Sitler,+Bridget

Proposed by: B Sitler, LMS, Loretta Park
 * __Proposal for New Technology__**
 * __Technology to Implement:__** Wiki

Wikis can be open to editing by anyone or can be restricted to certain individuals.
 * __Description of Technology:__** a Wiki is a web page or collection of web pages that allows users to collaboratively add, alter and update information.

occurring within the school. The Wiki would be “run” by students but overseen by faculty. The Wiki could increase communication between faculty, students and parents. Use of the Wiki for class assignments could help reduce the amount of paper and ink used by the school as well as the incidents of assignments not being turned in/completed.
 * __Use of Technology:__** To create a school community Wiki. This Wiki would provide information about the various services, activities and events that are


 * __Support for Wikis is School:__**

__Writing in the 21st Century__ – Report from NCTE that discusses the importance of Web 2.0 tools (including Wikis) to the modern writing process. PDF can be downloaded at [|www.ncte.org/library/NCTEFiles/Press/Yancey_final.pdf]. __Using Wikis in Schools: a Case Study__ – British study into the use and practicality of Wikis in schools. Can be accessed at [|www.futurelab.org.uk/resources/documents/discussion_papers/Wikis_in_Schools.pdf] http://hmtech.wikispaces.com/ - example of a Wiki created by a teacher to organize and support curriculum. __Terry the Tennis Ball__ – Fun student created wiki. Can be found at http://terrythetennisball.wikispaces.com/

**The Wiki could be restricted in such a way as to only allow members to see or** The provider is used in many school communities. There is no advertising, the basic Wiki is free (special offer for educators) and it is relatively easy to use. This site allows administrative control which will reduce the risk of inappropriate postings and make wiki accessible only to users. This is another wiki that is strongly favored by teachers. Also no advertising, free and easy to use. Security allows the set up of various levels of users including administrators. Can not completely remove Wiki from public access but emails are sent regularly with regards to changes made on the Wiki. It is hoped that, in the long-term, a school-centered Wiki will help to improve cohesiveness between the various classes as a whole and the students, faculty and parents as individuals. It would provide students with a secure way to share their knowledge with each other and help then to develop a sense of pride in their work/accomplishments.
 * __Concerns:__** It is felt that Wikis are not a secure venue. Primary concern is with inappropriate postings and deliberate damage to or altering of another’s work.
 * edit it. The Wiki would then not be accessible in any way to non-members. **
 * Students could also use pseudonyms to provide further security. **
 * __Recommended Software:__**
 * 1) ****Wikispaces** (preferred) http://www.wikispaces.com/
 * 2) ****PBWiki **http://pbwiki.com/

