First Class Blog

Article posted October 21, 2009 at 04:30 AM GMT0 • Reads 243

Hi Everyone! This is our first blog. I wanted to see how it works and I am very excited to get my students to start blogging about all of their projects.

First Assignment

Article posted October 22, 2009 at 03:01 AM GMT0 • Reads 50

Hi Class!

Your first assignment will be to tell about the book you are reading and why you like it. You should include the main idea of the book and your thoughts about it.



Enjoy sharing your voice with everyone :)

Reading Summaries

Article posted October 22, 2009 at 05:51 PM GMT0 • Reads 49

The students were very excited about writing their first blog entries. They would love for other people to comment on their blogs, which are about their books they are currently reading!

Paragraph of the Week

Article posted October 24, 2009 at 03:44 AM GMT0 • Reads 47

This week, I want you to write a paragraph telling why it is important that we use technology in our classroom.

** Make sure you include a topic sentence, three supporting details and a closing sentence.

Veteran's Day Paragraph of the Week

Article posted November 1, 2009 at 05:02 PM GMT0 • Reads 583

Veterans Day is a legal U.S. holiday observed each year on November 11. It honors all veterans, living and dead, who fought in wars since World War I. The U.S. flag is an important symbol to most veterans.



Then, for Language this week you are to write a personal reflective paragraph. This means you will need to SERIOUSLY think about the topic: WHAT THE U.S. FLAG MEANS TO ME. Look at an American flag. Think of all the places you have seen it, how it has been displayed, and how it might have been used. Brainstorm your ideas and write these in your journal



REMEMBER:



1. ___ 5 sentences for your paragraph, including a topic and concluding sentence

2. ___ Elements of good writing; focus on IDEAS and ORGANIZATION

3. ___ clearly REWORKED rough draft

4. ___ signature of adult who helped you proofread your work for IDEAS and CONVENTIONS

5. ___ Posted on Blog with correct format

Homework Nov. 2

Article posted November 1, 2009 at 05:43 PM GMT0 • Reads 68

Language -Paragraph of the week - What the flag means to me 1st draft



Math - Estimating Differences P.16



Reading - 20 minutes



Science - Read pages C28-C31 and Investigation 3



Spelling - Long Vowels (week 5) - 2x missed words.

Homework Nov. 3

Article posted November 3, 2009 at 09:12 PM GMT0 • Reads 59

Reading - 20 minutes from Reading Counts book



Spelling - 5x missed words



Language - Finish first draft of animal story.



Science - Study Vocabulary words - Test on Thursday!

Homework Nov. 5

Article posted November 8, 2009 at 12:51 AM GMT0 • Reads 172

Reading - 20 minutes

Spelling - Long Vowels in Context worksheet

Homework Nov. 9

Article posted November 8, 2009 at 01:03 AM GMT0 • Reads 64

Reading - 20 minutes, Inference Reading Mystery Story

Language - Study vocabulary words

(definite, abandon, characteristics)

Math - Subtraction across zeros worksheet

Spelling - Rewrite all words one time and underline/hi-light each long vowel pattern

Homework Nov. 10

Article posted November 11, 2009 at 01:34 AM GMT0 • Reads 57

Reading - 20 minutes

Math - Practice Study Guide; test Friday

Spelling - Practice test - post test tomorrow

Homework Nov. 11

Article posted November 12, 2009 at 04:52 AM GMT0 • Reads 68

Reading - 20 minutes

EARLY OUT and VETERAN'S DAY ASSEMBLY

Homework Nov. 12

Article posted November 12, 2009 at 09:51 PM GMT0 • Reads 67

Reading - 20 minutes

Math - ALEKS, First In Math

Mr. Dugger's Idea

Article posted November 14, 2009 at 02:22 AM GMT0 • Reads 63

I am borrowing an idea from Mr. Dugger's class in New York. This is one of his assignments for his students.



1) If you could create a blog assignment for the class to do, what would you assign? Be specific!



2) Why did you choose this assignment? Why do you think that the class would enjoy it?





Make sure that you TRIPLE check your blog and your comments for proper capitalization, grammar, punctuation and spelling!



***Remember that a blog is NOT a journal. What you write can and will be viewed by other people, so DO NOT put any sensitive or personal information!***



For our assignment this week, I would like you to answer these questions too!

Homework Nov. 16

Article posted November 16, 2009 at 09:41 PM GMT0 • Reads 69

Reading - 20 minutes

Social Studies - West Quoddy Head Journal

Spelling - List 6 (Nouns) 2x missed words

Homework Nov. 17

Article posted November 17, 2009 at 10:47 PM GMT0 • Reads 69

Reading: 20 minutes

Spelling: 5x

Language: Study vocabulary

Science: Physical Activity Worksheet

Homework Nov. 19

Article posted November 19, 2009 at 11:55 PM GMT0 • Reads 66

Reading - 20 minutes

Language - Study Vocab Words - Test Tomorrow!!!

