Welcome Class of 2020!
As part of our ongoing study of digital citizenship we will use this blog to discuss communication and etiquette skills. A blog is a great way to share your one-sided conversation with the world. Just remember, you are sharing with the world! Anyone with Internet access is able to see what you post on your blog. Let's think about our 223 ILT class blog for a moment: First, how are we planning on using this blog? Second, who is our primary audience? Third, what type of information would be acceptable to post? Fourth, how often do we plan on updating our blog? Following your digital compass, post a response to these questions.
I am looking forward to continuing our conversation in our next blog post.
Sincerely,
Ms. Thackston-Dodge
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Week 37
Welcome 223 ILT Families,
The weather outside may be frightful, but the calendar says it is June. This means it's wrap-it-up time in 223 ILT. During our last unit of study, Research & Information Fluency, we tied together all of the concepts and skills we have practiced this year and typed a 2-page research paper on Cyber-Skills. In addition, we created a public service announcement using the program Animation-ish. In June we will put one foot forward by practicing some Grade 7 ILT concepts and skills.
Our focus this month will be on netiquette. We will practice netiquette through games, videos, composing e-mails, and commenting on blogs. Sixth-grade ILT students will log onto their G-Mail account, learn the interface, and compose a professional e-mail. Families should be on the lookout for student Apple ID paperwork as students will also be logging onto their school provided iTunes accounts this month as well.
As we end our year of technology literacy together, we are also going to reflect upon individual computer skills. Students will take the end of year keyboarding skills assessment to demonstrate skills of keyboarding 25-30 wpm with fewer than 5 errors as outlined by Massachusetts standards. Students will also assess their computer literacy skills based upon the article "10 things you have to know to be computer literate" found by clicking this link: Computer Literacy Skills.
Summer, we are almost ready!
The weather outside may be frightful, but the calendar says it is June. This means it's wrap-it-up time in 223 ILT. During our last unit of study, Research & Information Fluency, we tied together all of the concepts and skills we have practiced this year and typed a 2-page research paper on Cyber-Skills. In addition, we created a public service announcement using the program Animation-ish. In June we will put one foot forward by practicing some Grade 7 ILT concepts and skills.
Our focus this month will be on netiquette. We will practice netiquette through games, videos, composing e-mails, and commenting on blogs. Sixth-grade ILT students will log onto their G-Mail account, learn the interface, and compose a professional e-mail. Families should be on the lookout for student Apple ID paperwork as students will also be logging onto their school provided iTunes accounts this month as well.
As we end our year of technology literacy together, we are also going to reflect upon individual computer skills. Students will take the end of year keyboarding skills assessment to demonstrate skills of keyboarding 25-30 wpm with fewer than 5 errors as outlined by Massachusetts standards. Students will also assess their computer literacy skills based upon the article "10 things you have to know to be computer literate" found by clicking this link: Computer Literacy Skills.
Summer, we are almost ready!
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Week 33
Dear 223 ILT Families,
We meet again...welcome back to our class blog. It has been a busy week of testing in 223 ILT. Students took a mid-term keyboarding assessment to see how close to typing "25-30 wpm with fewer than 5 errors" they have reached. Next there was the Unit 6 post-test on Edwin so students could demonstrate their understanding of Research and Information Fluency concepts and skills. Then we wrapped up our week with Part 2 of the Learning.com assessment trial. Take a breath, it's all over!
We will return to our research during Week 33, May 4-8, 2015. First we will synthesize our notes and create an outline using the template we recorded in our Online Interactive Notebook (a.k.a. Research 2015 document). Next we may need to return to our trusted Internet sources for more fact-finding. Then we will type the bibliography page using the citations we recorded in MLA format for each source we visited. After we will share our drafts with a peer for feedback before we begin the task of typing the 2-page research paper during Week 34 meetings.
Do you remember this creepy fellow? Yes, it's Tetanus, getting ready for a brief nap. I am posting this picture to remind you of how search engines work. So, do you remember? Post a comment with your response. Be sure your response follows Digital Etiquette--our published writing is visible for the world to see.
