Leanne,
I,P, and E... Do you have a different grading system or do you have a way to convert the I, P, E to letter grades? Just curious to see how it is different from ours.
Colleen

Sorry it took so long to get back to you!  Actually, the kids get I, P, E grades until 3rd grade.  That's when it converts to letter grades.  Basically, I calculate the number grades and then they fall into the three categories.  Confusing, huh?  I wish we could just go back to A-E!!!  Talk with you soon!  ~Leanne :-)

Leanne,
Your project was so good. The handouts, photo gallery, how you grade students work, copyright laws -you thought of everything.
Great job.
Colleen

Pat.
I forgot to tell you how much I also liked the idea of having final thoughts after the Living Stations. That is a good idea for many things. It sort of pulls in those critical thinking skills and requires them to learn the skill of closing.
Colleen

Pat,
Your final project is wonderful!
I particularly like the way you explained the function of a discussion board. I think that would be most helpful to children and parents.
Handouts are also another big help to the parents and the kids too. They could just print them out and post them on their HW bulletin board at home.
Nice job.
Colleen

 Hi Dawn,
 
I viewed your Final Project from the Dropbox. Hey girl, you did a great job!  I like how you inserted the Hot Air Balloons in the slides.  The sixth graders comments and replies that you chose were very interesting.  I also like how you showed some of the comments that need revising. Great job overall!
 
I went to your site and read all their comments and replies. ...

Dawn,

I really enjoyed viewing your PowerPoint presentation.  I especially liked reading the student responses.  I also thought that it was a good exercise to show the "not so good" student responses.  I think that this would be very helpful in directing the students as they try to respond to the discussions.  Great job!

Dawn,
I thought your calendar, survey and samples pages were such a good idea. This is a good way to keep parents involved and up to date and most of all interacting with their child's school life.
Enjoyed your project.
Colleen

Dawn,
I thought your calendar, survey and samples pages were such a good idea. This is a good way to keep parents involved and up to date and most of all interacting with their child's school life.
Enjoyed your project.
Colleen

Dawn,

 

Your PPT presentation is visually attractive and well organized. Your use of quotes of actual students on the Discussion Board is a good way of demonstrating how this forum is capable of eliciting responses beyond what time might allow in the classroom. It’s also commendable that your students’ efforts are rewarded by sharing their acceptable responses; including some non-acceptable...

Here is my final project.  I would like to use it as a teaching tool for other faculty at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School.  I would also like to modify it for use at Back-to-School night as an example of web-based learning used with our second graders.  Let me know what you think!

~Leanne :-)

Leanne,

I really liked your slide show! Isn't it amazing what kids can do when it involves the internet?! I'm so glad that your second graders are responding so enthusiastically to Sharepoint! I love the recycle project... I was impressed at your parent involvement with this project and the website! It's hard to get parents, especially middle school parents, involved sometimes.

Great job! Please...

Leanne,

 

I think your Final Project is great! Especially at the primary grade level.

 

I think the way you explained all aspects of the Web-Based Learning site would be excellent for all grade levels.

 

The way you have your slide information -- you have a great teaching tool for all....teachers, students, and parents.  The information was so easy to understand and follow. ...

Leanne,

I think that your powerpoint presentation will be a great teaching tool for motivating teachers to use SharePoint.  You had a great overview of all of the aspects of sharepoint.  I especially liked the responses from parents and teachers.  I think that their comments will go a long way inspiring teachers to use sharepoint. Great job!

Leanne,
Good job on your fine project. I especially  liked the organization of the information about Sharepoint and online learning; this would be an excellent way to introduce the faculty to what you have been doing, as well as to share your vision with parents and students. Your graphics, color formatting and photos enhance the content of the project. I’m sure you are breaking ground with your...

Hi Dawn,

 

First question:  Did you forget to post to Discussion Board for our comments? Oops!!!  So, I attached your Final Project to this posting.

 

 

 

I viewed your Final Project from the Dropbox. Hey girl, you did a great job!  I like how you inserted the Hot Air Balloons in the slides.  The sixth graders comments and replies that you chose were...

Sounds good, Pat! You're awesome! Thanks for the input!

Dawn :)

Dawn,

  I had a wonderful time viewing your final project!  I thought the student responses were outstanding and I liked being able to see how the students responded to each other.  I also enjoyed seeing the rubric you handed out to students.  It was clear and concise so there would be no questions when students completed the assignment.  It was great...

Attached is my final project.  This is a project that I have been completing with three sections of students that meet once a week.  Feel free to visit my SharePoint site to view the progress of the students. 