Cursive both sides

Spelling - use words missed in a paragraph

Homework Nov. 20

Article posted November 20, 2009 at 06:59 PM GMT0 • Reads 84

Reading: 20 minutes

Language: Cursive - both sides, storyboards for digital storytelling

Spelling: write missed words one time in cursive

Homework Dec. 7

Article posted December 7, 2009 at 04:38 AM GMT0 • Reads 81

Reading: 20 minutes

Language: study vocabulary words

Spelling: write in paragraph

Math: x3 worksheet

Homework Jan. 5

Article posted January 5, 2010 at 10:16 PM GMT0 • Reads 66

Spelling: Week 9 Synonyms and Antonyms (2x missed words on pre-test)



Reading: 20 minutes and Christmas break Reading pkt.



Math: Perfect Squares worksheet



Language: Cursive R and B

Homework Jan. 6th

Article posted January 7, 2010 at 01:22 AM GMT0 • Reads 70

Reading 20 minutes

Spelling: 5 times missed words (Week 9 - Synonyms and Antonyms)

Math: x6 worksheet

Language: Cursive L and P

Social Studies: Independence Hall Journal

Homework Jan. 11

Article posted January 11, 2010 at 11:16 PM GMT0 • Reads 65

Reading: 20 minutes from Reading Counts book

Spelling: ABC order one time

Language: Cursive T and F

Math: ALEKS (if computer at home)

Homework Feb. 3

Article posted February 3, 2010 at 09:05 PM GMT0 • Reads 64

Reading - 20 minutes and work on your goal; study for Theme 5 Test - Test Tomorrow

Spelling - Practice Oral Test

Language - Study Theme 5 vocabulary

Social Studies - Study SE States - Quiz Tomorrow

Homework Feb. 3

Article posted February 3, 2010 at 09:06 PM GMT0 • Reads 61

Reading - 20 minutes and work on your goal; study for Theme 5 Test - Test Tomorrow

Spelling - Practice Oral Test

Language - Study Theme 5 vocabulary

Social Studies - Study SE States - Quiz Tomorrow

Homework Feb. 10

Article posted February 10, 2010 at 10:31 PM GMT0 • Reads 63

SS - SE state quiz tomorrow

Science - Respiratory System test tomorrow

Reading - Read 20 mins. and work on your goal

Homework March 8

Article posted March 9, 2010 at 03:08 AM GMT0 • Reads 182

Reading: 20 minutes and work on your CAFE goal

Math: Pictograph worksheet

Spelling: 2x missed words (list verbs)

Book Summary

Article posted March 9, 2010 at 03:11 AM GMT0 • Reads 61

You are all reading books for the reading CAFE.  Summarize your book, using the ideas from the retelling rope, and tell why you think people should or should not read this book.

Reading CAFE

Article posted March 9, 2010 at 03:14 AM GMT0 • Reads 78

We have changed the way we are doing reading in our classroom.  Instead of having guided reading groups, we are taking on the approach of a reading cafe.  Each student has a goal they are working on from one part of the cafe menu. CAFE stands for comprehension, accuracy, fluency and expanding vocabulary.  We have noticed a greater sense of urgency to read and stay on task, as well as much deeper conversations about books.  Every child is working on their own goal, depending on their individual needs as a reader.  I am excited to see the growth of the children on their next SRI test, as well as on their ITBS.  The students will be taking their ITBS the first week of April.

Actionguy's Idea for Blogging

Article posted March 31, 2010 at 04:14 PM GMT0 • Reads 55

Your assignment for today is to tell about your favorite sports and why it is their favorite?  Also, who is your favorite player is and why is it your favorite player?

Friends Inspired by Dolly

Article posted April 12, 2010 at 12:10 AM GMT0 • Reads 80

Dolly wrote: If I were to assign a blog, I would want someone to blog about a friend. I want the class to start to be nice to people in the whole school. I want people to be nice because if you're nice, people would be your friend. If they are your friend, you'll have something to do and somewhere to go. You'll have someone to play with.





I would assign this, because it will tell how they like their friends.

Recycle City

Article posted April 12, 2010 at 12:23 AM GMT0 • Reads 72

After visiting Recycle City and Dumptown, I want to know what are some things you learned that we can do to help our environment.

Making Connections While Reading

Article posted September 7, 2010 at 05:41 PM GMT0 • Reads 89

Your first blog assignment for the year is dealing with Making Connections while reading.  We have been working on this skill for a week; therefore, you should be experts on connection making.  First, you are to tell what it means to make connections.  Next, tell why it is important to make connections.  Finally, give an example of a connection you have made from your book that you are reading.

Blogging with 4th graders

Article posted September 8, 2010 at 04:48 PM GMT0 • Reads 86

We are just completing our first blogs for the 2010-2011 school year.  The students are eager to hear comments about their blogs.  Their first assignment was to explain what making connections means to them, to explain why it is important to make connections, as well as to share an example.  

