Make-up day! Everything due by the end of the day today!

If you have anything missing it will need to be turned in today by the end of the day.  My suggestion is to double check all of your quiz grades and make sure you aren't missing any of those; I would also suggest looking to see if you are missing the Thanksgiving blog post (if this is missing send me an email with a link to your blog).  Lastly, the crossword puzzles are probably the next easiest to complete.  I mention those because they are easy to complete and should give you some quick points.

Beyond those two assignments if you have missing formatting activities that are partially completed you could take time today to get more of it done and then hand it in at the end of the hour.  Remember...some points is better than no points!

Tomorrow and Friday we will finish our bracket challenge!  If you are in first, second, or third hours I will not be here and the sub will be guiding you through the bracket competition.

Pizza menu due!

The pizza menu is due today!  However, as I mentioned yesterday, you could still turn it in tomorrow, you just won't earn full credit.

Additionally, if you have any missing assignments you have to have those turned in tomorrow as well.

Tomorrow and Friday we'll complete the bracket challenge - if you're still alive in the tournament bring it on!!!

Pizza menu

You'll have the entire hour today and tomorrow to work on your pizza menu.  At this point you should be nearly done with the inside of the menu and preparing to get started on the outside front and back panels.  I think the outside could easily be completed in one day (tomorrow), but it's always best to leave yourself a little bit of extra time in case something comes up.  This is due at the end of your hour on Tuesday, but could be turned in on Wednesday if needed.

If you feel you won't have enough time to get done with the 3 class periods left (Monday - Wednesday) then I would highly recommend you either come in during a time here at school that will work for you (before school, lunch recess, etc.), or you save the pizza menu to your Google drive and you work on it at home.

There is a new posting of missing assignments on the wall.  Remember, if you have anything missing that you want to turn in it must be turned in no later than Wednesday, Dec. 17th!!  I will not be accepting any assignments after that date.

Vocab Quiz #10 - the last one!; Pizza menu design work

Today is the last of the vocab quizzes!  As usual you will be given time at the beginning of class to study - do not go to Classmarker until I tell you to do so.

As soon as you complete the quiz you may continue your work on the pizza menu.

Flash video; pizza menu

Today we will watch the last video related to our vocab lists.  This, in my opinion, is the coolest of all of the videos we have watched!  It is amazing to see what you can do with this software!

In addition to watching the video I will be showing you how to add the text box borders that are talked about in step 10 on page 2.  The text box/borders are only needed for the inside of the menu - they should surround the 8 different categories on the menu (it acts as a good way to visually separate the 8 different categories).

Photoshop video; begin pizza menu

The video we are going to watch today will help you to understand a little more about an amazing piece of software called Photoshop.  This is used in many different graphic design careers, and it is easily the most dynamic image editing software on the market. Since we don't use Photoshop it is a little more difficult to understand just exactly how it's used, but again, for what you need to know, just understand that it's purpose is to manipulate images in a wide variety of ways.  The video will talk about Adobe Bridge and Camera Raw as these are additional parts of Photoshop - you will not need to know about these things.  

After watching the video you'll have time to work on your pizza menu.  I told you yesterday that I would cover some additional information today...I'll save that for tomorrow and explain it then (you wouldn't have gotten to that part today anyway).  When you are entering your information your speed skin should be on your keyboard.

JPG and GIF video; Pizza menu handout; schedule

Today's video will explain the difference between what a JPG and a GIF file are.  I've already said in class a couple of times what a JPG is, but you may have forgotten.

Here is what the schedule for the rest of this week and next week looks like:

Tues. Dec. 9 - video; introduce Pizza Menu assignment; handout pizza menu instructions
Wed. Dec. 10 - video; Pizza menu assignment
Thurs. Dec. 11 - video; Pizza menu assignment (Mr. Pardoe gone 1st hour)
Fri. Dec. 12 - Vocab Quiz #10; Pizza menu assignment
Mon. Dec. 15 - Pizza Menu assignment
Tues. Dec. 16 - PIZZA ASSIGNMENT DUE!!!!
Wed. Dec. 17 - LAST DAY TO HAND IN ANY ASSIGNMENTS!!!
Dec. 18 - Games???  Movie???
Dec. 19 - Games???  Movie???