Enjoy your weekend,
Ms. Thackston-Dodge
Dear 223 ILT Families,
We meet again...welcome back to our class blog. It has been a busy week of testing in 223 ILT. Students took a mid-term keyboarding assessment to see how close to typing "25-30 wpm with fewer than 5 errors" they have reached. Next there was the Unit 6 post-test on Edwin so students could demonstrate their understanding of Research and Information Fluency concepts and skills. Then we wrapped up our week with Part 2 of the Learning.com assessment trial. Take a breath, it's all over!
We will return to our research during Week 33, May 4-8, 2015. First we will synthesize our notes and create an outline using the template we recorded in our Online Interactive Notebook (a.k.a. Research 2015 document). Next we may need to return to our trusted Internet sources for more fact-finding. Then we will type the bibliography page using the citations we recorded in MLA format for each source we visited. After we will share our drafts with a peer for feedback before we begin the task of typing the 2-page research paper during Week 34 meetings.
Do you remember this creepy fellow? Yes, it's Tetanus, getting ready for a brief nap. I am posting this picture to remind you of how search engines work. So, do you remember? Post a comment with your response. Be sure your response follows Digital Etiquette--our published writing is visible for the world to see.
Enjoy your weekend,
Ms. Thackston-Dodge
Friday, April 17, 2015
Week 32
Hello 223 ILT Friends,
A week of spirit at BIS followed by a spirited week of vacation, and now we return to the last push of the school year--April 27-June 25th. What did you do over your spring vacation? I hope that by the time we read this blog together I can share something wonderful with you about my spring break! Remember Friday's spirit day? Yes, favorite music group. Well, as I write this blog I am listening to my favorite band, Led Zeppelin. No doubt, you are listening to our Music Memory CD at this moment.
Okay, time to get back to work: Today you will take the keyboarding mid-term. Remember, this is only a mid-term grade. It assesses where you are right now. Use this data to make a plan to reach your goal of 25-30 wpm with fewer than 5 errors. You will also take the Unit 6 Research & Information Fluency post-test. We will use the DESE online testing tool, Edwin. No, not friend Edwin from 6D. We will compare your pre- and post-test scores so that you can see how much your brain has grown since March 2nd. Pretty cool, eh?
Do you remember the Learning.com online test program? You took Test 1 before vacation to try out the program for the BPS Technology Department, and during our second meeting this week we would like you to take Test 2 for a score. Mrs. White, Mrs. Butcher, and I reviewed all of the test questions and guess what--it seems that you have actually practiced almost all of those skills with me this year in Grade 6 ILT. I am so excited! I had my doubts, but I think when we get a grade for Test 2 we may just decide the Learning.com test is actually worth using for our program.
Ready? Let's begin our day.
Sincerely,
Ms. Thackston-Dodge
Hello 223 ILT Friends,
A week of spirit at BIS followed by a spirited week of vacation, and now we return to the last push of the school year--April 27-June 25th. What did you do over your spring vacation? I hope that by the time we read this blog together I can share something wonderful with you about my spring break! Remember Friday's spirit day? Yes, favorite music group. Well, as I write this blog I am listening to my favorite band, Led Zeppelin. No doubt, you are listening to our Music Memory CD at this moment.
Okay, time to get back to work: Today you will take the keyboarding mid-term. Remember, this is only a mid-term grade. It assesses where you are right now. Use this data to make a plan to reach your goal of 25-30 wpm with fewer than 5 errors. You will also take the Unit 6 Research & Information Fluency post-test. We will use the DESE online testing tool, Edwin. No, not friend Edwin from 6D. We will compare your pre- and post-test scores so that you can see how much your brain has grown since March 2nd. Pretty cool, eh?
Do you remember the Learning.com online test program? You took Test 1 before vacation to try out the program for the BPS Technology Department, and during our second meeting this week we would like you to take Test 2 for a score. Mrs. White, Mrs. Butcher, and I reviewed all of the test questions and guess what--it seems that you have actually practiced almost all of those skills with me this year in Grade 6 ILT. I am so excited! I had my doubts, but I think when we get a grade for Test 2 we may just decide the Learning.com test is actually worth using for our program.
Ready? Let's begin our day.
