Back from Break

Welcome back!   This crazy winter did not take a break last week.  I hope you enjoyed your time off and are back rested and ready to work hard.  I spent some time researching a few different topics I cannot wait to share with you, but in due time.  First things first.....we are already up to the letter "P" in named storms.  Pandora dumped a wintery mix on us Saturday night through Sunday.  Luckily, the bulk of the storm was rain which shrunk some of our snow mounds.  Unfortunately the air coming in behind Pandora has caused temperatures to plummet.  We are now left with smaller mounds of snow, well actually frozen solid ice hills.  It is making it hard to walk out there!  Let's hope we don't get another storm this winter.  Just in case you were wondering, the next storm will be names, "Quantum."  
Okay, back to business.  We will start out by using the new Web Evaluation Checklist I created and have shared with all of you in Google Classroom (there is also one next to your workstation.)  Let's take a look at the site, Dihydrogen Monoxide Research. You and a computer neighbor will have 10 minutes to decide whether or not this site is reliable, valid, and credible using this checklist.
I also created an infographic to help you with your web evaluation process.  Check it out!
I will expect you to go through this process with any site you choose to use as a resource for your GHP.  It may take a little extra time in the beginning, but after some practice you will get very efficient at this process.
I have gone through all of your GHP organizers and will be sharing this feedback with you during class 1.  Some of you have asked to work with a partner.  Those of you for whom I have approved a partnership will need to move seats.  This may take a few moments.  I will initiate this process.  Some of you are struggling with ideas for your Genius Hour Projects.  You may find this video, "Obvious to you, Amazing to others," inspirational.

I hope you enjoyed the pep talk from Kid President which was playing as you walked in to class!  Help him spread his message!
                           

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Blogger Profiles...Here We Go!

     Well yesterday was quite a wild weather day!!  I am sure many of you were without power, Internet, and worse yet....cable!!  I hope you managed to stay warm and were able to watch the Patriots' game.  If not, I'm sure you have heard the end results.  I don't know if this storm is an indicator for our winter.  If it is...YIKES!!  You can check out the Weather Channels' 2014-2015 Winter Forecast on this site.  
     We will start off class this week taking a look at the evaluation scores you gave the blog you explored last week.  Please go to the Padlet wall and follow the instructions you find there.  You will need to have your note card from last week.  You should have the name of the blog and the score you gave it written on this card.
      This week you will start working on one of the components or pieces of you blog.  You will create your "Blogger Profile."  Please start off by taking a few minutes to check out some profiles of other young bloggers.  I have created a resource for you to use and take you on this task.  You have the option doing this on your workstation or your iPad.  If you would like to explore it on your workstation please use this link to
About Me Resource document.  If you would like to use your iPad, please use the QR codes provided on the paper you can find in your Workstation Resource Folder.
     Now that you have checked out some other profiles, you will begin to work on your own.  I have created a template for you to fill out.  You will be able to copy and paste this information in to your blog next week.  I want to be able to give you some feedback before you do this. I will show you how to make a copy of  this About Me Template so you can make changes to it to fit you.  Please be ready to follow my directions for this.  Be sure to put your document in to your ILT folder so I can see it.  I will also ask you to print a copy of this document so I can have options by which to share feedback.
      Your ticket to leave today will be sharing three possible blog topics you have selected.  This is getting exciting!  I cannot wait for you to start playing around with your blog layout!!!
      Have a super start to your week!!