7-D-2+Parent+Permission+Letter

 Dear Third Grade Families:

This year, the students and I, along with their classroom teachers, are going to embark on a new digital adventure - wikis! Some of you may already use wikis at work, but here in third grade, this will be our first opportunity to use this Web 2.0 technology tool. We are all very excited about the possibilities! Students at three other District schools are also piloting this idea. And, if you have fourth or fifth graders at home, you have probably already heard about or viewed their genre book review wikis.

The purpose of this wiki will be for students to post and share information about the topics of their winter animal research projects. This will truly be an authentic writing opportunity. All four classes will contribute to the "Winter Animal Wiki", hosted by pbworks.com, a free wiki-hosting website. Once students complete their required 5-paragraph expository essay, they will log on to the wiki with their school user names and passwords, create a new page, deposit their page in the correct folder (mammals, amphibians, birds, or reptiles), and use the "animal template" to tell us about the animal they researched. The template highlights the four types of information students discovered about their animals: appearance; habitat and range (the kind of place where they live and the states where they are found); diet; and behavior. All students are entered (by me) as "writers", and I have editorial control over who is allowed to join our wiki. That means that only students/teachers that I select will be users. It is not visible to the Internet world-at-large, in the interest of allowing young students to freely explore this new technology without worrying about security issues.

The directions are on the front page of the wiki, visible after students have logged on. They are also listed on the "Sidebar" for easy reference as they are creating their pages. On the back of this letter, you will find the wiki URL (Internet address) and login directions. I have discussed proper writing/commenting with all four classes, and they know that if something inappropriate is posted, they are to tell me immediately, either in person or via email. Offending students will be disciplined; I will give them a second chance, but if they repeat the behavior, they will serve detention and no longer be allowed to post on the wiki. However, I know the students will behave respectfully as they write and comment, so I do not anticipate any problems. Students are welcome to try this at home, if that is acceptable to you, and you are welcomed to help them as needed. They will also be able to access the wiki at school. Wikis have great communication potential, student-to-student and student-to-teacher, so we are happy to "give it a try" this year. Please sign the tear-off below, or email me your approval of your child's participation. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email me: dlawson@cusd200.org.

Sincerely,

Debby Lawson LLC Teacher Lincoln School

I give my child --

permission to post to the third great "Winter Animal Wiki" this year.

Parent signature:

Date: