moving forward and beginning our lessons on Blogging.  Before starting, I need to have a sense of what you know, so please take a few minutes and complete the Blogging PreAssessment.  We will need to establish a common vocabulary for some terms associated with blogging.  We will take a look at a diagram of a blog, label it, and discuss our BPS Blogging and Commenting Guidelines this week.  Before we take a look at our guidelines, we will take a look at Blogging in Plain English (it's an oldie but a goodie.)

     You will have some time to explore a couple of other blogs.  You may use your iPad and your "Qrafter" App (QR code reader).  There is a sheet of QR codes in your workstation resource folder.  If you don't have your Apps yet, you may open my blog on your iPad (this may be a good time to bookmark it) and click on the links of the Interesting Blog Resources document.  You may also view these blogs using your workstation and this same document.  The choice is yours.  Please select one of the blogs listed and review it using the Blog Evaluation Checklist you can find by clicking on the link or finding it in your workstation resource folder.  When you have finished, please go to Padlet and post the name of your blog and the score it received.
     Have a great week, and please don't get frustrated.  You will all be up and running shortly!!  Try to remain calm as the end of October, Halloween, and Daylight Savings Time all approach this weekend.  I heard we may even see a little of the "white stuff" this weekend!!!

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