Dec 26 2007
Came upon this neat search engine – PageBull – which displays screenshots of the sites found rather than just a description. I really like the ability to see what a site looks like before deciding to visit it. Great for school (and me)!
Dec 24 2007
Just a quick Christmas Eve post to check in with everyone – thanks to the students who’ve visited already over break! I’ve been doing a lot of exploring on really exciting Web 2.0 (internet) tools today (and will share these as I test them out), and I’m wondering where you spend your time online……..what sites do you visit daily? Why? (Non-student readers VERY welcome to comment here!)
As for me, I’ve spent a lot of time on Snapfish and Google (gmail + Google Reader) today. Not a day goes by that I don’t check my gmail account and after setting up Google Reader today, I’m sure I’ll be glued there as well. As most of my students already know, I’m not a mySpace or FaceBook user, but I do belong to several educational communities. I’ll keep you posted as I fall in love with new Web 2.0 tools and free keyboarding resources to share with you!
Enjoy break!
Dec 21 2007
“Think Before You Post” is an ad campaign by the ad council. The videos below demonstrate how truly wide-reaching any information posted on the internet can be. Of course, the majority of people online are viewing your mySpace pages just to learn more about you as a friend and have no bad intentions……. (oh wait, remember how I said today that you HAVE TO BE 14 TO HAVE A PAGE? 6th graders, remember that by lying about your age to get a page, you’re violating the terms of use with mySpace – make a responsible choice.)
Thoughts? Are adults making too big of a deal about this? Do you feel safe online?
More on this at a later date………
Download Video: Posted by edtecher at TeacherTube.com.
Download Video: Posted by edtecher at TeacherTube.com.
Dec 20 2007
Some language purists believe that text/IM language is ruining formal writing. This article from The University of Toronto (“Instant msg-ing messes with grammar? As if! lol!“) disputes that. Check out what Grammar Girl has to say on the topic! (Students – click on the Grammar Girl link and then listen to the podcast)
Thoughts? Theories? Will formal language ever disappear?
Dec 18 2007
This is the first post in the collaboration with Mrs. Veglahn’s 7th grade class…..but anyone is welcome to post!
So, some of us are teachers, some of us are 6th graders, and some of us are 7th graders. Let’s share what’s great about where we are in life and why it’s better than where we were last year!
For you 6th graders, why is middle school better than elementary school? Or is it worse?
7th graders – why is 7th grade better than 6th grade? Or would you rather be in 8th grade already?
Teachers – are you doing anything cool this year that you weren’t last year? Anything you miss about last year?
Remember, give details!
Make sure you share whether you’re currently a 6th grader, 7th grader, etc. Or maybe you’re a visitor! If so, share where you are in life 
Dec 17 2007
Welcome to our blog! We’d love to hear where you’re from, how you got here, and why you love to blog! Now remember, if you’re a student, NEVER put your full first and last name on the internet – please just use your first and last initials. Also, remember not to share any personal information (address, phone #, email address, etc). We’d love to see where our visitors are coming from! Please feel free to comment on ANY of the posts! Check out the blogs on the 6th grade page as well. You can contact me, Mrs. Olson, by going to the “About Mrs. Olson” page.
Again, welcome to our blog!
Dec 17 2007
These videos are very powerful messages about cyberbullying. If you have a minute after watching, could you reflect on them or share some personal experiences with cyberbullying? Thanks
Download Video: Posted by adcouncil at TeacherTube.com.
Download Video: Posted by adcouncil at TeacherTube.com.
Download Video: Posted by edtecher at TeacherTube.com.
Dec 14 2007
Ok, here’s your chance to take a look at all the 6th grade blogs and pick your favorite! Remember, you’re choosing your favorite blog based on topic, appearance, and posts, NOT on whether or not you like the owner of the blog. You already knew that, right? Now, tell us your favorite blog and why it’s your fave!
Dec 13 2007
Well, I’m trying to keep up with technology, but this old brain needs a little help. I’m woefully behind on the IM and text formats, abbreviations, etc. So, let’s start a “dictionary” of the lingo………
Example: ttyl = talk to you later
Make sure you give the IM “format” + the full text version so we all know what it means. Thanks to Mrs. Veglahn in her comment on “Writing about Reading” for inspiring this cry for help!
Dec 12 2007
If you know me at all, you know that my favorite activity is reading…….not just any reading, though. I want to read something REALLY good – something that draws me in and makes me want ignore ringing phones and any waiting household chore Tell me what you’re reading - would you recommend it? Anything you’ve read lately that I should read? Anything horrible that I SHOULDN’T read?
I’m currently reading something VERY light and not noteworthy. Of course, I can’t remember the title anyway (I read at least 3 books/week, it’s hard to remember all the titles)! The last book I read (actually listened to on CD on my commute) that I really liked was “Sammy’s House” by Kristin Gore (Al Gore’s daughter). A nonfiction book that I LOVED was “Kindergarten Wars” by Alan Eisenstock.
Anyway, chime in and share!
