Blog, blog blog blog, blog some more

I just generated my #TweetCloud out of 3 months of my tweets. Top three words: blog, post, students – http://w33.us/dfj

Holt, Rinehart and Winston has Online Interactive Graphic Organizer http://bit.ly/7QQxoW Fill out form and save as a PDF

Not sure if my earlier proposal to change our wiki project to a blogging project has been accepted but I am stepping out on faith and demonstrating what could be done with our blog pages.  Below I have taken some of the discussion ideas that I got from a Twitter resource to begin possible blogging conversations.  This conversation is a possible one that could happen between students about school.

Here is a sample of questions that can be discussed within our blog posts and comments.  The setup is Student A proposes questions to be comment upon by Student B and Student B proposes questions to be commented upon by Student A.

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show to Student B)

1) What springs to mind when you hear the word ‘school’?

2) What is your first memory of school?

3) Were you happy with your school?

4) Why do you think it is that many children don’t like school?

5) What’s the most important thing you learned at school?

6) Do you think your school days are the best days of your life?

7) What are your best and worst memories of school?

If you went to school again, what would you do differently?

9) Did you like your school uniform?

10)  Educator Robert Duke said: “Children are naturally expressive but they go to school and get it taught out of them.” Do you agree?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show to Student A)

1) What’s the most important thing a school should teach children?

2) Is school too dangerous these days?

3) What advice would you give to your children about school?

4) Do you think school is too much like a production line in a factory?

5) Do you like looking at your old school photos?

6) What’s your image of school in other countries?

7) What kind of discipline do you think there should be in schools?

What school clubs did you belong to?

9) Albert Einstein said: “Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything one learned in school?” What did he mean by this?

10) Agatha Christie said: “Nearly all children go to school nowadays and have things arranged for them [so] they seem…unable to produce their own ideas.” Do you agree with her?

Thanks to Sean Banville at http://www.esldiscussions.com/ for questions.

I love deadlines. I especially like the whooshing sound they make as they go flying by. Douglas Adams

RT @quote_daily: Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome – Samuel Johnson

Twitter resource that I got from  @englishraven @SeanBanville

13,000 conversation questions for #esl classroom -

650 printable handouts – http://www.esldiscussions.com

The list below is a brief reminder of what you must do as a commenter.  There is a link to a blog post that I wrote on my personal blog page.

Commenting:

• count three out activity
• learn commenting guidelines
• start a conversation
• replying to comments
• visit posts from overseas students and classes to leave comments

Give your response a title.

Explain what you think the cartoon, picture, video, quote is saying/showing.

• What point is the is the creator making?
• What is the issue, theme or big idea?
• Can you connect this to a film, book or experience?
• What is your opinion?

Your response should be a thoughtful relection about the prompt.

Ms. Waters, one of the creators, of Edublogs has an article that she has written to help others blog better.

• Use paragraphs to break up your ideas
• Use headings so that others can track your VIP points
• Remember to hyperlink
• Always comment back to those who have commented on your work
• Subscribe to your own blog feed so that you can see what the post looks like to others

Here tips are good ones and she has many, many, many, many, more on her site.  Check it out if you wish to find oodles of resources and tips about commenting and blogging.

http://theedublogger.com/2008/04/27/heres-my-first-five-tips-for-writing-better-blog-posts-what-are-yours/

@DYALitReview I used to follow you for my class. Sorry you didn’t get all your pay but I am good without the profanity. Bye Bye

It is one of my desires that by the end of this class, you will have an opportunity to create a lasting marks on the world.  One of these marks will be an EPortfolio that we will create using Live Binders.  Here is a link to a template that you will use to create yours.  You will copy it and change the information within it to personalize it for yourself.

http://www.livebinders.com/play/play/4546

@TIME: How to keep off the holiday pounds

http://su.pr/2XiioF

Check out the tips. It is NOT too late. Christmas is coming soon

What are some things that work or that do not work for you during the holiday season.

READ THE ARTICLE AND PROVIDE A SUMMARY ABOUT THE INFORMATION FOUND WITHIN THE ARTICLE.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU…………

Give your response a title.

Explain what you think the cartoon, picture, video, quote is saying/showing.

• What point is the is the creator making?
• What is the issue, theme or big idea?
• Can you connect this to a film, book or experience?
• What is your opinion?

Your response should be a thoughtful relection about the prompt.

@TIME: See TIME’s pictures of the week | http://su.pr/6a2U92

Which one is the most interesting to you? Why?  Put a link to one of the interesting pictures within your blog and then tell me about it.  What do you notice?  Who? is doing what? when? where? why? and how?

How do you create a blog post about a quote?

First you read the quote.

Then you read the quote again.

Then you read the quote and ask yourself what did they mean by this?