Hillary,

It seems that your students are motivated by the research project you assigned them. Assigning them discussion topics while working on the project is a good idea because they get to share their progress, and this allows you to see that they are putting forth effort toward a final product. Are you going to post their slides on your website?

Dawn :)

Hillary,

 

Your Final Project is really interesting.  I read most of your students discussion board comments and replies on your site.  The students did a great job on research, comments and replies to the Discussion Board.  It should be very interesting to view the PowerPoint presentations they design.  I hope you will post them on your website. 

As a technology...

Hillary,

  I thought your final project was great!  I liked being able to see each step you took in creating your classroom project.  I also enjoyed reading some of the student responses.  The rubrics you created were really thorough and I am sure this helped the students when completing their projects.  I liked your idea from the time it got started and it was interesting...

Hillary,

 

Your project has so many areas of interest—from the inspiring challenge of studying women in science, to the inclusion of the Power Point projects, to the explanation of the Sharepoint features, to the Discussion excerpts—you have managed to cover much territory under the one umbrella of this final project. I think the collaboration enabled by merging the slides with other students’...

Attached is my Final PowerPoint Project for the course.

 

This PowerPoint Final Project consists of 20 slides.  I did not animate or use sound because this file is already to large.  I have included handouts that parents and students received.  Also in the PowerPoint, I have included pictures I took of the 5th & 8th graders, my three different discussion board topics to the...

Hi Pat! I enjoyed your final project. I like how you had a lot of pictures of the students and many examples of their work with the discussion board. It really shows how you implemented the ishare program in your classes!

Dawn

Pat,

I really enjoyed reading your student's discussion responses, especially the 8th grade responses to the living stations.  I think that it is often easier for students in this age group to make their comments on a discussion board instead of in the classroom setting.  I think you got some very open and honest responses from them.  I also liked your rubric.  I think that it...

Hillary,
You are so right . I can see now after looking at Pat's project how much more at ease a child would be to answer without the pressure of others listening.
A valuable teaching tool for those shy ones.
Colleen

Pat,

  Wow!  Your presentation is outstanding!  This should definitely be used to show parents what activities take place at Father Kolbe School.  What a great way to display some of the year's activities!

   I love how you posted examples of the students' autobiographies for us to read.  I also enjoyed looking at the responses from the Stations of...

Pat,

I really enjoyed and was inspired by your final project.  Not only is it informative and well designed, but also a showcase of what is happening at your school, something you can share all elements of the school community. The photos show that the students are engaged and interested in technology.  I hope you continue with what you have accomplished. Thank you for your contribution...

FINAL PROJECTS: Due on or before Tuesday, April 10.
Each person in the class will start a "New" Discussion Section to post the final projects  for class feedback, according to these guidelines:

Check all announcements and send any questions, comments or concerns to this DB.  Have a great week.

Anne,

 

My 6th & 7th graders would like to compose their Autobiographies as the 5th & 8th are doing.  At the moment, they have composed on Word, but can't submit to me on the site.

 

Since we made my site secured.......they can not log in with Dena's and Dawn's Username/password.

 

Could you put them into my site?  Or would you prefer me to sent you a list as...

Pat,

 

On Monday I sent an answer to your email about what I think was the same question. I'm not sure if you say that-please let me know if it answers your questions. 

 

Anne

Also, when I looked at my user list, the seventh...

I will resend to new email

Thanks.

 

I kind of thought that's what I may have to do.

 

I will work on that for the 7th graders on Sunday.

 

Then I do the 6th graders.

 

I'll test it out next week with the 6th & 7th graders tech class.

 

Thanks, Pat

 

The only required response to this week's DB is to answer this Discussion Board with a message that your links are ready for viewing.  Copy the web address of your completed links page from the browser window, and paste it along with your response. The links are due by Sunday, March 18, but responses may be sent sooner if you are ready.  ...

I have my site set so that the students need to enter their username and password to enter their specific class site.  This is where I have posted my links.  I will need to add the members of our class to my list of users in order for them to view my links, right?

Hillary--good  question. Rather than add everyone in our class, could you just make 1 "guest" username and password that everyone could use. That will save you time and trouble.  Just let us know what it is when you post your links list.

 

Anne

Can I do this or does it have to be done by my tech. department?

 

They will probably have to set it up for you and then you can add to your site under Settings, Add users. Keep me posted.

My tech department said it would probably be better for me to just open my sites for now instead of adding a new user. 

I have three links pages that are being used by my 6th grade science, 7th grade science, and science exploratory classes.

