Here's an excellent example on how the app is being used in my language arts class.

I found myself using this app again and again throughout the school year.  

Everyone has something to say.  My advanced language arts class is no exception.  As of last week, students were officially on track with their sites and given criteria for weekly blogging.  While I encouraged them to blog whenever they felt motivated to write, they would still be tasked with responding to my weekly blog prompts. 

Just as in any writing assignment, students must keep the writing process in mind. In other words, prewriting, brainstorming, rough draft, editing and publishing.  An easy way to work through that process is to remember your handy dandy Super Writer's Checklist.  


This week's topic is Digital Assignment 1 and analyzing the CCSS and NETS.  Things to consider:

1. How you plan to show your understanding of the novel and of theme.
2. Have you considered integrating novel vocabulary into your deleted scene? Why not?
3. What technology standards challenge you the most? Why?
4. What CCSS challenge you the most? Why? 
5. How do you plan on overcoming any of these obstacles?  

Students weekly digital assignments can be found here.  


A great video on finding theme 

My suggestion is ensure that you use whatever tech tool you plan to use to show your understanding of the novel.  Remember, it is NOT about the tool, but YOUR ability to share what you know.  Good luck, students!

Ok, here we go.  Students in the advanced class will be blogging weekly from now on.  They will also be replying to their peers' blogs as well.  I encourage them to be kind and respectful and offer thoughtful responses as they write. 






  

If outside classes are interested in commenting on student blogs, please feel free to do so.  We are looking forward to collaborating with students from all over the world.  

Click here to get to the links page of student blogs.

Christmas break started out with the best news for my students, my school, and me.  I received the email I had been waiting for since submitting my single iSTE13 presenter proposal in October.    

Ok, so now what?  Fundraising and tons of it! I promised my students the first day of school that we were going. We are more than happy to accept ideas to help us get there.  You can check out our school site here for more information on our school and our staff.

Here is a short clip on how to fix your fonts for your Weebly site.  

Paperwork Submitted


I want to take the first group of Yuma area students to iSTE.  I want to show the world how awesome my students are, but more importantly,  I want my students to see how awesome they are.   
 




I have some fabulous plans in store.  So, it is time to get excited, motivated and dig in and enjoy the ride!  It is going to be a blast.  

Today students received their very own Weebly sites!  This is a very exciting thing since they will be creating multimedia projects, collaborating and blogging to show their understanding of the content.  

Student goals are:

1. Create a digital portfolio of their course work
2. Develop a responsible  online presence by learning about digital citizenship
3. Collaborate with their peers locally and globally via edmodo 
4. Become readers,  writers, and editors
5. Problem solvers

One of the coolest things going on this year at Castle Dome is how teachers are making content available to students at any time of day.  Using video clips from their Promethean boards, iPhone, iPads, or old fashion video equipment,  no student will be lacking in resources.  Below you will find one of my first LESSONCASTS (that is what I call them) of the school year.  I have embedded it several times on my classes edmodo sites as well as here.  I have also shown it a few times in class.  My hope is to ensure that students can all know what is expected of them regardless of if they started the school year with me or not.  It also serves as a nice review for all.  

My other LESSONCASTS are available right here under the video tab and on my schooltube channel: http://www.schooltube.com/channel/room_208/  Be sure to check them when you are absent, need to review, or just want to see what is going on in my classes.  

You may be wondering why we are going to be blogging this year.  Or, maybe you are thinking what will you blog about.  Read on and get an idea of what will be expected of you.  First of all, blogging isn’t just about writing posts; it’s about sharing your learning and reflecting on what you have discovered. 

Important parts of the blogging process include:
1. Read each others posts
2. Interact and comment on each others posts by challenging each others thoughts and views
3.Write posts in response to each others posts.

The class blog is the central hub that connects student blogs together; making it easier to share their learning, interact with each other and a global audience.