Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Student Blogging Challenge #2

One of the tasks for Challenge #2 in the Student Blogging Challenge is to create an avatar. 

An avatar
is an image or cartoon that is used to  
represent a person online
An avatar can show a little about the person,  but should not reveal too much personal information. 

For our educational blog, we use avatars to protect a child's true identity.


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Mrs. Yollis has used several avatars in the past.
Third Grade Picture
At Google Headquarters
In the Classroom




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Here are our new class avatars!
   

























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What do you think of our avatars?
Which is your favorite Mrs. Yollis avatar, and why?
Have you ever used an avatar before? When?


37 comments:

  1. Dear Mrs. Yollis,

    I love that post! I especially love seeing all the eyes peering over the assortment of books.
    One of my favorite books happens to be Clementine, like the one in the picture.

    I do not have a favorite character.
    I like them all!

    Which character do you like?


    Warmly,

    Grace♥♠♥

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dear Mrs. Y♥llis,

    I think this post is great! I think it is funny how everyone has different books but Adia and Hannah have the same books, In my Magic Tree House book my favorite character is Jack.

    Which character do like the most?

    From,

    Ryan♠

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dear Mrs. Yollis,

    I like the avatars. I like your avatar that shows you as a child because it shows how you looked when you were our age. Do you like the avatars? Which one is your favorite?

    From,
    Jaden

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dear Mrs. Yollis,

    My favorite book is Three Cups of Tea. I like that book a lot because:

    1. I love nonfiction books.

    2. It was really nice when this gentleman decided to build a little school for the poor children in Pakistan.

    My favorite character was the man named Greg Mortenson. He was very generous and giving for he gave a lot of the money that he earned, to the school in Pakistan just so the kids can get a great education.

    Have you ever read this book?
    Do you know the story?

    Warmly,

    Adia

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dear Mrs.Yollis
    I liked the avatar of you at the Google headquarters because I have never seen it before. I also liked all the avatars of the students with their books! Which avatar did you like?

    Your Student,
    Kristen

    ReplyDelete
  6. Dear Mrs Yollis,

    I love our classroom avatars, it's interesting to see what everyone is reading. I think it says a little about their personalities and what they like!

    My favorite avatar of yours is the one of you at Google Headquaters. The sign looks like a monster's eye popping out of the ground!

    To answer your last question, I have never used an avatar before, this is my first time. Thank you for doing it for us!

    Warmly,
    Hannah

    ReplyDelete
  7. @ Grace♥♠♥,

    I'm glad you liked the avatars! You are correct, there was an assortment of books...nice vocabulary! I like all of the avatars because you can see each person's eyes, but not their entire face. I also like to learn a little about what people like to read.

    @ Ryan♠,

    Yes, most people have different books, although Adia and Hannah are both reading the same thing. It is common for people to read the same books, especially if they're well written.

    @ Jaden,

    I'm glad that you liked the avatar I used to use of me when I was in third grade. It was one of the first avatars I ever picked. Now I use the Google one for Twitter and the classroom one for the blog.

    I think avatars are fun because you get to learn a little about each person based on their image.

    @ Adia,

    What a fabulous comment!

    I like that you specifically said why you liked the book you chose for your avatar!

    No, I haven't read the book, but I have heard about it. Isn't that the story that brought about the "Pennies for Peace" charity? We help them last year at school.

    Have you ever used an avatar for something? A video game? A website?

    Your proud teacher,
    Mrs. Y♥llis

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dear Mrs Yollis and class,

    Wow, I love the avatars you have created! I really like the idea of the students using books they like in their avatars. It tells us something about the students, which is great!

    I think students love to see what their teachers looked like when they were younger, so my favourite Mrs Yollis avatar is the one of her as a third grade student. :)

    I think avatars are great because they personalise blog comments as it's always nice to see what people look like!

    Great work everyone!

    Your friend,
    Miss Jordan

    ReplyDelete
  9. Dear Mrs Yollis and students,

    I loved all your avatars and whats great is that from the looks of things you are reading a varitey of books. So from this I can gather that you all love reading books which is wonderful.
    I was reading a novel just before I checked out your blog and I had my eyes half way into the pages just like you guys only with no photo.I am so impressed with the great selection of books you are all reading too.

    Keep up the great work from your friend down under AA.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a fantastic idea for avatars! I love how your pics tell us the sort of books you enjoy reading but don't give away your personal ID... Very cool indeed :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. @ Hannah,

    Thank you for your lovely comment!
    It was definitely a two point comment. The best part was that you answered all three questions. You are a great commenter, and we think you will earn your own blog.

    @ Kristen,

    The picture of Mrs. Yollis as a third grader was our absolute favorite avatar.
    All three of us love your blogging skills.

    You both are amazing bloggers.

