Virtual PD

Web 2.0 Tools for Inquiry

I have developed a virtual professional development opportunity for all you. The topic of the module is Inquiry and Web 2.0 Tool Integration, and I believe it has something that could benefit everyone, especially as we continue to move towards technology-rich project-based instruction. The module is an overview of Web 2.0 Tools I have found to be most beneficial in classroom instruction including tips on selection and integration. If you would like to be paid for your participation in the learning module, please follow these directions:

1. Email me (llefever@scsd.us) to let me know your planned level of participation:
Level 1 - View the 30 minute tutorial and complete a 10 question reflection/feedback survey
Level 2 - Level 1, plus creation and submission of a lesson plan/project overview that incorporates one or more of the technologies listed (or similar technologies) by June 18, 2010

2. View the module at the following link: Web 2.0 Module
A. When you open the PPT, make sure to ENABLE MACROS in the security window.
B. Play the slideshow from the beginning in full screen mode to hear the narration.
C. Video links will open in an internet browser window. Login to the filter with your district username/password.
D. When videos end, return to the PPT via your status bar or dock, and move to the next slide.

3. Complete the survey linked on the last slide of the PPT. You must complete all 10 questions for PD time.

4. Email me to let me know you have completed the module and survey. I will have you fill out a time card at this point.

5. If you choose to complete level 2, email me your lesson by June 18, 2010 at which point I will have you fill out another time card. If you need any help working on the lesson, let me know, and we will schedule a collaboration session.

Classroom 2.0 Webinars

I emailed you a list of Webinars available this coming week. I have often found the offerings from Classroom 2.0 to be enlightening. You will have to register for an account to participate, but membership is free. I also extend you the opportunity to earn an hour paid PD time for each you complete. Simply sign-up, participate and reflect by posting your answers to the following questions to the library blog via the comment link below.

Questions:
1. Summarize the Webinar. What was it about?
2. Discuss how information in the Webinar will affect your instruction.
3. Share any "aha" moments you had during the Webinar.
4. What questions/needs did this Webinar bring to mind?
5. What else?

Please see me if you have any questions at any time. I would be glad to help.

Dygert - English 11 Advanced

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

This novel is set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement in the particularly tumultuous summer of 1964. The movement for civil rights, though always important, came to a political head during this period in American history. At this time, the rights of minorities were called into question with regard to equal rights under the U.S. Constitution.

First, review MLA Citation by viewing this tutorial:
MLA Tutorial

Second, take this quiz to assess your knowledge of MLA citation:
MLA Quiz
You will receive a username in the library.
The password is English11ADV (case sensitive).

Next, choose one of the following topics and research its historical context according to the directions you receive from Ms. Dygert.
Topics:
• Jim Crow Laws
• Civil Rights Act of 1964
• President John F. Kennedy’s work with Civil Rights
• President Lyndon Baines Johnson’s first congressional address

Resources:
Project Guide
Print Resource Note-taking Sheet
Electronic Resource Note-taking Sheet

The best databases for your research are available @
Library Links Databases
Look for:
Facts on File (Super Search)
Opposing Viewpoints (News)
ABC-CLIO Social Studies (SS)
Annals of American History (SS)

Some good Web sites include:
Civil Rights Digital Library
JFK Library
The White House
PBS
World Digital Library
Library of Congress

Whatever you do, make sure you follow the directions on your project guide including keeping track of sources you use while you research! Good luck!

Book Reviews

What are you reading? Tell us about it! Not sure what to read? Click the Book Reviews link above to discover what professional readers think about books at the New York Times or read posts here to find out what your classmates are reading. What should you include in the post:

1. Well, starting with a TITLE would be great! That way someone else can find the book!
2. An author is helpful too...obvious reasons.
3. What did you think of the book?

Not sure what to say? Again, check out the NY Times Book Reviews Linked to the post title above, but keep yours a bit shorter if you can. Happy reading!

Lopez & Wallace Unit 4 Jigsaw

You will create a Glog (digital poster) based on a specific Chapter and Section of your US History Textbook. The Glogs that you and your classmates create will be used to teach each other the information for UNIT 4. You will also use the Glogs during a Unit Quiz at the end of week.

Detailed Directions & Graphic Organizer

Regents Site

Glogster

Here is the schedule for he unit:
Monday:
1. Gather notes on your assigned topic and complete a graphic organizer.
2. Select and record three related Regents questions.
Tuesday & Wednesday:
1. Read over the requirements for your glog.
2. Create your glog.
Friday:
1. Complete your unit quiz while viewing class glogs.
2. Comment on and rate at least 3 of your classmates' glogs.

