DIVERGENT - Movie Trailer !

  

“Everyone’s afraid of something,” declares the new trailer for Divergent.

Based on the first book in Veronica Roth’s bestselling YA trilogy, the latest trailer for the highly anticipated film gives fans their most in-depth look yet at the dystopian world Tris (Shailene Woodley) and her community inhabit. Fans of the franchise will likely be most excited to see the first extended look at the fear landscape, where Tris will battle her demons and discover she may not be as ordinary as she once thought. There’s also a look at Tris and Four (Theo James) on the Ferris wheel, as well an a peek at sinister Jeanine Matthews (Kate Winslet).

“Fear doesn’t shut you down, it wakes you up,” Four explains to Tris in the trailer. “That’s what makes you dangerous.”                                                                                (from Entertainment Weekly)

It's time to vote for your favorite Evergreen Young Adult Book!

Which of the above books was your favorite?

If you have read at least two of the nominees you can VOTE!

Log onto the Evergreen Young Adult Book Award site to vote online or get a ballot from Mrs. Hightower. Voting closes April 1st, so do it today.

Have you used VIA???

We have eBooks!!! Have you looked at them? Find out more and watch the Mackin VIA video.





Remember, our user name is Cashmere, and our password is the plural form of our mascot. (if you need help figuring that out, please talk to Mrs. Hightower!)

To log into Mackin VIA, click here

Safer Internet Day 2014

Did you know today is Safer Internet Day?? For more information, click here

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP

I belong to a professional learning and social network of educators called edWeb.net. We are all concerned how to help our students become safe, responsible and respectful participants in a digital world. People from all over the world post ideas to help and support the members. The following list of desirable traits came from a teacher in Abu Dhabi:

1.     Balanced students use screen time wisely and do not let the cyber world take over the real world.
2.     Literate students look at digital resources critically considering the bias, authority and currency of sources.
3.     Responsible students know how to protect themselves online. They avoid sharing personal information and think before they post information or send messages.
4.     Ethical students give credit where credit is due. They know how to research for information without plagiarizing from the web.
5.     Positive students  use technology to learn, communicate and create. They do not use it to the detriment of others. 

                Heather Roy (Technology Learning Coach, American Community School of Abu Dhabi

Which trait do you think is most important?

Christmas Word Clouds

Mrs. Henning gave me the sweetest gift, a word cloud Christmas Tree comprised with all my family's names. She put it in a pretty frame and I can see my children and grandchildren's names in it. I will treasure this and bring it out in the future during the holidays. I liked it so much I wanted to try it myself. Here is an example I made this morning using Tagxedo: I would recommend this for an easy gift. Print it out on nice paper with a good color printer, frame it and you'll have a gift that anyone would love to have! Merry Christmas and have a wonderful vacation. See you on January 6th!

December 9-15: Computer Science Education Week!

I just learned that next week is Computer Science Education Week! Join students across the nation and learn more about code: the foundation for virtually any career. There are tutorials and computer puzzles to help you learn simple code. Have fun and expose your mind to something fun and useful.

Click here to learn CODE!