Mr. Gonzalez's Science Classes
We have three 6th grade Science classes and two 8th grade Science classes blogging here from the Pacific Northwest in Chimacum, WA! Sixth graders are learning a bit about Mt Saint Helens, environmental science through fresh water ecology, and physical science this year. Eighth graders are learning about life science this year. Please join us as we learn Science by exploring our world.
Mr. G's Blog Mr. G's Class Facebook Page
DOPA Still Alive?
After the House of Representatives passed the Deleting Online Predators Act of 2006 or DOPA for short, people were afraid it might become law. If this act would have become a law it would have required schools and libraries that receive federal aid to block any website where children can be harmed by online predators. Here's a quote from an online discussion, "The law is so broadly defined that it would limit access to any commercial site that allows users to create a profile and communicate with strangers. This legislation is targeting MySpace, but it would also block numerous other sites, including blogging tools, mailing lists, video and podcast sites, photo sharing sites, and educational sites like NeoPets." Discussion: MySpace and DOPA
The good news is that the DOPA 2006 didn't pass through the Senate! It's gone!! Or is it? The latest news is that people are trying to re-write the act to get it passed into law again. They just won't quit, and people are calling this new act DOPA Jr. Read about it here.
In this class we are using Class Blogmeister. I moderate it and wouldn't allow strangers to post on our blog, yet it would have to be blocked under the DOPA 2006 or the new DOPA Jr. if they don't fix that part. We wouldn't be able to add our knowledge to wiki's from a school or library because other people could read it. What are your thoughts on this?
About the Blogger
I started my teaching career in South Central Los Angeles teaching in modified to full bilingual 4th and 5th grade classes. Then I moved to WA State where I have taught mainly 6th through 8th grade. I have enjoyed the culture clash but notice that kids are the same everywhere :o)
My areas of interest are science and technology but I also love studying ancient cultures and learning about different peoples and cultures.
