Smittie's K.I.D.S. Rock!

How Do You Vote

2010-06-01T09:56:00.000-07:00

Follow this link to vote on awards for each of your classmates.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dEV4YlhUUkdZWl9uRmQ4Wkp3ZTVpaWc6MQ

TAKS and Your Future Quest....Hmmm!

2010-04-05T05:57:00.001-07:00

Everyone knows how I feel about the The Big Ugly, uh, I mean the TAKS test. Since I moved to Texas after teaching in New Jersey and Missouri, I often compared the assessment procedures of the three states and find Texas to be the most meaningless. However, is that really true? Every state needs some sort of accountability system to ensure that the students know what they were expected to learn, along with a check system for teachers to make sure that the classroom is a place that is conducive for meaningful learning. However, a paper and pencil test doesn't neccesarily measure a child's ability to produce, nor accurately measure what they know. Also, just because a student passes or not, doesn't mean the teacher can or can not teach. Therefore, I'm a proponent of alternative means of assessment such as student digital portfolios, but that is not the point of today's assignment blog. Our state believes that the TAKS test or some variation of it determines student success in the future. No one can predict the future, but do you believe that this particular test sets the precedent of what your future will look like?

Today's blog will require you to think about that last statement and respond by letting everyone know what you think about the TAKS test's ability to determine your success or lack of success in your future. Does it have an affect?

Title Your Blog: Future Quest

Happy Blogging!

He Made Me Rap, OMG!

2010-04-01T05:50:00.000-07:00

Well, today is April 1 and it is no April Fool's joke that we will showcase your Math Mastery Songs. I know some of you truly enjoyed the activity, but some really hated the idea from the beginning all the way up to the end. However, you did it! Now I want to know about your experience. In a blog entry, please let me know how you felt about the project of writing your own song complete with music. In your entry, please consider the following:

* Your feelings regarding the assignment in the beginning
* Your feelings about the assignment in the end
* Your fears
* Your doubts
* How you felt about singing/rapping
* How comfortable or uncomfortable you were about creating your own music
* What you would change about the project
* What you would do differently now that the project is complete
* Would you consider a career in music
* What you liked/disliked about the entire process

Let it out, but make sure your language and conversation is appropriate Smittie language. However, don't be afraid to be honest.

Due today!

Happy Blogging

Coming Back From Spring Break (ugh!)

2010-03-21T20:46:00.000-07:00

I know, I know; you were all excited about getting back into the groove of things after a very relaxing week long vacation. Well, needless to say, I was thrilled about having to return to my routine of getting up at 4:30 in the morning just to prepare my self for my journey to Mesquite from Grand Prairie after enjoying sleeping until noon on most of the days of our break. But, it is what it is, so we might as well make the most of it.

So, to open up this two week stretch before the Big Ugly, let's work with how you truly felt about coming back to school just to get ready to take the TAKS test in two weeks. In this blog entry, I want you to:

1. Express your truest feelings about your thoughts of having to come back to school after chillin' for a week
2. Provide your thoughts about having to take the TAKS
3. Tell me what the TAKS test means to you
4. Describe the importance of the TAKS test and those who deem it most critical
5. Explain your confident level in taking the test
6. Convey what you will do about the test once you take over after graduating from college

You can include anything else within your entry, just ensure that each of the above questions are addressed within your post.

Happy Blogging!

Countdown To The Big Ugly!

2010-03-21T20:26:00.000-07:00

Well, it's that time of year again; panic for most, but not for Smittie's K.I.D.S. This is the time of year that everyone in the state of Texas begins to bite their fingernails with bated anticipation of the latest TAKS test provisioned by the powers that be in Austin. However, we here in Portable 86 are confident in our abilities to produce the knowledge obtained in this school years and those of the past. Therefore, we fear not. on the contrary, we look forward to the opportunity to strut our stuff so to speak and we look at the "Big Ugly" as that platform; our stage to perform our greatest showcase... ourselves. So as we countdown the days, we want you to countdown with us as we prepare to put on the greatest show of our lives... so far!

President's Day - Abe Lincoln

2010-02-18T08:21:00.000-08:00

Part 1

Welcome back to "Your Thoughts" blog after a brief hiatus to create a lightning thief blog. Ok, maybe our absence was not brief, but it is good to return to our regular blogging assignments. This week, as we commemorate President's Day, we will highlight President Abraham Lincoln as we prepare to begin our unit on the Civil War in the upcoming weeks. For starters, view the BrainPop video (http://brainpop.com)on Abraham Lincoln; you already know the username and password. While viewing the video, put yourself in the shoes of an African-American farmer from Massachusetts, a white abolitionist from Massachusetts, and a white senator from Alabama and consider why you would or would not have voted for Lincoln in the 1860 election. Post an entry that explains your response for each individual person. You just need one(1) entry for all the responses. Make sure you back up your explanation with information from the video and additional research. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln).

Part 2

After finishing your responses, get with your "yellow" partner and pretend that Abraham Lincoln has granted you an interview. Together create a minimum of 5 questions and answers and record your interview with Mr. Lincoln as a podcast and post it on your blog after Part 1.

Title your post: President's Day - 1860 Presidential Election

Happy Blogging!

The Lightning Thief Introduction

2010-01-05T13:56:00.000-08:00

As we begin our literature journey into Rick Riordan's The Lightning Thief create a new blog dedicated just to your assignments associated with our novel study. You should title your blog: [Your name] And The Lightning Thief (your url will read - [yourname]andthelightningthief.blogspot.com) After creating your new blog, go to my Lightning Thief blog: smittieandthelightningthief.blogspot.com and scroll down to follow this blog. This is where I will post all assignments from, along with my own thoughts while reading the novel.

Once this is completed, create your first post by responding to 4 of the 7 following prompts. Choose any 4 you like but only make one entry to answer all 4 questions. Make sure that you retype the question prior to answering; include the question number and then make sure there is a space between the question and your response.

Here are the questions:

1. Have you ever been treated unfairly by a teacher (or parent, or other adult)?
Describe the circumstances and why you considered the treatment unfair.

2. What do you know about learning disabilities such as ADHD or dyslexia? Do you
know anyone who has a learning disability? Do you think a person with a learning
disability should receive more time to complete tests or less homework than a
person without a learning disability? Explain your position.

3. In Ancient times, the Greeks had gods for many important forces in their lives --
the sea, thunderstorms, farming, music, medicine, poetry, archery, etc. Why do
you think they imagined many different gods rather than just one? Would this
make life more confusing or less confusing?

4. Young children often imagine that their parents aren’t really their parents. What
would it be like if you suddenly found out that you had a “real” father or mother
you never knew about? What if this person was extremely rich and powerful –
would you accept them as a parent?

5. Do you believe in anything that science can’t prove -- such as magic, or ghosts, or
creatures like the Loch Ness monster? Why or why not?

6. Have you ever been to summer camp? If so, describe what you did or did not like
about it. If not, imagine and describe what you think a typical summer camp
would be like – any impressions from television or movies?

7. You have been granted one magical item of your choice. What would this item be,
and what power would it have? Explain your choice.

Happy Blogging

Wow What A Revolution!

2009-12-14T08:25:00.000-08:00

The war is over and the Americans have gained their freedom when the Prime Minsiter of England, along with Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams placed their signatures on the Treaty of Paris in 1783. You are back home (or the one who fought for you family) and things are going to be different now, however you still harbor feelings about the war. Using what you learned about the particular battles during the Revolutionary War along with the clips from "The Patriot" to explain how you feel about coming home from the war. In addition to coming home, how has your world changed due to the American victory. In this entry be as detailed as possible to take us through your thoughts about what is going to happen now that the Revolution has been won. Questions to ponder:

1. How will you make money?
2. Will you buy land?
3. How much rebuilding of the cities will need to take place?
4. What will be your role in the rebuilding process?
5. What is going to happen to the land won in the French and Indian War?
6. What are you going to do the next Independence Day (4th of July)?

Here are some links that will help in bringing realism to your blog entry:

American Revolution
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolution

Post Revolution
http://www.harlingen.isd.tenet.edu/coakhist/amrev.html#POST

Happy Blogging!

I'm Off To the War Mom....

2009-12-02T06:15:00.000-08:00

You have just been summoned by your colony to go fight in the war against Britain and you just got to the point where your life was where you wanted it. However, you agree with why the war needs to take place. In a blog entry explain your last 3 days that you will spend before you go to war. Please include the following:

* Reflections on your feelings about the events that lead up to the war
* What you will say to your family and friends (it's fine to pretend you are an adult with a family)
* What activities you will participate in considering this may be your last chance to do some of the things you've always wanted to do.
* Explain your emotions about going to war
* Include important people involved in the fight for freedom that either have an impact on you or on your decision to join the continental army.

