Creating a Class Blog for Endangered Species

On Friday, we worked on coming up with questions about our endangered species' to expand the amount of research we have for each animal. Then we began a class blog and modeled how to look for answers to the researcch questions we developed by searching for information about the hasksbill turtle. We showed students how to organize and post the information we came up with. For homework, students had to research each question for their specific endangered animal. During our session this Friday, students will be adding the research they gathered for their animal to our class blog.

3rd Grade Approach

I was reading over the 2 options you wrote for the approach to creating out PSA. I like the 2nd option better. It follows the way my brain works. I hope it works for the students too. So I would like to "Plan out ideas for the various PSAs and use that to direct what information goes on the web site" Thank you for the suggestions they were helpful. See you tomorrow.

Researching Endangered Species

On Friday, we continued working on our project about endangered species by researching endangered species' in New York via the internet. We discussed the types of websites that are appropriate for accessing research information. We also learned how to type in a URL address to locate websites. In addition, we practiced scanning texts to find the information we needed.

Planning Ahead

I can't wait to meet with all of you again on Friday. Here are some of my ideas for each class but these are only suggestions. Let me know if you have any better ideas, want to suggest changes, or have any questions. Grade 1: I'd like to work on a whole class research organizer about the hawksbill sea turtle. Some topics for research could be: description of the animal; food; habitat; why it is endagered; possible solutions. We only need one computer and the projector for this activity. Grade 2: We will continue with the research you started last week, putting students their own computers (2 per computer works best). I suggest either giving them a research question, or asking them to write a research question. They can find the answer on the Internet and then write it in their own words. You can create a "Frequently Asked Questions" page on your wiki. This may take more than one session. I'd also like to chat about the community service part of this project. I'm sure you have some good ideas. Grade 3: Since your research is coming along nicely, I'd like you to consider what the next step should be. We can approach this one of two ways: -- Post information from the research on a web site (such as a wiki) and use that to guide our PSA topics, or -- Plan out ideas for the various PSAs and use that to direct what information goes on the web site. Either approach is appropriate, so let me know what makes sense to you and I will plan accordingly. Grade 4: Hopefully you have your groups set by now and each group has a focus topic for their segment. To help guide the research, I suggest that each group needs to "pitch" an idea about their segment to the producer (that would be you!) At this grade level, I like to give a structure to what the pitch should include. Something like: --One sentence that explains what the segment will be about. --One sentence that discusses why this segment is important and relates to our essential question. --Three important facts from the research that will be showcased in the segment. Each fact should be supported by details. (We need to make sure they understand the idea of major ideas and supporting details) -- An explanation of what the group needs to do to get ready for the segment. Especially if they have to build something, do something, draw something, etc. -- A concluding sentence that persuades the producer that their idea is a good one. These are just suggestions, You can adapt it to what you think the needs are. Each group writes their pitch (some teachers use a worksheet, others leave it open ended) and then presents it orally to the class. This will obviously take more than one period to complete. You can start before I come, or wait until I come and then finish it up next week. Either way is fine.

Finding Facts 3rd Grade

Friday we spent the day learning how to read a website we also talked about how to find important facts. Then we worked writing facts in our own words. We have just started to gather information. The students have a few facts each.

Website Research

This week we practiced navigating websites to find information. The students were introduced to asking a question first. The next step was reading the titles and headings on the webiste to see if they answer the question, using links to move from one area to another, and reading the information. Finally we practiced simple note taking about the most important thing. Next week I'm hoping to get the students on their own computers as well as practice note taking and putting information into our own words!

Class 4-404 Learns How to Use the Internet to Find Answers to Our Questions

Today our class spent the day finding web sites that would provide us with useful information on conservation. We found some great sites and added them to our portaportal site. In addition, we talked about how to navigate a web site in order to find information and answers specific to an inquiry or topic. Together, we decided we wanted to learn why conserving water is important. We then used our links to find out information specific to this question. The students did a great job. The students will now come up with their own individual questions and spend the weekend trying to find information specific to that question. It will be interesting to see what the students come up with.

Class1-104's Excellent Podcast Adventure

Class 1-104 is very excited to be creating a podcast about endangered animals in Brooklyn. We began our adventure by brainstorming reasons we know of that affect the survival of wild animals. After students determined several factors contributing to the endangerment of animals, we began to record those ideas using power point. Next, we practiced setting up a class podcast by introducing ourselves and our favorite animal. The information was recorded and played back to the students. I was so excited to see my students' faces light up as they heard themselves on the podcast when it was played back. By the end of the session everyone was eager to get started on their research, about endangered animals in Brooklyn.

