End of Semester

We have reached the end of the first semester of the 2013-2014 school year.  It has gone by extremely fast!

If you are looking for information regarding assignments and the end of the semester in Computer Applications, here is what each student was told in class several times over the last 2 weeks of class:

No assignments will be accepted after Thursday, December 19th.  Students were given 4 straight days (Monday-Thursday of the last week of school) of class time to work on anything that was missing or due (this was in addition to class time that had already been given to students to complete assignments when they were originally due).

The lone exception to late work being turned in is the podcast - students can still submit the podcast to me through email (however if submitted over break the most a student can earn is 50% on the assignment).  If a student chooses to do this they must embed their podcast on their blog and then send me a link to their blog (if you need assistance go to the How To page on the blog - there are detailed instructions there).  The podcast needs to be submitted by Friday, Jan. 3, 2014.

I will continue to add in grades to Skyward as I complete the grading process.  As of right now I have about 175 assignments that have been submitted that I have not yet graded - those include late assignments (for example formatting activities) that were submitted before school was done on Thursday, crossword puzzles, and podcasts.

The Alice projects that the students have been working on will count as extra credit - the grading process will be based on how much of the project the student completed and how well the student followed the instructions for the project.

Happy Holidays!

Continue work to finish the semester

Today you will continue to complete any work that needs to be done.  I would recommend that you do two things in that regard:

1. Check your email.  I have graded quite a few assignments and have sent emails regarding the assignment - in other words if you didn't do things correctly I may not have graded your assignment, sent you an email with instructions on what you need to do to get a grade for an assignment, and am waiting for you to resend me an email.
2. Check to make sure you have all of the vocab quizzes completed.  Some of you have missed time and may not have taken a vocab quiz.  If so, you'll want to get these done, and you can only do that here in class.  Let me know that you are taking one of the quizzes and then you can do it.  Also, if you missed a quiz because you were gone and then you came in at a different time and completed it and I have not entered it into Skyward I need to know so I can change that and your grade can improve.

As we talked about yesterday, you should be working to complete the Alice project.  If you are done with everything and you want to do the podcast I can send you to the computer lab to get that finished.

Crossword puzzle; complete work

With only 4 days remaining the key is to make sure that you have everything completed and turned in.  If you have any missing assignments (check the board) you'll want to get those in…getting 50% on an assignment is much better than getting a zero.

If you have all of your assignments in, and you have completed your Alice project, I will allow you time in class to go to the Computer lab and complete your podcast.  See me during class and I will write you a pass to the computer lab.  However, if the computer labs are being used by classes then completing the podcast will not be a possibility and you will have to work on it outside of class (as you were originally supposed to do).  Remember, the podcast is due Wednesday.  If you turn in the podcast on Thursday you'll lose 10% of the grade, but you'll at least get a grade.  Anything turned in after Thursday will be graded at a 50% reduction.

You will have a crossword puzzle the you will get in class today…it will be due Thursday - no exceptions.  I will not accept this after Christmas, so if you don't turn it in by Thursday you will not get any credit for the crossword puzzle.  This puzzle only covers lists 1-9 (NOT list #10).

Last vocab quiz; FA9; Dragon Alice project

You'll have a few minutes to review for today's Vocab Quiz #10.  Once you get done with the quiz you may continue to work on FA9 if you still have not completed it.  If you are done with FA9 you can start, or continue (depending on what you've done so far) your work on the Dragon Alice project.

Again, the missing assignments list posted on the wall yesterday is updated with the exception of FA8 and FA9 (if you did not turn those assignments in they are missing but they do not show up on the missing assignments list because they haven't been graded).

Lastly, don't forget that you have your podcast that is due next Wednesday, and that it must be embedded on your blog.  If you need to refresh your memory on how to complete that assignment I would suggest going to the How To page on the blog.  This is a homework assignment and cannot be completed in class.

Flash video; FA9

The above video shows you what is possible to do with Flash.  Flash, like Photoshop, is an Adobe product and is a very useful product for digital imagery.  This is a software program that is often used in advertisements and on the web.

Once we get done watching the video you can continue to work on FA9 - it will be due tomorrow.  If you get done with FA9 you can continue your work on the Alice project, which will be due next week.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

You will need the image below for Part 3.  You'll need to save this and then use it as a billboard - no need to worry, the instructions will tell you how to get this done.

Additionally, don't forget that their is a vocab quiz tomorrow.

Lastly, there are new missing assignment lists posted - you may want to see what you have missing so you know what you need to make up.

Java video; FA9

After watching the above video on what Java is we will be learning how to insert shapes and using the drawing tools in Microsoft Word.  Once we get done going over these you will be working on completing FA9.


FA9

Photoshop video; finish FA8

Here is a short video on Photoshop:



If you have not yet posted a definition to Wiki spaces that needs to be done no later than tonight - please get those done!

After watching the video we will be completing FA8.

If you get done with FA8 you can begin working on the last Alice project - this will be a graded project.  There are 3 parts to this project, but Part 1 is largely a review of everything that we have already accomplished, so it should take you relatively little time to get it completed.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

You will need the image below for Part 3.  You'll need to save this and then use it as a billboard - no need to worry, the instructions will tell you how to get this done.

