One More PARCC Week and We're Done......Hooray!

I don't know who will be more excited when PARCC testing has come to an end; students or teachers?!!!  I can't wait to have our regular schedule back....oh wait!  Memorial Day Weekend is next week which means only a four day week.  UGH!!!  Are we ever going to have a "normal" school week?!!  Oh well, let's make the best of it and do some cool stuff in the time we do have.
This week you will be showing me what you know in regard to commenting.  You will be taking you Commenting Assessment (most of you) during our second tech class this week.  I hope you have been reviewing your study guide and the BPS Guidelines.  If you have been, this assessment will be a piece of cake!
Well, what about our first class this week?  What will we be doing you ask?  We will be taking a look at digital storytelling.  When I looked at the responses from the Genius Hour Project Survey I was surprised to see so many students sharing the desire to continue working on their projects.  I also respect the number of you, almost equal, who do not want to continue with this project.  Our crazy schedule and loss of so many days derailed many of you and caused a loss of enthusiasm.  So I have come up with a compromise of sorts.  I will be introducing the concept of digital storytelling to all students.  After our introductory lessons you will have the choice of creating your own digital story or continuing with your Genius Hour Project.  I would like all of my students to be familiar with this form of media, but respect those of you who want to complete what you've started.
So here we go....digital storytelling.  I have an example of a digital story for you to watch.  I'm afraid my projector bulb has still not been replaced, so you will have to watch this individually at your workstations.  Please check out this digital story.  We will talk about the elements or parts of this story once you have finished. Please check out a post from my archive in which I talk about this digital story: Caught in the Crowd.

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Ready or not?!!!...Here comes Juno!!

As I sit in my warm and cozy house, writing lesson plans for the week, I, like most of you, am struggling to stay focused and fear my planning will be futile.  Okay, go ahead and say it, "SNOW DAY!!"  I know so many of my students are thinking it, but "be careful what you wish for," as the saying goes.  I just finished watching the latest weather report.  Meteorologists are using terms like, "historic blizzard," "hurricane force winds", and "snowfall rates of 2-4 inches per hour."  YIKES!  This latest (really first) storm of the season has been named, "Juno."  Okay my grade 7 history students; who is Juno?  Do you think this is really a fitting name for a blizzard?  Check out the latest from the Weather Channel.
On to those lesson plans, just in case the forecast is wrong.....You will be receiving the feedback on your assessment from last week.  If you did not take it yet, I will need you to do so during class one.  I have tweaked the organizers for your GH projects based on student feedback.  You will need to complete either a map or two-column note formatted organizer with your final decision on your project.  Once you have this complete, you will scan it and upload it to your book in Book Creator.  You will have some time to finish getting your book template ready if you were not able to do this earlier.   You will also need to finish creating and publish your initial post on your Genius Hour Projects page on your blogs.  If you should get all of this done, you should finish tweaking your blog designs, widgets, posts, etc....
I am afraid we will need to wait until next week to begin the research for your projects.

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This may not be "Juno", but I feel like she is saying "good bye" to this crazy winter storm for us all.  Maybe she can chase it away.   Whatever happens, please be safe and be smart!!
      ~Mrs. White :)

Moving Along......

This week will be dedicated to two types of media- podcasts and blogs.  You will start off working on your podcast scripts.  Most of you have started them, but a couple of sections need to have the initial lesson.  I will also be giving you the rubric for this project.  Please be sure to use the "Tips" document as you are writing your scripts.  You may make a copy of the Podcast Script Template to place in your drive or to print and complete (old school.) The video on my January 14th blog post, "Copyright Terms," will show you how to copy a Google doc for your own use.  Remember you will need to be signed in to your Google account to do this.

You will need to complete the form for you ILT section found on the Timeline Collection Form.  I need to take a look at your finished iPad 1:1 timelines and assess them.  You will be given a copy of the rubric for this project.  This is the rubric you and your classmates created.  Please be sure to put your name and ILT# on this rubric.  You will then need to open your project and complete this rubric or "assess" yourself.  I will then take a look at your project and your rubric and give you my feedback and your final grade.  Please take this seriously and look at your work with a critical eye.

Once you have finished creating your script and submitting your Timeline Collection Form, I would like you to read it to a classmate or you could try recording it as a test run in GarageBand.  I need you to listen to your steps to see if your script makes sense and be sure your audience will be able to follow along!! If you choose to make a recording; it will not be your final one; just a trial run.

During the second class this week (ILT 14 & 16- this will be your class #1) I will be at my NISL class.  Mr. Carme will be with you in the lab.  I am "in school" but not "in the lab" on Wednesday and Thursday.  During this class you will be creating and publishing a new post for your homepage or passion page of your blog.  Before you start on this post, I would like you to log in to your Pinterest accounts. (Username is Google email and Password is the usual) and create a new board.  **You may use your iPad or your computer for this part of the lesson.  You should be able to complete this task in 15-20 minutes.  This board will be a place to hang some resources for your podcasting project.  Check out the this video for some help creating your new board.  "How to Create a Pinterest Board video." Once you have found 5 good resources to pin you will get started on your new blog post.  I would recommend using your computer instead of your iPad to create your blog post.  Blogger is not as "user friendly" on the iPad. You need to get this post uploaded by the end of class and I'm afraid you may not have as much success on the iPad.  The choice is your's, but you have a deadline to meet.  Please take out your BPS Blogging and Commenting Guidelines and review them before you start this post.  If you have "forgotten" your folder, there is a copy of these guidelines in the "Workstation Resources" folders by your computer.  I have been noticing many errors in your posts and would like you to take a moment to review my expectations before beginning.  Please be sure to include and image and/or links in your post.  Remember to check for capital "I's" and spelling errors.  Your post should consist of at least 5 solid sentences with variety and a "voice."  Think of a topic that is interesting and exciting.  Be sure to "upload" images; don't just copy and paste them.  There are instructions for this in your "Workstation Resources" folders.  Be sure to include an image link to give credit unless you have taken the picture yourself.  Once you have completed this post, you will need to have a classmate edit your work before publishing.  Please do not rush this post!!  I need to see your growth as a blogger shining through!

If you should finish with this post before the end of class, please either read your blog subscriptions on Feedly or search for a new podcast in your Podcast App on your iPad.

PS  I have added a "search" gadget to my blog.  This should help you find information a bit more easily.  Hope you enjoy it.  You may want to add this to your blog as well!

Take Responsibility for Your Learning (Grades)!!!

***Important Announcement:  
You need to check your grades in X2!!!  If you do not have a grade recorded for your podcast it will become and remain a "0" on Friday, May 24th.  Please be sure to make arrangements with me before then if you are still having issues.  If you have a "0" for your Blog Design grade you will need to get me what I need by next Friday, May 24th, or it will remain a "0"!!!!  It is your responsibility to email me with URL's, not my responsibility to ask you!!!  Remember to return the ungraded rubric as well.
We are getting close to the end of the school year.  You know the policy for making up a missed class.  It has been the same all year.  Please go to MOODLE and check out the assignments you missed.  You have only one week to do this.
You were given your Blog Design Rubrics back during class 2 this week.  I know ILT 1 and ILT 4 did not receive them yet.  You will get them back on Monday.
As for your podcasts, that feedback was given over two weeks ago.  Please take responsibility for your learning.  You need to follow up on questions you may have.  If you do not speak with me and ask questions, your grades will remain the same.
You know where to find me so please do and get that work turned in!!!!!