Stage+3

= __Lesson Planning__ = **Basic Plan of PD session:**
 * Stage 3 **
 * **Pre-professional development survey week before to assess needs**
 * **Introduction to various exemplary blogs**
 * **Q & A**
 * **Demonstration for creating a blog account and writing a post**
 * **Q & A**
 * **Distribution of blog set-up guidelines**
 * **Hands on step by step process so teachers can create their own blogger accounts** **(including theme, fonts, links, images, video, name of blog and layout)**
 * **Q & A**
 * **Create first post- a 'welcome' to students and parents**
 * **Q & A**
 * **Present Fair Use guidelines re: acceptable content**
 * **Q & A**
 * **Share logistics of follow-up sessions**
 * **Q & A**
 * **Exit Slips**
 * **Post****-professional development survey week after to assess further needs**

// **Where** // **are your students headed? Where have they been? How will you make sure the students know where they are going?** The students participating in this assignment are going to learn how to create a blog about **their class** in order to communicate with parents. The majority of the students have not done so before and are new to the world of blogging. Throughout the training, students will have a chance to be "hands-on" and create their blog with the guidance of instructors.

**How will you //hook// students at the beginning of the unit?** The unit will begin with exploration of blogs, education-focused and otherwise, to get a better understanding of what a "good' blog looks like. There will be discussion after each segment.

**What events will help students //experience and explore// the big idea and questions in the unit? How will you equip them with needed skills and knowledge?** Students will experience and explore blogging, by first observing other blogs and then creating their own. Prior to creating their own blog, instructors will explain the basic ways to navigate a blog including but not limited to: layout, font, settings (including privacy), and editing.

**How will you cause students to //reflect and rethink//? How will you guide them in rehearsing, revising, and refining their work?** During the instruction students will be encouraged to keep a "thought journal" in order to document the process. The journal can include basic questions and ideas, but also should be space to reflect and think on what they're creating and how it's being created. Additionally, since a blog is a "living document" and grows by what is contributed to it, students will be encouraged to always be considerate of changes that could be made in the future. **How will you help students to //exhibit// and self-//evaluate// their growing skills, knowledge, and understanding throughout the unit?** Teachers will be provided with the opportunity to reflect on their new knowledge via exit slips and on-going follow-up practice/trouble shooting sessions. Teachers will share their blogs and provide feedback to each other via PQS (praise/question/suggestion).

Students who need one-on-one instruction will receive that during the initial PD as well as during any follow-up training. Blogging information will be presented for visual, auditory and tactile learners. We will be in a lab using computers, demos will be on screen and we will be talking through the process. **How will you //organize// and sequence the learning activities to optimize the engagement and achievement of ALL students?** Teachers who are more tech savvy and/or more familiar with blogging can work independently and move at a faster pace and use the handout with directions for blogging guidelines if necessary.  
 * How will you //tailor// and otherwise personalize the learning plan to optimize the engagement and effectiveness of ALL students, without compromising the goals of the unit?**