Week of November 12, 2012

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Monday we had Veteran's Day off to celebrate the holiday.  Always remember freedom isn't free.  Thank a Veteran!

image source: 
http://www.frugal-cafe.com/public_html/frugal-blog/frugal-cafe-blogzone/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/veterans-day-courage-poster.jpg

image source:
http://www.hotimgus.com/data/Veterans-day-2012-holiday


Speak Up!  This week we will be taking Project Tomorrow's Speak Up technology survey.  Students have a chance to be heard regarding technology in education.  Last year Project Tomorrow had some impressive numbers:

420,891 people participated in the survey

330,117 were students in grades k-12
38, 502 were teachers and librarians
44,006 parents participated
4,133 administrators took the survey

5,616 schools were represented
24% urban, 35% rural, 41% suburban

All 50 states were represented!



Get to the survey from here: http://www.speakup4schools.org/speakup2012/

If you wanted to find out more about 2011's findings here is a great presentation.

This week we'll also be helping out a 7th grade classroom.  Ms. Burnett's homeroom is one of the classrooms participating in Columbia College's T.E.A.M. grant.  Students created a survey to give to the students in our school.  They will take a look at the answers to their survey questions and create infographics to display their data.  I will be helping in the lab and documenting some of their journey through my fellowship with T.E.A.M. this year.  Stay tuned!

K-1:  I found the survey was too difficult to give to kindergarten students.  We tried, but then turned our attention back to our two favorite staples ABCYA.com and Starfall.com!  The goal is to try the T.E.A.M. survey with 1st grade this week.

2-4:  Students in these grades will take both surveys this week and focus on KidBiz3000.com (3rd-4th grades).

5-8:  As with the younger students this week students in middle school will take both surveys.  Media Literacy projects are also due by Friday so whatever remaining lab time there is this week after taking surveys will be devoted to finishing this.

NETS Covered this week:
1b:  create original works as a means of personal or group expression
2b:  communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats
5a: advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology
5d:  exhibit leadership for digital citizenship
6a: understand and use technology systems


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