Social Studies Meets Information Technology

You have 2 assignments to complete. Both postings must be typed on your OWN blog. Remember, we will not meet again as a class until Tuesday, 6 September (due to ITBS testing).

ASSIGNMENT NUMBER 1

Your task is to:

Now that you have had a chance to read through our Sample Current Events Posting we would like you to practice writing a “Response Posting” on your OWN blog.

Your task is to:

1. Read the sample current events posting again.

2. Find an article for one of the statements below:

a. Find another article about the same event and describe what new information has emerged.

OR

b. Find a similar event and write about how they are connected.

3. Include a link to the article that you found (by copying and pasting the URL into the your post — make sure to leave a space before and after the URL).

4. Answer both of the questions below:

a. What did you find interesting about this topic?

b. What did you like about the initial blog posting?

5. Post your answer on YOUR BLOG.
NOTE: To post your blog, log in at Learnerblogs.org and go to the “write, post” tab.

ASSIGNMENT NUMBER 2

1. Re-read the assignment from: Homework for Block H 23 August

2. Find your comment.

3. Think about our discussion in class today. What can you do to improve your comment?

4. Re-write your comment to include everything we discussed in class today.

5. Log in to YOUR blog. Go to “write post”.

NOTE: Make sure to copy and paste into your post the 2 links that relate to this post: (1) the URL for Homework for Block H 23 August and (2) the URL for your current events article that you are writing about.

5. Post your new comment on your blog. Make sure to spell check, grammar check, read out loud, and format with paragraph spacing before you click publish.

In class today, we discussed:

What does it mean to be affected by a current event?
When you think about the people affected by a current event, think about the change to their lives after the event. How are things different for the people affected? What will they have to change about their lives now?

How to demonstrate deep understanding of the content:
- Use examples
- Add explanations
- Include details

ASSESSMENT

You will be graded using the rubric below:

Excellent (5 points)

• It is clearly evident that the student read and understood the news article.
• All responses demonstrate a deep understanding of the content.
• All questions are answered thoroughly.
• All information is accurate.

Good (3-4 points)

• It is evident that the student read and understood the news article.
• All responses demonstrate an understanding of the content.
• Most questions are answered thoroughly
• Most information is accurate.

Needs Improvement (0-2 points)

• It is not evident that the student read and understood the news article.
• All responses demonstrate a simplistic understanding of the content.
• Few questions are answered thoroughly.
• There are problems with accuracy of information.

You have 2 assignments to complete. Remember, we will not meet again as a class until Tuesday, 5 September (due to ITBS testing).

ASSIGNMENT NUMBER 1

Your task is to:

1. Log-in to your own blog. The URL should be something like this:
http://robbie.learnerblogs.org/wp-admin.php
Note: Make sure to put your username after the http:// and then use the rest of the URL as it’s listed above.

2. Click on the write tab to create your first post.

3. Answer the question: What have I learned about current events so far?

4. In the title section, write “What I have learned about current events so far:”

5. In the post section, answer the question. Make sure to write a full paragraph describing everything you have learned about current events over the last few weeks. Make sure to spell check, grammar check, read out loud, and format with paragraph spacing before you click publish.

6. When you’re done with your post click publish.

ASSIGNMENT NUMBER 2

1. Re-read the assignment from: Homework for Block D 22 August

2. Find your comment.

3. Think about our discussion in class today. What can you do to improve your comment?

4. Re-write your comment to include everything we discussed in class today.

5. Post your new comment on your blog. Make sure to spell check, grammar check, read out loud, and format with paragraph spacing before you click publish.