Recommended Apps

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 For the Edublogs Student Challenge Week Three, we adapted the sixth activity to write about our favorite apps.   You’ll find some great ideas here for your iPhone or iPad, whether you are looking for entertainment, productivity, or education.

Dillon’s Amazing Apps

When I turn on my iPad, I have a bajillion things I could do, and all of these things come from apps. There are apps for texting, gaming, school, typing, recording, movie-making, emoji 😜, and more! Apps make life easier, entertaining, and better. I love all of my apps, but here are just a few that I use on a daily basis…

Evan’s “Apps That Make Up My World”

We’re going to talk about apps, but not just any apps, we’re going to talk about the apps that I use on a daily basis.

Olivia’s Favorite Apps

These are a few of my most favorite apps! They are not in any kind of order, just listed how I saw them on my phone. If you also use – or try – any of these apps please let me know in the comments, and also tell me how you use them!

Soham’s Favorite Apps

In the modern world, apps (applications) are very important. Apps are self-contained software that can complete certain tasks. Safari on iPad allows you to search the internet. Flappy Bird on iPhone allows you to play an addicting flapping game. The AP Mobile app allows you to stay in touch with the latest AP news. All these apps can modify your phone or tablet to make it what you want.

Steven’s Most-Used Apps

We all have apps we can’t live without. It doesn’t matter whether they’re on your smartphone or your desktop, they are there and you use them every day. I have a few of those. Music, Calculator, Skype, etc., and if I am on my phone, there are 5 apps that I am almost guaranteed to be using.

Some of Ben’s Favorite Apps

What if there were no apps, or even no electronics? I’m no genius, but I’m pretty sure our world will crumble as we know it. Well, at least all teenagers…. Ever since electronics have been invented, they’ve been the most needed item on planet earth. Now, there are some of my favorite apps in the App Store.

Isaac’s Top 5 Gaming Apps

The App Store is full of kinds of weird and original games. You have the free to play games and tilt games and tower defense games and all sorts of other genres. Here my top 5 favorites.

What is your favorite or most useful app on your phone or iPad?

 

Around Austin

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The State Capitol of Texas at Dusk
Creative Commons License Photo Credit: Trey Ratcliff via Compfight

In this Edublogs student challenge for Week 3, one of the activities was to tell a visitor to our area about a must-see place or attraction.  Enjoy the following compositions from students in Periods 4, 6, and 7 about the highlights of Austin, Texas!

Gabriel recommends the Alamo Drafthouse for movie night.

Izzy  loves visiting South Austin’s SoCo for shopping and fun.

Hannah describes the enjoyment of a day spent downtown.

Izadora captures the fun of ACL Music Festival.

Ryan B. explains his love of Lake Austin.

George reminds us that no trip to the capital is complete without a trip to the capitol.

Tarun chooses Torchy’s Tacos for food and sports.

Dahlia enjoys dining at Tony C’s for the best in Italian food.

Dylan reviews Tres Amigos, a Westlake favorite for Mexican food.

Alena says Rudy’s serves the best barbecue, but Emma loves the Salt Lick.

Saira has an alternative recommendation for those with vegan tastes.

Olympia shares the best place for a game of laser tag after dinner!

Visitors, where are you from?  Leave us a recommendation about where we should eat, shop, or play if we ever tour your town!

 

Challenge Posts: Favorite Places in Austin

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Students in Periods 2 and 3 have responded to the blog challenge of posting about a favorite place.  The following writers not only have great ideas to share, but they do so in blog posts that are well-organized, with introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions.  Well done!

Karsten insists he’s found the best burger joint in Austin, but Nina disagrees.  Not in the mood for a hamburger?  Nick recommends a great Italian place.

Where do you like to shop in Austin?  Bryce has a favorite sports store.

Summers in Austin are hot!  Where to go to beat the heat?  Clara recommends Barton Springs, famous for its natural beauty and cold, cold water.

And then are the places we just love because they are our personal havens:  Jered and Madiha write about their own backyards, Eric about time spent in virtual reality, Lauren about her favorite golf course.

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Barton Springs Pool. Digital image. City of Austin, n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.

Introductions for the #2014gbc

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Students in periods 2 and 3 are entered in the Global Blogging Challenge, and for the Week 1 challenge we’ve been asked to introduce ourselves and share information about where we are from and what we love about our home. This Haiku Deck is one that some visitors from the fall may have seen before, but for those new to our blog, here are some photos we collected to showcase our city:


Created with Haiku Deck, the free presentation app

And here is a list of what we agree are some of the things we love most about Austin. Click on the links to see more.

What do we enjoy about living here?

Visitors, have you ever stayed in our city?  What did you enjoy about your time here?  If we were to come to your home town, what would be your top recommendation of things to do while we were there?

New Zealand!

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We’re excited to have new blogging partners in Mr. Webb’s Room 1 in Auroa, New Zealand.  After introducing ourselves, Room 1 wrote a post about what they knew about Texas, so we thought we’d put together a list of what we know about New Zealand.  Like Mr. Webb’s class, we realize we have some research to do in order to complete (or correct?) our knowledge and impressions.

From period 2 and 3, here’s a compilation of what we think we know:

  • New Zealand is near Australia
  • The fly fishing for trout is supposed to be awesome there!
  • Some students have heard of a famous NZ rugby team called All Blacks
  • Cricket is a popular game (but most of us aren’t sure what it is)
  • There are many sharks in the waters off the coast of NZ
  • New Zealand has a sister city to our Aspen, Colorado…but we can’t remember its name
  • There are REALLY big turtles in New Zealand
  • New Zealand is in the Ring of Fire
  • The countryside is beautiful (we saw the scenery in the Lord of the Rings movies!)
  • People in New Zealand say “mate” after their sentences

We look forward to learning more about New Zealand and Mr. Webb’s class in the weeks ahead!