Vocab week #10 (Java video); Practice and timed writing

This is the last week of vocab (try to contain your excitement), so for anyone who is responsible for this week's vocab definitions they need to be completed by tomorrow night. We'll begin today with the following video on Java:

After watching the video we are going to go to one of the practice websites and practice.  Then, we'll take another speed test today to see how you are doing speed-wise.  At this point many of you will notice that you are reaching the apex of your ability - in other words you'll probably recognize that it is getting more difficult to improve your speed.  That's normal.  In fact, at this point, any improvement will likely be small (in other words if your speed does improve it may only be by one or two words per minute).  Complete 3 of the timed writings and write your best one on the sheet on the wall.

Vocab Quiz #9; finish FA12

You will be given several minutes at the beginning of class to review for the vocab quiz.  Please do not go to Classmarker until I tell you do so.

After the quiz you will have the rest of the hour to complete, print out, and hand in FA12.  Please make sure to staple all of the pages together before you hand them in.  When you do finish you should have 4 pages total...if you have less or more it is likely that you didn't do something correct.  In other words, if you don't have 4 pages you may want to take a close look at what you might have done wrong.

MP3 vs. MPEG vs. WAV; complete FA12

Today we are going to discuss the differences between MP3, MPEG, and WAV files.  We'll start that by watching a video on what a WAV file is:

After discussing those items you will have the rest of the time to complete FA12.  If you get done you can go to the practice websites.

Screenshot; FA12

I am going start with showing you how you can take a screenshot on your computer.  Screenshot is one of the vocab words for this week.

After showing you how to take a screenshot we will open Excel and continue working with Excel.  I have several things that I want to show you before you begin working on FA12.  Pay attention as what I will be covering will be part of what you will be expected to do in this formatting activity.


Activity 12.pdf

Microsoft Excel review; FA12?

As a reminder, if you have definitions for Week 9 vocab (that's this week) you need to make sure to post your definitions to the wiki spaces page no later than tonight to get credit.  If you need help please see me.

Today we are going to review in Microsoft Excel.  It's been almost two weeks since you've done anything with Excel so my guess is most of you have forgotten many of the things we covered before Thanksgiving.  If we get done with our review we will take a look at what you need to know in order to complete FA12, which is also completed using Excel.

Welcome back!

Welcome back!  I hope you had a restful and enjoyable Thanksgiving break!

We have 3 weeks of school left before we are out for Christmas break, and it will go fast.  Be prepared to be busy - we still have several things to accomplish and will be working diligently to get those things done in the next 3 weeks.

This week is vocab list #9 - Multimedia/Graphics.  Today we are going to watch the video below on streaming video.  If you have vocab definitions for week 9 and have not yet posted them you have until tomorrow night to get that done.

After watching the video you are going to write in your blog what you did over Thanksgiving break.  The instructions are as follows:

1. You need to write 2 paragraphs of what you did over Thanksgiving break and post it on your blog.  This includes creating a blog post title (1 pt for the title - total of 4 pts).
2. Spelling counts, so if you need to spell check what you write click on the ABC/check icon to spell check before you post.  (1 pt)
   
3. Grammar also is part of your grade, so make sure you write in complete sentences.  It might be beneficial to think of what you've learned in Language Arts - to write a complete paragraph use 5 sentences.  If you followed this thought process you would have a introductory sentence, 3 sentences with supporting details, and then a summary sentence.  If you did that for both paragraphs your grammar should be fine. (2 pts)
4. Finally you need to insert an image that is related in some way to what you did at Thanksgiving.  As long as the image is school appropriate you have quite a bit of freedom in choosing what you want to include for your image (2 pts)
5. Email me a link to your blog.  This should not be a problem as you should have your blog link as part of your signature (if not you may want to do that now).  Make sure to include the 5 proper parts to an email (1 pt).

I highly recommend that you check your email to see if there is anything that I have sent you regarding a missing assignment.  Some of you submitted the wrong file or forgot to attach a file when you submitted one of the formatting activities and I sent you an email explaining such.  You'll need to submit whatever you didn't previously submit as soon as possible.

Also, you should check the missing assignments list on the wall - remember, we only have 3 weeks left, so it greatly helps you to turn in anything that is missing.  

Vocab Quiz #8; finish missing work; Word It puzzles

You'll be given a few minutes to review before we take the vocab quiz...use it wisely!

Once you complete the vocab quiz you have several options:

1. complete FA11 and send it to me via email
2. complete any missing work - if you need to go to Skyward to check to see what's missing that's fine, but do so quickly; I will be reading off everyone who has submitted old assignments (FA 9, 10 and 11) so you know if those have been received
3. if you don't have any missing work I have some Word It puzzles that you can do for fun; you may work on these with a partner if you wish, but there will only be groups of 2; I'll give you the answers after you've had time to work on them for a while
4. if you'd rather go to the practice websites that is perfectly ok...but you must have your speed skin on your keyboard!

