Social Studies Meets Information Technology

You are responsible for checking the calendars linked below and coming to class prepared. Your current event presentation and current event response are due on the date you see your name on the calendar.

You may use computers and the Internet connection at school in the technology lab or in the library if you encounter problems. Refer to the student planner for information about how your grade will be lowered if your work is late.

Come and see me if you have any questions before the day your assignment is due so I can help solve any problems you may encounter.

Here’s a list of what we discussed in class today:

THE POST INCLUDES

• The same title as the homework or classwork assignment on this site
• A link back to the homework or classwork assignment on this site
• A link to the article that the student is discussing
• The questions (copied and pasted) from the homework or classwork assignment on this site

IN THE CONTENT OF THE POST, THE STUDENT
• Follows the instructions from the homework or classwork assignment on this site
• Clearly explains what he or she is writing about
• Uses paragraph spacing, titles, and headings to organize the post
• Uses proper conventions (grammar & spelling – use spell check)
• Uses thorough examples
• Uses many details

Keep these tips in mind when you are writing your own posts!

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

Remember, there are some important rules we all must follow:

1. Students using blogs are expected to act safely by keeping personal information out of their posts. You agree to not post or give out your family name, password, user name, email address, home address, school name, city, country or other information that could help someone locate or contact you in person. You may share your interests, ideas and preferences.

2. Students using blogs agree to not share their user name or password with anyone besides their teachers and parents. You agree to never log in as another student.

3. Students using blogs are expected to treat blogspaces as classroom spaces. Speech that is inappropriate for class is not appropriate for your blog. While we encourage you to engage in debate and conversation with other bloggers, we also expect that you will conduct yourself in a manner reflective of a representative of this school.

4. Student blogs are to be a forum for student expression. However, they are first and foremost a tool for learning, and as such will sometimes be constrained by the various requirements and rules of classroom teachers. Students are welcome to post on any school-appropriate subject.

5. Students blogs are to be a vehicle for sharing student writing with real audiences. Most visitors to your blog who leave comments will leave respectful, helpful messages. If you receive a comment that makes you feel uncomfortable or is not respectful, tell your teacher right away. Do not respond to the comment.

6. Students using blogs take good care of the computers by not downloading or installing any software without permission, and not clicking on ads or competitions.

7. Students who do not abide by these terms and conditions may lose their opportunity to take part in this project.