Blog Post #4

      Florida's standards for ELA have many different divisions. The one I picked was ELA.8.C.5.2, using a variety of digital tools to collaborate with others to produce writing. Throughout different grades, students are expected to be able to use technology to collaborate with each other and create projects. In 8th grade, students are expected to do this for writing, using digital tools such as google docs, discussion boards through Canvas, or through other discussion-based programs such as Nearpod, Jam Board, etc. I feel that in my classroom I would be able to implement these standards and assist students engage with these programs and collaborate with each other on writing assignments and essays. I know enough about how to use these programs that I feel I could help my students correctly achieve the expectations of these standards.

      Provided in CPALM's resources is a problem-solving project for eighth graders called "Uncle Henry's Dilemma". It tasks students with figuring out where in the world will Uncle Henry's will be read based on the interpretation of data such as temperature, rainfall, air pollution, travel cost, flight times and health issues in different locations. I would use this in my classroom because it covers two different subjects in one assignment, forcing students to understand different science elements while also having to write argumentative paragraphs on why each location is makes sense in this situation using evidence to argue their side. It is a great project to help students further develop skills to write argumentative pieces and provides feedback to me on what aspects of both science and english the students may not be understanding. It also is a topic that is wacky enough that it would hopefully keep students involved in the assignment. 

    As a teacher, you need to be proficient when it comes to internet searches. These results on the topics that are researched could be what we teach or discuss with our students and if we misinform them or do not have enough details to describe what we are talking about, they may misinform others or struggle to learn what we are trying to teach them. Of the skills I learned this week, I believe that I will use Google's advanced search more often, especially when doing research or homework assignments. On the other hand, when I am doing research for reliable sources or papers, I specifically utilize Google Scholar, a search platform that only recommends websites and sources that are proven to be reliable and scholarly. This way I am sure that I am not running into unreliable sources when needing to quote or reference someone for evidence.