Blog Due Monday, May 20

Title:  In My Opinion - The Best Virtual Field Trip

It is approaching the end of the school year.  Financial resources at your school have been tight.  Your principal has just informed you (the teacher) that your class will not be able to take the planned field trip you had scheduled for next week.  You are disappointed and you know your students will be distraught as they were excited about the learning opportunity outside of the walls of your classroom.  Now what?

Wait!  You negotiate a reservation in the computer lab, and create an opportunity for your students to take a virtual field trip.  With little time to create one of your own, you scrammble to find one your students would love.  Read the eSchool News article, Ten of the Best Virtual Field Trips, and select the one you would choose for your students.  Be sure to click on the titles of each trip listed so you can go on the virtual trip. Explain why you would choose the trip, the grade/content it is for, what features you like about the trip, what the students would learn from the trip, and more.  I'll tabulate everyone's choices and see which one came out on top!

Want more to choose from?  Take a look at these reviews of some of the most popular virtual field trips.

More Virtual Field Trips



Blog Due April 25

Title:  How Do We Keep Our Students Safe and Secure in School?


For the first time, a civilian addressed the nation during the president's weekly address. Francine Wheeler, mother of six-year-old Ben Wheeler, who was killed in the Sandy Hook tragedy, addressed the nation encouraging citizens to push for stronger gun reform measures.  View her message below:

Sandy Hook Victim’s Mother Calls for Commonsense Gun Responsibility Reforms

Four months have passed since the murders of 20 students and 6 teachers. Discuss your feelings about the tragedy.  Do you agree that stronger gun reforms are the way to prevent tragedies such as Sandy Hook?  Or, do you feel teachers and other school personnel need to be allowed to carry fire arms?  Or, is there another option?

If you were responsible for improving the safety and security of American schools, what would your plans include?  Offer specifics and examples.

Blog Due February 15

Title: Teacher Toolbox Featuring Glogster

This blog assignment will be different from the others you have done.

You will be using the web 2.0 tool, Glogster, to create a teacher toolbox. 

Follow the directions on the link below.  It will take you to a sample glog (electronic poster) so you can get an idea of what a glog is. 

Your glog post will consist of the title, and the URL of your glog.  If it works, you are done!

Due dates:  Friday, February 15, unless you are a senior completing a scholarship or a TAFE member who is working on a state competition/event.  Your deadline will be extended.

Teacher Toolbox Glog Assignment

Blog due on Friday, February 1

Title:  Defending Your Decision to Teach

Read the article, Life 101:  Defending Your Decision to Teach, from the November/December 2012 issue of FEA's Go Teach magazine.

As you read, think about what you would reply to the question, "Why do you even want to become a teacher?"

Write your response.  Be sure to emphasize three points that make your decision solid.  Format your response in such a way that it is obvious what your three points are.  Give examples, testimonials, or support for your points.

If you can't reply affirmatively to this question, then discuss the concerns you have about selecting a career in education.  Again, you should have three points that outline your concerns.

Remember to follow the guidelines for referencing, giving credit where it is due, and including media in your post.

Formatting, spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization -- they are very important in your post.

Blog Due Monday, January 14, 2013

Title:  Am I a Procrastinator?

We have just rung in the New Year, and it is customary to make resolutions at this time.  In order to make meaningful resolutions and set attainable goals, it is important to reflect on our current actions.  

Read the following article about Overcoming Procrastination.

Click on this Link

Are you a procrastinator?  Do you procrastinate frequently, or does it only happen occasionally?  Create a new blog post to answer these questions by including the following:

Paragraph 1

Once you have read the article,  review the bullet points and select the one you think best pinpoints why you procrastinate.  Use examples of your behavior to support your selection. If you are not a procrastinator, select the bullet point that you think is most likely the reason why most people procrastinate.  Use examples of others you know to support your selection.  (No names - Do not throw others under the bus publicly.)

Paragraph 2

Read the suggestions in "How to Overcome Procrastination."  Select one or two of the bullet points that you think you can try this year to improve your performance in the classroom, on the job, your personal life, etc.  Comment about how you will try to use these suggestions to reduce procrastination.  

Remember to include the following in your post:

• Response is well-thoughtout.  Concise writing (few words hit the point) is better than rambling paragraphs. 
• Interesting layout through placement, use of text color, size, fonts, etc.
• Free of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization errors.
• Media is included in the following manner:
• Link to the media on which you are commenting
•  Two links to two different types of supporting material
• Other articles
• Websites
• Videos
• Graphics
• And more

Semester Exam Blog

For Year I Students Only!

Due:  At the end of your final exam period

During the fall semester you participated in an "Image Scrimmage."  Throughout the semester you have had an opportunity to practice and use the skills covered in that activity.   In your opinion, which component of the "Image Scrimmage" has the biggest effect on the impression others (your mentor, classroom students, administrators, etc.) form of you at your field site? Here are some of the components:

• Written communication skills (resume, cover letter)
• Confidentiality
• Professional Dress
• Marketing Yourself - Introduction poster
• Ability to handle sticky situations - Ethical dilemma
• Presentation skills - How to Read a Book
• Networking - Visit with the superintendent

Explain, in detail, why you selected the component you did.  Support your answer with examples, testimonials, and happenings from the EAT class.

Remember to include the components required for a blog (see September blog) such as written content, formatting, writing conventions, link to reference blog, and 2 sources of media.  One source must be a piece of support material that backs your answer such as a video or link to reference article.

Blog Due Friday, December 7, 2012

Blog Title:  My Favorite Internet Teaching Resource(s)

As you prepare lessons and activities to present during the 3rd six week grading period, recommend your new favorite internet site(s) that can be shared with your classmates. 

• For what devices is the site best suited? (iPad, SMART Board, computer, Smart phone, etc.)
• What makes this site outstanding?
• Why did you select this site over others? 
• Name some unique features you will use. 
• Offer suggestions for use in the classroom. 
• What grade level and/or content area would it best be suited for?
• Include the links to this source (and others) on your blog. 

Here are some places to start looking: 

Lesson Planning Resouces

BISD Instructional Technology Picks

BISD iLearn Resources to Reinforce TEKS and STARR Objectives