6th:

7th:

Exploratory Science - Women in Science Project Links:

Hillary,

 

The self assessment links are a good idea for the students to check their knowledge without pressure; good idea to divide into grade levels.

Anne

Right now I have 4 math links and 1 link going to my CC/Track site.  The 4 math links are: one is the site that accompanies our Algebra II text, two are general math help links, and the 4th is the Story of Pi, which I just found on Pi Day (3/14).  I'm holding off putting more on for now since I'm having my classes do a discussion board where they either find math links and discuss them or...

Thanks Rob--we'll catch up with them when you're ready.

Hi everyone!  My links are now ready for viewing.  I would love to collect some more links as I know the students will enjoy using these.  To check out my links page, click on the link below:

 

 

Thanks and have a great weekend!

 

~Leanne :-)

Leanne,

 

Fabulous job on the links assignment--especially your detailed notes. I'm sure the students as well as the parents will find this very helpful.  It's good that we can view everyone's links so that we can pick up some more good ones--I think I have over 1000 and every now and then, I sort and/or toss. You can do this in Excel as well as the browser.

 

Anne

Anne,

 

Due to working with Grades PreK4 to 8th, my links on my website went over 50, and I have a few additional Middle School quiz sites that I have not posted.  I didn't realize that I have used that many sites over the years.

 

I will continue to type in my link descriptions during the week.

 

Here's my link:

Pat,
 
Thanks for the update--you have so maouny links that it might be good to organize them into groups. With this in mind, I added a grouping category for you so that you can add grade level(s). When the students go there, they can more easily find something just for them.  If you don't care for this feature, go to modify settings and columns>>view>>all Links and change Group...

Anne,

 

Thanks for setting up my links in a group format.  It's will made like easier for students and parents. I'll try to get some descriptions added to each.

 

Also, the password protection security is great. Thanks! I'm sure this will put parents at easy.

 

Question: Student Dropbox ?  I'm I correct in thinking that this is where the students can drop off their projects...

Pat,

 

That's right--students send their work to you via the Dropbox. However, the settings for the Dropbox should be set for "Approval" so that they will not see one another's submissions, only their own.

 

I'll take a look and make sure this is in place, then get back to you.

Anne

I've added more links to my web site, thanks to the help of one of my classes, who have found several helpful math based links.  More are coming as my class discussion project isn't over until March 30th.  For links to come, feel free to check out my website later this week, as more will be added after the kids finish their project.  My website is http://sharepoint.jcteachers.org/torres/default.aspx

 

I would like to generate a unit plan for my Women in Science project.  The unit plan would highlight how I would incorporate the use of SharePoint during the unit. 

Possible elements of the plan would include:
1. Description of the research project
2. Outline of how SharePoint would be incorporated into the project – discussion boards used, events posted, use of drop box, use of...

Hillary,

Good idea. The calendar is something I use to have on my old website and I forgot about it. That visual is also helpful if you sort of set up a time management option on the calendar. In other words I set up a time on the calendar when they should start working on a project and self-check -in dates to see how far along they are on the project. This hopefully prevents the last minute people.

Hillary,

I am certainly not an expert, but this looks good to me.  It looks like a great expansion to what you've probably already been doing in the past.

Rob

Anne,

 

I was thinking about using the "All About My Classmates" that I will be working on with the 8th graders (DB#4) and use the DB Rubrics (DB#3), etc.

 

My thoughts are to have a PowerPoint as the Final Project.  After the 8th graders complete their autobiography essays using the list of questions, and the reply to the classmates, I could take digital camera shots of...

Pat,

 

Sounds like a good plan--be sure to emphasize how the sharepoint components incorporate "e-learning... a productive, collaborative tool."  Good luck,

 

Anne

Pat,

I think this could really add to the autobiographies.  Besides you taking the pictures, you could have the kids send you pictures of themselves doing things they like to do.  It would really help to show what the kids interests are.  We had the incoming freshmen do something like this last summer and it turned out great.

Rob

Sounds like a plan.  Could you use the faith statements I did with the 8th grade to enhance your final project?

Dena

Hello everyone!  I was thinking what I would like to do for my final project and I have chosen Option #2- the Powerpoint presentation.  I think this would be a great way to display the students' efforts with the discussion board as well as to post responses and feedback from parents.  I like integrating both at the second-grade level because parents' opinions really affect their students...

Leanne,

 

I think your idea will work well and and it will be a product that you could show at parent/teacher meetings, Open House or teacher training meetings. I think it would be great to record the students' with reactions about this new dimension of learning and have their voices playing through the PowerPoint.

 

Anne

This is a good idea. We have a running power point during Catholic Schools Week and open houses that depicts projects the kids do in class and interviews with kids and teachers.