<Describe where the speech, panel discussion, presentation, or assembly took place>. < Explain who was in the audience and what the event was about. Why did they come?>. <Then, describe who the speaker(s) were, in general.> <End this paragraph by introducing one of the speaker’s specific quotations>

“<Put quote here>.”

Hearing this quote just made me realize that < finish this sentence>. <Add two or three more sentences explaining what the quotation means to you.>

Another quote that stuck out to me from <describe the event> was <explain who said this and when it was said.>:

“<Second quote goes here>.”

Seeing this quote again, I see how <Explain why this quote has power for you.>. It opens my eyes because this quote is saying that <Finish this sentence, then write three or four more explaining what this quote means to you.> Now keeping this in mind, <Ask your reader if they agree with you and/or your speaker>.

Another quote that surprised me was something <describe the speaker> said. This surprised me because <explain what was remarkable about these words when you heard them.> It really shows <explain why this quote is important to life in general>:

“<Put a quote that goes on for more than one sentence here.>”

<Add more of your own thoughts about this topic.>

Commenting about someone’s podcast/vodcast/movie

Dear <First Name of Videomaker>

What I noticed most about, “<Exact Title of the Video>< If this is a new discussion item, add a link to the original source under your title> ,” was <… Add 2 or 3 sentences describing what stands out for you and why.>

When <person in the video> said, “<Quote from the video.>” I was thinking <report what was going on in your head the first time you were watching this part of the video.> I think this is <descriptive adjective> because… <Add 1 or 2 sentences explaining why you chose this quote.>

One of the <sections of the video / images> that I <strong verb> was where <Describe this section of the video in detail.> This stood out for me because <… Add 1 or 2 sentences.>

I <do/don’t> <adverb, word that ends in “-ly”> <like/dislike, agree/disagree that> <… Summarize something from the  that you have an opinion about.> One reason I say this is<… Explain in 1 or 2 sentences.> Another reason I <agree/disagree with you> <like/dislike your video> is <… Give another reason in a couple of sentences.>

<End your response in a nice way… by thanking the videomaker for his/her work and saying why you might want to see more from this young videomaker. Why might you want to see his/her thoughts again in the future?>

There is a protocol to follow when COMMENTING

1. Speak directly to the student or teacher whose post you are responding to.  Address them by name: Mary, Ms. B. etc.
2. Quote from the post or describe specific details (of an image or video).
3. Relate the work to your own experiences or to another text, image, video, or audio that this one reminds you of.
4. Let the author know if you agree with him/her and WHY
5. It is ok to disagree with something, just let the author know why you feel that way.
6. One word comments are not useful or helpful and they don’t indicate how you really feel.
7. Be encouraging and generous with your remarks. End on a positive note.
8. Re-read what you have written.  Make sure that it is some of your best work.
9. Always be polite . It does not matter if you agree or disagree with what you are reading in a blog. Don’t write anything you would be ashamed of saying to someone’s face. Don’t hurt somebody’s feelings.

Don’t mistake commenting on your friends’ pages about their pictures with commenting on a classmate’s page about their poems.

Personal Social Networking uses text speak.  Academic Social Networking uses English.

Social commenting is what you do with your friends on Facebook or MySpace:

1. I am soooooooooooooo exited about giving my prezentashun tommorow!!!!!
2. you are ridiculous!
3. i HATE YOU!\\
4. haha
5. U 2 r really stooped.
6. Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! don’t write about this again.
7. heeeeeeyy!!:)
8. whats up??
9. did you do your homework for geography?

What kind of comments are we aiming for on an academic oriented classroom blog?

• Related to the content of the post.
• Continuing a conversation started in the post or in other comments.
• Connected to content learned or discussed in the classroom.
• Challenges someone’s point of view.

Add something to the author’s post in form of a :

• link
• connection
• idea
• reminder
• new perspective

SAMPLE COMMENT TO A POST

Dear <First Name of Poster> :

Please keep in mind the following guidelines:

I do/don’t <adverb> agree with you that… One reason I say this is… Another reason I agree/disagree with you is…

I <past tense verb showing emotion> your <post/poem/essay/letter/image…>, “<Exact Title>,” because… <add 5 OR 6 sentences>

One sentence you wrote that stands out for me is: “<Quote from message.>” I think this is <adjective> because… <add 5 or 6 sentences>

Another sentence that I <past tense verb> was: “<Quote from message>.” This stood out for me because…

Your <post/poem/essay/letter/image…> reminds me of something that happened to me. One time… <Add 5 OR 6 sentences telling your own story.>

Thanks for your writing. I look forward to seeing what you write next, because… add 5 OR 6 sentences explaining what will bring you back to see more about this person’s thoughts.

ACCEPTABLE     RESPONSES…..

