Two thumbs up means that the infomation is important!  A crew of MMS students mentored MES student in the use of Protopage today. Both groups learned from each other. The 8th grade middle school students learned about orcas and starfish and the first graders learned about entering information on a website. Both were happy with the efforts as were their teachers, Mrs. Yakimowicz and me!  

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Monday

• Root Words Lesson 4 – create chart – homework- definitions
• Writing  a magnificent essay at least 400 words long! Use your brainstorm to make a plan/pre-write/  Write about a special accomplishment in your life. Write the draft in a Word doc, revise and edit with your partner then save to your file. Give it a title. Post it to your blog by copying and pasting the text using the category ”Essay”. 

Tuesday

• Root Words Lesson 4 – review definitions and suggest sentences
• Continue accomplishment essay. 

Wednesday

• Root Words Lesson 4 – review sentences. Homework – study for test on Thursday
• Writing – “Petals” read poem. Do prewrite activities to write a similar poem for your mom or the woman you honor on Mother’s Day. 

Thursday

• Root Words Review all words. Homework – study test tomorrow Lesson 4!  
• Revise poem, format and print on colorful paper. Use a page protector as a gift.

Friday

• Root Words Lesson 4 Test
• Essay Test – Write to a prompt – a person who has influenced your life.

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Students from our 8th grade went to Dover yesterday to share their experience in using technology in the classroom before both chambers of the state legislature. 

Aaron and Dalton set up a display about wikis, blogs and protopage  and answered questions about technology. Danielle and William spoke before both houses of the legislature telling them how important it was to continue to support the role of technology in our classrooms.  They also got to tour the State of Delaware Archives.

Thurman Adams, Joe Booth and Gary Simpson met with us to discuss our crucial issue!  This small student delegation was funded by the Delaware Center for Educational Technology (DCET). Mariner 8th graders and teachers should be proud of this effort!  

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Bullying

By Naomi

(This beautiful poem was written by an eighth grade student in response to the recent discussions in class.)

Bullying is a horrible thing,

Kicking,

Hitting,

Name-calling,

Anything to be cool.

Backstabbing,

Blackmailing,

Taunting,

Those people don’t belong in school.

One time,

Two times,

Five times,

Ten Times,

When will it stop?

It doesn’t stop,

It will never stop,

Because bullying is everywhere.

You try not to fight back,

But in the end your anger gets the best of you.

Your shield against anger weakens,

And you let it all out.

You start kicking,

And hitting,

And name-calling,

In the end you have done your share of bullying.

Bullying is everywhere,

And only you can stop it,

Only you, the victim, can end it.

But in not the way your thinking,

You can’t fight back,

But you can get someone to help.

A teacher,

A friend,

Your parents,

They can help you stop it,

Without using violence.

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Monday – April is National Poetry Month!

1. Root Words Lesson 3 – definitions review. Homework – do meaningful sentences and read AR book. New AR deadline for 6th marking period is May 25 – last day to take the test. 
2. Poetry Corner – read a favorite poem aloud.

Tuesday

1. Root Words Lesson 3 – sentences reviewed. Homework study for test and AR reading.
2. Lifestory Project explained – gathering information
3. Protopage introduction

Wednesday – Substitute

1. Root Words – quiz each other on these to study for the test. Homework study for test and AR reading.
2. Best Plays – read ” Driving Miss Daisy”. Discuss characters. pg 100-102 do #1-10.

Thursday

1. Root Words Lesson 3 Test. Homework AR reading.
2. Lifestory Projects explained.

Friday

1. Lifestory Projects begin

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Why teach a course about blogs to teachers? So much excitement for teaching and learning! I am just getting started and don’t even realize the extent of this powerful tool. My three top reasons to blog.

1. Blogging is shared writing (how exciting is that for a writing teacher!)
2. Blogging is collaborative (how cool is that for a woman who loves to talk!)
3. Blogging extends learning and changes teaching and learning in ways I continually reinvent and discover. Reach the world!

I don’t know where I’m going but I love the direction.

Objectives for this course:

1. To look at teacher blogs and determine TAP=Task, Audience, Purpose
2. To discuss and determine use of blogging for each participant.
3. To create a blog and become familiar with its use and management.
4. To form a learning community to support blogging and other cool techno initiatives right here in our own backyard.

Teacher Blogs

http://incsub.org/awards/2006/nominations-for-best-teacher-blog-2006/

http://anne.teachesme.com/

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We have been talking about problems and solutions in class. In your book, what problem did the character face? What was the outcome and how did this problem get solved?

In you book review give an analysis of the central theme of the book. How did the theme relate to you and your life? What issues did you find interesting that were explored in your book? What did you agree or disagree with and why?

Write your book review in a Word doc, revise and save it to your file, then copy and post it under comments for graded credit.  Use your first name only to identify yourself.

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How does it feel to be bullied? How does the problem affect the way that you live and work at school? What can be done?

Have a team discussion about this topic. Brainstorm ideas then post then as a team under the comments section. Use your core # and Team # only for identification.  Ex: Core2 Team 3

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Monday

1. Root Words – review lesson 2 sentences, study and test
2. Contrast Poem – write, revise with writing partner then place on the blog

Tuesday – Last day to take AR test for 5th MP

1. Root Words – Lesson 3 words and meanings
2. Contrast Poem – class read, discuss and comment
3. Drama – “Trifles” reflection

Wednesday – No School for students. Finish up reading your AR book and prepare for a Book Review on Friday

Thursday

1. Root Words – hold the homework – definitions
2. Poetry Corner – Find a poem that you like (appropriate for the classroom). Must be between 1-4 minutes of reading. Copy it to a word doc and then save it to your file. Print it out. Practice reading it to your team. Share it with the class on Poetry Corner Day.  Must include the title and author.

Friday

1. Root Words – homework checked
2. Book Review on your latest AR book. Be prepared to discuss plot and your reaction to the the characters changes throughout the book.

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