4-C-3+Blog+Lesson+Plan

3.B.2b Establish central idea, organization, elaboration and unity in relation to purpose and audience. 3.B.2d Edit documents for clarity… proofread for spelling, capitalization and punctuation… 3.C.2a Write for a variety of purposes and for specified audiences in a variety of forms… 3.C.2b Produce and format compositions for specified audience using available technology. [] 5.C.2a Create a variety of print and nonprint documents to communicate acquired information for specific audiences and purposes. []
 * Third Grade Animal Research Project Extension **
 * Grade Level: 3 **
 * Goals and Objectives: **
 * Each third grade classroom will create a blog on Classblogmeister.com.
 * Students will create/personalize individual pages to display their writing.
 * Students will create two blog postings about their research on winter animals.
 * Authentic writing assignments will encourage students to write and edit appropriately.
 * Project will model Web 2.0 tools for other grade levels.
 * Materials Needed: **
 * Completed winter animal research reports
 * Procedures: **
 * Third grade team meets with LLC Teacher to discuss implementation of blogging project.
 * Third grade teachers create accounts/page/student pages on Classblogmeister.com.
 * Students create titles and add images to their individual pages.
 * Students post a summary of their winter animal report research; topics 2-5 require 1-2 complete sentences before posting.
 * 1) Name of animal
 * 2) What does it look like?
 * 3) Where does it live?
 * 4) What does it eat?
 * 5) How does it behave?
 * Students post a reflection on this assignment. 1-3 complete sentences
 * Students post 1-2 comments on a classmate’s blog
 * Activities: **
 * LLC Teacher models writing for the blog and posting comments prior to the start of the research project
 * Students use one extended library period to create their postings in the computer lab
 * Students use one flex time period to comment on classmates’ postings
 * Blog sites are shared in classroom teacher newsletters so parents can view project results
 * State learning standards/Writing Goal 3: Write to communicate for a variety of purposes: **
 * State learning standards/Research Goal 5: Use the language arts to acquire, assess and communicate information: **
 * Rubric: **(modified version of //Mrs. Fey’s Blogging Expectations// rubric on Rubistar) []

** Third Grade Blogging Rubric ** ** Point Values ** || ** Critical Thinking ** || ** Topics Covered ** || ** Complete Sentences ** || ** Grammar, Capitalization, ** || ** Spelling ** || ** Timeliness ** || How did you do? **// Blog post 1 -- //** ||  Student applies research learning and higher level thinking about blog assignment. ||  Student includes all four topics: Animal’s appearance; habitat; diet; and behavior in posting. ||  Student uses complete sentences for each topic. 1 incomplete sentence = -5 pts. More than 1 = -10 pts. ||  Student uses correct subject/verb agreement and capital letters to begin all sentences. ||  All words in each sentence are spelled correctly. 1-3 mistakes, -5 pts. More than 3 mistakes, -10 pts. ||  Blogs are posted on or before Due Date. 1-2 days late = -5 pts. More than 2 days late = -10 pts. || Excellent – 15 points || ||   ||    ||    ||    ||    ||  Satisfactory – 10 points  || ||   ||    ||    ||    ||    ||  Needs Work – 5 points || ||   ||    ||    ||    ||    ||  How did you do? **// Blog post 2 -- //** ||  Student reflects on animal research assignment 1-3 complete sentences Completion = 10 pts. ||   ||    ||    ||    ||    ||
 * Total points for Blog 1 (summary of animal research discoveries): **
 * Total points for Blog 2 (reflection on animal research assignment): **
 * Combined total points/grade on blogging project: **
 * Additional comments by classroom teacher: **