**__ Final Project __** **__ Introduction to Blogs __** __Librarian:__ Bridget Sitler __Class:__ 5th Grade __Duration__: 45-60 minutes, one session __ NYS ELA Standards: __ [|Standard] 1: **Students will read, write, listen, and speak for information and understanding. As listeners and readers, students will** collect data, facts, and ideas, discover relationships, concepts, and generalizations; and use knowledge generated from oral, written, and electronically produced texts. As speakers and writers, they will use oral and written language to acquire, interpret, apply, and transmit information. Standard 4: **Students will read, write, listen, and speak for social interaction.** __ AASL Information Literacy Standards: __ **1.1.2** Use prior and background knowledge as context for new learning. ** 3.2.2 **   Show social responsibility by participating actively with others in learning       situations and by contributing questions and ideas during group   discussions. __Materials__: 1) Smart Board, LCD projector and laptop – for librarian  2)  Lap top computers for students 3) Blog sites for review – bookmarked on Destiny Homepage [] - reviews created by students and librarian. All postings done by Librarian. High School. []  - blog used for class discussions of books read within the curriculum. 7th grade. [] - 2nd & 3rd grade book blog. Written by students, posted by librarian.    []  - book discussion blog, 5th grade.    []  - book club blog, 4th&5th grade  __Objective__:  Through examination and discussion, students will familiarize themselves with  blogs.  __Vocabulary__: Moderator, Post, Comment, Blog, Weblog    __Rational__: The 5th grade teachers have been looking for a more creative alternative to traditional book reports and book logs. Blogging is an option that provides both a creative outlet for individual students and interaction between students. This lesson will focus on introducing students to blogs. __Procedure__: 1) Once students have been seated in the library, lap top computers will be handed out to all students. Students will be instructed to log in and wait for further instructions.   2)  Using the SmartBoard to record information, the librarian will ask students what they know about blogs in order to initiate a discussion about blogs. 3) Students will be instructed on how to access the Destiny homepage.  The Librarian will discuss the blogs that have been bookmarked on the homepage. Students will then be allowed time to examine some of the blogs. Each student should look at a minimum of two blogs.    4)  Once the allowed time has expired, students will then share their impressions of the blogs that they examined. Focus will be on the purpose/function of the blogs (opinions vs factual information). __Evaluation:__ Students will be able to navigate the blogs, reading both postings and comments. __Follow-up__: The next class session will build on this lesson by going into greater depth about appropriate blogging behaviors. **__ Blogging Etiquette and Guidelines __** __Librarian:__ Bridget Sitler __Class:__ 5th Grade __Duration__: 45 minutes, 1-2 sessions as needed __ NYS ELA Standards: __ Standard 3: **Students will read, write, listen, and speak for critical analysis and evaluation.** Standard 4: **Students will read, write, listen, and speak for social interaction.** __ AASL Information Literacy Standards: __ **1.1.2** Use prior and background knowledge as context for new learning. ** 3.2.2 **   Show social responsibility by participating actively with others in learning situations and by contributing questions and ideas during group   discussions. __Materials__: 1) Smart Board, LCD projector and laptop – for librarian  2)  Lap top computers for students 3) Blog sites bookmarked on Destiny Homepage [] - requirements to be a blogger []  - initial posting contains blogging etiquette.  Copy of **Blog Rules** (created by another teacher) on SmartBoard [] [] __Objective__: Through examination of information provided and class discussion students will identify and determine appropriate behaviors for blogging. __Vocabulary__: Etiquette  __Rational__: The 5th grade teachers have been looking for a more creative alternative to traditional book reports and book logs. Blogging is an option that provides    both a creative outlet for individual students and interaction between students. This lesson will focus on blog etiquette and appropriate information.  __Procedure__: 1) Once students have been seated in the library, lap top computers will be handed out to all students. Students will be instructed to log in and wait for further instructions. 2) There will be a brief discussion of the information discussed in the previous lesson. Discussion will end with focus on the posts/comments left by the students (participants) on the previously examined blogs. What kinds of comments were left? What did students say? What were the guidelines that applied to the comments? Students will look at blogs and determine what (if any) guidelines are posted.    3)  There will be a class discussion about what etiquette is and why it is important. Focus will be on how we talk to each other, friends, parents, people we don’t know well. Students will work in groups to determine what etiquette guidelines should apply to their class blog. At the same time, they will be asked to consider what types of information about their reading material they think should be included on the blogs. Each group will be responsible for recording their own ideas. Students will be allowed to reexamine previously explored blogs for ideas. 4) Each group will be asked to share their thoughts/ideas with regard to blog etiquette for their blog as well as the information that their posts will need to contain. The classroom teacher will then share his/her expectations for students’ postings. Through discussion the class will determine which guidelines should apply to their blog. The final ideas will be recorded on the SmartBoard and entered onto the blog page to be used as guidelines.   5)  The Librarian will explain why no personal information should be posted on the blog. Examples of appropriate blog entries (negative and positive) will be shown to the class. 6) Students will be advised of the consequences of not following the etiquette guidelines, either in the writing of their blogs or in their responses to the blogs of others. (Determined by teacher and Librarian prior to class.) Students will be advised that all postings and comments will be viewed by their teacher prior to being allowed to appear on the blog.  __Evaluation__: Each group will be able to contribute at least one blogging guideline. The class will be able to work together to make certain each guideline is acceptable and understandable to all.  __Follow up:__ The next class session will focus on the students creating their first blog posting. Students will be asked to bring the book that they are currently reading independently to the next class.   **__ Blogging __**  __Librarian:__ Bridget Sitler  __Class:__ 5th Grade  __Duration__: 45-60 minutes, two-three sessions, as needed __ NYS ELA Standards: __ Standard 3: **Students will read, write, listen, and speak for critical analysis and evaluation.** Standard 4: **Students will read, write, listen, and speak for social interaction.** __ AASL Information Literacy Standards: __ **1.1.2** Use prior and background knowledge as context for new learning. ** 2.1.6  **   Use the writing process, media and visual literacy, and technology skills to create pr   oducts that express new understandings.  **3.2.2** Show social responsibility by participating actively with others in learning situations and by contributing questions and ideas during group discussions. **3.3.2** Respect the differing interests and experiences of others, and seek a variety of viewpoints. **4.3.1** Participate in the social exchange of ideas, both electronically and in person. **4.4.5** Develop personal criteria for gauging how effectively own ideas are expressed. __Materials__: 1) Smart Board, LCD projector and laptop – for librarian 2) Lap top computers for students 3) Classroom teacher created blog with student blog role – bookmarked on Destiny Homepage  4)  Student blog assessment form __Objectives__: 1) Through class discussion, students will determine the content needed for their blog postings.  2)  Students will create their initial blog post. 3) Students will respond constructively on the blog to teacher posed questions.
 * Students will** use oral and written language for effective social communication with a wide variety of people. As readers and listeners, they will use the social communications of others to enrich their understanding of people and their views.
 * As listeners and readers, students will** analyze experiences, ideas, information, and issues presented by others using a variety of established criteria. As speakers and writers, they will present, in oral and written language and from a variety of perspectives, their opinions and judgments on experiences, ideas, information and issues.
 * Students will** use oral and written language for effective social communication with a wide variety of people. As readers and listeners, they will use the social communications of others to enrich their understanding of people and their views.
 * As listeners and readers, students will** analyze experiences, ideas, information, and issues presented by others using a variety of established criteria. As speakers and writers, they will present, in oral and written language and from a variety of perspectives, their opinions and judgments on experiences, ideas, information and issues.
 * Students will** use oral and written language for effective social communication with a wide variety of people. As readers and listeners, they will use the social communications of others to enrich their understanding of people and their views.