Your project would be a good draw to bring parents to the dreaded parent teacher meeting, especially if they were involved in helping their kids with the project.

Colleen

Leanne,

Besides what Anne said, this is also good because it will involve the kids in using powerpoint early.  They will be using it, or see used often throughout their lives, so you're teaching them early on its uses. 

Rob 

Leanne,

 

I think your project idea is great!  Maybe I am slow these days, but are you planning to use this power point for meetings like back to school night?  Are you going to share this info with your faculty?

Dena

What I would like to do for my final project wouldn't actually be with any of my classes, but would involve a group of my cross country/track kids.  Besides my class website, I also have a JC Cross Country/Track website that you can link to from my class site.  Right now, there is nothing really in the CC/Track site, but I have grand visions for it.  I would like to open up a discussion...

Rob,

 

Fabulous idea--the kids should really get into this one.

 

Anne

Anne,

 

Originally, I thought about doing something with the 8th graders autobiographies, etc, for my final project.

 

Question,

I am now thinking about using the 5th graders autobiographies, their replies to one another, and then the parents involvement of receiving some handout explanations to the discussion board their child will be involved in. Also, have a few pics with them using...

Pat--sounds great.

Catch-up week; Check for Week 6 Discussions on March 5

Read all guidelines on the Announcements page for Week 4.

 

This week, create 2 possible DB questions for your own classes and post these to this Discussion Board. (PLEASE INCLUDE IN TEXT WINDOW, EVEN IF YOU SUBMIT AS AN ATTACHMENT). Along with your sample questions, describe the type of class, age of students, the relevance each question  would have to your plans...

Dawn,

  I think your discussion questions will be very useful for your students.  Too often students have so much to say about books they read in class and there is so little time to share in school.  I feel like I can only get to a few students for responses before we have to move on.

 

The way you have asked the questions and reviewed them in class makes it easier for the...

Dawn,

 

Having the absent students participate through the DB keeps them in the loop without your having to spend much more class time--I have a feeling that the students who were not absent will also want to try this out because it’s such a different forum for their ideas.  The questions you created require the students to use critical thinking as they reflect back on the story; it’s also...

Dawn,

I really liked your questions.  They seem to be a true extension of what the students are learning in class.  I would be curious to see how they respond to the air balloon question.

 

Dawn,

This looks good.  It would be interesting to see how 6th graders reply to the question of taking the fastest route or the balloon.  I think it's a great question for older kids as well.  In our fast paced world of instant messages and what not, would the kids like the "stop and smell the roses" approach?   

Rob

Dawn.

I like that you have presented an opportunity for some students to express their thoughts about a discussion that has taken place in class. I was one of those shy students who would not have opened my mouth in class but here I could express my thoughts. I see this avenue as a means to know what all my students think about a particular topic.

 

Joan

Joan , you just gave me another consideration.I teach the lower level readers in Lit and in Social Studies.Writing scares them. When they are in our small Lit class they are more comfortable with writing. I'm concerned that they will be more reluctant to write in our social studies DB for fear of not appearing as "smart" as the rest of the class. This is big to 7th and 8th graders when they...

Dawn,

 

I'm sure it will be interesting to see the ways your 6th graders would like to travel.  They are a roming like of class with lots of opinions.   I bet they all wil come up with something new in travel.

 

I'm glad to hear they want to continue reading.  The story had their interest. Great!

 

Pat

I thought of creating questions for the novels that my students are reading too.  Time is a big issue and it is difficult to allow everyone a chance to share their responses.  Instead I chose religion questions because I thought the students would be more likely to share their true feelings (about certain topics) if they weren't in front of the class.  It would also give me a chance...

Here are the discussion questions I have come up with:

 

Question #1-  We have just begun our unit on recycling in class and we have learned that some things can be "reused".  What are some ways you can reuse items that are found around the house?  Give an example of a time that you have reused something instead of throwing it away.

 

You have such great ideas! I like the fact that you mentioned the discussion board is an "Earth-friendly" assignment. The wording of your questions will get parents involved in their child's education and will also hopefully keep kids from being online without their parents.

You actually gave me a great idea... to use the discussion board for Science Fair assignments and to get parents...

Thank you, Dawn.  It looks like we've already gotten ideas from each other!  I am glad this is working out so well for all of us!  I will definitely be using your idea for stories we read in class as well.

Leanne,

 

The way you have structured your questions and activities and keeping the questions clear, simple and practical is very appropriate for this grade. Involving the parents in helping their children is beneficial for both groups—quality time spent on learning and being responsible. Posting pictures of their recycling activities would be so motivating and exciting for them—I’m looking...