1. I wish I understood why…….
2. This is important because…….
3. Another thing to consider is…….
4. I can relate to this…….
5. This makes me think of…….
6. You post made me form an opinion about….
7. I discovered…….
8. I don’t understand…….
9. I was reminded that…….
10. I found myself wondering…….

Interesting pic. I am not promoting tatoo use.

Need help getting started in your blog response to a poem?

Take tips below.

Free Response Journal entry: Before you begin to write be sure to complete a free response journal entry on paper.  Start writing about your poem.  Write non-stop.  What did it remind you of?  What have you thought about your poem  since the last time you saw or heard it? Once you have had an opportunity to free write, begin to compose your response.  Do Not Forget.  You are to change the information that is located between the <brackets>

1. Attention Getter: One line from <Title> that stands out for me is: “<Copy a line from the poem >I think this is <adjective> because… <Add 4 or 5 sentences>
2. Attention Getter: Another line that I <past tense verb> was: “<Copy another line from the poem >.” This stood out for me because…
3. Comparison to your life <Title of poem > reminds me of something that happened to me. One time… <Add 4 or 5 sentences telling your own story.>
4. Author Interest: I <would / wouldn’t> like to read more <poems > by <Author’s First and Last Name>, because…  <Add 4 or 5 sentences explaining why you feel this way.>
5. Something interesting happens: Something interesting happens on line < ____ > where it says: “<Copy the line or lines from the poem>.” This is a important point in the poem because <Explain the events or conflicts in the poems so far, then go on to explain why you think this particular event or conflict is interesting, surprising, predictable (or not), unusual, fun, odd, or enjoyable.>
6. Literary elements: Discuss those literary elements within the poem: hyperboles, symbols, personification, metaphors, similes, etc.
7. Theme: One of the big ideas or themes in this poem is <Finish this sentence.> You can see this on line <_____> where it says: “<Copy lines from the poem>.” As you can see <Author’s Last Name> wants us to think about… <re-state what you think the main ideas are behind the lines and literary elements within the poem.>
8. Current Event: So far,  the <plot / characters / themes> in <Title> reminds me of a story in the news. What happened was…<Add 3 or 4 sentences telling about something from the news. Give the source of your information. Make a link to it if possible. Describe what is similar and what is different in the story from the news and the one in your poem.>

Really confused and don’t know how to respond?

Try out any of these suggestions below.

Free Response Journal entry: Before you begin to write be sure to complete a free response journal entry on paper.  Start writing about your video/t.v. show/movie/song. Write non-stop.   What was confusing? What did you disagree with?  Once you have had an opportunity to free write, begin to compose your response.  Do Not Forget.  You are to change the information that is located between the <brackets>

1. I’m not really understanding some of <Title>, by <Author’s First and Last Name> because <Finish this sentence.> An example of what I mean is on page or act from video/movie/song/tv show< ___ >.  “<Copy a couple of lines or a paragraph from the story.>” I think this is <adjective> because… <Add 1 or 2 sentences>
2. My questions started on page or when < ____ > “<Copy another 2 or 3 sentences or a pagagraph from the story or lines of dialogue from movie/tv show/song>.” I think that this is important because <Explain the biggest events or conflicts in the story/movie/video/tv show so far, then go onto explain why you think this particular event or conflict is confusing , surprising, unusual, odd, or unclear.>
3. Another place where I had questions in <Title> was on page < _____> where <Explain what happens.> I think the author is trying to make the point that <Make a guess — speculate — as to what point the author is trying to make with this section of the book/movie/tv show/video/song.>
4. I <am / am not> looking forward to reading the rest of this book/seeing the rest of the movie/video/tv show  because <Add 2 or 3 sentences explaining why you feel this way.> What’s probably going to happen next is <Make predictions about what will happen next to one or more of the characters in your book /show/movie>

How do you create a post about a video, t.v. show, movie, song, etc.?

Free Response Journal entry: Before you begin to write be sure to complete a free response journal entry on paper.  Start writing about your video/t.v. show/movie/song. Write non-stop.  What did it remind you of?  What have you thought about your video/t.v. show/movie/song since the last time you saw or heard it? Once you have had an opportunity to free write, begin to compose your response.  Do Not Forget.  You are to change the information that is located between the <brackets>