Need help? Ask!

Lopez - Progressive Era Glogs

The time period after the Civil War and Reconstruction was a time of great change in the United States. One way in which issues in American Society are demonstrated is visually through posters, photographs and political cartoons.

For this project, you must:

1. Find at least 3 images from the time period 1870 – 1920
2. Include the date, any title or caption and a description for each image
3. Hyperlink the picture sources to the pictures

Some topics from this time period you might wish to consider are:

Industrialization
Immigration
Working Conditions
Organized Labor – Unions
Living Conditions
Corruption in Government
Treatment of Native Americans
Westward Expansion

Influential people from the time period include:

Jacob Riis – a photographer who captured images of life in New York City
Thomas Nast – a political cartoonist
Upton Sinclair – an author who wrote The Jungle about the conditions of a meat packing factory.

We will be using Glogster to complete this assignment. Glogster is an online tool that lets you create posters online.

http://www.glogster.com

Here is a great resource for images: 19th & 20th Century Labor Prints

Example Glogs:
http://andy327.glogster.com/Andyusprogressivism/
http://whenindoubt.glogster.com/Progressive-Era/
http://nick346.glogster.com/History-Project-Glog/
http://spradlinh.glogster.com/progressive-reformers/

Humanities - Independent Assignment

Role – movie/book critic

Audience – blog-reading high school students

Format – movie/review review

Task – to critique one movie and one book

Due Date: April 9, 2010


Part I: You are a movie critic. Your editor asked you to review a film that high school students could watch to deepen their understanding of US History. Research movies about 18th or 19th Century (1700s or 1800s) life in the United States. Watch your selected movie. Write a movie review in which you:
Paragraph 1 – summarize the movie
Paragraph 2 – critique the movie
Paragraph 3 – evaluate the use of the movie as part of a US History course
Post your movie review to the ITC Library blog via the comment link below. Mrs. LeFever will demonstrate how to correctly post to the blog.

Internet Movie Database
Movie Review Query Engine
Roger Ebert
Syracuse Post-Standard
Onondaga County Public Library Catalog

Part II: You are a book critic. Your editor asked you to review a book that high school students could read to deepen their understanding of US History. Research books about life in the United States during the 18th or 19th Centuries (1700s or 1800s). Read your selected book. Write a book review in which you:
Paragraph 1 – summarize the movie
Paragraph 2 – critique the movie
Paragraph 3 – evaluate the use of the movie as part of a US History course.
Post your book review to the ITC Library blog via the comment link below. Mrs. LeFever will demonstrate how to correctly post to the blog.

SCSD Catalog (includes reviews)
Onondaga County Public Library Catalog
New York Times Reviews
Historical Fiction Blog
PLCMC
School Library Journal Reviews
Flamingnet Reviews

**Note: It is a good idea to type your movie/book reviews in word document to make use of the spelling & grammar review tool before posting. Then all you will need to do is copy and paste your reviews to post them to the blog. This also avoids any unnecessary loss of your work if there is a technical difficulty while you are posting to the blog.

Each review posting should include:
1. Title of the movie/book all in CAPS
2. List the director/author
3. Three paragraph review per the directions
4. Correct grammar, spelling, punctuation and sentence structure. No “texting” language


Grading Criteria:

Writing Mechanics
Content/thoroughness
Creativity/authenticity in embracing RAFT format
Media Literacy (accessed books/movies; correctly posted review)

Wallace - InvestWrite Project

Prizes
1st Place - 3 Day/2 Night Trip to New York City and a "Wall Street Experience"
2nd Place - Mini Notebook Computer
3rd Place - Mini Notebook Computer
4th Place - $25 Gift Card

Background
Imagine MTV is starting a new program about financial literacy and discovers you have become a skilled investor after participating in The Stock Market Game program at school. Pretend they offered you a summer internship to write and produce a weekly financial program. The time slot they’ve given you allows you to read your ideas and comments, of 700 words or less, on camera. Your program can deal with current domestic and international events, such as changes in consumer spending, interest rates, the Federal Reserve, prices of oil and other resources, government regulation, jobs, the housing market, congressional legislation, economic recovery funding or any other events you think can affect the stock market.

Project Description

Project Resources