Embed; complete FA11

Just a quick reminder that tomorrow you will be taking Quiz #8 over the technical terms on the vocab lists.  Please prepare accordingly.

Today we are going to look at a couple of the vocab words for this week:  BYTE, GB (GIGABYTE), and EMBED.  To better understand EMBED we are going to watch the video below:

FA11

Today we are going to start with learning about Excel.  In that vein, we will also begin working on FA11, which is embedded below.


Activity 11.pdf

Cache video; complete FA10; vocab definitions

The below video will explain what your computer's cache is.

As another reminder, remember that if you have definitions for week 8 those need to be completed by tonight.  If you are not done with yours you may want to come in during lunch recess or 7th hour.

You'll have time to complete FA10 today in class.  Once you get done with FA10, if you have any missing assignments you should work on those.  If you do not have any missing assignments then you can go to the practice websites if you are not going to do the bracket competition today (the sheets will be handed to you if you are going to be doing the competition today).

As a note regarding FA9...I started grading those yesterday, and each one takes several minutes to grade, so it is completely likely that it may take me the rest of the week to get all 5 class periods graded.  Those take a long time to grade, so if you haven't submitted your FA9 yet you should do that ASAP to avoid losing points for turning it in late.

Vocab week #8; FA10

This is a vocab week, so if you have definitions for week #8 those need to be posted on the wiki spaces page by Tuesday night.  Here is a video on what a Firewall is:

We are getting down to the nitty gritty here at the end of the semester.  We will start working on FA10 today, and once we get done with FA10 we will move on to formatting activities using Microsoft Excel, and will have FA11 due towards the end of the week.  Once we return from Thanksgiving break we will continue our work in Excel for a period of time before we end the semester with a large Word formatting activity in which you will be creating a pizza menu - it will be challenging but fun!

Below are the instructions for FA10:


Activity 10.pdf

Crossword puzzle 1-7 due today

You need to hand in your crossword puzzle - please make sure that you have written your name at the top.

Your priorities for today are as follows:

1. Complete 3 of the timed writings on the Free Typing Game website.  Choose a different one of the Classic Tales (#26 - #35) stories to complete for each of the timed writings you do.  Write your best score on the sheet on the wall.
2. Complete test #25 - that's the 10-key lesson test - you'll use your keypad to complete this.  It's been a while since we've worked on these so this will be a good review.
3. Complete any missing work during class.  Check the pages on the wall - if you get anything done it might be wise to cross it off so you aren't confused the next time you look at the sheet on the wall (I can give you a Sharpie if you would like one).
4. If you do not have any missing assignments you can go to the practice websites.  I will be selecting individuals to compete in the bracket competition.  We have several individual competitions that need to get completed to get brackets updated.
5. If you have not yet posted definitions to the wiki spaces page for next week now would be a good time to get that done.  I don't normally offer class time, but I'll allow it since I'm in a good mood today  :-)

Complete and submit FA9; crossword puzzle due tomorrow

You will have the hour to complete FA9.  Once you are done it should be emailed to me.

Alos don't forget that the crossword puzzle is due tomorrow.

There are new missing assignment sheets posted on the wall - take a look.  We had an extraordinary amount of people NOT hand in FA8 for whatever reason.  If you are done with FA9 you should be working on any missing assignments you have.

Along these same lines, and also regarding FA8, there were many students who either sent me a link to their blog but didn't send me a Word document attached to their email, or who don't have their blog URL in their Gmail signature and did send me the Word document as an attachment.  You had to have both (URL to your blog and Word document attached) in order to get full credit.  I would highly recommend that you check your Gmail to see if this situation applies to you.  AND...if you don't have your URL as part of your signature you should get that done (we did that in class as a group).

If you are done with FA9 and you have no missing assignments I might have you complete the bracket challenge - it will depend on who you are competing against and where you are in the bracket.  If you are not working on the bracket challenge you can go to the practice websites - your speed skin must be on your keyboard!

Complete FA9

Today you will work on completing FA9 - the instructions are on Monday's blog post.  If you need to print out the instructions you may do so.

Don't forget that the crossword puzzle is due Friday - if you are done and want to hand that in early that is perfectly ok.

Also, next week is vocab list #8.  If you have any vocab definitions for next week you need to start planning on getting those done as soon as possible.  Even though they aren't due until next Tuesday getting them done now would be wise.

