Feb 25 2008
The Cay Blog Introduction
Welcome to The Cay response to literature weblog. In this post I will answer some questions that you may have about this type of discussion forum. If your question is not answered here please send me an email at ccollins@hcsd.k12.ca.us.
I invite the sixth grade Core students, their families, Crocker faculty, and other community members to join us in our blogging discussion. This is an exciting opportunity to share the experience of reading a novel, responding to discussion questions, viewing the entries of other readers, and even commenting on others responses.
When do we begin reading and responding to The Cay?
During the week of February 23, 2009, the students will participate in a prereading blog prior to starting the novel; they will also begin to read and respond to discussion questions. The conclusion of the blog has yet to be determined. After we have finished reading the book and have completed the activities, it may be possible to access the blog, but some of the discussions may no longer be active.
Who is the administrator of the Crocker The Cay blog site?
I, Chris Collins, a sixth grade English teacher at Crocker Middle School, am the administrator of this blog discussion. Troy Hager, the Crocker technology teacher, is assisting with content of the blog.
How will the students know what pages to read in The Cay?
There are three ways to find out the reading assigned for the day. First, students can check the blog to learn what pages to read and respond to the questions. The second way is to find out in class from the Core teacher. Finally, students can check the Crocker website and check M. Collins’s web page at http://crockerschool.hcsd.k12.ca.us.
How will students access the blog?
Students will learn how to use the blog in Core class. A blog can be posted from any computer with internet access. Students are able to use school computers in the classroom, lab, and library. They will typically have one to two days to respond to discussion questions.
What discussion questions will be included with the project?
Every day there will be different discussion questions posted on the blog. Students will add their responses to the questions through posting a comment on the blog entry. Readers will be able to read each others responses and can discuss the questions through the use of comments.
Is posting comments on the blog safe for students?
Anyone who has the web address to the blog can view it and its contents. Only our Core students, their families, and Crocker faculty have access to comment on this blog. Each student that posts must use his/her first name only. Students will learn how to sign in and post a comment during class. There will also be directions given for using Edublogs.org. Any comment that contains a last name, inappropriate language, or a large number of errors will be removed or edited by an administrator.
Why read The Cay?
The Cay is a required Core novel for sixth grade students. The genre is realistic fiction. World War II and the Caribbean provide the setting for the story. The students will meet Phillip and Timothy; the two main characters who develop a unique friendship through unusual circumstances. The novel touches on several important themes including friendship, judgments, and self-reliance. It is well-written and highly engaging.
Why blog for school?
The blog is a collaborative tool for learning. Blogs provide a different forum for communicating ideas; they go one step outside the classroom discussion and beyond written responses on paper that only the teacher can access. “Through the unique process of blogging, students are able to read more critically, think about the reading more analytically, and write more clearly.” From Will Richardson, Blogs, Wikis, and Podcasts, 2006.
If you have any questions about this blog that were not answered above or you would like to join us please send us an e-mail at ccollins@hcsd.k12.ca.us. If you have any positive or constructive feedback, please feel free to contact me.
Chris Collins
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a very inspirational leader who fought with his words for racial discrimination. He led people in tons of protests and had a very important speech known as the “I Had a Dream,” speech. His dream was that little black children and little white children would someday all play together and live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by there character. I believe that his dream has come true and we have finally learned to work with each other. There are no blacks or whites only and they get the same pay as the white people do. I think his dedication means that until the young learn to be open minded that the next generation and the ones that follow will never learn it’s not good to segregate. I think the book will be about how to be open to different races and how we can change.
1. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was an African American man who was fighting for the rights of African American people.2. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. dream was to free the African American people from slavery and to make everyone have equal rights.3. I do think that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. dream has come true because everyone has equal rights although some people still think that African American are very different and shouldn’t have equal rights. So for the most part I think his dream has come true. 4. I think that books dedication means that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. dream can only can come true if everyone understands that everyone has equal rights. I think the book will be about Tim and Philpot trying to cop with there differences and trying to find a way to survive