Expressing strong opinions is fun to do, but doing it in a way that encourages other people to see things your way is an art... and it takes practice.
Today you are going to read two articles which present facts and opinions. I want you to read these articles with these questions in mind:
- How do I feel about these issues?
- Are these authors influencing my thinking?
Article One: Fattism Article Two: Fix Schools
After reading, create your own blog called "See It My Way." In this blog you need to do the following:
-Say which article you think was better and why? Did you like the points? The topic? The writing style? What about it was better than the other one?
-Say how you feel about one of the two topics and support your opinion with at least two reasons.
Then go here and read one article- any one you want.
-Leave a comment on that site.
-Put a link to the article you selected on your blog.
-On your blog, say why you liked or disliked that opinion piece.
Here's my sample:
I like the way Thomas Friedman puts the issue of education. When he says our education system fails to produce people prepared for the competitive global market, I nod and totally agree. His article is about something I am very passionate about because I am a teacher, trying hard to get students to learn and because I am a parent, afraid for my son in this big, crazy world.
The article I read from TeenInk was the one in which a writer responded after reading an article called "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" That's an article I've read, so I was curious what she thought. I agree with Molly Hull, the author. I too think the more we use the internet, the more we change our brains. I liked what she had to say because I could tell she was thinking about an important issue.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
News Around The World
Today we are going to look at current events around the world. You'll open this wonderful site in a new tab to get started. Once you've reached the newseum site, you will need to follow this set of directions.
FOR CLASS
You are going to read the front pages of two newspapers for the state whose name you drew. Then you are going to put the following in your journal.
a) City and State
b) Newspaper Name
c) Article Title
d) Summary of the Article
Remember you are doing this twice. You read one story in one paper and one story in another paper- both papers from the same state. I drew Texas, so here's my sample:
a)San Antonio, TX
b)San Antonio Express News
c)SAISD Gets Closer To Shuttering 13 Schools
d) The largest school district in San Antonio is closing many of its schools. Last night the school board approved this effort, so now they are moving forward. Other schools will get bigger to absorb the students whose schools were closed.
FOR YOUR BLOG
a)Create a new blog entry called "Newspaper Pictures."
b)Search by region on Newseum for a newspaper not in the United States.
c)Find one with an interesting pictures and save the picture to your computer.
d)Put that picture into your blog and the tell us the following information:
1. What country and what newspaper had the picture
2. On what day that picture the picture appeared
3. What you think is happening in the picture
4. Why you selected that image.
Here's my sample:
This picture is from a paper called Al-shrq in the country called Qatar. This picture appeared in the paper on October 27, 2009. It looks like a guy is walking on his hands while people watch him. I selected this picture because it caught my attention.
FOR CLASS
You are going to read the front pages of two newspapers for the state whose name you drew. Then you are going to put the following in your journal.
a) City and State
b) Newspaper Name
c) Article Title
d) Summary of the Article
Remember you are doing this twice. You read one story in one paper and one story in another paper- both papers from the same state. I drew Texas, so here's my sample:
a)San Antonio, TX
b)San Antonio Express News
c)SAISD Gets Closer To Shuttering 13 Schools
d) The largest school district in San Antonio is closing many of its schools. Last night the school board approved this effort, so now they are moving forward. Other schools will get bigger to absorb the students whose schools were closed.
FOR YOUR BLOG
a)Create a new blog entry called "Newspaper Pictures."
b)Search by region on Newseum for a newspaper not in the United States.
c)Find one with an interesting pictures and save the picture to your computer.
d)Put that picture into your blog and the tell us the following information:
1. What country and what newspaper had the picture
2. On what day that picture the picture appeared
3. What you think is happening in the picture
4. Why you selected that image.
Here's my sample:
This picture is from a paper called Al-shrq in the country called Qatar. This picture appeared in the paper on October 27, 2009. It looks like a guy is walking on his hands while people watch him. I selected this picture because it caught my attention.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Web Site Comparion
By now, you have looked at two websites that do the same things. For example, I looked at Dutch Brothers and Starbucks.
Now I want you to write a blog comparing the websites. You need to write one or two paragraphs (complete sentences, good punctuation) saying what impression each site made on you and why. Conclude by saying who has the better site (not product- web site) and why it's better. Be sure you include links to the sites. You can add pictures if you want, but your grade comes from what you write!
