Henry+Park

Hi all, I will work on the IT bit as a platform for reflection. Setting ground rules, etc...for quicktopic discussion board. khim

QUICKTOPIC.COM - a free and safe message board - LESSON.

INTRODUCTION QuickTopic is a free message board which allows your pupils to message safely and privately. They need the specific URL in order to be able to post comments/messages. You can post messages by email but it is best to just get your pupils to post messages immediately during a class as not all of your pupils may have easy access to the Internet at home.

STEPS PRIOR TO LESSON 1. Teacher goes to http://www.quicktopic.com to register and create an account. 2. Have in mind a topic as once you log in, you will be prompted to start a new topic of discussion. 3. Set boundaries / rules that you want your pupils to keep within (example of rules in next heading). 4. Once topic is typed in, take careful note of the URL, every letter, whether upper or lower case, and number matters. 5. Write an introductory note to your pupils, stating clearly what you want them to do (whether it is to type in reflections, comments, using the 3-2-1 strategy, etc..).

RULES (SOME EXAMPLES) 1. Type in your name, not a nickname [this is so as to be able to identify the writer of the message as well as for the pupil to take ownership of his/her message]. 2. You are only allowed to edit your own message [messages most recently posted can be edited by anyone by just clicking edit. pupils must learn that they cannot tamper with other people's messages.] 3. Allowed only to post 1 message unless teacher has instructed that a second post is allowed. 4. 1st message may be an opinion. Ensure you give your reasons for that opinion. Explain yourself clearly. 5. 2nd possible message allowed could be in response to a classmate's comment. This message must be constructive and NOT destructive. 6. At no point during the lesson are you allowed to go to another website, unless prompted by your teacher or permission has been granted by your teacher. 7. When you have posted your message, you can read your classmates' messages. You could take notes on the points you may want to comment on in your 2nd post. 8. Second round should only take place after everyone has submitted his/her first comment/message.

INSTRUCTIONS TO PUPILS (PRIOR TO POSTING) 1. Type in address (URL) to get to teacher's page. 2. MUST ensure that all letters are exactly as shown as it is case sensitive. 3. When get to page, read message teacher has posted. 4. Then, click on "POST A NEW MESSAGE". 5. Type in your name and in the box below that, type in your message. 6. When done, proofread what you have typed. 7. Click "SUBMIT MESSAGE". This will bring you back to teacher's page. 8. You may read your classmates' posts then. 9. To the right of your message, you will find 2 hyperlinks - "edit" and "delete". Do not click on "delete". 10. You may edit your own message if you need to.

Possible times to use discussion board... 1. Pre-reading (as per William's suggestion...) - "What is bravery/courage?", "What do we mean when we say someone is brave?", "What are some of your assumptions and opinions on what it means to be brave?", "What are the different ways to demonstrate bravery?","What are some of the brave acts that you can recall from the fairytales you have read?" - You will be reading a story entitled "The Great Quillow". What do you think the story will be about?

2. During reading... - 1 or 2 prediction exercises? What do you think will happen next? Why do you think so? What made you think such and such would take place? - "Quillow, the toymaker, did not belong to the council but he attended all the meetings." Why do you think he attended the meetings? What do you think would have happened to the town if he had not attended the meetings? - Comment on how Quillow's reactions were different from the councillors at the meeting where Hunder's demands were read. Why do you think this was so? What have you learnt about his character? - "Quillow smiled as he saw that the giant lay with his heart to the east.." Why did Quillow smile? What did the giant's action tell him?

3. After reading... - What did you learn from Quillow through the way he went about overcoming Hunder and saving the town? - What can we learn from Quillow and the way he reacted to the way the townsfolk treated him?