Ready, Set, Blog!!

The time has come to create your second blog post.  I hope you are excited about adding another post to your blog.  You will need to be sure to review the BPS Blogging and Commenting Guidelines as you are working on this post.  I would like you to create the draft for your post on a Google doc.  Yes, I am still asking you to keep those “swimmies” on in the deep end of the pool.    As you are working on your post drafts, I will be circulating and checking your work.  Ms. Sweeney found some great new resources to use when blogging.  I will add them to our Blogging Resources and Guides doc, but have also included them in this post.  The first is a “handbook/ebook” for using Google Blogger.  Blogger for Beginners is an on line resource created by Blogger Buster.  It is quite extensive and you can use the table of contents to help you find exactly what you need and then download it in to your Google Docs account.  I have downloaded a hard copy of the “handbook” and have it in the classroom if you find that an easier resource to use.   In addition, Ken Myers wrote a guest post on “Spice Up Your Blog.”  Check out 10 Writing Tips All Bloggers Must Adhere to.   So get yourself ready to add a new post.  You have all of the resources you could ask for at your fingertips.  Ready, set, get blogging!!
**If you were not happy with your grade on your first blog post you may use this one as a retake.  Please be sure to email me and let me know you want to do this. 

The iPhone 5 Is HERE!!

I felt like a kid waiting to open presents on Christmas morning on Friday afternoon.  I was disappointed when I got home from school and didn't see a package waiting for me.  My disappointment was soon erased when I heard a knock on my door.  I don't know as if a UPS driver has ever received such a warm welcome.  I couldn't wait to get started and was pleasantly surprised to find my new phone came with over 3/4 of the battery.  I quickly called my service provider and got my phone activated.  Oh wait, have I mentioned I stopped at the MAC Express in the mall on the way home to get a case for my new device?!  I slide the slim and sleek phone in to my silicone case and began exploring.  I won't bore you with all of the details, but will say I had a lot of fun.  The fun continued all weekend.  I keep trying to think of questions to ask SIRI.  She hasn't let me down yet.  My 3 year old Blackberry served me well, but I don't know how I ever lived without an iPhone!!!  I am sure the novelty will wear off at some point.  I will let you know when that happens.

 

http://expert.com.ua/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/iphone5.jpg

A New Twist on an Old Assignment

With all of the up and coming changes in Massachusetts standards and curriculum, this week I am trying to get you prepared for your future.  Last week we worked on a "traditional" or "typical" assignment.  You were instructed to find a resource about a school related topic using our library databases and to paraphrase the information. The end product of that assignment was a well formed paragraph.  This week we are going to take the same assignment and update it; bring it in to the 21st century.  You will take the information your found last week, search for some images using the library databases again, and this time create a presentation.  I will not be assigning a specific presentation tool, but so recommend you use either your presentation tool in your Google docs or check out some of the others on the cooltoolsforschool WIKI.  The only other information I will give you is the following:
Topic:  same as the one you used for your paraphrasing activity
Content:  3-4 slides with images, text, backgrounds, and transitions
Sources:  must come from library databases
Sources:  must be cited correctly (not just URL's)

Have fun with this 21st century assignment!  I can't wait to see you present them in a couple of weeks!!