JPG vs. GIF vs. PNG files; FA8

This is the last week of vocab words, and to start off the week we are going to begin with a video that helps to explain the difference between a .jpg and a .gif .  If you are responsible for vocab words for this week those need to be defined on the Wiki spaces page by Tuesday (that's tomorrow) night!

Vocab quiz #9; finish Alice project

We will take a few minutes at the beginning of the hour to review for quiz #9 over the multimedia and graphics vocab list.

After the quiz you will have time to complete the Alice project - the Fish Fairy assignment - that we started yesterday (the instructions are still on yesterday's blog post).  

If you are done with everything, here are a couple of opportunities to be creative on your own:

http://www.befunky.com

http://stripgenerator.com

http://freerice.com/#/english-vocabulary/1371

Fish Fairy tutorial in Alice; finish FA7

Today you need to finish FA7 and get it submitted to me.  If you are not done it should be completed quickly.

After completing the formatting activity you will need to work on the Alice project below.  This will further your understanding of the Alice program and its capabilites.

I have 2 reminders for you - don't forget that there is a vocab quiz tomorrow, and you need to start thinking about what you are going to do for your podcast, and when you are going to get it done.  I've already had one person turn their podcast in (good job!!).

Lastly, we are exactly 2 weeks away from the end of the semester…if you are missing any assignments you need to start thinking about how you can get those done and submitted for credit.

Beginning Fish Fairy tutorial

Finish FA7; WAV files

This video will explain what a WAV file is.

After viewing the video on WAV files we will continue to work on FA7 - numbered and bulleted lists in Word.  We started working on this yesterday as a class - today you will work on your own WITH your speed skin on your keyboard.  The instructions are embedded below.

Activity 7 -


Don't forget that tonight is the last night that you can post a definition to the wiki spaces page for this week's vocab list (list #9 - Multimedia/Graphics).  Also, if you have vocab words for next week it would be a good time to get them done as soon as possible (tonight, for example).

Streaming video; Creating a podcast

After watching the above video on what streaming video is, I will be showing you how you will be creating your podcast.

The instructions for completing the podcast are as follows:

1. You will use the Vocaroo website to create your podcast, and you will need to make sure that the computer you use has a functioning microphone (all of the computers here at school in the labs and the library have functioning microphones).  
2. The podcast will be you reciting a famous historical speech.  You can choose any speech you want from one of the 3 following websites:
1. Famous quotes
2. American Rhetoric
3. History Place Speeches
3. The podcast ONLY needs to be 1 minute in length; therefore, depending on the speech you choose, you may not have to read the entire speech.
4. After creating the podcast you will embed your podcast on your blog (you will need to give it a proper title).  To do that, click on "HTML Code" at the bottom of the yellow box when you are done with your podcast (shown below).  Copy that information (the HTML code), and then you need to open your blog and create a new post.  In the new post you must click on the "HTML" button BEFORE! you paste the HTML code from Vocaroo!  Once you have this completed you can publish your podcast.

 The podcast will need to be completed by the day before the last day of school - right now that day is Wednesday, December 18.  If we have a snow day between now and then the due date will be moved back one day.





After going through that we will start working on FA 7.  This will be a to-do list that you will create using numbered and bulleted lists.  These look like outlines and are fairly easy to create and work with once you know what you need to do.

Welcome back!

Welcome back!  I hope everyone enjoyed a full week of Thanksgiving break…hopefully your batteries are fully recharged and you are ready for the homestretch!  We only have 3 weeks left until the end of the semester, but there is much to accomplish, starting with what you are going to be doing today.

Today we are going to enter a blogpost on your blog.  I want you to write at least 2 paragraphs about what your Thanksgiving consisted of, and what you are thankful for.  Spelling and grammar do count (this will be a graded assignment), so it might be useful for some of you to type your paragraphs in Word first (so you can do a spell and grammar check) and then copy and paste it into a new blogpost on your blog.  Once you have published your 2 paragraphs you will need to email me a link to your blog - remember when you are sending an email that you need to include the 5 parts to an email (email address, subject line, greeting, body, and signature).

When you complete this assignment in class today you will have the rest of the hour to either complete missing work, or if you have no missing work you may go to the practice websites and practice keying (since I'm sure that you haven't practiced in almost 10 days).

REMEMBER - SPEED SKINS ON YOUR KEYBOARD!

We do have a vocabulary quiz this week, so those of you with vocab words to define need to get that done no later than Wednesday night of this week.

Vocab quiz #8; finish Alice Space World tutorial

You'll have a few minutes before class starts to review for the vocab quiz.  Do not go to Classmarker until I ask you to do so.

After completing the vocab quiz you'll have the rest of the hour to finish the Space World tutorial in Alice.  The instructions are embedded in yesterday's blogpost.

Embedding video; Alice

Yesterday we learned about a new program called Alice - today we are going to expand our knowledge of Alice and what its capabilities are.  We are going to start working on the first Alice project.  You are going to have today and tomorrow to work on this - however, this is not for a grade.  Your goal is to complete this tutorial - once you do you will have an even better idea of what Alice can do.


Alice Space tutorial

When this message box pops up on your screen in Alice you should do a SAVE AS!  If you click on "Save right now" you will be able to save your file where you want.  Save to your desktop!  Give your file a name that you can remember, then add your first and last name to the end of the filename (for example, Alice1_tomhanks).  If you save it to your desktop, the next time that message pops up you'll be able to click on "Save right now" and replace that file that you have on the desktop.  Then, at the end class you'll be able to easily upload your file to your Google Drive and know what the file is.

Learning to use Alice; cache video

After watching the above video we are going to start today with learning to use a program called Alice. The purpose of using Alice is to learn to think like a computer programmer.  This is a detailed piece of software, but I think you'll find it fun to use as you learn to think about problems analytically and sequentially (or to think about how to complete a problem step-by-step).  Here are the different areas of Alice:

Object Tree

Details panel:

World View:

Events Area:

Method (code) editor:

Complete FA6; bytes and GB; reminders

Before we get into what we're doing today in class I have a couple of informational items that need to be shared.  First, last week we watched a video on the History of the Internet, and several of you missed that day and consequently missed the quiz over the video.  In order to make sure everyone gets their quizzes back in a timely manner I need to have everyone take the quiz by this Friday.  If you do not take the quiz by this Friday you will receive a zero for a grade.

Secondly, I am going to implement a new policy in class that requires you to keep your speed skin on the keyboard.  Every time I see you keying without your speed skin on your keyboard you are going to lose 10% of the assignment you are working on.  So, if you are caught 3 times during a formatting activity with your speed skin off the keyboard the best grade you can hope to get on that particular formatting activity would be a 70%.

On to today's class activity….

To start with we are going to discuss the differences in computer memory.  On the vocabulary list for this week is byte and GB - we'll talk about those two and many other different sizes of computer memory.  After today you should be able to go home and impress mom and dad with how much you know about computer memory!

Additionally we will be finishing FA6 - it needs to be printed out and handed in.  Make sure that you accomplish all of the assignment instructions before handing in.

Lastly, if you have vocab definitions for this week those need to be posted on the wiki spaces page by tonight!

FA6; vocab definitions;

Today's formatting activity has you learning how to insert symbols into your document.  Symbols can be used for a variety of reasons - to represent currencies, arrows, greek letters of the alphabet, and other symbols such as a trademark. 

Also, this is the only formatting activity that doesn't get embedded on the blog.  You will have a handout that you are given and will need to type the handout in order to complete the formatting activity.  

Below is a video that will help you to understand what a Firewall is (Firewall is one of the vocab words for this week).  

Completing FA5

Today you need to finish FA5.  Please note that this formatting activity is to be printed out instead of emailed as many of the other formatting activities have been.

Also, your crossword puzzle is due today at the beginning of the hour - make sure to put your name at the top of your page.

If you are done with both of these assignments you should work to complete any missing assignments you have.

If you are completely caught up with everything we've done then you need to type the lines below in Word with your speed skin on your keyboard.  If you get these done, raise your hand so I can see that you have completed these lines - then you can go to the practice websites:

The human heart creates enough pressure when it pumps out to the body that it could squirt blood 30 feet.

The flea can jump up to 350 times its body length. For a human, that would be equivalent to jumping the length of an entire football field.

The catfish has over 27,000 taste buds.

The strongest muscle in the body is the tongue.

Right-handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left-handed people.

An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.

Starfish have no brains.

The average bed is home to over 6 billion dust mites.

Just twenty seconds worth of fuel remained when Apolo 11's lunar module landed on the moon

Ten tons of space dust falls on the Earth every day

If you attempted to count the stars in a galaxey at a rate of one every second it would take around 3,000 years to count them all.

There are 333 toilet paper squares on a toilet paper roll.

Every minute in the U.S. six people turn 17.

It takes about 20 seconds for a red blood cell to circle the whole body.

There are more than 1,000 chemicals in a cup of cofee.

On average, a 4-year-old child asks 437 questions a day.

Termites eat wood twice as fast when listening to hevy metal music.

Finish FA5; crossword puzzle due tomorrow

As you work to complete FA5 today during class you will work with your speed skin on your keyboard.  The instructions for FA5 are still on yesterday's blogpost.

Additionally, the crossword puzzle given to you on Tuesday is due tomorrow.  If you have completed it you may turn it in at anytime.

Lastly, don't forget that all of the vocab words are on the wiki spaces page…therefore, if you have definitions that you need to post for either week #8, #9, or #10 you can do that now.  If you are responsible for week #8 words (the week 8 vocab quiz is next week) those definitions need to be posted by next Tuesday.

FA5; vocab definitions for next week; crossword puzzle

There are a couple of reminders for today…first, the crossword puzzle you were handed yesterday is due on Friday.  You may turn it in at anytime up until class on Friday if you are done with it.  Secondly, if you have vocab definitions due for next week's vocabulary list you should really consider getting those posted on the wiki spaces page.  Really that goes for any of you who have vocab definitions for Week 8 (that's next week), or Week 9 or Week 10.  As I've said numerous times before, if you wait until the last minute you probably will forget and lose points.

Today we are going to start with FA5 - this is a letter, and in my opinion may be one of the more important formatting activities that we complete during the semester.  What you are going to learn by doing this activity is how to format a letter.  That being said there are a bunch of different ways to format a letter, so this is just one example of how you can format a letter.

