Internet Safety

Hello my trusty Grade 7s and welcome to your very first "blog" lesson!

Establishing Expectations for Behaviour: The Dos and Don'ts for Online Student Communication

Please read the "Dos and Don'ts for Online Student Communication" below:

- Use each other's names.  Using a person's name when you respond to his/her posting creates a friendly online tone.  However, do not use the person's full name.  Instead, please use the username the school board has given to you (the first four initials of your first name and a random 4 digit number).

- Read questions and conversational postings carefully to avoid unnecessary confusion.

- Compliment your peers when they post strong responses or contribute original ideas.

- Ask questions.  If anything is unclear or you want further information or insight on a topic, just ask.  If you have a question, there are probably other members of the group who are confused and need further clarification as well.

- Be considerate. Remember that your peers cannot see your body language or hear your tone of voice, so you need to keep your language direct and respectful.

- Avoid slang, jargon and sarcasm.

- Listen to all ideas presented.  Remember there is no right or wrong in a discussion.  A variety of perspectives add depth and I love depth!  :-)

- Stay open minded.

- Respond instead of reacting.  Do not write a response if you are angry or upset.  Instead, wait until you have had time to calm down and collect your thoughts.

- Really read your peers responses.  Avoid skimming.  Respect the time your peers have spent articulating their thoughts by reading carefully and thoughtfully.

- Reread your messages before sending them to ensure that your ideas are clearly communicated and supported.

- Critique the content, not the person.

- Do not present your personal opinions as fact.  Back up your ideas with information to strengthen your statements.

- Courteously answer all questions addressed directly to you.

- Make "I" statements when respectfully disagreeing.  Sharing an opposing opinion or idea is an important part of discussion, but it needs to be presented in a constructive manner that encourages further discussion.

- Do not use all caps when writing.  It is interpreted as yelling.

- Avoid emotional punctuation, like exclamation points, unless you are complimenting an idea shared.

Have I missed anything?  Is there anything that you would like to add to the list?  Please let me know in the comments section.

Thank-you for your feedback and let's have a great year blogging!  :-)

Mr. Boettger

Please remember this about the internet and privacy:  Photo courtesy of Dave Hoffman

As well as this:  This picture pretty much sums everything up!  I can't remember where I found it.  So, apologies to the person that made it.  When I find it again, I will give the proper credit!

Be safe everyone!

Mr. Boettger's Class Chat

Are you interested in what is happening in our classroom? In addition to the class social media updates, when you sign up for the class mailing list you will also receive a monthly dose of awesome — a short e-mail dubbed "Mr. Boettger's Class Chat”.  For the most part, this e-mail will be student written and will cover various highlights that have happened in our class. Things the students have discovered, learned, enjoyed or found helpful — all designed to help keep you in the loop.

There will be no spam...ever.

If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please sign up here or fill in the form below.

Thank-you.

Mr. Boettger

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It Is Almost Time!

Hello, my future grade 7s!  I can't wait to get the year started!  See you on September 5th!

Mr. Boettger :-)

Grade 6 - Social Studies Quiz

Same routine as the previous one!  Feel free to use whatever resource you would like!  Read the questions carefully and good luck!

Click here for the full-screen version.

Grade 6 - Flight Quiz

Welcome to your next online assignment Grade 6's!

Feel free to use any resource you would like (e.g. textbook, internet etc) to find the answer. However, you must work by yourself. Take your time and read the questions carefully. I want to try and eliminate all silly mistakes! :-)

I've tried to make things a little easier by embedding the quiz right in the blog. However, if you would like to see a full screen version, just click this link.

Grade 7 - Natural Resources Quiz

You know the drill. :-)

Feel free to use any resource you would like to find the answer.  Take your time and read the questions carefully.  I want to try and eliminate all silly mistakes. :-)

I've tried to make things a little easier by embedded the quiz right into the blog.  However, if you would like to see a full-screen version, just click this link.

Good luck!

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Lots To Do This Week

You have four tasks this week:

1. Make sure you are completely caught up on all of your blog posts this week. Double-check and then triple-check. I will be looking at all of the blogs again this week.

2. You need to create a new post that outlines what you are going to be doing for your "genius hour" project (using your proposal form would be a good start). Don't forget to include videos and pictures if it helps to explain what you will be doing. Make sure you erase the "highlighting" marks on your proposal before you start copying and pasting.

3. In a separate post,  you need to post the "headline" picture we have been working on with a small write-up.

4. In a separate post, you need to write a motivational post. Sometimes, people need a little encouragement to get things done. Big things start from little things, and motivational posts can be just what the doctor ordered. Your job is to find two (don't forget to give credit where credit is due) motivational pictures with quotes (or feel free to create your own) that you find inspirational and then write a post reflecting on the meaning of the quotes. Go deep here.

Once you have posted your response, read the responses posted by your peers and reply thoughtfully to at least two other students.  Compliment strong points, make connections, ask questions and build on ideas shared!

Mr. Boettger  :-)