Blackberry apple spoof.. My blackberry isn't working

Something to brighten your day!

Rubric

Okay, let's get down to the nitty gritty...how are we going to assess students as they comment and post?  This will vary according to grade level, english level, and subject area. 
Here are some starting points. 

The following are some websites with rubrics designed by others:
http://colemanspace.info/index.php/rubrics/15-blog-rubric
http://facultydevelopmentbgsu.blogspot.com/2005/11/rubrics-to-evaluate-classroom-blogging.html
http://www.scribd.com/doc/5581113/Blog-Scoring-Rubric

Scholastic has a simple rubric as well:
http://www2.scholastic.com/content/collateral_resources/pdf/teacher_guide/SNOnline.BlogRubric6-8.pdf
http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/teachers_guide/SNOnline.BlogRubric3-5.pdf

What have you found or created?  Let's collaborate and share it all here. 

You Made That Up!

Here is a cool activity:  Take the word you were assigned and look it up.  Write down the correct definition (you can put it in your own words if you like).  Next create 2 more phony definitions.  Write those down also.  Post the word and all 3 definitions here.  We'll try and figure out the correct answer!  You can add more phony definitions if you like. 
Be sure to make your phony definitions a little tricky or else we'll tell you!

Example:
Kinetic Energy:

1.  The energy related to sports movement
2.  The energy of motion
3.  The energy related to height.

Science HELP?!!

There are 2 sites I recommend to students who are struggling in science.  These are my favorite because they both have a lot of lessons and I really like the explanations by the instructors in them. 
http://www.khanacademy.org/
http://www.brightstorm.com/

Surf them on your own and pick a video for a science topic you are struggling with in this class.  Embed it to your post just like I did on my "What's Your Word" post, if possible, (or attach the link and name) and tell us why you really liked it.  Don't take this lightly, your peers will take your recommendations seriously!

Camera Phone Diary

Okay, so nowadays, either you have your own camera phone or you know someone who has one. If you don't, let me know and we'll make arrangements. Here is your assignment:

Create a camera phone diary of erosion, deposition, or weathering happening. Explain as much as possible. Minimum of 3 pictures required to get credit. Last day to do so will be May 30th.

Here are some ideas:
-take a picture of your driveway cracks before, during, and after winter freeze occurs.
-Capture a plant growing in a sidewalk or crack in a building or side of the highway when your parents are driving
-check out the area around your mailbox.

I'm going to do my front door beam. Here's my first entry:

Although it didn't collect ice within it, it was extremely dry and cold. I'm going to take another picture and point out the changes in a few weeks.

Rap, Poem, Song, or Cartoon

You were given 5 key words by me.  Create a rap, poem, song, or cartoon script using the words and be sure to highlight the words so we know which ones they were.  You will do this in groups of 3 so make sure you list all 3 of your first names (only) on your post. 

Have fun!

Famous Quotes

Find a famous quote from your discipline (or even one that applies to your discipline). For example if you are a science teacher you might grab one from Watson & Crick, Marie Curie, Einstein, Darwin, etc...
Explain why you selected, and what you think it means...and maybe even explain what your students view might be of the same quote.

For example:
"The whole of science is nothing more than a refinement of everyday thinking." -Einstein
Sometimes I feel like I'm running a constant Science-Doesn't-Suck campaign as a science teacher. This reminds us that although it seems very intimidating, science is something you do every day, countless times within a day...I think my students would be surprised to hear that came from Einstein's mouth.

"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Einstein
Sometimes I feel like I'm betraying myself when I veg out in front of the tv...but say what you will about the "remote controlled babysitter" or as my dad liked to call it the "idiot box," it has allowed a bookworm like me to connect with the pulse of worldwide creativity. I'm not just an avid reader, I'm an avid watcher, and most importantly, even though I don't understand everything, I'm an avid imaginer. This is why this struck me...there is no point in gaining all the knowledge in the world, if you can't imagine. I think my students would totally see this, but maybe their follow up question would be something like, "so why are grades and tests so important, Miss?" :)