    Sincerely,

    Jaden, Grace, and Adia

    ReplyDelete
  12. Dear Mrs Yollis and Grade 3
    B4 use a little bird painted by one of the children last year as our avatar.
    It is a bird is a kiwi, which is the national bird of New Zealand. We have used it when we speak on Voicethreads.

    from Mrs McKenzie

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Mrs Yollis
    Think your books and children is a great idea. Going to do that a put it onto a phoropeach. We;ll have a favourite book day. Thanks for the brilliant idea.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Dear Mrs Yollis,

    I love this post! Mrs Yollis you are my favourite avatar. I like looking at the photos of you. I thought it was awesome how everyone was hiding behide a book which they were reading.

    Yes I have used an avatar before on my blog. I choose the lilys becuase I liked them and I like flowers.

    Hope to hear from you again,

    From your Buddy,
    Bianca

    ReplyDelete
  15. @ Miss Jordan,

    Thank you so much for your kind words about our new avatars! Yes, we used books this year. I always like to use a real photograph in some way for the avatar.

    I think it is funny to see how adults used to look as well. That is why I originally chose it. It's hard to image that Mrs. Yollis was ever in third grade. Avatar humor is something I like!

    We liked your avatar! In class, we talked about when you are an adult, you can reveal more personal information if you like!

    @ AA,

    I like to see what people are reading too, so it was a fun avatar experience! Your words were very descriptive and I can imagine you in a book!

    Do you have an avatar that you use?

    @ Ms. Bee,

    Thanks for your kind compliment! Yes, limiting personal information is critical for kids!

    Sincerely,
    Mrs. Y♥llis

    ReplyDelete
  16. @ Mrs. McKenzie,

    We ♥ your little kiwi painting avatar! What a perfect representative!

    Can you tell us a few facts about the kiwi? Are they easy to spot?

    Our national bird is the bald eagle, but I've only seen them when I was in Alaska, Montana, and Minnesota. Our state bird is the California quail, and I saw one for the first time last year!

    @ Raff,

    Glad you like the idea! It's a nice way to learn about a person!

    @ Bianca,

    Thank you for your kind words! The one of me in third grade is funny for me to see. Did you notice that I was missing a big tooth in the front! :-)

    I ♥ your lily avatar! They are such beautiful flowers!

    Your pal,
    Mrs. Y♥llis

    ReplyDelete
  17. Dear Mrs. Yollis,
    Jaden and I just looked at all of the avatars together. It was fun having Jaden tell me the names of all of his new friends. I went back and tried to remember who everyone was and Jaden says I got half of them right. I think it will take me a little while to learn all of the names and the faces that they belong to. How do you remember all of your students? Does it take you a while to learn all of their names?
    From,
    Marcie (Jaden's mom)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Dear Mrs. Yollis,

    My mom's favorite movie is Avatar. I would not know because I fell asleep during the movie.

    I have not used an avatar before. Were avatars called avatars before the movie Avatar?

    From,
    Jaden ♦♣♠

    ReplyDelete
  19. Dear Mrs. Y♥llis,

    I think this post is exquisite. I like all the eyes because it looks like a whole world of eyes and books.

    My favorite avatar of yours is the one where you were a third grader, because it shows what you looked like when you were our age. I also like the one at Google Headquarters because it looks like a one eyed troll.

    Your student,
    Iman

    ReplyDelete
  20. @ Marcie, (Jaden's mom)

    I like the avatars too because you can tell who everyone is from their hair and eyes, but you don't see the entire face. Plus, you get to see what people like to read!

    It is very difficult to remember everyone's names...especially at the beginning of the year. Just ask Jared! :-)

    @ Jaden ♦♣♠,

    I liked Avatar, the movie...although it was pretty long, especially for young kids!

    I've used the word avatar for years. It is a computer term that means a representation of the person. Some people are familiar with it if they play a video game, you usually pick out your avatar from the game menu.

    @ Iman,

    I like seeing everyone's eyes as well. Eyes are unique!

    I'm glad you like the old third grade avatar. I just recently stopped using it and switched to the classroom one.

    The Google Headquarters avatar is the one I use on Twitter. It is actually a giant Google Maps marker. Get it? I was at Google standing next a statue of a Google Maps marker! I'll show you some markers on Google Earth tomorrow!

    Sincerely,
    Mrs. Y♥llis

    ReplyDelete
  21. Dear 3rd Graders,

    I loved looking at your blog this evening. I finally had a chance to see what you're doing with Mrs. Yollis. Awesome avatars!!! My favorite is "Build Yourself Wild." I introduced that to the 2nd graders at Willow last year. So much fun.... See you on Monday.

    Mrs Culbert

    ReplyDelete
  22. @ Mrs Yollis,

    thank you for replying to me.
    Yes I did notice that you had a tooth missing.
    I lost my first front tooth last year.
    Yes lilies are beautiful flowers it is amazing how they can grow on top of the water.
    From your blogging friend Bianca.