They are really enjoying sharing their ideas with the world, as well as using technology to create.  It is amazing  how much more thorough they are explaining their thoughts when it isn't just a worksheet or graphic organizer to fill out.  They know other people will be reading their thoughts so they understand they need to explain more in-depth. 

I also loved how I could just show two people how to blog and they became my experts.  They showed everyone else how to get logged in and what the steps were in completing!  Yea for technology!!!

The Day of Our First Blog

Article posted September 9, 2010 at 02:03 AM GMT0 • Reads 86

The students were so excited today when I told them they got to get the laptops out and blog!  Even though they had an assigned topic, they were motivated to write.  They were amazed to see the results of their work on the Internet! 

Lexi and Olivia even spent their recess inside showing our principal and guidance counselor how easy it was to create their own blog!  It is so fun to see the kids motivated to write!

Time Capsule

Article posted September 9, 2010 at 07:25 PM GMT0 • Reads 243

If you were to put one item in a time capsule, what would it be in and why?

 

Comments to Blogs

Article posted September 10, 2010 at 03:15 AM GMT0 • Reads 315

The students were very excited to see comments to their blogs today!   Will Richardson stated in the book, Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms, "The difference between blogging in this manner and writing as we traditionally think of it are clear:  Writing stops; blogging continues.  Writing is inside; blogging is outside.  Writing is monologue; blogging is conversation.  Writing is thesis; blogging is synthesis...none of which minimizes the importance of writing," (Richardson, 30-31).  To me, this is a very powerful statement, in which the students really felt today.  Because people actually read their blogs, their voice is finally being heard.  They were able to reflect on comments that were posted and take their thoughts to a deeper level.  Not only were the students extremely happy that people were responding to their thoughts, it made them realize the importance of explaining their thoughts in detail!  

Thank you to everyone that responded and please keep the comments coming!

Monster project

Article posted September 15, 2010 at 04:36 AM GMT0 • Reads 193

As I was surfing the web tonight for a class project, I came across this collaborative project.  I thought it would be fun to do and we could learn a lot from classes from other schools.  We might be able to possibly Skype, blog, or create a wiki with these classes from other parts of the world.  Check this site out and let me know if you think we should participate.

[LINK]

Writing for Sept. 21

Article posted September 22, 2010 at 04:56 PM GMT0 • Reads 172

Yesterday, you started commenting on other people's blogs about what they wanted the Monster's belt to look like.  Continue working on adding comments and suggesting more specific adjectives for others.  Also, after your partner and you have made a few comments, you may also add a new description using very specific adjectives.

Digital Stories

Article posted November 30, 2010 at 05:54 AM GMT0 • Reads 191

We have just completed our first round of digital stories for the year.  The students wrote personal narratives and then used scanners, ipods, imovie, garage band, Facebook, as well as other media tools, to create their digital stories.  Using all of these tools to create an authentic writing piece was a first for all of the students in my room.  If you click on each student's blog link, you can see their completed projects.  Feel free to leave feedback to each of the students and praise their work!  Remember to leave constructive comments!

It's Better To Click Than Cut

Article posted April 14, 2011 at 04:51 AM GMT0 • Reads 2220

This was written by Misty, one of my fourth grade students.  I think she has the right idea in what our schools need to be thinking.  As teachers, our pedagogy needs to be changing with the needs of our students.  As Misty states, it is also essential that we integrate technology into the content areas, rather than just use it as an add-on to the curriculum.

Instead of cutting down trees and wasting all of the trees, we should all just use technology! Its easier just to get on a desk top , laptop , cell phone, i pod, i pad , or anything like that!!! I think that schools around the nation should each get their own laptop from the school to rent it out and take it back and forth from school to your house. The teacher would give students assignments on the computer and maybe even make their own website, blog, wiki, or  a network that the teacher and students could get on everyday to do their assignments with like, math, fractions, spelling, reading, algebra, geometry, and a lot more. Todays technology lets you search the internet for research unlike a piece of paper, you can do your homework, and its more organized then a lot of papers lying around.  You can just set the laptop somewhere and remember where it is instead of all the papers that you could lose in the wind. It is faster to look up information during research projects.  It's also much easier to type in what you want than to look it up in a book. It might take a few days to find the information in a book, where on working with technology, you can edit quicker and easier.

Technology is  motivating and fun=http://! There are games that teach children, virtual worlds give kids experiences that most would not normally have, digital storytelling allows kids to share their story, and all of these things are a lot of fun.  It makes school more fun and interesting.

Technology prepares kids for the future. If you need it when you're a lawyer or something you can bring it right with you or you could skype people in foreign countries to talk to them. 90% of future jobs have not been invented yet and all of those will require technology use.

 

I think you should consider this to schools around the world!! maybe like Alaska, Texas, Florida, California, New Mexico and Iowa for sure!!! and it will help kids prepare for the future!!! If you decide to do this then I thank You kindly.