Class 4-404 is Going Green

When Ms. Moran told my students that they would be creating a news program about all the ways we can go green in our lives, they were so excited that I thought they were applauding their favorite celebrity. Needless to say, my class is totally excited for our class portaportal where they contributed some great web sites on pollution. They have been researching the difference between point and non-point source pollution. I can't wait to see what they find!

3rd Grade Portaportal and Blog

I set up a portaportal for the 3rd grade.  This week they will be finding websites to add to it.  I started them off with a few sites but it will be growing as the week goes on.  

Class 3-304 Portaportal 

We also are starting a blog this week.  They are watching commercials to see what they notice.  They will write they findings on the blog.  

P.S. 376 Fights Pollution 

Class 2-204's Wiki

Our class started to create a Wiki about Planting Trees. We have already searched and added pictures using Wikipedia. You can visit the Wiki to see what we are doing...

www.msnewman376.pbwiki.com

Daily Summary for Week 2

Wow, am I exhausted. There was a LOT going on in our school today. Here is a brief recap:

• Grade 1 is focusing on "Protecting Wild Animals" and is going to make an Endangered Animals Podcast. Ms. Perez is going to do some research on finding out endangered animals local to Brooklyn and we are going to connect this project to her Science content. Today students revisited PowerPoint and learned what a podcast is. We even created a simple introductory podcast with each student introducing him or herself!
  
• Grade 2 is focusing on "Planting Trees" and is going to document their real-world tree-planting efforts on their class wiki. The wiki is created and students learned how to download pictures from the Internet. Ms. Newman is going to post a link to the wiki we created to this blog so everyone can see.
• Grade 3 is focusing on "Preventing Pollution" and is going to make a series of PSAs (Public Service Announcements). This will be a combination of informational website with video and graphics designed to convince the public that pollution is preventable. The class learned what a PSA is and looked at some of the elements of PSAs by visiting the Ad Council website. Ms. Catania is going to help her students select topics and introduce Internet research by creating a PortaPortal. Students will have to justify why the website they want to use will be useful in their research.
• Grade 4 is focusing on "Ways People Can Go Green" and is going to make a news show documenting their efforts. Each cooperative group will have a specific topic, such as composting, using recycled objects, etc., and develop a segment of the news program around this topic. Today, students learned some basic tools and tips of Internet research, including how to evaluate the value of a website. Ms. Liebmann created a PortaPortal site to collect their links and students are going to use this to complete a homework assignment about the difference between point and nonpoint source pollution. How smart are they?!?

Well, you can see why I'm exhausted, but it is definitely the good kind of exhausted. I'm look forward to seeing each teacher post to the blog this week! Let me know if you have any questions or problems and I will see you next Friday!

Ms. Newman's Class

Our class started discussing ways to Protect the Planet. We came up with a list of ways to protect the planet and voted on the topic that was most important to us. As a class we decided we would like create a project about the importance of Planing Trees in the community.

The Big Vote- Grade 3

After talking with the students they decided on two topics saving energy and pollution. We took a vote and pollution won. So i guess we are helping the environment become cleaner and educating other on how they can help as well.

3rd Grade Brainstorming

Grade 4 Brainstorm

This is what the fourth graders came up with for their brainstorming activity.

They insisted on adding pictures! Good job, 4th graders!

Getting off to a GREEN start

Yesterday was the kick-off to the Project-based learning initiative for the TAG classes. It was such a pleasure to meet each of the teachers and their classes. I felt we got off to a great start!

The decision to "go green" with the Protecting the Planet project was unanimous. Students helped us brainstorm ideas for the project and in grades 2-4 we used Smart Boards to record those ideas. In grade 1 we introduced students to the laptops and got them to start their very first PowerPoint.

Next week at our planning meeting we are going to develop a time line for the project. In order to be ready for this, each teacher needs to determine:

1. An essential question: You can use the generic question for the project (What can kids do to help protect our planet?) or you can make a specific one for your class.
2. A final product to showcase: This can be anything you want, such as a PowerPoint presentation, a movie, a website or wiki, a publication (book, brochure, newsletter), or a combination of products. You may have some non-technology products as well.
   
3. How students will be grouped: You can pair students or create small cooperative groups of 3 or 4 students, depending on what your final product will be. Each group can have a specific focus topic that relates to your essential question.
   

I encourage you to discuss some of the above with your students and to let them participate in some of these decisions. This will give them ownership into the project.

Finally, take time to practice with your Smart Board this week. Connect the Smart Board to a computer and use it for anything you might be teaching during the week.

I look forward to seeing you all on Friday. Have a great week!
--Susannah