Sincerely,
Ms. Thackston-Dodge
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Week 30
April 6-10, 2015
Dear 223 ILT Families,
Welcome 2014-2015 students to the 223 ILT blog. So, what can you expect to find here? First, you are on the post. On this page you will read about what we are doing in class each week. The blog from X2 and Blogger are the similar. You will also see tabs for homework, class work, and useful sites. After you read the blog entry, take a tour of the site to become familiar with how our class blog is set up to help you be successful. Oh, and don't forget to feed our pet penguin, Pete, some fish before you go--he gets awfully hungry hanging out by himself.
Lesson 6.55 Note-Taking Using Search Engines During class we will continue to find facts using validated online sources that support our thesis statement. It may help you to log onto Google Docs and review your list of 10-20 research questions as well as look at how you grouped your questions into paragraphs. Today we will use the search engine Web Path to search the Internet. Hey, did you recognize that blue and underlined text on the words "Web Path"? That's right! It is a hyperlink so that you can give the words a click and, poof, a new tab will open to the site. Ready to get started? Open your blue book to a new page, write today's date at the top, search Web Path for a relevant website, write a citation for the site, read--Ctrl+F--and take notes.
Lesson 6.56 Synthesis Although our research climb has had its rocky terrain, we have reached the summit! With a blue book full of notes from a variety of validated online sources we are ready for Step 5 of Big6 Skills, which is to Synthesize. Our Key Question is how can I organize and present my information, and this is where we will employ the strategies of (1) writing an outline to help organize the report, and (2) writing a rough draft to complete the 2-page research paper. The hard part was climbing the mountain. Our downhill run has been made easier because of all your hard work at the start of this assignment. On Google Classroom you will find an OUTLINE template. It includes the P-Q-E writing strategy you use in ELA class. You will use your blue book notes to fill in the outline, and next week you will begin typing your 2-page research paper.
Until we meet again,
Ms. Thackston-Dodge
Dear 223 ILT Families,
Welcome 2014-2015 students to the 223 ILT blog. So, what can you expect to find here? First, you are on the post. On this page you will read about what we are doing in class each week. The blog from X2 and Blogger are the similar. You will also see tabs for homework, class work, and useful sites. After you read the blog entry, take a tour of the site to become familiar with how our class blog is set up to help you be successful. Oh, and don't forget to feed our pet penguin, Pete, some fish before you go--he gets awfully hungry hanging out by himself.
Lesson 6.55 Note-Taking Using Search Engines During class we will continue to find facts using validated online sources that support our thesis statement. It may help you to log onto Google Docs and review your list of 10-20 research questions as well as look at how you grouped your questions into paragraphs. Today we will use the search engine Web Path to search the Internet. Hey, did you recognize that blue and underlined text on the words "Web Path"? That's right! It is a hyperlink so that you can give the words a click and, poof, a new tab will open to the site. Ready to get started? Open your blue book to a new page, write today's date at the top, search Web Path for a relevant website, write a citation for the site, read--Ctrl+F--and take notes.
Lesson 6.56 Synthesis Although our research climb has had its rocky terrain, we have reached the summit! With a blue book full of notes from a variety of validated online sources we are ready for Step 5 of Big6 Skills, which is to Synthesize. Our Key Question is how can I organize and present my information, and this is where we will employ the strategies of (1) writing an outline to help organize the report, and (2) writing a rough draft to complete the 2-page research paper. The hard part was climbing the mountain. Our downhill run has been made easier because of all your hard work at the start of this assignment. On Google Classroom you will find an OUTLINE template. It includes the P-Q-E writing strategy you use in ELA class. You will use your blue book notes to fill in the outline, and next week you will begin typing your 2-page research paper.
Until we meet again,
Ms. Thackston-Dodge
Friday, May 16, 2014
May 16, 2014
Dear 223 ILT Families,
Wow! It has been awhile since we last met on this blog. I have great news--students have finished their research project and we are about to begin our final unit of the school year, Unit 8 Cyber-Skills. First, we will learn how to use a Wacom Bamboo tablet and pen to access folders, programs, and launch the Internet. This includes an artistic expression activity in which students draw the shape of a rock and creatively transform the rock into something else through a pictorial drawing on Paint. Second, we will read Peter Reynold's book, The Dot, and "make our mark" on Mr. Reynold's Fablevision program Animation-ish. Everyone has an ISH inside, and during this activity students will release their inner ISH! Third, brings us to June. We will start off June by taking a keyboarding assessment. Then we will review our cyber-skills, which include Digital Citizenship, Online Safety, and Cyber-bully Awareness & Prevention. Fourth, a little bit of research and website evaluation as students use online resources to gather facts and statistics to support what it means to be Digital Citizen, use technology and the Internet safely, or ways to keep oneself cyber-bully free. Fifth, it's time to design a storyboard for our final project of the year: Create a Public Service Announcement that informs or educates society about the importance of Digital Citizenship, Online Safety, or Cyber-bully Awareness & Prevention.