Leanne,

Welcome to the class. I really liked your questions.  I especially liked the one that required the students to go to a website and then respond with something that they learned.  I think this will be an enriching assignment for the students.

Leanne,

This looks good.  I find it totally amazing that 7-8 year olds are using the internet for their classes.  We were just learning Basic programming with a few computers in the classroom when I was a Junior in high school.  I'm sure you have some very interesting answers coming from the kids, and it probably isn't too dificult to know if the kids are actually answering...

Leanne,

 

I like that you have involved parents  in your discussion questions. Great way to keep parents informed and active in the learning procecss. Never thought to do this. Thanks for the idea!

 

Joan

Leanne,

 

I really found your topic very interesting for the second graders.  I have a grandson in the 2nd grade at Fr. Kolbe, and he always recycles paper, cans, & bottles.

 

Our school is a Green School, and we are also in the process of renewal.  Dawn & I are working with a group of 16 or so middle school students involving our enviroment.  She is working...

Wow!  you have come a long way from when I used to teach 2nd grade.  I did a fantastic unit with my second grade 10 years ago, but nothing like what I am sure you have planned.  It amazes me that 2nd graders are so technilogically savvy.  I am very impressed with your questions.  I would love to be able to read their responses.

 

Dena

Leanne,

What a great idea! Your questions get them thinking and involved in a visual  interactive learning tool. I'm sure your students will really learn something in a very memorable way.

Colleen

Possible Discussion Board Questions:

These questions would be used during a 7th grade research project unit in which the students studied a famous woman scientist.  The students will respond in groups to the following questions.  They will then respond to each other.  My hope is that the students will see that despite facing many similar obstacles these women were still able to make...

Hillary,

This looks like a great way for the kids to learn more than they would have if they were to just do the assignment and turn it in to you, or even to read it to the class.  This will get the kids to read over their classmates work and learn about other scientists besides the one they worked on if they have to reply to the other students' work.

Rob 

Hillary,

   I really like the idea you have to discuss women scientists and their accomplishments.  I think that many times students do a research project, present it, and then forget about most of the facts.  By opening up the discussion questions online, you are having them spend more time on their project.  Also, if they have to respond to their classmates' answers, they...

Hillary,

 

I like the idea of researching woman scientist for the youth today.  Teaching technology, I know first hand the the student's today love to research and share with their classmates.  It's in the sharing that they gain so much additional valuable information.  I have two daughter that are looking for careers in the science field.....both is in her last year of college studying...

Hillary,

 

Your questions sound very interesting?  I am curious as to how you would expect the students to respond to each other.  What types of expectations do you have? 

 

Dena

Hillary,

Please let me know how this worked out.

I have seen the advantages of group work, but how will you know which  members truly contributed? Sometimes my students have told on the one kid who didn't do much at all.

How would you grade yours?

Colleen

As I mentioned last week, I won't have readings for my kids to discuss, so what I'm going to have them do is one of the following. 

 

1) Research the web to find some sites that would be useful for this year's class or future math classes.  They will have to include a link, then discuss what they've found.  In replies, they'll have to comment on some other student's sites. ...

Your questions will help kids relate math and the "real world". This is so important, especially (as you mentioned) for the kids looking into colleges and thinking about careers.

Rob,

   I like the way that you left the research open-ended for the students.  I think you will learn from them when they present their website findings because you can use this information for future classes.  Also, students tend to go above and beyond what is expected of them when completing this type of assignment.

 

   The second question is very age-appropriate...

Rob,

I really like the idea of having students research websites and then discuss them.  By the end of the assignment you should have a good bank of excellent sites for future use.

Rob,
 
The way you ran with this assignment is remarkable.  The questions are certainly relevant to the math curriculum and a nice change from the daily numbers game.  The students really can learn something from this both about math and themselves.
 
Anne

Rob,

 

It seems you are implementing the technology into your classroom Math with no problem.  I like the research projects you have for your students.  I think your students will realize how much math is and will continue to be a part of their lives.  The career research is also a great way for the students to find out for themselves the different paths they can take in life.

Rob,
The idea of getting children aware of careers is always a good one. Many times I think our curriculums need to include looking at the many possible professions more seriously.This is an interesting way for them to do it.
Colleen

 

My students are beginning a unit of study on immigration by reading the novel The Jungle. My students are 8th graders currently in my American History class. Before reading the novel we will examine the journeys of immigrants both past and present. This experience will also allow my students their first experience of using a discussion board. As we read the novel they will be required to use the discussion...

