POSTED AT 09:17 PM

rocky

Hola! Before leaving class, please reflect on the day's learning and post your thoughts on this Shared Journal. You are welcome to post and comment on someone elses post throughout the class. So, post here to update us on how your blog is developing during the week and to ask a question.
Happy Blogging!

Kicking off 2004 with a Blog Class!
POSTED AT 09:47 PM

rocky

Happy New Year everyone!
2004 has moved in with a bang! I've been working on Weblogs: The Reading/Writing Connection, a Content Page which will serve to support the blog class I am teaching on Saturday, January 10th. This resource contains the course Syllabus and supporting links. I have also created a Blog Class Shared Journal for class members to use as they reflect on their learnings. As far as I know, this will be the first blog class for teachers in my district and I'm really excited about the possibilities!

Thanks for the memories...
POSTED AT 09:44 PM

rocky

Wow! What a day! Thank you all for participating. And, thank you all for your patience. You are my first victims...um, er, I mean, participants--so I get to try things out on you to see how it works. Well, I certainly learned about what works and doesn't today.

What didn't work well:
1. Too much background information about blogs--While I might find it interesting, or think it important to know a little blog history, I realize now that it was too confusing and unnecessary in terms of learning to blog.
2. Introducing Blog Search Engines. The Search Engines were confusing--too many choices/categories. Google worked better--it's familiar and easy which keeps the focus on the blogs and not learning other new formats. Again, too much information and not necessary in finding a few blogs to puruse.
3. Using different computer platforms--I had a PC and you all had iBooks. This often caused confusion. Resizing windows, copy and paste short cuts, plug-ins, etc.
4. The darn FIREWALL!!! If our school emails keep getting kicked back, and we can't access other emails from behind the firewall, how can we register for necessary accounts? This was a huge headache. Thank goodness for Tabulas. Roy (the Tabulas guy) is so wonderful. He has supported teacher use of his site from the beginning. I was able to call him from my cell phone DURING class and he was able to set our usernames and passwords from his side, without messing with difficult emails!!!
5. RSS. Really Simple my a**! RSS is fabulous but firewall headaches and difficulty understanding the idea with the limited time we had was a problem. Next timme, I should move this to Day 2, smooth out the problems, and spend more time on it.
6. I did not allot enough time for hands on practice with the Tabulas Control Panel and with the other firewall and computer platform issues, the lack of time was compounded.

What did work:
1. Your patience! (I'm honored because you didn't complain or get upset. That means "You like me! You really, really like me!")
2. Time spent visiting blogs. It captured interest, and provided ideas (and stress releasing laughter).
3. Posting. Everyone loved visiting the student blogsThinking and Writing Wrinkles and posting comments to the students. Let the world know--SuperThinker has fabulous friends!!! I need to include more hands-on, and earlier on in the class.
4. Peer support. You were all so supportive of each other, which is why you are all such good teachers. When one of you needed help, another of you got up and supported.
5. Food and coffee!

All in all, it was a very good day. I was exhausted at the end, but in a very good way.

Harrison rocks!!!

Blog Class Day 2 and beyond
POSTED AT 04:43 PM

rocky

Well, day to was a complete success. Read about it on the Saturday, January 17th post, at blahblahblog.

One of my 2nd grade teachers took off running with her blog after just finishing the class on Saturday!!! Her first post to her 2nd grade students: "What do you know about camouflage?" (which supports the Grade 2 "Look Who's Hiding" literacy unit! Check it out: Mozart Concept/Question Blog!

(*sings*) Uh-huh, go on now, it's ya' birthday, you're a blogger...

Check it out!
POSTED AT 05:11 PM

rocky

Alright everybody. We've got our first blog that's up and running in the classroom!!! Check out Mozart Concept/Question Blog. After viewing, come back and post a comment on this Shared Journal so we can all read your what you thought about it. Inspiration, anyone!?!

We're all smiles!
POSTED AT 10:25 PM

rocky

Keep on Smilin' Miss Gomez! Your fabulous Mozart Concept/Question Blog makes me smile from ear to ear!

Supporting spelling...
POSTED AT 03:05 PM

rocky

To help students understand that some words use the same spelling pattern but are pronounced differently, try using a Tree Map like this one (one of the Thinking Maps.) As you read stories or come across words in blending lines, draw attention to them, and add them to the map.

Just a little tip from your Aunt Rocky!

Happiness is a warm blog!
POSTED AT 09:03 PM

rocky

It's been a great week for blogging! Mozart Concept Question Blog took off like a rocket! These 2nd graders have been blogging EVERYDAY!!!

We're going to create the Harrison Bloggers Network consisting of any Harrison staff who wants to blog. Our first meeting will be next Friday, January 30th afterschool. We'll meet at a local restaurant/bar that has internet access. So, bring your laptop, your smile, and a thirst.

Our last blogging class will take place tomorrow at District F (8am). See you guys then!

Mozart--maybe you can stop by District F and encourage us bloggers with our success or post on this journal tomorrow while we're in class. We'd love to hear from you!

Good morning everybody!
POSTED AT 09:14 AM

rocky

Don't you just LOVE getting up at the crack of dawn and coming to the District for an ALL DAY CLASS!!! Ah, the freezing cold air...wonderful for a ruddy complexion, no? Well, glad to see you here. And, LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE, um, er, BLOG!!!!

1st Meeting of Harrison Blogger's Network
POSTED AT 10:07 AM

rocky

We'll be at Barbara's at the Brewery--620 Molton Street. 4:30--Bring your laptop, your smiles, and your thirst. We will blog and toast to our new community! And, it's payday!!!

Let's not say goodbye...it's just farewell...till Friday!
POSTED AT 03:53 PM

rocky

Well, it's been a great day. We've all shared and learned soooo much! I look forward to following your blogs--whether you immediately use them in the classroom or you decide to experiment more with them before unveiling in the classroom!

See you on Friday, 4:30, at Barbara's, for our first Harrison Bloggers Network! Drag Queen's treating!!! (*wink*)

Great reading site for your students!
POSTED AT 10:27 PM

rocky

Check out this great reading site--via Jose! Starfall: Learn to Read
http://www.starfall.com/ It's kinda like Waterford. And check out the Valentine's Day section--great reading and writing, just in time for Valentine's Day! Maybe a good blog post so your students can check it out!?!

From the heart of L.A. out to the EduBlogging Community--HELLO!!
POSTED AT 10:35 PM

rocky

Our first Bloggers Network meeting took place today and it was wonderful! We had a good turn out and we all helped each other manuever on the internet. We're happy to be part of the edublogging community! We're on a fabulous adventure--I wonder where it will lead...