In any letter there are many different parts, so what we're going to do first is go to a webpage that shows the different parts of a letter.  There also are quite a few different examples of how letters can be formatted.  This might help you better understand the different parts to a letter.

http://www.ecasd.k12.wi.us/faculty/shaslow/business_letters_and_logo_samples.pdf

After we get done looking at the various letters we will begin working on FA5, which is embedded below.


FA5

History of the Internet

There is no vocab quiz this week, so instead there will be crossword puzzle that will need to be completed by Friday.

Today we are going to watch this video on the Internet.

Vocab Quiz #7; SLC covers

We will be taking vocab quiz #7 at the beginning of the hour, just like normal.  You will have several minutes for review.

After the quiz you need to complete your SLC folder covers.  Remember, you need to have at least these 2 items - your name (in WordArt), and an image of your rainforest animal.  Once you have those 2 items you may add any other images or information to your cover.  These must be done today, so you will need to print the cover out before you leave class.

Once you complete the cover you should work on any assignment that you have missing.

If you are all done you may go to the practice website and practice your keying - with your speed skin on the keyboard.

IP address vs. ISP; SLC folders

To start we will discuss the difference between an IP address and an ISP.

We also need to review the process for uploading and downloading to Google.  This is an important process, and one that we should have mastered, yet we still have some students who are not doing this correctly.

Then we will work with our SLC sheet and printing out assignments.

Lastly we will be completing the SLC folder covers.

Vocabulary review; Finish FA10; keyboard review

I want to go over several of the items on the vocabulary list for this week - this will be a good review as we get ready to take Vocab quiz #7 on Friday.

After going through the quick review we will continue to work on FA10 - it is due today.  The instructions are still on yesterday's blogpost.

If you are able to complete FA10 you will have a couple of keyboard reviews to do.  First, using just the keyboard, type the following:

YOU MIGHT BE A REDNECK IF…

You’ve been married three times and still have the same in-laws.

If you think Taco Bell is a Mexican phone company.

Your state has got a new law that says when a couple gets divorced, they are still legally brother and sister.

Your house still has the “WIDE LOAD” sign on the back.

You got stopped by a state trooper; He asked if you had an I.D. and said “Bout what?”

You think a stock tip is advice on worming' your hogs.

Your sister is the third generation of women in your family to conceive a baby as a result of an alien abduction

If you can burp and say your name at the same time

You think possum is “the other white meat.”

You think Sherlock Holmes is a housing project down in Biloxi.

You carried a fishing pole into Sea World.

The centerpiece on your dining room table is an original signed work by a famous taxidermist.

You think a quarter horse is a ride out in front of the Wal-Mart.

If you get done with this, choose one of the keypad handouts and type it in Excel.

Formatting images in Word; FA10

Yesterday we looked at inserting images into Word - today we are going to look at how you need to format them if you want to be able to move them throughout your document.  This will be an important part of understanding how images work and how to insert images into Word because you may want to move them from one place to another in the document.

I'll show you what modifications you can make to images that are inserted into Word - once I show you how and explain the different options you have then you will be given FA10 to complete.

Lastly, remember that you need to post definitions to vocab words by tomorrow!

Activity 10 -

FA10; creating a cover for SLC folder

We do have a vocab quiz this Friday - if you are responsible for defining words then you need to get your words defined and posted no later than Wednesday, Nov. 6th.

Today we are going to jump ahead a little and start to work on Formatting Activity 10.  The reason for the jump is that next week we hold our Student Led Conferences, and one of the things that we do in Computer Apps is we put a "cover" on your SLC folder.  The cover will have images that you insert into Word - so we need to learn how to do that before we are able to create your SLC folder cover.

The cover that we are going to create is going to consist of at least 2 things - your name (created using WordArt), and an image of your Rainforest animal.  Beyond that you will have some creative freedom to choose what you want to add to your folder cover (maybe a favorite sports team, for example), but as always anything that goes on the cover must be school appropriate.

Before we get to creating the SLC cover we will complete FA10 in class.

Vocab quiz #6; finish FA4

We will take a few minutes at the beginning of class to review and then take the vocab quiz.

If you have vocab definitions for next week this weekend might be a good time to get them posted to the wiki page.  Many of you have not yet completed your vocab definitions for lists 7, 8, 9 or 10 - it would be a good idea to get them posted as soon as you can so you can mark that off of your "to do" list.  Also remember that all of the vocab words for lists 7, 8, 9, and 10 are posted on the wiki page.

After completing the vocab quiz you will need to complete FA4.  One of the major problems we had with the last formatting activity was that many people sent me a link to their Google Doc instead of the actual Microsoft Word file.  That usually poses a problem because I can't access your Google account, and therefore I can't open your Google Doc…and that means I can't grade your assignment.

When you are done with FA4 then you need to open Excel and type the green keypad practice sheet.  Make sure to use the same procedures we used earlier in the week in terms of putting Drill 1 in Column A, Drill 2 in Column B, and so on.

Once you get done keying the green sheet raise your hand and I will come around and check what you have done.  Then you will be allowed to go to the practice websites on the blog - with your speed skin on your keyboard.

FA4; spam video

Don't forget that tomorrow we have a vocab quiz over list #6 - Internet #2.

Here is another video...this one will explain Spam:

We have a couple of things that I need to finish showing you regarding the setting of tabs.  Once I have completed that you will have time to work on FA4.



Activity 4 -

Learn 1, 2, 3, 0, and . on keypad; FA4

**REMINDER - VOCAB WORDS NEEDS TO BE DEFINED ON THE WIKI SPACES PAGE BY TONIGHT!!**

To start today we will complete the last part of learning the keypad - we will use another handout today to learn the 1, 2, 3, 0, and period.

After completing the keypad work we are going to learn how to set tabs in Word, and then you'll be working on FA4, which is embedded below.

RSS video; more keypad; FA4

As a reminder to all of you who are responsible for vocab words for this week, you need to have your words posted on the wiki spaces page by tomorrow night.    Here is a video to help you better understand what RSS is:

After watching the video we will again be working with the keypad for part of class.  Today we will add the 7, 8, and 9 to the other numbers we learned yesterday (the 4, 5, and 6).  I will have another handout for you to work with.

After completing the handout you will be working with a partner on a small in-class "project".  This won't be for a grade, but will be for keying practice.  We will be using the FreeTypingGame website first, then after that we will go to the TypeRacer website.

Learning the keypad; keyboard review

Today we are going to start to learn how to use the keypad (the set of numbers out to the right hand side of the keyboard).  To use the keypad you will only use your right hand (sorry for those of you who are left-handed).    There is a home row for the keypad - I will explain that to you today as well.

After working on the first set of numbers on the keypad we will practice the keyboard.  We will start by going to the PowerTyping website and doing Lessons 5, 6, and 10.

Once you have completed those lessons, you need to go to the Good Typing website and complete the typing speed test there.  You need to get at least 15 words per minute before you can move on to the next step.  Once you get 15 words per minute in your test, raise your hand and let me see it so I know you have completed this part of today's assignment.

Next, go to the Sense Language website and go through each of the Lessons on the website.  There are 16 of these lessons that will help you to practice your keying.

Vocab quiz #5 - Internet; finish FA3

We will take a few minutes at the beginning of the hour to review for today's vocab quiz #5.   Please do not go to Classmarker until I tell you to do so.

Once you complete the vocab quiz you may continue to work on FA3.  It is due today, so you will need to email it to me before you leave class today if you want to earn full credit.

After completing both of these I have an Internet search activity for you.  You will need to use your browser of choice and your favorite search engine to complete these questions.  You will need to copy these questions into a new Google Doc - then when you find the answer you can enter the answer in your Google Doc.  Save the document as Internet Search #1.

1. What is President Obama’s birth date? Where was he born?
   
2. What horse won the most recent Kentucky Derby? Who was the owner? Who was the jockey?
   
3. What is the current population of the world? Also list the results by continent.
   
4. What company recently bought Skype? What was the price?
   
5. Define DSL. What alternative Internet connections are available?
   
6. What is the world’s oldest university that is still in operation? When was it founded?
   
7. What is the largest and smallest U.S. state by population and by area?
   
8. Find three anti-spyware programs that could be used on a PC.
   
9. Find a website that can perform a “speed test” on your Internet connection. Run the test and list the reported upload speed and download speed.
   
10. Using an ASCII table online, what is the decimal code for the character “A”?
    
11. Why is Charles Babbage known as the “father of computers”?
    
12. What is the IP address of the computer you are using and how did you find that out?
    
13. What is “dogpile” and how does it differ from a search engine like Google or ask?
    
14. What is Virtual Network Computing and where was it invented?
    
15. What is currently the world’s fastest computer?
    
16. Who is credited with founding Pensacola? When did it happen?
    
17. Define the term “Computer Bus”. What are two basic types of internal buses?
    
18. What is a programming language? List three languages in current use.
    
19. What is Wikipedia? Who can contribute to its content?
    
20. What was ARPANET? How is it related to the Internet? 
    

Netiquette "Be Yourself"; FA3 - Headers & Footers

Yesterday we went over the 10 rules of Netiquette as part of our preparation for this week's vocab quiz.  One of the rules of Netiquette is to be yourself, and I happened to find this article that I felt perfectly demonstrates what it means to be yourself.  This guy seems to be happy with who he is and is not afraid to show it without damaging his reputation - here it is.  After viewing this what do you think?  What type of individual would you think he is?

That should also serve as your reminder that tomorrow we will be taking vocab quiz over list #5 - Internet.  Please make sure to review tonight so you are well prepared for tomorrow.

Today we are going to be starting another formatting activity.  In this formatting activity you are going to be learning to insert information into the header and footer area of your document.  These areas can be important for a variety of reasons - usually because they contain information about the document that you are reading (page numbers, titles, etc.).



Activity 3 -

Netiquette; blank keyboard assignment; symbol practice

Today we are going to begin by going over some information regarding Internet Safety.  The following information is called netiquette, which is a combination of Internet and etiquette - so these are suggested rules of etiquette that one should follow when communicating online.  There are 10 rules and they can be found here:  http://networketiquette.net

Once we have covered that information we will review the keyboard.  Let's go to the Sense-Lang website and click on "BBC News" and choose one of the stories to work with.  We will take a few minutes to review, and then we will complete the assignment.

After completing the assignment we will go back and review from Monday the new symbols we have learned.  The lessons are located at the FreeTypingGames website - the objective is to complete Lessons 24-29 at a proficiency level of 15 words per minute or better.

Tuesday half day

With only half a day of school today we will enjoy our time in class with "Word-it" riddles.  You may work with a partner.

Remember that if you have not yet posted definitions for your vocab words on Wiki spaces that you need to get that completed by tonight.

Learning symbol keys; reminders about the week

There are a couple of reminders for today:

1. Your crossword puzzle is due at the beginning of the hour - please turn it in with your name at the top
2. If you have vocab definitions to post please get them posted by Tuesday night (this is week #5 - Internet #1 list).  You've had over 3 weeks to get this done so this should not be a problem.  This should also let you know that we do have a vocab quiz on Friday - be prepared.

Today we are going to learn the symbols on the keyboard.  This is a lot to absorb in one day, so we will be back to practice these later as well.  To do that we are going to go to one of the practice websites and go through the lessons for the symbols. The website you need to use is the FreeTypingGame website, and you need to go through Lessons 24 - 29. When you are going through these lessons the goal is to type at a 15 wpm rate.  Here are the fingers you use to key these symbols:

+ = Left shift + R4 (plus sign)

- = R4 (hyphen)

* = Left shift + R2 (asterisk)

/ = R4 (forward slash)

@ = Right shift + L3 (at symbol)

_ = Left shift + R4 (underscore)

# = Right shift + L2 (number)

& = Left shift + R1 (ampersand)

$ = Left shift + L1 (dollar)

% = Left shift + L1 (percent)

( = Left shift + R3 (left parentheses)

) = Left shift + R4 (right parentheses)

Finish FA2; crossword puzzle 1-4

**THIS IS ANOTHER REMINDER TO GET YOUR VOCAB DEFINITIONS POSTED TO THE WIKI SPACES PAGE IF YOU HAVE VOCAB WORDS YOU NEED TO DEFINE FOR NEXT WEEK!!**

Today you need to finish FA2 that we started yesterday.  Please read the instructions carefully!

After completing the formatting activity you will need to complete a crossword puzzle.  The crossword puzzle is a vocabulary review from the first 4 vocab lists that we have had.  You will be given class time to complete this as well, but if you are not able to get this done in class today then it is homework over the weekend.  It is due at the beginning of the hour on Monday.

If you get done with both the formatting activity and the crossword puzzle you need to go to the practice websites on the blog and practice your keying.

Downloading vs. Uploading; FA2

**REMINDER** - GET YOUR VOCAB DEFINITIONS POSTED TO THE WIKI SPACES PAGE ASAP!!

Today we are going to begin working on FA2 - which helps you understand the difference between Save and Save As (there is a huge difference!).  This is a fundamental skill in order to be able to use a computer.  Without this skill you will be overwriting files and trying to find information that you won't be able to find.

But, before beginning the formatting activity we also need to cover the differences between downloading and uploading information to the Internet - this is critical in understanding your Google account and Google docs.

I tend to think of the difference in this manner - if you think of the Internet as something "in space" (or above), then when you download from the Internet you move information from the Internet "down" to your computer; when you upload you move it from your computer "up" to the Internet.  Depending on what you plan to do with Google docs, you have to know the difference in order to be able to understand what your process is.  For example, when you work on a Word document on your computer and you want to save it to Google docs you will be uploading your document to Google docs; if you are at home and you have your Google doc and you want to start working on it in Word you will need to download it to your computer from Google (or the Internet).

Let's look and see how this works with your files.  First, here is how you UPLOAD to Google Docs:

1. You must be logged into your Google account.
2. Go to your Google Drive
3. In the top left, click on the red, up arrow (#1), then click on "Files..." (#2):
   
   
   
   
   
4. Navigate on your computer to where the saved file is located and either double click on the file or select it then click on the Open button
5. Once it has been uploaded to your Google Drive it will say that it has been completed. 

Now, here's the process to DOWNLOAD from the Internet to your computer:

1. Open your Google Drive - you will have to be logged into your Google account to do this.
2. Click the box to the left of the file that you want to download
   
   
   
   
   
3. Move up to the top where there is a button labeled "More".  Click on the small down arrow to get the drop-down menu and select download 
4. Your file will be downloaded and you will then be able to open your document in Word.  Depending on which browser you are using you will have to see how it handles a downloaded file.  Some, like Safari and Firefox, have a small arrow in the top right that you can click on to show you all the files that have been downloaded.  

Activity 2 -

Rainforest blogging

The first thing I would like everyone to do is check their email.  I have sent some people emails and this is a good time to make sure you haven't missed any messages from me.  Also, grades are due today, so if you have something you need to turn in it must get to me today, but you do not have time in class to work on makeup work.

Today you are going to have your first journal entry on your blog.  Your journal entry is going to be a reflection on the Rainforest unit you have been covering in your classes (according to Webster's dictionary, a reflection is the consideration of some subject matter, idea, or purpose).  Here are some thought-provoking questions that may help you to write your reflection:

• What did you learn about the Rainforest?
• What was interesting?
• What was unique about the animal you researched?
• Was there anything you already knew, and how did you already know it (had you learned it in another class, you read a book about it when you were in 4th grade, you saw something on tv, etc.)?
• What was enjoyable about going to the Brookfield Zoo?  What was not enjoyable?
• What did you like and/or dislike about the Rainforest rally with Niabi zoo, ice cream, and bingo?
• What would you change about the Rainforest unit we study in 7th grade?

This needs to be posted on your blog today, and then you need to email me a link to your blog so I can see that you have posted your reflection.  This will be graded so make sure you get this done.  Here is how I will grade what you post:




Lastly, next week we will have another set of vocab words and a vocab quiz, so those of you who have not yet posted your definitions to the wiki spaces page will need to get that done in the next week.  You obviously have plenty of time, but I know some of you have forgotten so this is just a friendly reminder.

FA1

Today we are going to start with our formatting activities. These activities are geared towards helping you understand how you can use Microsoft Word.  I am going to show you how to do several of these things in class, then you will be given the rest of the time today to complete this assignment.  This is due by tomorrow, but we only have about 15 minutes of class time tomorrow to get this done, so if you don't get this done today in class you may want to save your document to your Google Drive and then work on this at home tonight (this takes several minutes to complete - make sure you budget your time at the end of class today for this).

When you get this done you will email me your document as an attachment.  Don't forget...when you send an email there are 5 things you need to include in every email you send!



Activity 1 -

Embed your Internet Safety project movie

Today you are going to embed your Internet Safety Project video onto the blog that we made yesterday.  After embedding your movie on your blog, you will need to send me an email with the link to your blog.

Creating a blog

Today we are going to create your class blog.  There are several things that you need to keep in mind as we create your class blog:

1. There will be no games are on your blog, and you therefore will not be playing games on your blog during class (if you don't know how to put widgets on your blog that have games - good!  If you do know how to do it - don't!)
2. Class time is not time to make changes to your blog.  If Mr. Pardoe specifically gives you time to work on your blog you may do so...otherwise it is not a "toy" that you play with in here.  
3. Everything you put on your blog must be school appropriate!
4. Once the semester is over you can do with your blog what you want.  You are the owner/creator, so you have full power to use it as you wish (continue to use it for whatever purpose or completely delete the blog). 

Any violation of rules 1-3 above will result in you losing 10% of the next assignment that is due the first time, 20% the second time you are caught, and anytime thereafter you will lose 50% of the next assignment due.  That being said, let's go to www.blogger.com to get busy creating your blog!

Internet Safety project

Today will be the last day, in class, that you will have to complete your project.  Because we are going to embed your video on your blog, you actually will have through at least tomorrow to get it done.  Since we have not yet created your blog you obviously cannot put your project on your blog.  Once we create your blog (that's what we'll do on Tuesday) then you will be able to embed your movie on your blog...but since that won't be until at least Wednesday you will still have a little time outside of class to work on your movie if needed.

If you are done with your project you need to choose one of the practice websites and practice.  Make sure to use your speed skin while you are practicing!

**New missing assignments lists have been posted!  If you have a missing assignment it currently is listed as a 0 on Skyward.  If you want to change that you will need to complete the missing assignment before Friday and get it submitted.  If your missing assignment is a vocab quiz that must be completed in my room - you may NOT complete these at home!

Continue Internet Safety project

Today you will continue to work on your project with a completion date of Monday.  If you are done you can go to the practice websites that are listed on the website resources page on the blog.  We are currently planning on finishing in-class work on the project on Monday.

Internet Safety due Monday; Wikispaces vocab

As you continue to work towards completion of your project, please remember that you should be making an effort to accomplish all of the goals that are listed in the rubric.  I have embedded the rubric below so you can again look to see what it is that you should be trying to accomplish in your video (remember that this is also at the bottom of the Internet safety page on the blog).

Additionally, I have posted every vocabulary word on the class wikispaces page.  So you can now go and post the definitions to all of your vocabulary words, no matter what week they are due.  At this point, there should be absolutely no reason for you not to have your vocabulary definitions posted by the time its due to be posted.

Identity Theft video; Internet Safety project

IDENTITY THEFT 


Today you will again be working on your Internet Safety project with your partner.  You should be busy the entire hour completing the project.

We do not have a vocab quiz this week.  In fact, we don't have another vocab quiz until the week of October 21st (that's still 3 weeks away from this Friday).  As soon as I have the vocab words posted on the wiki spaces page I'll let you know.

Internet Safety video; work on project

CHOOSING QUALITY PASSWORDS:

After watching the above video you will be given time to work with your partner on your Internet Safety project.  Please make sure you are working towards completing your project by this Friday.

Additionally, believe it or not the 1st Quarter is quickly coming to a close.  Next Friday, October 11th, is the last day of the 1st Quarter.  I would highly recommend that you get any missing work submitted (not just in my class but all classes) so you can avoid having zeroes as part of your averaged grade.  As we have already talked about - zeroes kill your average!

Vocab quiz #4; Internet Safety project

Today we will take vocab quiz #4.  I have to admit I was extremely disappointed with the number of individuals who did not post their definitions to the wikispaces page.  Remember, this is a graded activity, and you cannot make up the points you miss if you don't post your words.  Everyone knows what words they have and what week their words need to be posted - it should just be a simple matter of you posting them.