Joan,

 

What good timing for our DB assignment as well as having a lesson that is related to the illegal immigrant topics in the news.

 

Their first DB will feel "integrated" because of the steps you have established to prepare them. Having them respond periodically helps to reinforce this skill. I also like the way you incorporated online resources. Thanks for the info.

Joan,

I think this assignment lends itself very well to the use of the discussion board.  I think that it is a great idea to have an ongoing discussion for the unit.

Joan,

 

I find your attached assignment to be very specific and it should be interesting for the 8th graders to have their book talk on-line using the discussion board. 

 

I am also working the my 8th graders to complete a discussion board technology project.  This will also be their first attempt on a discussion board.

 

I'm sure both 8th grade classes will do great...

Joan,

  I think that using the discussion board for social studies is a great idea.  Sometimes I feel that topics such as social studies or science get neglected at times because most schools focus on reading, writing, and math.  By allowing the students to participate in a discussion board on immigration, this will become a lasting memory for them.  More than anything I remember...

Joan,

This looks like a very good assignment for a discussion board.  It may give some of the kids a better understanding of the reading as actually do the reading and talk about it with their peers.

Rob

My discussion board question will be very similar to our discussion board #1 Introduction.

 

My discussion board questions will be based on a PowerPoint project I do with the middle school technology students.  The project is “All About My Classmates”.  Each student writes an autobiography essay using an outline of questions.

 

I decided to...

Pat,

I think using a discussion board as an introductory activity is a great idea.  I think that the students will enjoy it and you will probably find that some of the shy students respond more than if they were doing this activity in class.  I also like your guidelines for student use of the discussion board.  Your expectations are very clear to the students.

Pat,

  I absolutely love this discussion board project!  What a great way to have the students get to know each other better and respect each other's differences.  This project allows students to really pay attention to what everyone's interests are and respond to them.  This is something that is so difficult in class at this age.  I also think that this is great for the 8th...

Pat,

 

What a wonderful way to start a Discussion Board--not only are you giving the students a topic they know about, but also enabling them to be creative and interactive.  Social networking, as we know from "MySpace" is a very big thing with this age group, but you have provided a more wholesome outlet for their need to communicate. They'll also have good practice for...

Anne,

 

I've calculated my "magic #" on DB is be 29.....I'm missing my replies to Dena for DB#4 and Colleen DB#3&4.

 

Dena is DB#4 to come........But I've noticed Colleen is low on DB work & replies.....I hope she is still with us on this course.

 

Do you know anything?

 

Thanks, Pat

Pat,

 

Colleen had surgery--she's hoping to recuperate enough to stay in the class.  Thanks for asking.

 

Anne

Pat,

This looks like a fun project for the kids.  They'll find out some interesting things about each other, and I don't think they'll see it as work at all.

Rob

I finally decided on questions relating to our Family Life units in grades 6,7,and .  I feel that students may be more likely to respond truthfully to these thought provoking questions about adolesence if they didn't have to face each other.  I am having trouble cutting and pasteing so the document is attached.

 

Dena,

Sorry about the trouble with copying and pasting. Try the keyboard shortcuts: Copy=Ctrl C, Paste=Ctrl V. This is what I use when the browser is being finicky. Why don't you go back to your DB4 answer and try this out.  If it still doesn't work, let me know and I'll paste it for you so we can see in window.

Thanks.

 

Anne

I think you have great discussion questions.  The use of sharepoint will probably make it easier for some students to respond more than if they were in a classroom environment.  I especially like the question about building your own style.  I think that is very important for students to consider, expecially when they are faced with the pressure from their peers to conform.

Dena,

 

Using the Family Life questions was a great idea.  I agree with your thought about their openness when not face to face.  You may be given the shy students the chance to voice with opinion.  Using technology (for some reason) gives our youth the tool they use very well to voice what and how they feel.

 

The Benziger Family Life series we use at school definitely...

Dena,

 Your Discussion Board Implementation questions were very thought provoking. I especially admire the way you first stated the objective. It send their thoughts to the place necessary to answer their questions.

Colleen

 

Colleen Mills

Topic –The War in Vietnam
Type of Class- American History -8th grade
Age of Students- 14- on average
Relevance—Use this to further understand the War in Vietnam and the mental and  spiritual reaction of the young men involved.
Extended –Current Events-Discussion if war in Iraq continues, the draft returns and their draft number, or number of...

 

Collen,

 

I like the way you personalized the questions for this age group; although Vietnam may seem very remote to them, they have a perspective on the current war and may be able to relate better to the past with this knowledge. Another idea might be for them to ask their parents and grandparents the same questions and compare and contrast results among different age groups...