    ReplyDelete
  23. @ Mrs Yollis ,
    I think I have got an avatar on 2km blog.
    Looks like I need to work on getting one of my own.
    I was wondering do you or your students have any suggestions for me.
    Would really love you to hear your suggestions on an avatar.
    Always good to hear from you.
    From your friend AA.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Dear Mrs. Yollis,

    My favorite Mrs. Yollis avatar is the one with you in third grade. I like it because I get to see how you looked in third grade. I have many series of books that I like but, one of my most favorite ones is The Boxcar Children .

    Here are some questions:
    What kind of avatars do you like?
    Which is your least favorite?

    From,
    Ryan ♥ ♠ ♥

    ReplyDelete
  25. Dear Mrs. Yollis and Class,

    My name is Mrs. Swift and I teach Grade 3 in Ontario, Canada. I have a blog with my students (www.mswift.edublogs.org). I have had a blog for a couple of years, but I am always looking for ideas from other class blogs. Your blog and Mr. Toft's Class Blog are my two favourites. Today my students logged in for the first time as blog authors. They are writing about themselves. I told them that we would also be making avatars. I'm going to show them yours. Do you mind if we share your idea?

    I love your avatars! It is a great way to show you without showing your whole face. We have that same rule at our school. My favourite Mrs. Yollis avatar is her Third Grade picture. My avatar is a cartoon drawing of me.

    Come and visit our blog some time.

    From,
    Mrs. Swift

    P.S. My students are gone now for the weekend but I will show them your avatars when they come back on Monday.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Dear Mrs. Yollis,

    We love that post about the blogging challenge. It was very nice. Our favorite avatar is your third grade picture. We especially liked how you lost your front tooth. It looked very cute. What is your favorite avatar?

    Your students,

    Adia, Alexa, and Iman

    ReplyDelete
  27. I believe the relationship between book and eyes brought the Avatar concept to life.

    Pippi Longstockings would be my Avatar.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Dear Mrs Y♥llis,

    I love the fact that Iman is enjoying the blogs so much. He is constantly looking at his classmates and friends' comments from different continents that your classroom is in contact with. What a wonderful way to connect to the world and be involved with other third graders' daily school life and activities. We all are so proud of our children and marvel at their accompolishments everyday.

    Fondly,
    Parisa Palizi

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hi All of you

    I am getting started blogging. I like your avatars. I think Ben is wearing a Lakers shirt. Perhaps I should get him a shirt from the Miami Heat?
    Nonno

    ReplyDelete
  30. @ Mrs. Y♥llis,

    Thank for the nice comment, I get that it is a google earth marker. Also I have a question,

    Do you have a favorite series?

    Your Student,
    Iman

    ReplyDelete
  31. Dear Mrs. Yollis,

    I love the avatars. My favorite avatar of yours is the third grade. I like it because it doesn't show your identity in the modern time.

    What is your favorite avatar?


    From,
    Ileanna

    ReplyDelete
  32. Dear Mrs. Yollis,
    I like your Avatar when you are standing at Google headquarters. I have never had an Avatar before. I like mine because I have one of my favorite books in front of me. Avatar is one of my all time favorite movies.
    Your student,
    Ben

    ReplyDelete
  33. Dear Mrs. Yollis,
    I think the photo of you standing at the Google headquarters looks funny because your standing next to an interesting looking statue. My favorite author is Roald Dahl. I like the character Charlie in the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory . I like Charlie because he wasn't greedy and took care of his family.

    Who is your favorite character?

    Best,
    Miriam

    ReplyDelete
  34. I love the Junie B. Jones - Boss at Lunch book :) I think I have read that 10 times already.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hey i`m from, http://room162w.edublogs .org/.
    You should visit my site by the way my name is Hadrion. Your blog is awesome it is really helpful to me. It helps me by learning how to inspire people.

    ReplyDelete
  36. ileanna and ileanna's momOctober 13, 2010 at 4:12 PM

    Dear Mrs. Yollis,
    The avatars are spectacular!
    I learned what an avatar was today while Ileanna and I were checking out the blog.
    My favorite is Ileanna's and that is because she is my daughter. I also enjoyed seeing all the kids. Everyone is getting to be so big!
    I have an avatar on my email and didn't know what it was called until just now. I have green flippers in the sand. Do any of you have other avatars?
    Mrs. Yollis how many avatars do you have?

    Sincerely,
    Ileanna and Ileanna's Mom

    ReplyDelete
  37. Dear Mrs. Y♥llis,

    I just created my avatar. I think it looks like me. I like the avatars on our blog.

    Have you ever made a cartoon avatar when you were a kid?

    From,

    Nicolas

    ReplyDelete

* * *
Getting feedback is important to our writers. Let us know what you liked or what you learned.

Steps to Comment:

1. Write your comment in the box below. Be sure that you have proofread it for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization. Students should have a parent check it!

2. Choose an identity. (If you have a gmail account, use it. If not, choose name/url. You can leave the url blank if you do not have a blog.)

3. Click "Publish your Comment". You may preview your comment before publishing if you'd like.


Important: All comments MUST be approved by me.
:-) Mrs. Yollis