Your first post...

Good evening,
Hopefully everyone was able to get on to Blogger and group blogs have been set up ok.  If you are having any trouble, I will be open for flex at 11:30 tomorrow (Wed - after your "Gr 8 Retreat") and I will be open for flex on Thursday at 11:15 (Closed Friday).

If you have not yet invited me to your group blogs, please remember to do so.

Your first post! Due Friday in class!
Before posting - Last week and this week each of you were to attend a club or other extra-curricular activity ("meet an expert" talk, team sport, student council,…) as you will be writing on it this week.
The expectation was that you would attend to see what it was about - you did not need to join unless you wanted to.  I know some clubs were getting started this week so the deadline for doing this was extended to this week.

Response options for your post:

Write about your experience attending your club or extra curricular meeting, but choose one of the "voices" or perspectives below to get a little creative and have fun with it.  We may share your posts with the clubs so they get some feedback as to how well they are reaching our newest Firehawks - this information is important as it helps clubs to maintain and grow.  Remember to keep the language more formally toned and if you refer to any student, use first names only (for safety and privacy).  Some options allow you to critique your club experience - remember to do this in a way that is not hurtful or attacking any person or group.  There is a way to discuss concerns and offer constructive criticism without being hurtful.  If you do not think you can do this, then choose a different option without critique. This is a skill we will be working on throughout the year, so you will have plenty of opportunity to develop your feedback skills.

1.  Write as if you are a reporter - reporting objectively on what the club is all about, your observations / experiences or "interviews" with other attendees.  Don't forget reporters sully go through the 5 Ws and H (Who, What, When, Where, How, and Why).  Conclude with a recommendation - "selling" the club to the audience it  would appeal to and why?  For example - perhaps the FH book club would appeal to those who really enjoy reading and sharing books, but also those who might need extra conversational practice or want to expose themselves to varied genres of literature, share their love of literature outside their regular grade or English class.

2.  Write from the perspective of an "alien" -  try to explain the club to someone from outside our world.  Listen to "I'm a Stranger Here" by Five Man Electrical Band to give you an idea as to how this might be done:

The first clip - does not have a video but does include the lyrics in written form to follow along. The second clip has a video with images added by another to go with the words.
 

 3.Write a jingle or radio ad for the club you attended - Be informative but "sell" the club to your audience.  If you can audio record or video tape yourself "performing" the jingle or radio ad. Minimally - Write the jingle in your post and tell your audience what tune goes with it.  (minimum 15 lines)

4. Describe the club to your audience. Attach a collage of words or images to represent your initial impressions or response to the club. (These will likely include both positive and critical thoughts as well as queries or questions - that is ok.) Create online or upload pictures, draw and take a picture to upload

5. Describe the 5 Ws and H of your club / extra curricular choice and then offer write about the pros and cons of joining the club. Consider the skills, connections, interests you would build upon as well as the commitments required and any worries or concerns you may have about joining the club.  You may also list questions you still have after attending your club event - perhaps the event was not as informative as you thought it might be so this is the perfect place to write down your questions.