Project 3: Interactive Graphic Organizers (Student Assignment)

For this assignment, students (7th grade) will be expected to use an online web resource to make a graphic organizer for their upcoming essay. The graphic organizer is found at this website.

Students will be expected to come up with a topic for their essay (prompts to be assigned at a later day if needed), fill in each section of the graphic organizer, print it off, and bring it to class. We will be using the information on the graphic organizer to develop our essays.

Using the Interactive Graphic Organizer:

Start by entering your name, and your topic:



Next, come up with a few sentences to introduce your paper:



Then write down the main ideas associated with your topic:



Now, elaborate on the main ideas:



Come up with a conclusion that emphasizes the main points:



Finally, print your graphic organizer:









Reflection
This is a fairly simple assignment that uses some really simple technology, but it's a valuable resource for young writers who may lack organizational skills. I did this assignment, took screen-shots, and posted them on the blog so that students could easily follow along as they work.

Assignment 7

I have used youtube and facebook to connect to other people, to network, to write to others and share knowledge and information. I am also a member of the English companion ning that helps english teachers work together to develop classroom strategies and teaching ideas.

I had a shakespeare class that was entirely on facebook. I also have used google docs to do study guides for various classes. I like those devises because they help me get in contact with other people and collaborate to come to a common understanding.

I am not sure yet how I will use technology in the classroom. I can see the benefits of having a class website. I like having polls and spreadsheets online that bring knowledge to me as a teacher. I like sites like goodreads.com. I can definitely see using that as a tool to help students find books to read that will be fun and enjoyable. I will probably have the occasional powerpoint, and maybe a blog, but other than that... I don't know what I'll do.

This class taught me that it is important to stay up on the latest tech trends. I think that I will be better off having learned about how fascinating google can be.

I will use google docs for sure. I think even google sites will be something that I will come back to in the future. I won't use google wave or anything like that, i think it's kind of lame.

Assignment 6: Software tools

Using technology to teach english is a good approach. I especially think it could be beneficial to to ESL students and students with special needs.

This site has free grammar aids online. I liked the resources available here.

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/adjectives_adverbs/adjective_adverb.htm

This website also has a bunch of helpful interactive quizzes:

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quiz_list.htm

Video Chat: Assignment 5

I chatted with my brother for this assignment. I never use chat. I can see how it could be applicable, especially as we used it in class for lectures. I don't like video chat because... well, I guess I am indifferent on video chat. I never use it. but I did for this assignment.

Project 1: CLass website.

This is an example of what a class website could look like. I made the site using google sites.

http://sites.google.com/site/robsenglishclass/home

Student Created Video, Project 2

This is the type of video I might have students do in class. The purpose would be to show how writing applies to more than just pen and paper. it applies to the Utah State Core:

Objective 3
(Revision and Editing): Revise and edit to strengthen ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency and conventions.

Evaluate and revise for:
Sufficiently developed key ideas and specific details that directly support and advance the thesis statement.
Control of organizational elements in multiple paragraph texts (e.g., thesis, details, leads, conclusions, and transitions).
Correct use of active and passive voice.
Consistent, appropriate voice.
Words intentionally and skillfully used.
Rhythm created through sentence construction (i.e., parallel sentence structure).

The assignment might be presented as thus:

For your assignment, you will create a book trailer. The purpose of this assignment will be to create an interesting video that will get your audience interested in reading the book. You will be expected to do the same things as you would in a typical writing assignment, inquiry, revision, editing, and drafting. Your finished product should look something like this:

Creating a Movie (Assignment 4)

I am using imovie to create my movie--that will be a model of a student assignment. I downloaded a pdf file of a blank storyboard and filled in the boxes with the various scenes I will want to include. So far, it's looking pretty good. I'll post it whan complete.