We were to start the Pirate's webquest this week, but a snag has come up. There is a worm that has infected the district's files. So we cannot use the internet.

I talked to Terri about creating a web page and she said I had to contact someone at the High School, which I did. I found out that the district will not let me create a web page without attending a class after school. The only problem, the next class will not be until September. Meanwhile we will start on the research but without the web page.

I created computer files for the students to keep their documents in, so they can work on this project anywhere in the school.

We started the pirate research this week. I'm disappointed that we can not use the webquest, but we are still having problems with the worm.

I found out that the next web development class will be scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on September 23, at the Technology building. The district only uses Dreamweaver for web pages, so I will have to purchase the software. I don't feel comfortable asking Mr. Meekins for money to buy the software because I only need it to do my internship. I really don't need it for my job. So I ordered the software and hope it gets here by the time I take the web development class. Meanwhile, we will continue the pirate unit regardless.

The web development class was a joke. All the instructors did was walk us through how to get logged on to the system. As far as how to use the Dreamweaver software, we are on our own. Why did I have to wait three weeks for this?

The students started creating their flags this week. Some used PowerPoint, Inspiration or Draw. They were to create a flag for their group that would send a message. A skull meant that a sailor died; red meant death; and a skeleton meant a violent death.

A few students are ahead and have started working on their Code of Conduct assignment.

The students had today off while the teachers had an in service.

Students have completed their flags and all the groups have started their Code of Conduct assignment. One group has finished the Code of Conduct and is working on their captain's journal.

All groups worked on their Code of Conduct this week. Two boys asked if they could write about the same battle but from two captain's point-of-view. I thought it was a great idea.

One group has started working on their PowerPoint presentation. They will include their group's pirate name, name of a ship, their research, flag and Code of Conduct.

We are about two weeks behind what I had in my contract.

Most of the PowerPoint presentations have been presented. The students worked real hard this week to get this done. They were excited when I told them we were going to create a Newsletter.

The students were divided into different groups today to work on the newsletter. One group will organize the research articles; another will be in charge of clipart; another tidbits of trivial information.

The group voted on Pirate Scoop as the name of the newsletter.

We worked on the newsletter most of the week. There were some arguments but it didn't last long. The newsletter should get published next week and we will distribute it among the sixth grade classes.

Tuesday, we didn't work at all on the pirate unit because of LA Benchmark II.

I talked to Terri this week and got her up to speed on what we are doing.

Another in service for teachers today. The newsletter was distributed Thursday among the sixth grade classes. Some of the other LA teachers told me that the students wanted to know if they could do projects like the pirate unit.

Working on the web page has been a little more difficult than I expected. For this first time, I found it better if I type up the articles until the students get used to the set up. They decided on what articles and clipart should be included, but asked me to do the actual typing. When we do the next unit, they will have to do the typing.

The pirate web page is now connected to my web page Now the students can share what they have been doing in class with their families and friends.

The students are now in different groups and have started their research on the Middle Ages.

I don't think we will finish the Middle Ages unit before Thanksgiving. I really pushed the students this week but they just can't finish.

The storyboard has been a little difficult for some of them to understand. As usual, one group has started their digital story, using PowerPoint. But even that group could not finish today. We will be a week late.

Well, we finished the Middle Ages unit. Students created a digital story using PowerPoint and shared with the class today.

I enjoyed the way the assignments in the webquests went and the students like them. Their feedback on the pirate and middle ages webquests were positive, and I'm looking forward to creating more for them in the spring.