Welcome Back

I am reviving the class blog for the remainder of the school year. You may post to this blog with your insights about science or you may respond to other people's posts in the comments section. As an opening assignment I would like for you to reflect on your experience with exit projects. Tell us about your project, about how you like doing an exit project (compared to regular science class) and what problems you may be encountering. I have turned off comments for this post. Please create a new post for this assignment by using the "blogger" button in the panel on the right. Use comments to discus someone else's post.

Test Question 3 for Pilot Students

It is now your turn to find something interesting on the web and post a link for the rest of us. Please post the following information:

1. The name & address of the main website.
2. A brief summary of the main website - who publishes it, what's its purpose, who's its audience, etc.
3. A specific part of the website that you want others to view - an article, a photograph or diagram, an animation, an interactive game, or whatever.
4. A summary of the specific part of the website that you want others to view.

Guidelines

--- Must be a science related website.

---Compose your response on a word processor first, then copy & paste to the comments. Check for spelling & grammar!

Test Question 2 for Pilot Students

Greetings

Here is another animation related to what we are doing with plants. It isn't as exciting as the virus animation, but interesting nonetheless.

Transpiration Animation

Here's the catch. This animation does not have a voice over (narration). Therefore, I would like for you to create a voice over for the animation. You might want to have a pencil & paper handy to help you compose your voice over.

Here are a few guidelines to help you:

1. Describe the opening image. Explain the function of any structures that are named in the animation (roots, trunk, etc.). Explain the title of the animation.

2. Explain what is happening when the camera zooms in. Again explain any terms that are introduced.

3. When the action begins, explain the process that is taking place. Explain the function of xylem, which is the structure that is being emphasized in the animation. Hypothesize what the function of the phloem might be (try to figure this out before looking it up in a book or on the internet).

4. Think about timing. Your descriptions need to be short & sweet since the animation moves along rather swiftly and lasts only about 45 seconds..

This voice over is due by Tuesday, June 1st, 2004.

POST ONLY YOUR FINAL DRAFT ON THE BLOG

- compose your drafts on paper and consult with me during class or via e-mail.

A Message to Parents

Dear Parents:

I believe that this blog will be a valuable tool for helping students succeed in Grade 8 Regents Living Environment. If you have concerns about the nature of this blog or how it might be used, and are a little reluctant to allow your child to participate, you can feel free to monitor the discussions that take place here for a while until you are more comfortable with it.

I have taken every precaution to protect the privacy of students. I have coached students about how to use the blog and how to conduct themselves online. There is no private information about students ANYWHERE in this blog or on this website. All students use screen names, no student e-mail address or other personal information is stored anywhere on this blog. Only students in my classes are allowed to post comments, and if any unacceptable comments are posted, I can delete them quickly & easily and block any student who posts inappropriate comments from posting again.

If you have any questions or concerns that I might be able to answer, feel free to contact me by e-mail at any time:

M. Gatton
mgatton@vzavenue.net

Test Question 1 for Pilot Students

Greetings students. Please click on the hyperlink below to watch a short animation on a virus infecting a cell.

Virus Infecting Cell Animation

This animation may take a few seconds to load, so be patient. After watching the animation, click on "Comments" below and post a response to the animation. Feel free to respond to what another student says. Please also comment on how you feel about this kind of "homework" assignment. Just remember the rules we discussed in class about blogging etiquette.

A Note to My Students

Please note that I expect you to remain anonymous on this blog and to respect your classmates' anonymity - that is, only use your official screen name, and only use your classmates' screen names if you wish to respond to one of their comments. Do not post any personal information about yourself or your classmates, do not post your e-mail address, do not respond to posts from screen names you do not recognize. Although I will monitor this blog and delete any messages from outside our class, there may be times when you read a message before I have a chance to delete it. There a lot of people out there who have nothing better to do than annoy others and they will occasionally stumble upon our blog and "graffiti" it with rude or non-sensical posts. Ignore them.

Do not change ("edit") your Profile. The only information that should be listed there is your screen name, which you need to sign in and post comments. Remember your screen name & password.


Read & follow these rules when blogging:

Privacy

• Do not use your real name when posting to the blog - use screen names only.


• Do not use a classmate’s real name- use screen names only.


• Do not post your e-mail address if you have one.


• Do not post other personal information such as addresses, phone numbers, etc.


• Do not change or add to your “Profile.” Your profile is for your screen name only. No other information should be added. The e-mail address listed in your profile is mine. Do not change it.

Etiquette

• Use appropriate language as if you were speaking directly to me at school.


• Be respectful of your classmates and their ideas. Flaming will not be tolerated.


• Write in complete sentences, with appropriate capitalization, punctuation, & spelling, to the best of your ability. This is not “instant messaging” - avoid cutesy abbreviations.


• Stick to the subject.


• Comment on the post only.


• Do not use the blog to complain about school, teachers, or classmates. You may offer constructive criticism or personal opinions if a post invites you to comment on your feelings about a particular assignment, subject.

Welcome

It is only May 17, 2004, and I am so excited about teaching Regents Living Environment next year that I am planning furiously for September. I have begun reorganizing my website- originally a teachers-only resource - to take on a dual role of continuing to provide resources for teachers and now Living Environment students.

My goals in planning are:

• Develop a comprehensive syllabus


• Create a list of labs


• Prepare a list of materials needed


• Produce an information packet for students and parents to be delivered before the end of the current school year


• Develop a list of homework assignments for the year


• Create an online grading system so students & parents can always have access to progress, grades, assignments, etc.


• Develop worksheets and other templates for assignments


• Prepare notes and PowerPoint presentations


• Place as much material as possible on my website

This is probably a partial list, and I'm sure other ideas will pop into my head between now & September. So to the students I say, be prepared!