Keep the Conversation Going

What a crazy weather roller coaster we have been riding!!!  First it's warm, then freezing, and then pouring.  What's next?  Some say it has to do with global warming and others say it's the El Nino impact.  I'm not sure what it is,  but I am sure I don't know how to dress each day.  Do you think we will get any big snow storms this year?  I hope not.  I would like to end school in the middle of June instead of the end this year!!
Oh well, let's move on to some things that are in our control.  We have talked a lot about blogging, and compared it to "having a conversation."  How do you keep the "conversation" going?  In a word:  COMMENTING.  There is a protocol or guidelines for commenting.  Many of you probably feel as though you are experienced and seasoned at the art of commenting as you have a lot of practice in your social media settings.  However, I have found over the years students are not at all skilled in this art.  This week we will take a close up look at commenting.
We will start by using a cool collaboration tool known as back channeling.  We will use "Today's Meet" to host a group discussion of a slide show presentation on commenting.  This slide show can be found on Huzzah, a great blog.  While we are looking at the presentation I will be asking questions of the "room", but I will be doing it "virtually."  I have given you a QR code to access the room for this discussion.  I am very excited to review and discuss this presentation with you "behind the scenes."

Commenting PreAssessment Link

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Back from Break.....UGH or YEAH??

Happy 2016!!  Welcome back from a well deserved vacation.  I hope you all found some time to rest and relax.  I had an amazing time travelling down South to visit our daughter.  It was different to not be "home" for Christmas, but then again I was with my family so I was "home."  The likelihood of something happening in your life over these past days is very high.  So you should have no problem writing an amazing blog post. As I had mentioned before break, you will work on your second blog post this week.  The process will definitely be accelerated as you will create, edit, and publish the post all in one week.  Please follow the procedure outlined below (also found in Google Classroom):

1. Go to Google Drive and create a new doc
2. Name the new doc appropriately (ie-second blog post)
3. Begin writing your post.  
4. Find, save, and cite an image for your post.
5. Be sure to use the Blogging Check List on your work.
6. Have a classmate edit your work.

**If you are totally stumped for a topic, use the January Blog Topic resource.

Resources for this assignment

*January Blog Topics

Blogging Check List

Uploading and Citing Images on Blog

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Last Day Before Break

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Hello my little elves.....I am sorry I am not there today, but I have high expectations for you.  ILT #13 and and ILT #14 you have a lot of work ahead of you.  You will need to get in your groups when Mrs. Diggins gives you that direction. You will start be reviewing your poster outline and rubric.  You will then create a storyboard (rough draft) and get it approved by Mrs. Diggins.  She will give you poster board for your final product.  Below is an outline of the steps which should take no more than 15 minutes:

• Get in your groups
• Review the project outline
• Review the rubric
• Create your story board/rough draft (this is messy and plain; don't waste time!!!)
• Raise your hand to get approval to start production

You will then begin working like busy little elves.  The materials are on a table in the back of the lab.  You may use any workstations to get images/logos.  Do NOT forget the URLs for these images.  I have left the examples of "good" and "not so good" work on the front board.  Mrs. Diggins will collect your projects at the end of class and inspect the "plant" before you are allowed to leave.  Check out the outline below:

Starting Production:

• Get materials you need
• Assign everyone in the group a job
• Check your rubric, outline, and examples on the front board while working
• When printing images/logs be sure you are printing to room 231
• Delete any images from computer desktops (clean up virtual trash)
• Be sure to create a Doc and paste, then print, URLs for images/logos
• USE GLUE; NOT TAPE!!!

Ending Production:

• Clean up all materials and return 
• Markers in boxes back in the marker containers
• Colored pencils back in boxes back in the correct container
• All scraps of paper thrown in recycling containers
• Glue sticks capped tightly and returned to crate
• Pencils, pens, stickies, etc.. back in container
• Rulers,  paperclips, scissors, etc... back in container
• Log off workstations before leaving
• Project turned in to Mrs. Diggins with all pieces paper clipped to the poster

I expect to return on January 4th to an immaculate lab!!!  Mrs. Diggins should not have to clean up after you!!!

ILT#3:

You will follow a different procedure.  You will first complete your posters. Get right in to your groups.  You know the drill.  Be sure to clean up and turn in your finished poster to Mrs. Diggins.   Once you have finished your poster, please sign in to Google Classroom.  I have left an assignment there for you.

Have a super vacation!  See you all in 2016!!

Wrapping Up Your Projects

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We only have one class together this week before we take our "break!"  I know it will be hard, but you need to remain focused.  You have a job to finish and the production line needs to be running at full capacity to get this done.  As soon as you report for your shift, you will find you materials and resources all set up in a work space.  The lab is yours; no need to ask for permission!  Just get what you need and get going.  Please remember the importance of this job!  You need to give correct information to your audience (students in our school.)  We don't want anyone getting in to trouble because they were given inaccurate or incomplete information on your poster.   I know I can count on your!!

Please be sure to make good decisions in your social/personal technological lives during vacation.  Remember the protocol:

Do NOT use your school Apple ID on your personal stuff. (those cool tech presents you got for gifts)

            

Do NOT use your school Google account (@mybps.me) to create social accounts like Instagram, Snapchat, etc...

Have a super holiday season with your family and friends.

See you in 2016!!

Two Sides to Technology Poster

We have been discussing the two sides to your technological life since the first day of class.  We will start our week off with a Kahoot to get us thinking about this topic.  Why is this so important?  Why do I bring this up again now?  Let's think about the time of the year.  Many of you celebrate holidays in the month of December which involve the tradition of gift giving.  In past years, many students have received "technology" related gifts such as iPads, iPods, cell phones, tablets, laptops, game consoles, etc...  I have noticed an increasing number of students use their "School/Professional" accounts on these newly acquired gifts.  It is important for you all to understand that separation between your two sides.  You are NOT to use any school accounts on or for personal technology.  In other words, you CANNOT use your school Apple ID on a new iPad you get for Christmas!!!  

This week the employees of BISILT.com have an important job!!  You will create posters to display in our school sharing this important message.  You will work in a group to get this job done and will be provided with all the resources you need.  It is important this job be completed on time!!  I have shared links to the resources you will get on day one this week just in case you would like to take a look and start thinking!

I cannot wait to share our finished products with our school community!  

Project Outline

Project Rubric

Materials Wish List

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Hour of Code

During class two this week you will participate in the "Hour of Code."  It is a worldwide event; check out this video. "
I hope this video has you excited!!!  You will dive right in to your coding practice.  Please go to Code.org
Here you will find a wide variety of coding experiences.  There's even one with a Star Wars theme!!!  So dive in and start coding!!!

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