You may include a any additional information, but make sure you use your background knowledge to make your blog entry as realistic as possible as if you were actually there in the 1700's. You can refer to your notes to provide details for your entry.

Please title your blog: I'm Off To War...

Special Note: For you ladies, considering women were not allowed to fight in the army you may not want to pretend to be a boy going off to war. So, in light of this fact, you can reply from a mother's perspective who's husband or sons are going off to war.

Happy blogging.

If you need some help with background information, you can watch this video about the Road to the Revolution.

http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=144117&title=Road_To_The_Revolution&ref=imaginebeingbetter

The Voyage

2009-11-05T06:48:00.000-08:00

Pretend you are a West African living in the early 1700's. Write a blog entry describing one day of your life in West Africa; A day in your life during the Middle Passage; and a day of your life after arriving North America.

Your entry should include:

1. An accurate description of what happened to you on that day.
2. An explanation of the dilemma you faced
3. An explanation of how you dealt with the dilemma and why you reacted that way.

Dream Makers vs. Dream Breakers... A program with a REAL Message!

2009-10-30T08:32:00.001-07:00

Today you witnessed a truly inspirational presentation about understanding what it took to be a Champion and how to live that life every day. Mr. Lowery, of Commandos! USA presented a notion to us after demonstrating his amazing strength, and that idea was about differentiating between a Dream Maker and a Dream Breaker. In your blog response today, I would like for you to express yourselves openly in regards to this idea. Include these thoughts in your response:

1. What is the difference between a Dream Maker and a Dream Breaker?
2. In which category do you fall?
3. What personal experiences have you had with either Dream Makers and/or Dream Breakers?
4. How can you either change from a Dream Breaker to a Dream Maker or what example can you set, including what things you can do that will encourage yourself while influencing others to hang out with Dream Makers or become one themselves.

Don't hesitate to put yourself in a vulnerable position with this entry. This is our moment to understand who we are and as it was said, you are fearfully and wonderful made. That means, you are a Masterpiece and no outside labels should be able to convince you any differently.

Happy Blogging!

If I Were Astro Boy...

2009-10-22T21:11:00.001-07:00

There will not be a reading blog this week. Hold your applause, instead you will concentrate on your creative writing piece regarding Astro Boy. You are to watch the video, (a larger version available on our media website) and then respond by creating an adventure as if you were Astro Boy saving the world. The idea is to be the actual creation and come up with the mechanical devices that would be apart of your framework. Anything from extra strength in some form, rockets on your feet, to super breath; anything goes as long as each item has a purpose in helping defeat all odds in saving the world. The movie clip is to serve as you inspiration as you begin to write. Each story must:

1. Have a beginning, middle, and end.
2. Involve an antagonistic villian that is trying to destroy Earth.
3. Contain two additional characters that aid in the quest.

The adventures will be submitted as a blog entry and must have an illustration of the main character posted as well.

The best story, as voted on by your peers (may include some 5th graders from other classes), will receive two (2) movie passes to see Astro Boy at the AMC Theatres. The best illustration will also be decided by peer vote and the winner will receive the same prize.

Questions to ponder while writing:

What is my main idea?
What is the setting of my adventure?
What adjectives will help the reader visualize my adventure?
Who are the characters involved and in what manner do they affect the story?
What is the conflict?
Why is their conflict?
When does this all happen?

Just a few questions to get your story web started. Have fun with this. You have until Wednesday, October 28 to complete this assignment.

Happy Adventuring!

Here is another clip to inspire you!

Tearing Off The Labels: Assignment #2

2009-10-14T20:09:00.000-07:00

I notice that many of you are having a ton of fun being creative with the Tearing Off the Labels lesson. However, it's time to move on, so you need to get serious about finishing your project and getting it posted on your blog. So, here are the directions given on Tuesday to guide you in completing your work.

1. Finish your "Tearing Off The Labels" music.
2. Write lyrics to fit your music that deals with tearing off YOUR labels.
3. Place your music in a blog and write your lyrics as a new post and publish so others can listen to your music and read your song at the same time. (Go to smittieskids.com and click on tutorials if you don't remember how to do this. Title your new post: Tearing Off My Labels Song
4. Read other entries posted by your classmates and make a comment on at least 2 blogs. (make sure your comments are appropriate and positive)

Also, don't forget to add to the sidebar of your blog and "follow" my blog in order for you to make sure you get the assignments when they are posted.