 

 

A Question About Compassion

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107655_PHAN_25_Show_History_2008

In Phantom of the Opera,  Christine’s compassion for the Phantom leads to transformation:  the Phantom’s heart softens and he lets Raoul and Christine go free, he himself is set free from his bitterness and hatred, and he escapes the mob after physically transforming himself to elude capture.

Think about other stories you have read or seen in which a character  shows compassion for another.  How did that compassionate act change a character or move the story in a new direction?  Name the story or character and share your observations.

Another way to think about the question is to turn it around:  can you think about a story in which the withholding of compassion has turned a character or a story in a different direction from what it might have otherwise gone?

Can these questions apply to nonfiction as well as to fiction?  You may answer with a nonfiction example if you prefer.

Write a comment in order to respond to the question, or respond by elaborating on another student’s comment.

 

Image credit: Phantom of the Opera. Digital image. The Phantom of the Opera Official Website. Cameron Mackintosh, Ltd., 2008. Web. 26 Feb. 2014.

Reading and Reading Logs: Time to Re-Think?

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The message of the above graphic is one we already know:  reading is important, and reading every day fosters academic strength.  Chances are that the more you read, the better student you will be…the better thinker you will be.

At the seventh grade level, we ask that you strive to read 800-900 pages in a nine-week time period, that you log the titles of the books you read, and that you obtain a parent signature next to each title as corroboration of your reading.  Reading that many pages means reading regularly, even though you may not keep to a 20-minutes-a-day schedule you had when you were younger.  We all have more time to read some days than we do on others.

Recently, we teachers have lifted the requirement that you read at least one book of a specified genre per nine weeks.  The most important thing isn’t what you read, but that you read.  I appreciate these words by educator and reading expert Donalyn Miller: “Reading belongs to readers, not to teachers. If we want children to see reading as anything more than a school job, we must give them the chance to choose their own books and develop personal connections to reading, or they never will.”

We’ve made that small change, but I’m thinking there need to be more changes.  I’d like to open a conversation about how we do reading at school, and I’m asking for your input.  Parents, feel free to add your thoughts, too.

  • Independent, Sustained Silent Reading is something we used to do daily in seventh grade when ELA classes were 84 minutes long.  I’d like to find time for ISSR again at school. Some schools with only one period of ELA have their ISSR time one period each week or once every seven school days.  Others use the first ten minutes of every period.  What are your thoughts about how often and how long we should have independent reading in the classroom?

  • Reading Logs don’t have to be lists of titles with signatures.  If we are reading at school again on a regular basis, there could be time for reading conferences with the teacher.  With our iPads, we could record small group conversations about what’s happening in our books and turn in those conversations.  What would be your preferred way of receiving credit for your reading?

  • Regular library visits are important to supporting an ISSR program.  Should we start going to the library every two weeks? Some students have said they have trouble finding a book to check out, so perhaps we should arrange for Mrs. Martinez to spotlight some titles for us each time we visit.  How do you think we could make the most of regular trips to the school library?

Parents and students, I look forward to hearing your answers to these questions (and any other thoughts you may have about reading) in the comments section of this post.

 

 

 

Second Period Spotlight

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It’s wonderful to really hear students’ voices come through their writing.  We’ve talked about the progress they’ve made as writers, and the kids observed that they are writing with more expression and with better organization.  They’d love to have your feedback on their compositions!

Cierra had a great time at summer camp.  Read about why she loved it so much.

You’ll enjoy Ethan’s humorous explanation as to why kids should not have to do the dishes.

Grant’s description of his favorite food will make you hungry!

Nina is a poet.  Read this poem, then visit her blog for more.

Tired of the cold?  Not Regina.  She explains why she loves winter!

Ryan’s narrative about his recent fishing trip puts you right on the water with him.

Overdue library books?  You can empathize with Valerie as you read about the pain of late fines.

 

 

Fourth Period Focus

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Our expository writing has been so enjoyable to read!  Check out the following links (and others to be found in the student blog roll) for compositions that are alive with voice and filled with thought.

Don’t be a corner-camper!  Steven explains how NOT to play video games.

Soham informs us of the disadvantages of using electronics.

A student who DISLIKES snow days?  That’s Matthew.  He explains why.

Ryan sees long car rides as great opportunities for fun.

Izzy shows why Telluride is a great place to visit.

“Bow ties are cool!” declare the Doctor and Gabriel.

Amulya explains why she enjoys pep rallies.

Ava explores the many meanings of the color red.

 

Third Period Thoughts

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Short expository essays, fiction, poems, and personal narratives have been posted by third period students.  Enjoy this sampling of their work!

“The fun is in the risk.”  Eli explains why he loves riding his mini-bike.

Irma calls shotgun!  Read about why the front seat is the best seat.

“The sun falls back underneath the earth.”  Clara’s sunset will leave you in awe.

Sam has written a clever how-to guide for those who want to irritate a brother or sister…

“Too bad it’s not turkey season, I thought.”  Clay narrates a hunting adventure.

“The Merchants’ Village” is a chapter story written by Jane.

Bryce explains the different ways in which people can wear masks.

You’ll be counting the days until summertime after you read this post by Lauren.