Blog Due Friday, January 16, 2015

Title:  How Do You Measure Up?

You will be receiving a copy of your mentor teacher's evaluation of your performance in his/her classroom on January 16..  It is important to receive feedback in order to identify areas of strength and areas that need improvement.

Click here to evaluate yourself.  This is the same evaluation form that your mentor teacher has used to evaluate you.   By completing this, you will have an opportunity to compare your perception of your performance with your mentor's perception of your performance.

As you complete the evaluation, remember to answer honestly, not how you wish you had performed.  You don't need to be overly harsh on yourself, but it is wise to remember that nobody is perfect and there is always room for growth or improvement.

When you have completed your self-evaluation, ask me for the copy of your mentor's evaluation of you.  Compare the results.

Post on your blog answers to the following:

• Did you get the grade you were expecting from your mentor?  Explain.
• What insight(s) did the comments give you?
• Name an area (or areas) in which you would like to improve.  How could you do that?

You do not need to do anything extra (no media, links, etc.) unless you would like extra credit or you just love blogging.

Blog Due Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Title:  My Plans for the New Year! 

2015 is Here!  It's a New Year and a fresh start in the spring semester!

• Seniors - You have 20 weeks of high school left!
• Juniors - You are about to register for your senior year classes!

Have you set yourself up for success after high school?  Or do you have some work to do?  It's never too late to begin.  Think about what you have to accomplish from now through May.  What are some of the things you need to make happen?  Do you need to improve your grades, take college placement tests, or apply for scholarships?  Seniors - Where are you in the college application process - application, acceptance, dorms, scholarships, etc.?  Juniors - what types of classes do you need to take to make you a highly desirable college applicant?  

In this blog, compose three goals in the following areas:

• College planning:  Applications, testing, visits, scholarships, and more
• Attendance
• Grades

You will be reflecting on your progress later, so be sure that they are realistic and achievable.  Here are the components that each goal must include:

• The outcome or desired behavior
• The timeframe
• The methodology or way it will take place

Poor example:  I will have better attendance.

Good example:  I will improve my attendance this semester by getting up 10 minutes early each day to avoid tardies.

Poor example:  I will get scholarship money for college.

Good example:  I will try to secure $1000 in scholarships for my freshman year by applying for at least 5 scholarships by April 1.  

To complete your blog, discuss how achieving these goals will improve your quality of life.  How will the results make your life better?  Be sure your discussion has support.

Remember - the blog rubric is in effect (content/writing mechanics/media, links, files, videos/deadlines.