Mr. Talmadge's Class Blogs

Excel Map Reflection

2010-06-11T06:56:00.000-07:00

Now that you have completed your Excel Map, I want you to think back on the experience and write about what you have learned, both in terms of the content of Washington history, and about the process of completing the map and working with Excel. Using the scoring guide, explain which of the criteria you did the best at as well as which you could have improved upon. Do this for both the content and the style columns. Next, write about the assignment itself. What did you appreciate about the assignment and what do you think could be improved in terms of the process that we used to complete it? Finally, try to summarize what you have learned about Washington state in this last trimester.

Washington State History Weekly Blog ...

2010-03-25T06:56:00.001-07:00

As you work on your excel map, it is important that you reflect back on what you have learned in each chapter. I'd like to you to write a paragraph on your blog each week that explains something you learned about in class. When you write, use this format:

"In chapter...(insert number here)...the thing(s) that I'll remember most is/are...(insert event/person/idea here)... . What I learned is that...(insert details/facts here)... . This was an important part of our state's history because...(insert reasons here)... ."

My hope is that as you write your blog post each week you will essentially be pre-writing/drafting for the 26 items that you have to include on your excel map.

Blog Posting Instructions 3/3

2010-03-03T07:03:00.001-08:00

Now that you have completed your wiki page (or are almost done), think back on your work. Consider both the quality of the final product itself and the process of creating that final product. What is the best part of your final product? What could be improved? If you had it to do over again, how would you change it? What did you like about the process that we used (Diigo, The Wiki, Giving and Getting Feedback, Edmodo, Website Evaluations, Website Citations)? What did you dislike? Why?

Islam Poster Reflection

2010-01-26T07:03:00.001-08:00

For this week's blog post, think back to the work you've done with the online collaborative whiteboard Dabbleboard. What were the good things about using this technology for you? What were the negative things? Next, explain what have your learned about 5 pillars of Islam. Can you make any observations about the way Muslims practice their faith? Try to make an metaphor or similes to describe your thoughts.

Muhammad Book Reflection

2010-01-19T06:45:00.000-08:00

For this posting, I want you to think back to the work that you've done on your Muhammad book. Please comment on the process as well as the product. What did you do well and what would you change? What did you learn about Muhammad's influence on the people of the Arabian Peninsula? Finally, which method of assessment do you prefer, chapter quizzes or projects like this? Which one do you think you learn more from? Why?

Dear Mom or Dad,

2009-11-19T08:37:00.001-08:00

For this week's blog post, I want you to write a letter to your parents (either one or both) explaining to them how the first trimester of 7th grade has gone for you. Explain to them what you've learned in each of your classes. If you've done well, explain what you did that has helped you to be successfull. If you haven't done so well, explain to them what you did or did not do that made you struggle. Then, whether or not you did well, describe what you would like to do differently this coming trimester.

Dear Mom or Dad,

2009-11-19T07:23:00.001-08:00

Dear Mom or Dad,

2009-11-19T06:33:00.001-08:00

Reflection on Middle Ages Research Project

2009-11-08T06:14:00.000-08:00

For this week's blog post, I want you to think back over the past week as we have been in the computer lab researching and using the wiki. First, consider which one or two aspects of the learning target you have learned best and why. Remember the learning target was, "I can conduct research by selecting a topic, posing questions, making inferences, searching with key words, evaluating websites, summarizing and citing sources." Second, write about what it was like to use the wiki. Did you enjoy it? Was it difficult? Why or why not?

Blog Posting Instructions 10/21

2009-10-21T16:24:00.001-07:00

To prepare you to learn about the events and concepts in chapter 5, write a paragraph about any school rule(s) that you think is unfair. Why do think that it is unfair? What can you do about it? Nobles in the middle ages began to resent the king for certain things he was making them do. They got together and demanded certain rights in a famous document called "The Magna Carta." Is there a process at SMS for dealing with "complaints" from you the students?

Blog Posting Instructions 10/4-10/9

2009-10-10T08:35:00.001-07:00

Think back to the work you've done this past week (and over the weekend) on "The Church" Poem. Provide an explanation that responds to these questions:

1. What part of the assignment did you do the best at? Why

2. If you had the chance to do it over again, what would you change? Why?

3. In terms of learning how to do the assignment, what was the most helpful teaching tool? Why?

4. What else do you want Mr. T to know about this assignment?

Posting Instructions for 9/28-10/2

2009-10-02T16:04:00.000-07:00

First off, think back to the activity we began on Thursday in the library called the "Tour of Europe." Also think back to the reading that you did in chapter 3 during that activity. Now, create a blog post that explains what you have learned so far about the church in the middle ages.

Second, after 1 month of school, what do you want Mr. T to know about you as a learner? What could Mr. T do to help you learn better? Create another post to explain that.

Posting Instructions for 9/21-9/25

2009-09-26T07:43:00.000-07:00

What have you learned this week about feudalism in the Middle Ages? What sticks out in your mind as something you didn't know before about nobles, knights or serfs? Note: please use your blog to write about things related to social studies class. I am not necessarily interested in what you learned about in Math class, for example.