Internet Safety

 Hello Students in Room 33 and Parents/Guardians.  This year we will be using the Internet in many fun and exciting ways.  Below is a list of ways that will keep your student safe from the Internet both at school and at home.  There is also information for the parents/guardians for protecting your child!

For the STUDENTS...there are some very important things that you need to keep in mind when you're on your computer at home or at school.....

1.  Never give out ANY type of personal information out on the Internet (name, home address and phone number, credit card number, school name, etc.)
2.  Never take a picture of yourself on a chat room or other sites that allow this
3.  Never write to someone that makes  you scared or uncomfortable
4.  Don't go and meet someone alone that you met online without the consent of you parent/guardian
5. Tell your parents right away if ANYTHING anybody says makes you uncomfortable
Remember:  Over the Internet people may say they are a 12 year girl when they really aren't!
6.  Don't talk to strangers

For the PARENTS...

1.  Become computer literate and learn how to block objectionable material
2.  Keep the computer in a common area, not in individual bedrooms, where you can watch and monitor its use
3.  Share an email account with your child so you can monitor messages
4.  Bookmark kids' favorite sites for easy access
5.  Spend time online together to teach your kids appropriate online behavior
6.  Find out what, if any, online protection is offered by your child's school, after-school center, friends' homes, or anyplace where kids could use a computer without your supervision
NOTE:  This link will show you what Notre Dame Academy (NDA) has to offer when protecting their students from the Internet
7.  Take your child seriously if he or she reports an uncomfortable online exchange
8.  Forward copies of obscene or threatening messages you or your kids get to your Internet service provider

Feel free to visit this link  which will give you more tips on Internet Safety and more specifically for teens and younger children:

Incorporating Blogs into the Classroom

1.  Students can create a blog where they describe a typical day at school. The teacher can invite other same aged students from different global locations to contribute the same type of information on the same blog.This will allow students to see the different ways in which their school days and similar and differ.  Students can ask questions and leave comments to gain cultural awareness. Students can then begin to share/compare thematic units being learned, novels being read, field trips being taken, etc.  This will be interesting to use in my classroom now because they are learning about different vocabulary in and affiliated with school.  This will heighten their awareness on schools around the country or schools that can be right around the corner.  This will cover the standards 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 which allows students to communicate in languages other than English.

2.  In my school, the 8th grade girls and boys need to make a portfolio to enter a high school of choice (usually a Catholic School).  Having students create an E-portfolio will not only display their student work but will also allow students to visually see their portfolio on the computer.  Students could add links to videos, presentations, podcasts, etc. which can show the viewer how that individual excels in their field (academically or in sports).  Allowing students to complete this type of portfolio will allow them to comment on their weaknesses and strengths as well.  This type of work shows others what work is highlighted in their portfolio.  Standard 1.2 allows children to understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics which is the standard that students will demonstrate while completing this task.  

3.  Creating a blog to communicate class/school information with parents will allow students, teacher, and parents/guardians to see important information that's happening in the community, school, and in the classroom.  Teachers can post field trip information, field trip forms, parent helper calendars, general classroom guidelines and more.  This will be extremely beneficial to those specific parents who don't speak English as a first language because the teacher can intertwine links that will allow parents to appropriately view and communicate with the other parents/guardians of the students.  Teachers can also show homework assignments, spelling words, test, quizzes, and projects on the blog which will allow for open communication between the teacher and guardians if questions happen to arise.  In my classroom, I can have students post a special fact about the Country of the week and students can post their thoughts about it. This will allow students to not only communicate with others but will also allow students to gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures.