What I learned from you

Since I always ask you the questions about what you have learned I think it’s only fair that I tell and sometimes show you what I have learned from you.

From your comments about the Kony 2012 discussion I have learned that you most of you made the important connection about journalists being careful to research and dig deeper into topics. I also learned that most of you seem to understand the importance of getting more facts before formulating an opinion. These are important lessons for you. Along the way, I think I also learned that you like to share your ideas in a discussion format and as a whole class. Tell me if I got that one wrong, please.

I have also learned, much to my delight, that more of you are paying attention to the assignment directions and commenting on the blog when instructed to do so. That is such a great thing. You know I always have a positive attitude about my students, but your actions and your emerging maturity makes me very proud of you.

Let’s see where we can go with all of this. Can we put together a publication or a class blog based on news articles, photos and video generated by our smaller groups? If you think so, how do you think we might manage the various responsibilities of actually doing it? 

I posed the questions above because I have an idea in my head about how to go about it, but I want to hear from you how you think things should happen. Remember, I learn from you, too.

Back to the blog…

Much like many of you, I sometimes get bored or too busy to blog. That is why I took some time away from this so that we could all have a break from this additional responsibility. I sure needed it and I’m certain that many of you felt the same way. But much like summer vacation comes to its inevitable end, so too has my break from this endeavor. It’s back to the blog for all of us and I want you to spend some time thinking about revitalizing your blogs or starting some anew now that you’ve had more experience as journalists.

To that end, I begin with yet another “Question of the Day” assignment.

Question of the Day: What have you learned as a result of reviewing and discussing the “Kony 2012″ video and its related topics this week?

That’s it. You know the drill. Answer the question as a comment to this post. And yes, it is an assignment!

Think you can?

Monday, January 30 – Refer to the post below this one…

For Tuesday, January 31

Question of the day:  What are some concerns or comments you have about the second semester?

Fun with words

I’m a self-proclaimed “word nerd.” That might be why I became a writer/English teacher. Whenever I have an opportunity to test my language or vocabulary skills I usually will rise to the challenge.

All of that will explain why my next challenge to you faithful blog followers is this: log on to dictionary.com and sign up for their Word Dynamo challenges. It’s really fun and it features different ways to test your knowledge of vocabulary. Much like my teaching method, it allows you multiple opportunities to succeed and move up to the next level. It also has vocabulary games based on your grade level, and specific standardized tests, like the SATs.

Go on. Give it a try. Make your computer time count!!

Evil Genius

I’m sure that most of you have heard that I often describe myself using the above term. That is because I like to inspire my students to find things out for themselves instead of doling out answers as though I know EVERYTHING. I don’t…which is why I am a genius – because I am willing to admit that.

Your first challenge is to find information about Pastor Charlie Muller. Bonus points to anyone who comes to class on Tuesday, January 17th with the answer. The follow up question is: why would I want you to know who he is?

Good luck with this one.

Welcome back…now here are some questions!

I was glad to see everyone come back to school in fairly good moods on Monday. Now we can get really busy moving on with this business we call journalism.

Once again we reviewed the “Multiple Objectives” plan, where students get to decide which activites they want to work on during their class period. Now that the second quarter is nearly over, it is time to step it up and add even more options to your daily “work menu.” On Monday, students learned the mind-numbing fact that now we will go from three to four objectives each day to five to seven. It’s time to get serious!

On Tuesday, students got their press passes and began their first assignment using them. Don’t forget to have them with you each day along with your reporters’ notebooks.

Answer the following questions  using the comment option here on the blog.

1. How do you decide which activity is your priority on any given day?

2. What guidelines should you follow when using a press pass?

What will YOU do?

My apologies to Period 7!

I hope some of you manage to visit here and read this because I wanted to say I’m sorry to period 7 for not being able to see you all before the holiday break.

Because I am not good at sitting still, I have spent the day going through each of the blogs that are listed here in my previous post. I have commented on each of them. If you look at the list and your blog URL is not there, please notify me of that fact by commenting on THIS post and I will edit the previous one to include yours. Also, if you have abandoned your original idea and gone on to something else, then you need to notify me on THIS post as well and I will remove your previous URL.

I hope all of you have a great vacation and come back energized for the New Year. We will continue to have our “Multiple Objectives” set up in place but the twist is that the “multiples” will increase. That means, instead of just three or four different tasks to work on in any given day, you may have as many as five to seven in the near future. Be afraid…be very afraid.

The blogs are in…

Here is a preliminary list of student blogs created by journalism classes. You can use this post to simply click on a link to go view a blog. Please interact and comment on other blogs and invite your friends and classmates to do the same with yours.

www.whotravels.wordpress.com

www.education-fail.blogspot.com

www.konarmoup.wordpress.com

www.trendsandexpression.wordpress.com

www.highschoolroast365.blog.com

www.lifeofaninsubordinateteenager.wordpress.com

www.thoseawkmoments.wordpress.com

www.shredtheeast.wordpress.com

www.snappsandgiggles.wordpress.com

www.oohnoshedidnt.wordpress.com

www.sbs-studentsociallife.blogspot.com

www.shenjournalism.wordpress.com

www.favoritebands4.blog.com

www.nowthatsannoying.blog.com

www.takethistoyourgraveandburyit.wordpress.com

www.highscoop.wordpress.com

www.bryantgallagher.blogspot.com

www.ourthoughtsoftheday.wordpress.com

www.listenbro.wordpress.com

www.4dudesrelationshipadvice.wordpress.com

www.thisvsthat.blog.com

www.whatsupwithteenissues.wordpress.com

www.photogenicphotography.blog.com

www.highschoolhockey.wordpress.com

www.studentrightsissues.blogspot.com

www.thegreatestfood.wordpress.com

www.alantroumbley.blog.com

www.allaboutus10.wordpress.com

www.signatureself.blog.com

Blog HUMBUG!!

I have to apologize again for the length of time between posts. I’ve been really busy helping all of you with your blogs and with the idea of “multiple priorities” each day and so I’ve neglected my own blog. This is an important lesson about blogging…once you start, you have to continue or you will lose momentum and possibly any audience you might have at the beginning.

By now, some of you have started over because you lost interest in your original idea. Good for you! Your blog will only be sustainable if it remains interesting to you and your audience. If you’re not interested, nobody else will be either. 

ASSIGNMENT: Make sure you and your group develop a “post” calendar so everyone knows when it is his or her responsibility to post new material to the blog.