Here's my sample:
While I prefer Dutch Brothers Coffee to Starbucks, Starbucks clearly has the better website. The Starbucks homepage shows a video and while it's not a good video, it's better than the guy's picture that takes up the whole main page of the Dutch Brothers homepage.
Starbucks to use better and more technology, and their sit has more links than Dutch Brothers. The Starbucks site is easier to search, except for the locations link. The Dutch Brothers locations link is easier to navigate, and it's a more creative approach, but they have far fewer locations than Starbucks. On the Starbucks site, I can find more things. They have more locations, products, history and general company information than Dutch Brothers. Additionally, Starbucks out does Dutch Brothers in technology. They have flash videos and cool links whereas Dutch Brothers just has images.
Both sites have simple layouts and are easy to search, but the Starbucks site beats Dutch Brothers because it is more visually appealing and more content-rich. Starbucks is a site that feels more developed and more engaging. I, however, still prefer Dutch Brothers coffee!
Now I want you to write a blog comparing the websites. You need to write one or two paragraphs (complete sentences, good punctuation) saying what impression each site made on you and why. Conclude by saying who has the better site (not product- web site) and why it's better. Be sure you include links to the sites. You can add pictures if you want, but your grade comes from what you write!
Here's my sample:
While I prefer Dutch Brothers Coffee to Starbucks, Starbucks clearly has the better website. The Starbucks homepage shows a video and while it's not a good video, it's better than the guy's picture that takes up the whole main page of the Dutch Brothers homepage.
Starbucks to use better and more technology, and their sit has more links than Dutch Brothers. The Starbucks site is easier to search, except for the locations link. The Dutch Brothers locations link is easier to navigate, and it's a more creative approach, but they have far fewer locations than Starbucks. On the Starbucks site, I can find more things. They have more locations, products, history and general company information than Dutch Brothers. Additionally, Starbucks out does Dutch Brothers in technology. They have flash videos and cool links whereas Dutch Brothers just has images.
Both sites have simple layouts and are easy to search, but the Starbucks site beats Dutch Brothers because it is more visually appealing and more content-rich. Starbucks is a site that feels more developed and more engaging. I, however, still prefer Dutch Brothers coffee!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Classroom Connections
If you teach or like math, this is no less than inspiring. Check it Benjamin's math magic from the TED conference:
And if you're a health teacher or interested in life, this is seven minute video from CNN is great:
And if you're a health teacher or interested in life, this is seven minute video from CNN is great:
Monday, October 12, 2009
Ad Analysis
We've made it through a lot of ads and now it's time to choose one to analyze. The hardest part is selecting one, so here are the guidelines for selecting an ad:
YOUR AD MUST COME FROM ONE OF THESE THREE SITES:
Alcohol
Tobacco
General Ads (Commercials and Print Ads)
Once you choose an ad, make sure you copy it onto your blog, either as a picture or video. Then you need to complete the media analysis questions. If you lost your chart, it can be downloaded here. PUT THE SECTION TITLES IN YOUR POST ...AND... YOUR ANSWERS MUST BE IN COMPLETE SENTENCES.
Here's My Sample; Enjoy!
AUDIENCE & AUTHORSHIP
AUTHORSHIP
*This message was made by the corporation that owns Panda Express and their ad agency: Siltanen & Partners Advertising.
PURPOSE
*This ad was made to introduce Panda Express’ new Sweet Fire Chicken Breast and to entertain the audience.
*The target audience is people who already eat at this place or would consider eating there because they are talking about a new Panda Express menu item.
ECONOMICS
*Panda Express paid for the ad.
IMPACT
*People who might benefit from this message include regular or potential customers or people who just want a laugh.
*People who are too broke to go out to eat or people who are offended by meat-eating might be harmed by it.
*This message is a way for me to offer my students a sample ad analysis.
RESPONSE
*In response to this message, I might visit panda express or think of the ad next time I see panda bears.
MESSAGES and MEANINGS
CONTENT
*The ad is about introducing the new Sweet Fire Chicken Breast because that’s what the ad says.
*The point of view is that people and bears like this product and they would be willing to fight for it, so it must be good! It’s presented as something tasty and desirable because they show the guy eating it and the bears licking their lips.
*It would be nice to know how much it costs and what type of chicken it is. It’d also be nice to know what’s in the sauce they put on the chicken.
TECHNIQUES
*This ad uses many techniques: humor, fun, nature, and cartoon (bears licking lips).
*These techniques are used because they create a light-hearted, fun ad introducing a new product.
