Get Caught Up/Your Choice

This week is going to be a get caught up week on your blog and if you are completely caught up, you may write about whatever you would like (as long as it is appropriate for school). Don't forget to include a picture or a video in your post.

Once you have posted your blog post, read the responses posted by your peers and reply thoughtfully to at least five (5) other students. Compliment strong points, make connections, ask questions and build on ideas shared!

As always, I look forward to reading your responses!

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Desert Island Dilemma

If you knew you would be stranded on a desert island for 1 year, which 5 objects would you bring with you? Keep in mind that there is NO electricity on the island! Choose your objects carefully and then explain your choices in a brief paragraph. Don't forget to include a video/picture/link etc.

Once you have completed your selections and posted your explanation, read and respond to at least 5 peers.

As always, I look forward to reading your responses!

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Future You

Think about what you will be doing in twenty years. Give me as many details as you can.

For example:

Where will you be living?
What will you be doing for a living?
What kind of car will you be driving?
What kind of house will you be living in?
Will you want to be married or still single?

And so on...

Please take your time and write thoughtfully. Don't forget about organizing your paragraphs and to double-check your spelling and grammar.

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  :-)

Kiln People

Kiln People  is novel written by David Brin and I can't say as though I have read it (and therefore can't recommend it), but the concept of the novel is rather interesting.

Kiln People, is about a society where you can create clay copies of yourself to do various tasks (e.g. mental tasks, dangerous tasks etc.) while you do something else.  Then at the end of the day, you download their memories back into you. 

So, here is a pretty deep question for this week.  If you had 5 copies of yourself to use this week, what would you have them do?  Make sure you take the time and think about your response before you type it up.  Don't forget to double-check your work for spelling/grammar mistakes.  

Once you have completed your answer, read and respond to at least 2 peers.

As always, I can't wait to see your responses. 

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Change the World

In our guided reading, we have been having some excellent discussions about how we can change the world in a positive way.  This week's question continues from where we left off.

If you could change two things about the world, what would it be? Why would you make these changes?  Make sure you develop your answer before you publish it!

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!

As always, I look forward to reading your responses!

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Revolutionary Optimists

Children are working to save lives in poor areas of Kolkata, India. They work to combat poverty, forced child labour and through their efforts, dramatically transform their neighbourhoods.

That’s the premise of The Revolutionary Optimists, a documentary airing on PBS’ Independent Lens. Filmed over the course of several years, the film shows young people as change makers, fighting for a better future.

After viewing the clips, answer the following questions:  Make sure you develop your answer before you publish it!

1.  The children Amlan Ganguly works with goes to community elders to ask for a new playground and other things.  Write a paragraph that explains what neighbourhood improvements you would make to your community. The paragraph should detail the ways in which those improvements would enhance everyday life for the community’s residents.

2.  In the clip Amlan Ganguly talks about the ways his work with the children empowers them to fight for a better life for themselves, their friends, and future generations. Write a paragraph describing the one person in your life who inspires you to be the best you can be.

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!

As always, I look forward to reading your responses!

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Animal Testing

The human brain has over 100 billion nerve cells - it is the most complex organ in the human body. Scientists spend a great deal of time studying the human brain and, while they have discovered a lot, they have yet to fully master and understand this remarkable organ. Understanding the connection between brain cells, behavior and disease is important and scientists have developed a variety of new techniques that will help them map brain activity.

Watch the video and then answer the following questions:

In the video you saw laboratory tests being conducted on mice.

1.  Are you 'for' or 'against' scientific tests on animals?
2.  If scientists were not able to test on animals, how would they conduct their experiments?
3.  Are there any instances when you would support animal testing?

Once you have completed your selections and posted your explanation, read and respond to at least 2 peers.

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Modern Day Expedition

Imagine you were given the opportunity to join a modern-day expedition that was setting out to explore an unknown territory.  This expedition would be supplied with the best technology possible. You are not sure what you will find because no man/woman has ever gone there.  There is a risk of danger and you do not know when you will be able to return home to your family and friends.

Would you accept the invitation? Why or why not?  List 5 reasons to support your answer.

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!

As always, I look forward to reading your responses!

 Mr. Boettger :-)

Your First Blog Post

The first entry you will be making to your blog this year is an "All About Me" post. You will need to write a paragraph (make sure you check your spelling and grammar before you post please) that introduces yourself to the world. Please remember to follow our blogging rules. Refresh your memory HERE.

Once you have completed your paragraph, you will need to take a picture of this week's art (your goal sheet portrait and your "I am" picture) and post them with your paragraph. Make sure you ask someone (or better yet, look it up yourself) if you don't know how to do something with your blog. 

Once this has been completed and posted on your blog, read and respond to at least 3 other people’s posts.

Good luck!

Mr. Boettger  :-)

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  :-)

Create A List Of Something

Before you begin this week's blog assignment, please make sure you are completely caught up with all of the previous tasks. Thank-you. 

Lists are popular. Very popular. Your job this week is to create at least 3 different lists. Create a top 10, or better yet a top 20 list. Lists of your favourite movies, books, food, influential people, or any other topic can easily generate buzz. Let's create some buzz...just keep it appropriate for school.

Don't forget to include a picture(s) in your post and to give credit where credit is due on everything you have used. 

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  :-)

Make An Ultimate Resource Post

Before you begin this week's blog assignment, please make sure you are completely caught up with all of the previous tasks. Thank-you. 

For this week's post, you need to pick a "niche" (having specific appeal to you) of yours and create a list of the most useful resources/articles/pictures you can find on the internet. This post will be the ultimate resource for whatever it is you choose. For example, if you choose "fishing", make sure you have enough information that a person looking to begin fishing could stay on your blog and learn everything there is to know about it.

Don't forget to give credit where credit is due on all articles/pictures etc that you are using. 

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  :-)

It's Coming...

Curious about what genius hour is? Click here to read the classroom newsletter.

Pictures In Time

Before you begin this week's blog assignment, please make sure you are completely caught up with all of the previous tasks. Thank-you. 

If you could take one picture to send back in time (up to 100-150 years ago), what would you photograph, who would you send it to and why? Or, find an appropriate and significant photo from the past and write about its significance. Why is it important? Why should people know about it? Who took the photo? What story is the photo telling? Etc. Don't forget to give credit where credit is due.

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  :-)

Find A Cool Infographic

Your job this week is to find a cool infographic (a visual image such as a chart or diagram used to represent information or data) and tell me about it.  Why did you choose this one? What does it tell you? Do you agree with it or not? Is it well designed? What would you do differently? Is it a true representation of the data or is it biased, or perhaps even skewed to look better or worse than it really is? Study it. Pay attention to the small details.

Don't forget to include the picture of the infographic in your post and to give credit to the website that you found it on. Don't just take the picture! :-)

Once this has been completed and posted on your blog, read and respond to at least 3 other people’s posts. As always, I look forward to reading your opinion on what you have found!

Good luck!

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Courtesy of http://goo.gl/0jcrhi

British North America

Same routine as usual.  Feel free to use any resource you would like.  Read the questions carefully and good luck!

Click here for the full-screen version.

Conflict and Change Quiz

Welcome to your next online assignment Grade 7's!

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  :-)