good webcast!

Hi Stephanie and welcome to you. My mind is still overflowing exciting times ahead for educationalists.

Hi dear Stephanie, my greetings from the old content Europe. I write to you from Germany/Bavaria.
My focus is on Web 2.0 apps as to education and I published a lot of sites until now. In general I work with Notebook-Classes - Web 2.0 tools on the first top!
Bye the way as to Classroome 2.0: I created the biggest group called DigiSkills about digital teaching methods like blogging, using wikis.... Would love if you decide to join this group too.
Hans

Hi Stephanie,

Thanks for the friend request! So glad to connect with another 2.0 aficionado.

Excellent blog, I'm jealous that u have a 1:1 laptop program especially w/ Apple!! Mac's are the way to go!!!

I have, in spite of my self! There were times when I thought it was a little too MUCH. I reached critical mass trying to play catch-up after a trip to Costa Rica. I think I did six "things" in one day and thought my head was going to explode!

In the end, I feel it was a greatly rewarding and (excuse the cliche) empowering class. I can do so much more now and no longer fear the technology.

The hard part (and the fun part) lies ahead, APPLYING this knowledge in ways that aren't superfluous. I am still new to teaching (this is my 3rd year) so planning is still a little elusive. All of these tools have created even more options for me, which is a little intimidating. I want to get it right the first time (personality disorder) but know there will be some failed experiments this year (and every year, I am sure).

I look forward to staying in touch with you and how you are using the tools. Are you excited to start another year at Lovett? How long have you been at school? Teaching?

Wow-It must be so exciting to be part of a 1:1 program. I am technology integrator. I work with students in grade K-5. I would love to start using more WEB 2.0 tools to start collaborating with classrooms around the world. Would you be interesting in doing a project with a 4th grade class in PA?

Welcome back!!! R u using your TOOLS yet?

:)

Hi Stephanie,

First of all, I notice that you teach at the Lovett school. I'm coming to your neck of the woods for the second time Monday, April 20, as part of the PLP Consortium, which Lovett hosts! I teach at Shorecrest. This year, we had quite a different WRAP experience, as the kids took it in early Fall, so that by January we could have the results back to see what each child needed to work on during the year. It was a ridiculous prompt, not one that would set the kids up for success in my opinion, as the question was more geared for an adult answer.

Anyway, what I do, and this is for seventh grade, is I show them what a scored 1 comment looks like, a 3, and so on to a level 6. We discuss the differences that we see and I tell them what the readers are looking for: Do not open your essay with a question, the use of commas, and especially semi colons used correctly will show a mature use of punctuation and will earn them points, the use of complex sentences, and flow of thought is important. I tell them to keep their ideas simple, stick to the prompt, and lose the flowery language. It's all in the organization, be sure to open the essay creatively, and end with a conclusion.

Your children are younger, so I would adapt any of my suggestions to their level. Honestly, I don't think we are even doing the WRAP next year.

Hope these ideas help!