With that, we will come full circle on our 180-day journey through Information Literacy & Technology skills.
Sincerely,
Ms. Thackston-Dodge
Dear 223 ILT Families,
Wow! It has been awhile since we last met on this blog. I have great news--students have finished their research project and we are about to begin our final unit of the school year, Unit 8 Cyber-Skills. First, we will learn how to use a Wacom Bamboo tablet and pen to access folders, programs, and launch the Internet. This includes an artistic expression activity in which students draw the shape of a rock and creatively transform the rock into something else through a pictorial drawing on Paint. Second, we will read Peter Reynold's book, The Dot, and "make our mark" on Mr. Reynold's Fablevision program Animation-ish. Everyone has an ISH inside, and during this activity students will release their inner ISH! Third, brings us to June. We will start off June by taking a keyboarding assessment. Then we will review our cyber-skills, which include Digital Citizenship, Online Safety, and Cyber-bully Awareness & Prevention. Fourth, a little bit of research and website evaluation as students use online resources to gather facts and statistics to support what it means to be Digital Citizen, use technology and the Internet safely, or ways to keep oneself cyber-bully free. Fifth, it's time to design a storyboard for our final project of the year: Create a Public Service Announcement that informs or educates society about the importance of Digital Citizenship, Online Safety, or Cyber-bully Awareness & Prevention.
With that, we will come full circle on our 180-day journey through Information Literacy & Technology skills.
Sincerely,
Ms. Thackston-Dodge
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Week 26: Unit 7 Research Skills
Dear 223 Families,
Unit 7 Research Skills is underway in 223 ILT. We began this unit by building background knowledge on using Internet resources on a fact-finding mission. Students watched a video on Discovery Education that reviewed our Internet skills. We went on our fact-finding mission by using BIS Library Databases to identify ten famous African Americans. Our second hunt required us to select and apply criteria to determine appropriate resources for specific purposes and to identify our informational needs. We will also engage in an online activity that teaches us the importance of cross-referencing sources--and avoid overusing one resource.
Our task this unit is to conduct research on one of the U.S. National Parks based upon the categories of Location, Founding of Park, Wildlife, Activities, and Geographical Features. In April we will transform our research notes using Google Earth to create a virtual field trip of the park. We will conclude the unit in May with presentations of the Google Earth tours.
Mark your calendars:
> Week 29: March 31-April 4 students will take the written Unit 7 Assessment
> Week 34: May 5-9 Google Earth tours are due
> Week 35: May 12-16 students present tours
Be sure to log onto Moodle, our online classroom, to preview, review, and make-up missed assignments.
Sincerely,
Ms. Thackston-Dodge
Dear 223 Families,
Unit 7 Research Skills is underway in 223 ILT. We began this unit by building background knowledge on using Internet resources on a fact-finding mission. Students watched a video on Discovery Education that reviewed our Internet skills. We went on our fact-finding mission by using BIS Library Databases to identify ten famous African Americans. Our second hunt required us to select and apply criteria to determine appropriate resources for specific purposes and to identify our informational needs. We will also engage in an online activity that teaches us the importance of cross-referencing sources--and avoid overusing one resource.
Our task this unit is to conduct research on one of the U.S. National Parks based upon the categories of Location, Founding of Park, Wildlife, Activities, and Geographical Features. In April we will transform our research notes using Google Earth to create a virtual field trip of the park. We will conclude the unit in May with presentations of the Google Earth tours.
Mark your calendars:
> Week 29: March 31-April 4 students will take the written Unit 7 Assessment
> Week 34: May 5-9 Google Earth tours are due
> Week 35: May 12-16 students present tours
Be sure to log onto Moodle, our online classroom, to preview, review, and make-up missed assignments.
Sincerely,
Ms. Thackston-Dodge
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