After the quiz today we will go through a few things on Go Animate, then you'll have time to work with your partner on your Internet Safety project.

Internet Safety; Go Animate!

STEERING CLEAR OF CYBER TRICKS:

Copy and paste vs. cut and paste

Software vs. program

File extensions

I will also be taking some time today to show you how to use Go Animate! - the website you will be using to create your video.  The important thing with the website is that you remember that you are working with a deadline - if you spend all of your time playing with all of the different possibilities on the website you're going to end up not getting your project done on time.  I understand the want to look at all of the different possibilities that are available, because the website is really cool - just remember you're working on a project here.

Internet Safety video; Learn 3, 6, and 2; vocab posting; research

Staying Safe Online:

We will learn the 3 (L2), the 6 (R1), and the 2 (L3) on the keyboard today.  After this we will be done with learning numbers on the alpha-numeric part of the keyboard - yeah!

You will be doing more research today for your Internet Safety video project.  I will try to have a short demonstration ready for how to use the website that we will use for the video creation by tomorrow.

Lastly, if you have vocab words you need to define those must be posted on the Wikispaces page by tonight - please make sure to get this done!

Numbers 5 & 7; working on Internet Safety project

Before we begin working on our Internet Safety project today, we are going to continue with learning the numbers on the keyboard.  Today we are going to learn the 5 (L1) and the 7 (R1).  If you turn to page 30 we'll start with a warmup of the other numbers we've already learned before we learn these two new numbers.

After the numbers you'll be given time to get with your partner and start researching for your Internet Safety project.  Unfortunately, as I found out this morning, Xtranormal is no longer an active website.  So, I've got another website that will work but I want to go through that website to see how it is different and if it will work for us.

Vocab quiz; Internet Safety project

We will begin with taking several minutes to review for the vocab quiz (Vocab Quiz #3 - Windows). After reviewing we will take the quiz.

Then, we will begin working on our Internet Safety project project by joining another website - this one is called Xtranormal. Here is an example of what Geico has done, using Xtranormal, to create a TV advertisement:




You will be working with a partner to complete this project, so the first priority will be to find someone you trust to work with.  Groups must consist of only 2 people!

As a group you will be researching information on Internet Safety.  You may use Google to do your research, or you may use the many websites that are on the Internet Safety page on the class blog.  You will need to compile your information with your partner, and then you will create a story/animated movie using Xtranormal that will explain what you have learned about Internet Safety.

Learn numbers 8 and 1

Today we begin learning the numbers on the alpha-numeric part of the keyboard.  These require long reaches from all fingers...thus using proper technique will be very important!  Today's lesson has us learning the 8 (R2) and the 1 (L4).

As a reminder, anyone who is responsible for defining words on the wiki spaces page needs to get that done by tonight!

Learn CAPS LOCK, question mark, TAB, apostrophe, hyphen, and quotation marks

Today we are going to try and get through 6 new keys.  Normally we wouldn't try to do so much in one day, but since all of these keys are keys that don't get used very often I feel like we can get them done in one day without losing a lot long term.  All of these keys will be keyed with the little fingers - two will require the use of the left shift key.

CAPS LOCK - used to key a series of capital letters (remember, the shift keys are used to key a single capital letter - there is a difference!)

? (question mark) - used at the end of a sentence asking a question (space twice after the question mark)

TAB (L4) - used to move the cursor to a preset position on the line of writing (hit your tab key - you'll see that your cursor moves 5 spaces to the right every time you hit it - that is the preset position)

APOSTROPHE - used to make contractions, such as it's, you're, we're, and so on.

HYPHEN - used to hyphenate words

QUOTATION MARKS - used to mark the beginning and ending of a quote

Review all keys; Vocab list #3

**REMINDER - if you are responsible for defining vocab words on the wikispaces page you should do that no later than Wednesday night!!

KEEP YOUR SPEED SKIN ON YOUR KEYBOARD TODAY!

Today you are going to review all of the keys that you have learned so far by typing lines 1-10 in Lesson 7C, page 15.  After completing those lines then you need to type lines 1-6 in Lesson 7D, page 16.  When keying the colon, use the left shift key + R4 on the semicolon key.  You should space twice after a colon.

After completing those lines turn to page 17 and type lines 1-6 on Lesson 8B once.  Use your L4 finger on the Caps Lock key, and use the left shift key + R4 for the question mark - again make sure to space twice after the question mark just as you did with the colon.

When you have completed this please raise your hand before moving on so the sub can check your work.

After completing the lines listed above, you may go to the following website and continue to practice the keyboard:

Free online typing games

Vocab quiz #2 (Hardware #2); learn Z and colon

We'll take a few minutes at the beginning of the hour to review for the vocab quiz.  After completing the quiz, you need to do the following:

Go to the Free Typing Game website and choose Lesson 16 - complete the lesson TWICE!.  After completing the lesson click on the orange Test tab at the top.  Choose one of the tests from #26 - #30.  Complete the test, then raise your hand so I can come and check out your results.

After you complete the test you may go to the games and play any of the games on the website.