Anne,

Thank you for the suggestion. I have been lucky enough to have parents and an uncle come in to give a talk.

The students get their base knowledge, not just from the text, but mainly from the book I have in my discussion rubric.

It would be interesting to have them be able to compare information with a soldier that was in Iraq.

Thanks again.

Colleen

PS Did you get my other email?

Other email? I answered a message through the water cooler and left you several phone messages. I hope we can connect soon, but I haven't been able to reach you.
Anne

Anne,

Thinking about your suggestion...Would there be a way for a grandparent to email their interview to the child to be used on the discussion board? OR Would the child have to interject excerpts from their response?

Colleen

 

Colleen
 
I think excerpts pasted  the DB would work best; this would avoid the awkwardness of having to open files just to see the students' answers, etc.
Anne
 
Attachments:   
 

Collen,

Again, Welcome Back and I hope you are doing better.

 

I truely like the way you organized the discussion board questions to your students.  Something, at the middle school age, they need a bit of organization.

 

(I implemented at 5th grade level & 8th grade level.  The 5th grade seemed to understand with no problem, but then the 8th grade - I had to re-enforce...

I thought it would be useful to see all of our rubrics in one place--all of you are doing a great job on this assignment.  Don't forget to also read the discussions and respond.  As the others come in, they will also be added to the class collection.  Keep up the good work.

 

 

(also linked on side bar of this page)

Anne,

 

Thanks for attachment on class rubic samples.  The discussion board was starting to get a bit challenging trying to find teachers rubric to review.  This attachment is excellent. Again, thanks.

 

Sorry, I got side tracked at school......T-2 closing, & all goes with that.  I'm going to try my best to review everyones rubics, give my replies, and yes, get my onto...

Pat,

 

I would consider the main skills that you teach at each level and then think of how knowing these skills could enable a student to complete a project for another class.  Some of these skills have ready applications, such as internet research, online safety, web quests. You might also have different groups of students find  basic "how to" information online and tell...

IF YOU NEED MORE TIME TO COMPLETE THE WEEK 3 ASSIGNMENT, DON'T WORRY--JUST TRY TO CATCH UP AS SOON AS YOU CAN. REMEMBER TO INCLUDE YOUR ACTUAL GUIDELINES FOR ALL TO SEE.  ALSO, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK OF RESPONDING TO OTHERS.

 

MORE: See some sample rubrics from previous class:

Anne,
Thank you for the variety of examples of rubrics. It is good to see the creativityused to get the same main idea across to students of different age groups.
Colleen

Question... I read on one of the websites that it is the quality of the response, not necessarily the quantity, but most of the rubrics I see have 1/2 to 1 page requirements. Is length of response optional? I can pretty much gauge the approximate length a response should be on paper, but I'm not sure about on a discussion board. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Dawn :)

Dawn,

I think the answer to your question depends on various factors: the age and ability of the students, the preparation for the activity, the relevance of the assignment to the unit or class topic, etc.  We've all seen submitted assignments where the amount of words was exact but there was weak development, repetition, or lack of focus on the target concepts. I do think presenting samples...

I have attached my guidelines.

Dawn,

  I like how you presented your rubric information in a table format.  I find that this is the easiest one to quickly read or reference.  You also separated the tables into two smaller rubrics:  one for response and one for responding to others.  This way there are two basic grades that the students will receive and one may not necessarily reflect the other.  Good...

Read the Overview about Discussions and Rubrics on the Announcements page. Then respond to the following on this Discussion Board:

 

Asssignment:  This week you will create a Rubric for a class Discussion Board which will specify your expectations for behavior, response quality and general guidelines for student discussions. In preparation, browse the following links, where you...

There were a few sites that I found that I thought some of us could find helpful. Especially the one on Discussion Board Etiquette. My students are excited about using my new web page but my concern is I do not want them to thnk they are in a chat room or "IM"ing their friends.  Hope these are of use.

Joan

 

Discussion Board Rubrics Links
Joan Leslie Brooks

Discussion Board Tips...

I agree about the proper etiquette.  There is a running website that I go to often that posts meet results and info regarding upcoming meets.  In the site there is also a discussion board.  The responses that the coaches give are usually pretty decent, and a lot of the kids' responses are as well, but some of kids get a little carried away and colorful.  If I had a discussion board...

I agree... even as adults participating in this discussion board, it's hard to not get too "chatty"! (I'll stop there before I get too "chatty"... hahaha!)

