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!