Thursday, November 30, 2006

Reflecting back

Review the transcripts of the conversation from the fishbowl today and compare them to our previous fishbowls. Are we getting to where we want with the inner and outer circles? Are we achieving our fishbowl goals? Are you still feeling the same way about Skype versus Blogger? What changes do we still need to make? Let me know your thoughts and please remember to react to one another's comments and suggestions.
Period 2 Group 1
Period 2 Group 2

Period 5 Group 1
Period 5 Group 2

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Appreciate

In the past few chapters of The Chosen, we have seen Reuven come to the conclusion that he appreciates things in his life more now than he once has. Once he almost lost his sight, he re-examined many areas of his life. Can you identify and relate to Reuven? Have there been times in your life where you have almost lost something and regained it not realizing how precious it was until you almost did not have it back? Make sure to respond to each others' comments.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

The Chosen Fishbowl 1-3 period 5

Please reflect on the use of Skype today in class by recalling the discussions as well as looking over the transcripts from group one and group two. React to what went well, what were some challenges or concerns, and what do we need to improve upon. Not only do we need to question what we did, but we need to be constructive with our criticism offering suggestions for improvement.

Also, make sure to compare the use of Skype to the use of Blogger. Keep in mind in your analysis what the objective was for the inner circle, the outer circle, and our entire objective of fishbowl.

The Chosen Fishbowl 1-3 period 2

Please reflect on the use of Skype today in class by recalling the discussions as well as looking over the transcripts from group one and group two. React to what went well, what were some challenges or concerns, and what do we need to improve upon. Not only do we need to question what we did, but we need to be constructive with our criticism offering suggestions for improvement.

Realize that the emoticons will not appear in the transcript. Make sure to compare the use of Skype to the use of Blogger. Also, keep in mind in your analysis what the objective was for the inner circle, the outer circle, and our entire objective of fishbowl.

Friday, November 17, 2006

Period 5 This I Believe . . .

Please see the Period 2 post just below this for a description of the assignment.



The Odeo Player only displays the first 20 podcasts - so here's a second player for the additional ones.

Period 2 This I Believe...

Last year a colleague had me listen to a segment on National Public Radio called "This I Believe". After hearing and reading some of the submissions as well as researching the history behind the segment, I was intrigued. I wanted to challenge my students to submit their own essays to NPR spending time writing rough drafts, editing, peer editing, and then finally submitting their polished draft to the station. I thought, how powerful for one of them to have their work published nationally. How powerful for all of them to know that their voices matter.

I gave this assignment to my ninth graders towards the middle of this semester and they really embraced the opportunity. I wanted the Honors kids to complete the assignment as well. After having them listen to my other ninth graders as well as listening and reading examples from online, they podcasted their own work.

What is so intriguing to me about this assignment is that these kids wanted to not just complete it, but to share the things they believed in with the world. They wanted to be in-charge of letting others hear what is important to them, what mattered to them.

Please listen to what matters to these kids...what is it they believe in? Feel free to leave constructive feedback for them, but please keep in mind that this is their first try as well as their teacher's. They are putting themselves out there. They are our future. Hear what they have to say.

Note: Click and drag on the scroll bar in the player below to see all the podcasts. It only displays eight at a time, but there are more if you scroll. You can't click above or below the scroll bar to move it up or down, you must click and drag on the scroll bar itself.


The Odeo Player only displays the first 20 podcasts - so here's a second player for the additional ones.