Thanks for the links! They were very helpful. It was difficult making a rubric that made it clear the students can't use it as a "chat room". I hope mine accomplished that. It should get easier with experience.

Your Student Assessment rubric is much simpler than mine.  I think mine is too complicated.  I am definitely going to rewrite it utilalizing some of your ideas.  I hope that is o.k. For example, your peer responsiveness column.  How the students should respond is very straight forward.   The students can't question your expectations.  Great Job!

Joan,

  I thought your rubric was well-written and direct.  I like how you described the difference between a bulletin board and a discussion board so that the students had a clear expectation for using the db. 

 

  You also challenged your students to respond in a critical way which I thought was outstanding.  This holds the students accountable for thorough...

I'm having a bit of a challenge with this assignment.  I've looked over a lot of the material and it looks fairly easy to put together a rubric for evaluating a discussion board IF you teach a class that has regular readings involved.  I teach Algebra II and Geometry this year.  There is no reading outside of what is in their text, and the only thing they would need to discuss there...

Rob,

There are some math forum sites on the web; one that I just found might spark an idea. It has tricks for remembering math concepts, etc.  You might have your students come up with some of their own tricks or have them do some web searches to find some, then post their results on the DB.  I took me just a minute to find some sites, so it's not something that should require lengthy reading. ...

This looks very good.  I already found one method of factoring trinomials that I've never seen before.  I will spend some more time this weekend looking at it.  Thanks, Rob

I have a great idea!  How about have the students read an article about using gaming to learn math concepts in school.  there are tons of articles on line.  I can help you find some if you are interested.

Dena

Rob,

  I thought your rubric was very good.  I am sure the students will find many websites that other students can use in class.  This type of open-ended assignment really challenges the students to guide their own learning.  Also, the part about researching professions will be very useful to them.  I like how you are always getting your students to think of "real-life"...

When working on this assignment I designed my rubric to be used with a unit of study that I will begin with my students at the end of February. It contains a pages that outlines student expectations, defines some terms and presents a rubric. Since we also use Power School the rubric reflects that we are a total points school. 

 

Discussion Board Rubric      Miss...

Joan,

Very nicely done.  It looks like you've spelled everything out clearly for the kids. 

Rob

Your rubric seems very thorough and easy to understand. Your expectations are clear and to the point.

Joan,

This looks great!  I like that you made it a requirement that the students respond to everyone in the group during some point during the unit.  That will keep them from responding to the same people all of the time.

Joan,

 

I like the way you first did the question and answer part.  That will let the students know exactly what the discussion board is about.

 

I also like the way you spelled out discussion board etiquette.  Your students should have no problem understanding what is expected of them.

 

Thanks.  In reading your page one quidelines, I have some thought on what I...

I have attached my rubric as a file.

Hillary,

Your rubric looks good and is easy to follow. 

Rob

Hillary,

 

   I like the way you designed your rubric. Very direct . Students know exactly what is expected of them especially if this is the first time they are responding on a discussion board.

 

Joan

I like the format of your rubric. I also like that you used the point system. Your rubric is easy to understand and not overwhelming (like some I saw on a few websites!).

Hilary,

 

I like you rubrics......easy to understand & to the point.

 

I have been having trouble trying to figure out a Basic Skills Tech Rubrics.  I seem to just teach the tech skills and not really think about a discussion board rubrics on the subject of teaching the basic skill in Tech.

 

One similar to what you have, could be a guide to what I need to come up with.

I really like yor simplicity.   I made my rubric very complex.  I don't think it needed to be.  and probably for middle school it shouldn't be. 

I hope I attached it right! :)

Dawn,

Your rubric looks great.  I think that your rubric will be easy for the students to understand and it will allow them to successfully complete their discussion assignments.

Hey Girl, your rubrics looks pretty good.  See you can leave Lollipop Land. 

 

Seriously, Dawn, you did a great job on your rubrics.  Your students should be able to understand it.  It's explained in a very elementary way.....exactly what they need.

 

After reading everyones rubrics -- I'm starting to get some ideas for a Basic Tech Skills rubrics.  Maybe by...

Pat,

I can see that you are overwhelmed-your post time of 1:00ishAM. I have been up that late trying to finish the yearbook for my school.

I am trying to find a balance in language so that the rubric is understood by all academic levels of students. I teach the lower level Lit kids so I think going with my social studies class may be better.

Hey Dawn!  I like the simplicity of your rubrics also!  Do you think it would be necessary to add expectations for A+, B+ and C+ work because of our report card?

Dena

Dena,

 I thought of this also but it may get too complicated for the kids and to grade. I think other assessments will determine the + for the grade in my class.

Colleen