Technology

Technology

Are netbooks, Ipads & Ipods, and the focus on technologies good for the classroom?

We have used technology to enhance Art, Math and language through blogs, photography and video production.  Many truly enjoy this use but many others appreciate traditional learning tasks and environments.  Do the pros outweigh the cons of using technology in the classroom. 

Read the below blog discussing the overuse of technologies and then answer the question and discuss: 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/erin-whitten/technology-there-is-no-av_b_5113400.html?&ir=Education&ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000023

Practical Wisdom

Practical Wisdom

This is an interesting video and argument on the need for practical wisdom.  It challenges the concept of rules and regulations and offers an alternative opinion to how things in society and education can be done well.  Watch the video and post your reflection about whether you agree or disagree with his argument?  Are rules beneficial or counter productive?  Use evidence from the video and your own experiences to justify your response.  Engage in dialogue with 2 other students to flush out the details of your position. 

The Cheat

Hey Team here are two conflicting and opposite opinions about the book the Cheat. 

Read the reviews and then write your own mid way review of the book The Cheat (pretend you are writing your review for the school newsletter and you are trying to inform other students in grade 7 and 8 about the book.) 

Review 1 

This is a middle school book about cheating on a geography midterm. What makes it charming and thought-provoking is the fact that it's told from the points of view of six kids who were involved, with 2 or 3 pages of text at a time told in each kid's distinctive voice. The voices are great: they make the book.

Review 2

This is a book that I picked up as a MS reading teacher. I try to read books to recommend for my students. I would NOT recommend this book. The book focuses on a group of friends who get caught (some not caught) cheating on a midterm. The narration moves from person to person. I felt like there were too many voices--4 main, 2 supporting--for middle school students to follow. Because there were so many voice, the characters, in my opinion, were never really developed at all. I found myself asking, "Wait, is she the one who's dad died? or did he leave her mom? Which one was that again?" I also felt that there was no real resolution to the problem. The book explained what happened, but nothing was really resolved. Overall, a quick read, but not one that I would recommend to my students

Comment on 2 other reviews.  Do you agree or disagree why?

Epic Rap Battle Epic Rap Battles of Black History (Class Project) Parks ...

Finally figured out how to post our videos to the blog!

Out of Sight - Word Problem

OUT OF SIGHT 

Here is a picture from our problem of the week.  

What was the biggest obstacle to finding a solution?

How did you overcome the obstacle?

Share your brief narrative and then respond with two other students. One from your group and the other from another. 

The Cheat

The Cheat

Sara is stuck.  She is suspended until she reveals who she got the quiz from.  Dan and Rob have been given consequences for their role and Katie nervously tries to convince Sara that she is not responsible for Mr. Teacher discovering the cheating. 


Will Sara rat on Jake to save herself from suspension?  Why or why not? Respond and discuss...

Have you ever been in a dilemma like this?  What did you do?

Creativity

Creativity

Welcome  #80BEE

Check out this video on Creativity by Ken Robinson 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U&list=PLuUI-SqNjGNE6GKFC_X042W4sVf51-rWu&feature=player_embedded

This video is challenging the role of education and the need for reform!

1. Do you agree or Disagree with the arguments he makes? be specific and make connections from BHJMS.

2. How could you apply any of the suggestions he makes at BHJMS?

3.  How did you like video? The style it was shot in to grab your attention

Application:

My class used this video as an inspiration for making their own RSA video's ! some were amazing but others struggled and some never got finished.  It was the most challenging video production from last year.  (ill show you some of the finished and unfinished projects)

We are going to make a RSA video like this - the questions will be in regards to what subject

Rebound - The End

Rebound - The End

We finished our first novel study.  Let shave our final on line debate and share session.  The book was filled with highs and lows and many exciting and realistic moments.  Most of us anticipated a happy ending for David but as the story progressed it became obvious David was not going to walk again.  This was a great learning moment to see that sheer desire and determination do not always bring you the results you crave but even that should not stop you from dreaming and working to achieve.  

Rate the book out of 5 and justify why.  Assume 1 is the lowest possible mark and 5 is the highest possible mark.

Debate and engage with 2 other students specifically those with different ratings then you.

Rebound - Walk Again

Rebound - Walk Again 

David is living his life by believing he will walk soon.  He does the research and understands the science.  A cure could be discovered at any moment.  Sean and most have you also believe he will walk again soon.

David's mother has passionately argued at the dinner table that David can not live his life on a hope and prayer that he will walk again.  He must move on and accept who he is now as he may be this way until he dies.  

answer the following questions:

1. Is David's mother right to think this way and to want David to think the same way?

2. Should David stop researching and living his life expecting to walk again soon and learn how to live life in a wheelchair - accept who he is?

3. What should Sean do? encourage David and support his belief he will walk soon OR take the same position his mother has taken and help David accept his new reality.  

Then respond with 2 other people to spark some dialogue.  Find people that have taken opposing views to comment with. 

Poetry

David - Poetry

We are going to write 2 ACROSTIC poems about David from Rebound.  

The challenge is you are going to write them from two different perspectives.  The first will be from David as he writes a poem about himself.  The second will be from a different character of your choice (Sean, Scott, Lisa, his mother).  Be clear to identify which character it is for both your poems. 

Check out the link below to review how to write one.

http://www.creative-writing-now.com/types-of-poems.html


Post your poem and comment on 2 others