__Rational__: The 5th grade teachers have been looking for a more creative alternative to traditional book reports and book logs. Blogging is an option that provides both a creative outlet for individual students and interaction between students. This lesson will focus on students making actual blog entries. __Procedure__: 1) Once students have been seated in the library, lap top computers will be handed out to all students. Students will be instructed to log in and wait for further instructions.   2)  Students will be reminded of previous discussions, focus being on purpose of a blog (sharing of opinions) and blog etiquette. They will also be reminded that the purpose of the blogs that they will be creating is to share their opinions about and information on the books that they are reading. 3) Using the SmartBoard, the Librarian will demonstrate how to log onto the class blog and how to access their specific blog. The Librarian will then demonstrate how to cut and paste their writing from Word into the blog and post it. The students will then be allowed to make their first blog postings.   4)  Students will create their initial posting in Word. (Students with reading difficulties will be provided with a more specific list of writing ideas created by the classroom teacher). This will allow the class a chance to work in a familiar venue, so they can edit their writing without the fear that they might “accidentally” post without corrections. 5) Once they have created their posting, students will be allowed to explore the blog site. The librarian will point out key features such as the blog role and how to access each member’s blog and how to post comments on another person’s blog.    6)  Students will be asked to look at their partner’s blog (partners will have been assigned by classroom teacher prior to lesson) and rate it using the Student Blog Assessment. Use of the assessment form will be explained by the Librarian. 7) Upon completion of the form students will post an appropriate comment to their partner’s blog. They will then reexamine their own blog and rate their own posting.   8)  Partners will then work together to examine how they rated their own blog and how their partner rated their blog. They will be encouraged to discuss discrepancies/differences of opinion. The teacher and the librarian will be available to facilitate the discussions. 9) Student will be advised that they will need to make at least one posting to their blog and comment on at least one classmate’s blog (does not have to be partner) prior to the next class session.  **__ Day 3 __**  10)  Once the class has been seated and logged on to the laptops, they will be asked to look at their newest blog posting and complete the assessment form for themselves. Students will be advised that they will routinely assess their postings so as to be able to monitor their own development as writers. They will also periodically assess classmate’s blogs so as to be able to provide constructive criticism and/or advice. All completed assessments are to be kept in the students’ writing folders. 11) Once discussion is completed, the librarian will ask the students to access the teacher’s blog. Librarian will also display blog on SmartBoard. Students will be asked to read blog and point out anything different/new. Students should notice that their teacher has posed a question on the blog.   12)  The librarian will explain that, while their individual blogs are for their own personal discussion of the books they are reading, the teacher’s blog will provide questions for more focused discussion. Their teacher will pose weekly, generalized questions, which all students MUST respond too. **__ Sample Teacher Questions: __** Responses must be written in complete sentences and should be at least one paragraph. 13) Students will be asked to read the question and think about their book. They  will be advised to create their response in Word and then cut and paste it into the blog. All responses to teacher posed questions should be posted as a comment to t he question, not posted on their blogs.   14)  In closing, students will be advised to start writing their own posts directly in the blog as they feel comfortable with it (they will not be penalized to continuing to use Word). All responses to the teacher’s questions should first be written and edited in Word so that the students can be sure their writing complies with their teacher’s expectations. __Evaluation__: Students will post and respond to the blog with out teacher assistance. They will be able to self-correct issues with the form/content of their blog through the use of the Student Blog Assessment forms. __Follow up__: Students will continue their book blogs as a regular part of their class work. A follow up or refresher class will be offered should the teacher see a need. __Student Blog Assessment__ Name of Student: ________________________________ Name of Reviewer: _______________________________ Date of Review: _________________ Title of Posting Reviewed: ____________________________________ 1) The posting made sense when I read it. Yes No Sort of   2) Everything was spelled properly. Yes No    3) The posting met the etiquette guidelines. Yes No Sort of    4) The posting was interesting. Yes No Sort of    Why? __________________________________________________ 5) The posting gave good information about the book.  Yes No Sort of    6) I would want to read the book. Yes No Sort of    Why? __________________________________________________
 * Day 1-2 **
 * If you could be one of the characters in your book, who would it be? Why? **
 * Would you recommend this book to someone else? Why or Why not? **
 * What point do you think the author is trying to make with this story? **
 * __Supporting Documents__**

