Assignment 6 (7th and 8th Grade), Assignment 8 (6th Grade): Planet Earth Exposed!, Part 1

1. Get ready to see some incredible videos of nature.  Choose 3:

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Birds
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Fox and Ducks
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Grass
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Rainforest
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Shallow Seas
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Sharks

2. Now answer the following questions in your blog:

a) Describe the environments shown in the videos you chose. What plants or animals lived there?
b) How are the places you saw different from the nature we have in New York City?  How, if at all, are they similar?
c) Of the environments you saw, which were the most interesting?  If you could travel to one, which would it be and why?

–> Click HERE to see an example


The InSite (7th and 8th Grade)

The InSite

I just discovered this sensational website called The InSite.  It’s all about teen issues and how to deal with life’s dramas.

Spend at least 30 minutes checking it out and answer the following questions in your blog using your own words:

1) What is something you learned about dealing with emotions (for example, guilt, loneliness, and embarrassment)?

2) What is something you learned about dealing with relationships with friends, family, or boyfriend/girlfriend?

3) What is something you learned about your health (for example, drugs, sleep, and body image)?

–> Click HERE to see an example from BLozado

Assignment 1 (6th Grade): Make an Apple Account

Make an Apple Account

Before you get started in the wonderful world of blogging, you need to make an apple account.  This account will let you store your files on a single computer and customize your computer to look the way you want it to.  WARNING: sometimes your computer won’t be available…DON’T WORRY…almost everything we do is on the Internet…not on your individual computer.  If you’re smart, you’ll make an account on a bunch of computers.

CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE DIRECTIONS

Welcome 6th Graders!

Well hello there! You are about to start a brand new technology adventure like nothing else!  It’s called “blogging” and it will let you share your thoughts, feelings, and ideas with the world.  Those who read your blog will be able to comment on what you’ve written and share their experiences with you.  Once you start blogging, you may never want to stop! So here’s your assignment:

1. Click on the link below to watch a video that explains blogging:

2. Next, watch a video about what blogging means to Island School Bloggers:

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3.  Now, check out a few blog posts from Island School Students:

EMcNeil composed a poem about being a student

PNegron made an animation about “blood diamonds”...

AVelazquez pretends she woke up as a lady bug

Rhernandez put a movie in his blog about being healthy

SColon wrote a poem about her brother

SJones posted about a dream she had…

4. Before the end of class, let’s get back together and discuss the following questions:

-What is a blog?

-What can you put in your blog?

-What do you think is not o.k. to put in your blog?

Ayiti: The Cost of Life

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In Haiti only about half of the children receive an education and only two percent finish high school.  Without a proper education, the poor stay poor in Haiti (and many countries like this.)  While education is the key to rising out of poverty, many parents are not able to send their kids to school.  Why not?  Play the game below to find out:

Play the game Ayiti  about life in Haiti by clicking HERE.  In your blog answer the following questions:

1)  How is Ayiti different from 3rd World Farmer?  How is it the same?

2) What strategies did you use? For example, did you combine work and school, or did you send everyone to work? Which worked? Which did  not?

3)  Why would parents choose to devote so much effort to sending their children to school?  What obstacles did you face in trying to keep them in school?

** BONUS **

4. Explore a Google map of Haiti by clicking HERE.  What are some things you observe about the country?  For example, which city in Haiti has the most houses?  What part of Haiti seems the emptiest?   What countries are near Haiti?

Brave New Voices: Episode 2

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Watch the first part of episode 2 by clicking HERE

Watch the second part of episode 2 by clicking HERE

Watch the third part of episode 2 by clicking HERE

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Now answer these questions in your blog:

1. What does it mean to be “vulnerable” when writing and reading poetry?

2. Why is being “vulnerable” when writing and reading poetry important?

3. Which poet did you relate most to?  Why?

Brave New Voices: Episode 2

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Watch the first part of episode 2 by clicking HERE

Watch the second part of episode 2 by clicking HERE

Watch the third part of episode 2 by clicking HERE

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Now answer these questions in your blog:

1. What does it mean to be “vulnerable” when writing and reading poetry?

2. Why is being “vulnerable” when writing and reading poetry important?

3. Which poet did you relate most to?  Why?

The Power of Spoken Word

brave

1. Watch part of Russell Simmon’s Brave New Voices by clicking HERE.

2. Click HERE to read some spoken word poetry.

3. Pick one that you find powerful.  Practice reading the poem in a way that brings out its power. Now, record yourself in IMovie reading it.  Put the video on your blog (make sure to give credit to the author).

** BONUS **

4. Inspired?  Write your own poem and record yourself saying it in IMovie.  Publish the video on your blog.

Becoming a 3rd World Farmer

3rd-world

1.  Click HERE for a quick tutorial on how to play 3rd World Farmer

2.  Play 3rd World Farmer by clicking HERE

3.  Answer the following questions in your blog:

a) What was life like as a 3rd World farmer?

b) Explain your strategy to do well in this game.

** Extra Credit **

c)  3rd World Farmer captured the experience of a family struggling to survive on a farm in a poor country. Describe a game that captures your experience living in New York.

Assignment 37 (7th and 8th Grade) Assignment 35 (6th Grade): Sneakers, Part 5

mac-on

1. Click HERE to watch Sneakers, Part 5.

2. Continue filling out your Bubbl.us

3.  Next, click HERE to see my Flickr page full of print advertisements for sneakers.

4.  Next, create an advertisement to sell one of the shoes you made in the last assignment.  You will be using Photoshop to create the ad.

–> Click HERE for a tutorial.

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