Teacher Cadets

We WILL blog!

What next? I couldn't believe that circumstances prevented us from blogging again. However, I won't give up! I know you won't either!

I arrived this morning bright and early and was really looking forward to working with all of you in the lab. After all the buses unloaded each of you,  we met in the classroom. Then we gathered our things up and headed off for the lab.  Alas! Oh no! We couldn't believe it!  The lab was occupied! What happened? Who knows? Scheduling problems? Mixup? Mistake?

Then we found out that the laptop cart had died so we didn't even have that option! As always, you were patient and you continually amaze me. Your attitude was so good that it helped me keep mine good! I am most impressed with all of you!

I sat down with the technology teacher and she has scheduled us for our next session on November 9th. Then she booked the lab for us for each week after that! We will blog!! See you again soon! I look forward to it! We will NOT give up!

The power of comments

Mary commented to Derrick (an elementary blogger) on testing:

Hey Derrick,
I can relate to this because I'm a senior in high school and I have to take the a test called the SATs. The test measures how smart you are. Some people who are very smart may not be great test takers and they could do very badly. I think that you are right when you said that you don't have to pass a test to change the world. There are many people in this world who try very hard in school but aren't able to pass test. Why do you think that schools have to give test and do you think tests have any good affects?

I like the way she followed up with a question that will make Derrick think some more about testing.  Good comment, Mary!

Do you find the comment starters helpful? Have you thought of some more to add to the list? This is just one more way to sort of push the envelope a little and get kids thinking. So, what are you thinking? Blog about it and we'll all learn together from the sharing!

Here's the list of  comment starters:

• This made me think about……
• I wonder why……
• Your writing made me form an opinion about……
• This post is relevant because……
• Your writing made me think that we should……
• I wish I understood why……
• This is important because……
• Another thing to consider is……
• If I could interview someone about this topic I      would pose this question:
• After reflecting on your post, I decided……
• I wish you had……..
• I predict that…….
• I can relate to this…….
• This makes me think of……
• I discovered……
• I don’t understand……
• I was reminded that…..
• I found myself wondering…..

Comments should show that you after really thought about what the writer said. Try to close with a question of some type so the reader can react to your response. You want to model good thinking.

So, in closing, anyone got a comment?

Perseverance prevails!

Murphy was loose again last week. Wireless laptops were all set up but I say Murphy was loose because half worked, half did not! Strange, huh? I am so looking forward to next week when we will be scheduled in the lab!

I have to tell you how proud I am of you. You showed great patience and worked as a team, helping each other. Those of you who had working laptops shared them with those whose laptops were not working.  Most of you were able to reply to at least one comment and some even managed to do that plus post! I admire your perseverance!

I have yet to cover as much ground in class as I would like so I thought I'd list some of the things we've discussed. Our discussions have been held in the midst of technology troubles so this review will help. I've gone over the same things with my other group but these points can't be mentioned enough.

• Young children will be reading your blog. You want to be a good role model for them.
• Actually your blog can be viewed by students, teachers, and parents Anybody can read your blog. What you say could be taken wrong. Then again what you say may be very helpful and encouraging. Be aware of both of these points.
• Use appropiate language for school. You want to represent your school as this is a "school" weblog.
• Be careful about what you write. You may state your opinion but try not to be offensive to anyone when you state your opinion. Give facts and reasons so people can understand your point of view.
• Only use your first names and for now, no school names.
• Proof read your work, and make corrections as necessary.

Can you think of other things we need to think about? Be ready to toss your good ideas out to the group.

Let the blogging begin!

Finally! We have officially gotten our blogs up and going! I was amazed at how much you remembered since it had been a while since we last met. We had to get those laptops to behave as they weren't all connecting as  we would have liked. I was impressed with your patience as we worked through the glitches.

Then everybody got connected and you were able to make your first post. Hooray!  I noticed that lots of you were interested in what advice other teachers might give you.  I hope some teachers will respond to your posts.

This program is a good way to learn what it's like from a teacher's point of view. It should be interesting and I know you will learn a lot. I look forward to your reflections on blogging as we get a little further along.

Ms. Stamps and I worked out the schedule for each week. We plan to have the laptops sent to your room the day before those classes. That will save us time. Have a great weekend! See you next week!

Fall break for students & teachers

School was out last week for fall break! So I am really looking forward to blogging with this group this coming Friday.