Other Comments ____________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________   __Sample Blog Postings__ __ Positive Posting: __ I think the story is great. There is a lot of adventure and dragons. Cara really wants to be able to ride a dragon but her dad won’t let her because her mother was killed in a dragon riding accident. She has a dragon that is kind of her pet but he has problems because he won’t let anyone ride him. Cara really wants to ride him but she can’t because her dad won’t let her. I hope that he will change his mind. __ Negative Posting __ : **__ Pure Dead Batty by Debi Gliori __** I don’t really like this book. I thought it would be funny but the people in the book use a lot of weird words and I don’t get it. I think if they didn’t use so many funny words I would like the story better but I don’t think I’m going to finish this book. code code code 1. Never post anything personal. No pictures, last names, phone numbers, addresses or birthdays. code code 2. Always use appropriate language; after all, this is still a school activity! code code 3. Respect your classmates and their ideas. Just like in class, we never put people down. If you disagree, do so with respect and kindness. code code 4. Academic Language & Accountable Talk are required. This is not myspace! Spell out words correctly and use proper punctuation. code code 5. Practice, practice, practice. For the rest of your life you will be expected to use computers. If you are not used to it yet, that is okay! You are allowed to make mistakes and you are allowed to ask for help. Just keep practicing! code ** IMPORTANT! **   **__ What not to Put on the Blog __** (To be kept in Writing Folder) There should be no personal information put on your blog. This includes last names, nicknames, your home address and/or phone numbers (home or cell phone). You also should not list any personal email addresses (yours or classmates) or mention that you are on Facebook, Myspace or any other networking site.
 * __Dragonsdale by Salamanda Drake__****.**
 * //__ Blog __//****__ Rules __**