1. Tell me how you feel about the video/t.v. show/movie/song: I <am / am not> <verb ending with “-ing” that shows emotion> <Title>, by <Artist’s First and Last Name> because <Finish this sentence.> An example of what I mean is < indicate some part of the song/video/T. V. show/movie that supports your idea >.  “<Copy a couple of lines dialogue from the song/video/T. V. show/movie.>” I think this is <adjective> because… <Add 1 or 2 sentences>
2. Compare your story to another So far, the <plot / characters / themes> in <Title> remind me of the <plot / characters / themes> in <a song/video/T.V. show/movie…>. In  “<Title>” <Add 3 or 4 sentences describing why the characters in your book remind you of the characters in this TV show/movie/video/song.>
3. Give brief summary: So far, the <plot / characters / themes> in <Title> is <…….>.  In <Title > <Add 5 or 6 sentences describing for your readers what is going on in your movie/t.v. show/ video/song..>
4. Comparison to your life So far, the <plot / characters / themes> in <Title> reminds me of something important in my life. For me. <Finish this one, then add 3 or 4 more sentences explaining how you see the big idea of this movie/video/song/t.v.show playing out in your life.>
5. Author Interest: I <would / wouldn’t> like to read/see/listen to more <poems/movies/tv shows/songs > by <Author’s First and Last Name>, because…  <Add 4  or 5 sentences explaining why you feel this way.>
6. Something interesting happens: Something interesting happens on page < ____ > where it says: “<Copy another 2 or 3 sentences or a pagagraph from the story>.” This is a important point in the plot because <Explain the biggest events or conflicts in the story so far, then go on to explain why you think this particular event or conflict is interesting, surprising, predictable (or not), unsusual, fun, odd, or enjoyable.>
7. Theme: One of the big ideas or themes in this this movie/video/song/t.v.show is <Finish this sentence.> You can see this on line <_____> where it says: “<Copy lines from the this movie/video/song/t.v.show >.” As you can see <Author’s Last Name> wants us to think about… <re-state what you think the main ideas are behind the lines and literary elements within the this movie/video/song/t.v.show.>
8. Current Event: So far,  the <plot / characters / themes> in <Title> reminds me of a story in the news. What happened was…<Add 3 or 4 sentences telling about something from the news. Give the source of your information. Make a link to it if possible. Describe what is similar and what is different in the story from the news and the one in your movie/video/song/t.v.show.>

You will need to respond to at least 1 of the topics below for each of the short stories that we have been reading for class.   Complete the prompt and post it on your blogpage.

Free Response Journal entry: Before you begin to write be sure to complete a free response journal entry on paper.  Start writing about your story. Write non-stop.  What did it remind you of?  What have you thought about story since you read last? Once you have had an opportunity to free write, begin to compose your response.  Do Not Forget.  You are to change the information that is located between the <brackets>

1. Tell me how you feel about reading the story: I <am / am not> <verb ending with “-ing” that shows emotion> <Title>, by <Author’s Name> because <………….> An example of what I mean is on page < ___ >.  “<Give evidence from the story.  Copy a couple of lines or a paragraph from the book.>” I think this is <adjective> because… <Add 1 or 2 sentences>
2. Compare your story to another story: So far, the <plot / characters / themes> in <Title> reminds me about the story in another book.  In <Title of another work of literature> <Add 3 or 4 sentences describing what is similar and what is different between your current book and the one it reminds you of.>
3. Give brief summary: So far, the <plot / characters / themes> in <Title> is <…….>.  In <Title > <Add 5 or 6 sentences describing for your readers what is going on in your story..>
4. Predictions about ending: I <am / am not> looking forward to reading the rest of this book because <Add 2 or 3 sentences explaining why you feel this way.> What’s probably going to happen next is <Make predictions about what will happen next to one or more of the characters in your book>
5. Comparison to your life: So far, the <plot / characters / themes> in <Title> reminds me of something important in my life. For me. <Finish this one, then add 3 or 4 more sentences explaining how you see the big idea of this book playing out in your life.>
6. Something interesting happens: Something interesting happens on page < ____ > where it says: “<Copy another 2 or 3 sentences or a pagagraph from the story>.” This is a important point in the plot because <Explain the biggest events or conflicts in the story so far, then go on to explain why you think this particular event or conflict is interesting, surprising, predictable (or not), unsusual, fun, odd, or enjoyable.>
7. Theme: One of the big ideas or themes in this this movie/video/song/t.v.show is <Finish this sentence.> You can see this on line <_____> where it says: “<Copy lines from the this movie/video/song/t.v.show >.” As you can see <Author’s Last Name> wants us to think about… <re-state what you think the main ideas are behind the lines and literary elements within the this movie/video/song/t.v.show.>
8. Current Event: So far,  the <plot / characters / themes> in <Title> reminds me of a story in the news. What happened was…<Add 3 or 4 sentences telling about something from the news. Give the source of your information. Make a link to it if possible. Describe what is similar and what is different in the story from the news and the one in your story.>

RT @M_Hutchings:

Believe in dreams, believe in love, believe in miracles.

Anything is possible

Do you agree? Disagree?

Don’t forget to use the guidelines for responding to quotes.

Give your response a title.

Explain what you think the cartoon, picture, video, quote is saying/showing.

• What point is the is the creator making?
• What is the issue, theme or big idea?
• Can you connect this to a film, book or experience?
• What is your opinion?

Your response should be a thoughtful relection about the prompt.