Along with that, for your listening pleasure, I have added the Reality Ride and Defense Mechanism songs to my blog. So enjoy.

Tearing Off The Labels: Assignment #1

2009-10-08T08:16:00.000-07:00

This blogging assignment involves the lesson on Tearing Off Labels. Use our discussion and your own personal thoughts to create a blog entry that includes your responses to the following:

Is there a downside to having labels?
What are some things other people like about you?
What are some things that you like about yourself?
What are some labels you have been given (Positive or negative)?
Why do you think you might have been given those labels?
If you live up to your negative labels, where do you think they might get you?
If you live up to your positive labels, where might they get you?

Please be careful and not just list answers to the questions above. Instead create a explanation written in a casual conversational tone that includes your answers to the questions. If you want to listen to the label song while you blog to give you ideas of how to answer these questions, or provide ideas for your song that will eventually go along with this assignment, you can click the media player to your right.

Happy Blogging!

Was That Really Fair? Assignment #1 2nd 6-Week

2009-10-04T20:39:00.000-07:00

As you become more comfortable with blogging it is now time to assess your work. Your first assignment for the second six-week grading period is pretty simple. Blog about your day at the Texas State Fair (if you choose to go on Fair Day). Your blog entry should include a complete description using at 25 adjectives that helps the reader, in this case me, gain a better knowledge of your day be involving all of my senses. I need to be able to visualize your day through the adjectives you choose describe each event. If you do not go to the State Fair on Monday, I still need you to give an account of your day's events with the same approach. We talked about adjectives and sequence of events so the blog should be fairly simple.
As you write, don't forget to use your sequencing words:

Next,
Then,
After that,
After (previous subject),
Afterwards,
Following (previous subject),
Finally,
Once that was done,
Once we finished,
When we finished,
When that was over,
At 2:00,
In the car,
During the show,
Upon returning home,

Have some fun with this and happy blogging.

Due by 4:00 pm Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Future Quest Lesson 1

2009-09-28T19:32:00.000-07:00

FutureQuest Blog - Create a blog entry that discusses what it looks like and sounds like to be a respectful, trustworthy, and thoughtful student both at home and in the classroom. (You can use the FutureQuest graphic organizer as a guide.) Then talk about the characteristics that you hvae and/or need to be a successful student. Try to use the words respectful, responsible, obedient, peaceful, honest, trustworthy, and thoughtful in your entry. Next, talk about how these traits will help you gt to college; your ultimate goal. you can include information regarding what you plan to do in life and how these traits apply. Finally, publish your entry with the title: FutureQuest Lessson 1.

Happy Blogging.

Why Are Plants and Algae Important In An Aquarium

2009-09-28T19:27:00.001-07:00

Re-read the information on Duckweed, Elodea, and Algae and answer this question:

Why are plants and algae important in an aquarium?

Write you answer in your science journal and then create a blog entry using the question as your title an type in your answer. Start your entry by explaining to your audience why you are writing this assignment. (i.e. We did an experiment with ecosystems and we used Duckweed, Elodea, and Algae to align our aquarium...)

Happy Blogging

Welcome To The Blog

2009-09-15T21:29:00.000-07:00

Here we go... blogging to have our personal views and in-depth ideas expressed in a way that is unique to our own voices. We use blogging in Smittie's class to allow students to talk about what they think and what they learn while they are learning. Smittie's K.I.D.S. will have a plethora of opportunities to blog during experiments, classroom activities, or the blog will be used to submit writing assignments involving all subjects. This blog, Smittie's blog, will serve as the hub for the explanation of the assignments along with my own thoughts about the state of the classroom. Students will receive rss feeds on their personal blogs when instructions are uploaded and anyone will be able to check this "hub" blog to see the completions of those assignments in particular. Anyone will also be able to find links to our other media outlets such as our wiki page, hub website, and media website where all class videos and most podcast will be held.

All blogs will earn a grade and there is a rubric that serves as a guide when completing blogging assignments. You can obtain a copy of the rubric on our hub page. http://smittieskids.com Click on the resource tab and locate Blogging Rubric.

Another issue is the proper use of blogging. Go to the link below and learn about Online "dos and dont's" and watch the video to prepare yourself for discussion and a short online quiz.

http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Kids/Fun%20things%20to%20do/Video/Online%20dos%20and%20donts.aspx

Happy Blogging