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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Commenting Lesson

Commenting is an important part of the blogging cycle.  We have discussed this topic and practiced commenting. This is still an area of improvement for most of you.  Please be sure to review the BPS Blogging and Commenting Guidelines as a part of this lesson.  I found another method of commenting.  I have left a copy of the "A + 1" Commenting Method beside you workstations.  Please take a look at this method.  It is a great set up for commenting.  Use this blog post to complete the Commenting Activity which is also beside your workstations.

Commenting Post:
The students of today are a very unique generation; a generation of "firsts."  The Internet has been in existence since before you were born.  Therefore, you have never lived without the Internet.  Can you imagine not having Google around?  Think of how many times a day you use Google.  Now think about the technology you have available at your fingertips.  Do you remember a time in your life when someone in your family didn't have a cell phone?  All of this technology is amazing and yes, life changing.  But is it all for the better?  This is a question asked by so many.  Many worry your generation has lost the ability to communicate with others face to face (F2F) and many other skills considered necessary for life.  Others express concerns young people have become desensitized to crimes and bad behaviors due to their involvement with on line gaming; not being able to tell the difference between what's real and what's fantasy.  What are your thoughts and feelings about your generation and technology?  Do you think you will be lacking in important social and communication skills?  Do you think you have become desensitized to crime and violence?  How do you envision our world in your hands one day?

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Last Stretch of 2014

Welcome back!  I hope you all had a restful few days off.  Did you see any snow?!  Some parts of New England had a "White Thanksgiving."  I don't know about you, but I definitely had my fill of turkey.  Do you have a favorite leftover turkey recipe?  The Food Network has some ideas in their "Best Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes" post.  Maybe one day I will see one of your recipes featured on this blog.  Let's wake up from the turkey coma and get going with our blogs.

This week you will be creating your first blog post!!  I have compiled a packet of resources for you.  You will find it next to your workstation.  It includes the following:

• Packet Cover Sheet and Overview
• First Post Tips
• Helpful Hints for Your First Blog Post
• First Blog Post Rubric

I hope you find them useful.  Remember this first post is your introduction to the world.  Take your time and do a super job!  Later this week we will take a look at commenting and practice by doing some "paper" comments on your "paper" posts.  Next week you will use your feedback from peers and me to polish and then publish your first post!!  Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging!!

Another Look At Comments and Blog Post #2

Happy Veteran's Day to all of the men and women who have served and given of themselves in order for us to live our lives in a free country.  The sacrifices you and your families have made are extraordinary and for these I am eternally grateful!!

This week some of you will only have one tech class due to our Monday holiday. You will all have the opportunity to assess your first blog post using the rubric I have given you. I will take your self-assessment and add my opinions and a score.  Please be sure to take your time with this activity as it is a very important one.  It will take me a little time to read through all of your blog posts; so please be patient with me.  I will get you this score and feedback as soon as I can.\

I really want you to be able to create your next blog post.  Many of you were inspired by your Pinterest explorations last week.  I would like you to complete the Commenting Activity I have created for you. You should have time left before the end of class to be able to work on your second blog post. You Please be sure to follow your Blogging Guidelines as you are working on this second post.  I would like you to create your post on a Google doc before uploading and publishing it on your blog.  It would be a great idea to have a classmate edit your post before you publish it.

I will not be in our lab on Wednesday or Thursday this week, as I have my class on those days.  I will be at school, but not teaching in our lab so you may see me in the hallways.  Please read this blog post carefully.  I will expect to see the "5 Tips or Pointers" for the Commenting Activity completed correctly before you start your second blog post.  I would like you to have a classmate read your blog post before you publish.  Please remember to cite images and sources correctly.  All of the resources are still in the folders next to your work stations.  Please be sure to use them.

**You will need to take a moment to add your name and blog URL to the Google doc I have shared with you.  You all have permission to edit.  Please be careful when typing on this document.  Be sure to copy the URL when you are "Viewing" your blog; not on your dashboard.  Your classmates will use this doc to find your blog and leave you comments.

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