INTERPRETATIONS
*Some people might be opposed to the violence or talking animals. Others might laugh at the humor. And others still might feel hungry and want to go to Panda Express.
*I think it’s a dumb ad, but for fast food, it’s ok. I realize I don’t really eat there and probably wouldn’t get chicken from a fast food Chinese place- I’ll stick with rice!
REPRESENTATIONS & REALITY
CONTEXT
*It was made in 2009, but it was made for TV.
CREDIBILITY
*The fact is that they have a new product, the opinion is that it’s good. The “other” is that it’s a fun experience to try it.
*The guy and the bears aren’t all that credible; I doubt that it’s super yummy.
*The ideas came from the ad writers.
YOUR AD MUST COME FROM ONE OF THESE THREE SITES:
Alcohol
Tobacco
General Ads (Commercials and Print Ads)
Once you choose an ad, make sure you copy it onto your blog, either as a picture or video. Then you need to complete the media analysis questions. If you lost your chart, it can be downloaded here. PUT THE SECTION TITLES IN YOUR POST ...AND... YOUR ANSWERS MUST BE IN COMPLETE SENTENCES.
Here's My Sample; Enjoy!
AUDIENCE & AUTHORSHIP
AUTHORSHIP
*This message was made by the corporation that owns Panda Express and their ad agency: Siltanen & Partners Advertising.
PURPOSE
*This ad was made to introduce Panda Express’ new Sweet Fire Chicken Breast and to entertain the audience.
*The target audience is people who already eat at this place or would consider eating there because they are talking about a new Panda Express menu item.
ECONOMICS
*Panda Express paid for the ad.
IMPACT
*People who might benefit from this message include regular or potential customers or people who just want a laugh.
*People who are too broke to go out to eat or people who are offended by meat-eating might be harmed by it.
*This message is a way for me to offer my students a sample ad analysis.
RESPONSE
*In response to this message, I might visit panda express or think of the ad next time I see panda bears.
MESSAGES and MEANINGS
CONTENT
*The ad is about introducing the new Sweet Fire Chicken Breast because that’s what the ad says.
*The point of view is that people and bears like this product and they would be willing to fight for it, so it must be good! It’s presented as something tasty and desirable because they show the guy eating it and the bears licking their lips.
*It would be nice to know how much it costs and what type of chicken it is. It’d also be nice to know what’s in the sauce they put on the chicken.
TECHNIQUES
*This ad uses many techniques: humor, fun, nature, and cartoon (bears licking lips).
*These techniques are used because they create a light-hearted, fun ad introducing a new product.
INTERPRETATIONS
*Some people might be opposed to the violence or talking animals. Others might laugh at the humor. And others still might feel hungry and want to go to Panda Express.
*I think it’s a dumb ad, but for fast food, it’s ok. I realize I don’t really eat there and probably wouldn’t get chicken from a fast food Chinese place- I’ll stick with rice!
REPRESENTATIONS & REALITY
CONTEXT
*It was made in 2009, but it was made for TV.
CREDIBILITY
*The fact is that they have a new product, the opinion is that it’s good. The “other” is that it’s a fun experience to try it.
*The guy and the bears aren’t all that credible; I doubt that it’s super yummy.
*The ideas came from the ad writers.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Better Videos
You guys had a very hard time getting videos into your blogs. Today we will practice searching smarter.
For example, if I want a clip from an episode of Sponge Bob, I should search for "Sponge Bob Official Site." From that website, I can easily find clips and select one, like this:
If I want a video of a red train, I go to google and type "red train." But to make my search faster, I click SHORT (0-4 minutes) and VIDEOS ON GOOGLE.COM only. So, I got this:
If I want a clip from Bee Movie, I search "Bee Movie Official Site" and from there, I look for a trailer. Here's what I got:
Now, it's your turn. Make a new blog called "Three Videos" Here's what it needs to have:
1. A clip from a TV show. (For example, I can search "South Park official site" then look for clips, then embed one.)
2. A music video. (For example, I can search "Whitney Houston official site," then look for videos, then embed one.)
3. A video on how to do something. (Search on google videos for "How To" and add a word. I chose "How to walk on water" and this is what I got:
Good Luck and Have Fun!
Oh, and I almost forgot... Check out this neat music video.
