You can find our current Make Cycles in the drop down menu and on the 
Supplemental Video for Make Cycle 4
Make Cycle 4 is now available. This video should give you some additional or clarifying info. Thanks everyone!
Jan 8: Reminders & Updates
Hello everyone,
Here are your friendly, daily updates and reminders:
Due by tonight:
- Response to the expository mentor texts (Dragonflies, new non-fiction children’s books, etc). What elements might you borrow? (see full prompt on the Make Cycle 2 page)
- Make 2! You can see a few options in the Make 2 Cycle instructions. Remember to add your short reflection that explains the why and how behind your Make.
- Respond to peers
Make Cycle 3: Compelling Arguments is now up on the site under the “Make Cycles” tab
You. Got. This.
Happy Wednesday!
Kim
Make 1 info and other updates
Hi everyone,
Really beautiful work yesterday with the first chapter and the mentor texts. I updated grades in Blackboard and now need to finish commenting on your posts. I made a video this time with updates so that I could talk through the Make 1 plans. (video below)
In the video, I mention a link to Battle Bunny so I am sharing that here: LINK. You might bookmark and check out the Educators tab on their site. Another great way for your students to participate in writing communities is through International Dot Day: Link here This event takes place every September and is based off Peter Reynolds’ book The Dot. I actually love all of his books, particularly since most of my family does art and his books typically have an art focus.
Finally, I added Make 2 to the drop down window in case some of you want to get started earlier than Monday.
Two things due by Sunday night:
- Watch Mac Barnett TED talk and write response/ Work with the “list” prompt and share a couple
- Make 1: a story about you! And, remember to add a reflection about your Make (Alondra and Miranda have good examples already up in G+)
- Respond to a peer each time; you’re doing a great job with this!
Thanks everyone and happy Saturday!
Kim
Winter session: Day 2 updates & reminders
Hello nice people!
I am absolutely enjoying reading your responses already. Loved your introductions and insights into the range of literacies. I left comments on your introductions and I’m working my way through the second set of discussions from yesterday. Thank you all so much for the thoughtful work and your comments on each other’s posts. We are already starting to feel like a community of writers.
Updates won’t always be this long, but since we are just getting started I have stuff to tell you:
- Preferences for G+ notifications: If you teach the class, like me, then you like getting an email every time someone posts to our G+. But if not, here is a super short video that shows you how to turn off email notifications: Link Here. (You can also always Google “how do I turn off notifications in G+”)
- Composing offline and pasting in G+: You might want to write your responses in Word, Google Docs, Pages, or whatever composing software you use and then paste your response in G+ just in case your browser times out or something awful like that. You can always edit your posts by clicking on the three small dots to the right in your post.
- Grade Updates: The only thing I use Blackboard for these days is to post grades. I have the assignments from yesterday graded in Blackboard. As much as possible, I try not to nickel and dime grades, so you most likely will not see a 12/15 from me or something like that. If you give me your best effort (and clearly your posts are so good from yesterday), then I’ll give you the points. I hate playing school and expect that we are a community of educators thinking about the teaching of writing together. I do expect in-depth responses, but you are already doing that. I will share examples along the way as well. Alondra and Miranda kicked off the posts beautifully yesterday; thank you! And in fact, Alondra has finished all of the Make 1 cycle! Her posts are great examples of what I am hoping for if you need inspiration. (There is also a student examples tab on our site with previous semester’s work)
- Respond to a peer each time: As I said, I so appreciate the comments you’ve left already. Thank you! Your connection to each other’s work is what will make these two weeks together a true writing community.
- Today’s tasks in a nutshell:
- Read Chapter 1 from About the Authors and Units of Study A & B. Respond to prompts in G+
- Read/watch 3 “mentor texts.” Respond to some prompts to generate ideas for your own writing in G+
- Always: post one and then respond to one. Thank you!
- Everything can be found on the Make Cycle 1 page: HERE
Tomorrow (or maybe even later today): I’ll send a video update to talk more about the Make that is due Sunday.
Happy Friday
Kim