For example, if I want a clip from an episode of Sponge Bob, I should search for "Sponge Bob Official Site." From that website, I can easily find clips and select one, like this:
If I want a video of a red train, I go to google and type "red train." But to make my search faster, I click SHORT (0-4 minutes) and VIDEOS ON GOOGLE.COM only. So, I got this:
If I want a clip from Bee Movie, I search "Bee Movie Official Site" and from there, I look for a trailer. Here's what I got:
Now, it's your turn. Make a new blog called "Three Videos" Here's what it needs to have:
1. A clip from a TV show. (For example, I can search "South Park official site" then look for clips, then embed one.)
2. A music video. (For example, I can search "Whitney Houston official site," then look for videos, then embed one.)
3. A video on how to do something. (Search on google videos for "How To" and add a word. I chose "How to walk on water" and this is what I got:
Good Luck and Have Fun!
Oh, and I almost forgot... Check out this neat music video.
Drunk With Bloodshed?
Today I am asking that you read an article. It's ok not to read the whole thing, but read at least one section very carefully. Then, write your own blog agreeing or disagreeing with at least one idea in the article. Here's the article. Here's a sample of what I want you to do:
The article says that as long ago as ancient Egypt, people have been, "drunk with the fascination of bloodshed." This really makes me sick, but I can see that in some of my students love violence as entertainment. A good example would be how Chris and Tony laughed as they showed a cartoon where it rained dead monkeys. I guess some people will always be interested in the most sick and disgusting entertainment out there. Personally, I am more attracted to happy endings and the idea of living a happy life more than bloody violence.
All Of Our Blogs
Go and read other people's blogs. Leave comments on classmates' blog sites. You can also choose to follow them if you want.
Remember to be positive and encouraging!
Here's a list of everyone's blog sites.
http://courtneypoop.blogspot.com
http://sydneyschorsch.blogspot.com
http://chris-blog-zain.blogspot.com
http://tonyandrade979.blogspot.com
http://andrew-maruchan.blogspot.com
http://ohshootitsdan.blogspot.com
diana's blog
http://armandobloggingitup.blogspot.com
http://davidwhitesblog.blogspot.com
http://tommy-tommy04.blogspot.com
http://cynthiarodriguez-cynthia.blogspot.com
http://claro-myblog-claro.blogspot.com/
dakota
http://oss2-skull.blogspot.com
tyler's blog
http://karradruery.blogspot.com
Remember to be positive and encouraging!
Here's a list of everyone's blog sites.
http://courtneypoop.blogspot.com
http://sydneyschorsch.blogspot.com
http://chris-blog-zain.blogspot.com
http://tonyandrade979.blogspot.com
http://andrew-maruchan.blogspot.com
http://ohshootitsdan.blogspot.com
diana's blog
http://armandobloggingitup.blogspot.com
http://davidwhitesblog.blogspot.com
http://tommy-tommy04.blogspot.com
http://cynthiarodriguez-cynthia.blogspot.com
http://claro-myblog-claro.blogspot.com/
dakota
http://oss2-skull.blogspot.com
tyler's blog
http://karradruery.blogspot.com
Monday, October 5, 2009
Creating Your First Blog
Today you are going to create a blog. You will need to follow these steps in this order to be successful:
1) Look to the right and click on "Follow" That opens a new window. At the bottom of that window, click on "Create an Account" and create an account. Choose a user name and password that you'll remember; I don't care what it is.
2) Then go to blogger.com and follow the directions to create a blog account. Choose the title of your blog wisely!
3) Email me your blog site. Your blog site will be something.blogger.com Please put your first name in the website address. My email is hpaul@central.k12.or.us
4) Create your first blog entry. Call it "My First Video."
5) Find a video (must be less than 3 minutes and school appropriate) and embed it into your blog. Write at least one complete sentence explaining why you selected that video; see my sample below.
Here's an example of what I want you to do:
This is a cute song but it also features some really good clay animation.
1) Look to the right and click on "Follow" That opens a new window. At the bottom of that window, click on "Create an Account" and create an account. Choose a user name and password that you'll remember; I don't care what it is.
2) Then go to blogger.com and follow the directions to create a blog account. Choose the title of your blog wisely!
3) Email me your blog site. Your blog site will be something.blogger.com Please put your first name in the website address. My email is hpaul@central.k12.or.us
4) Create your first blog entry. Call it "My First Video."
5) Find a video (must be less than 3 minutes and school appropriate) and embed it into your blog. Write at least one complete sentence explaining why you selected that video; see my sample below.
Here's an example of what I want you to do:
This is a cute song but it also features some really good clay animation.
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