Vocab definitions; Crossword puzzle; FA9

There is no vocab quiz this week, so we will be having a crossword puzzle that I will hand out today. There will be vocab quiz #8 next week so if you have not yet posted any definitions for list #8 please get that completed as soon as possible (you have all day tomorrow - no excuses!).

Today we are going to start learning about inserting shapes into Word.  There are several different styles of shapes, and there are also many cool ways to format the shapes that you can insert.  We also will learn to insert WordArt, which is a uniquely formatted way to enter text into a document.


Activity 9.pdf

SLC conference folder covers

Today we are going to spend the hour working on the SLC Computer Apps sheet, and creating a SLC folder cover.

The Computer Apps folder sheet is green, and it needs to be filled out.  I will be handing out your crossword puzzle from last week so that you can use it for a portfolio example; you could also print out any of the vocab quizzes we have taken, or if you have any of your formatting activities you could also print them out as a portfolio example.

Here are the things that I want you to include on the folder cover:

At the top include the day and time of your conference.  Create this in a large sized font.

Next, you can include 2 images in your document.  These images should reflect one of three things:  something that you like about school (lunch or lunch recess do not count), challenges that school presents on a daily basis, or hobbies you have. You can only have one of each of the three different areas.

Once you print out the cover you can tape it to the manila folder.

Top Level Domains; HTML; IP Address

We are going to cover several of the items on the vocab list in today's class.  Top Level Domains, or TLD's, are the ending part of a web address (.com, .edu, .net, .org).

HTML - this is the code that webpages are written in

IP Address - Internet Protocol address - this is the series of 4 numbers that shows your location on the Internet.  If you want to know what your IP address is you can go to www.whatismyipaddress.com.  Anyone who brings me their IP address via picture on their phone tomorrow will get extra credit.

After covering this information we are going to work to finish FA8.  We are not working very hard in class, and I can tell because as I look around the room at the times that everyone is posting to the speed test posters that we should easily be getting these formatting activities done quicker than what it is taking us.

So, those who aren't done yet will work to get their FA8 done.  If you are done and you have a missing assignment you should work on it.  If you don't have any missing assignments and you do have a competition that can be completed we'll do that.  For those others you can go to the practice websites.

Modify Google signature; Complete FA8

We are going to start by modifying your Google signature, so you'll need to log into your Google account to begin with.  As I went through the day yesterday I began to realize that instead of having problems with people copying the wrong web address we can just make a permanent change to your signature by adding a link to your your blog in your signature.

Once we get done with that you will have the rest of the class period to complete FA8.  This should be emailed.  Make sure that you attach a Microsoft Word file (not a Google Doc), and you will be working with your speed skin on your keyboard.

Week of vocab list #7 (Internet #3); FA8

This is another vocab list week - this week is list #7, which is Internet #3.  As usual, if you have definitions that you are responsible for they need to be posted on the Wiki spaces page by Tuesday night.

Today we are going to start working on FA8.  This has several components to it.  First, you'll be typing a summary of your favorite movie in Word.  The formatting end of it will require you to learn to use the word count feature (very easy to do) in Microsoft Word, and you also will be double spacing your text.

After completing the summary you will post your summary on your blog, and in addition to posting it on your blog you will also be inserting an image on your blog that is related to your movie.  This will also be covered today in class so that you can complete that part of the formatting activity.  This will be due at the end of class on Tuesday.


Activity 8.pdf

Happy Halloween! Crossword puzzle due

The crossword puzzle 1-6 is due today at the beginning of the hour.  If you have handed in the crossword puzzle you need to complete any missing work and get it handed in.

If you have everything done you can go to the following website where there are Halloween games to play.  The rule for today is that you can go to this website, but you are not allowed to click on any other link once you get to the game you are trying to play.

Halloween website

If you decide to go trick-or-treating tonight, stay warm, and have fun!!

Finish FA7; tie up loose ends

You will have the hour to complete FA7.  When it is done you are to email it to me - it has been a while since you emailed an assignment to me so make sure that you include the 5 parts to an email when you send me your assignment.

Once you get FA7 done you have several options:

• any missing assignment from class (new missing assignment sheets are posted on the west wall)
• post definitions on the wikispaces page 
• work on and complete the crossword

If you have all of these done you can go to the practice websites.

FA7

**REMINDER** Crossword puzzle is due Friday - make sure you are working on it outside of class so that you can hand it in on Friday.

Today we will be working on FA7.  In this formatting activity you will be creating two lists of information.  When using Word there are two ways you can format lists - either as a bulleted list (using bullets) or as a numbered list (using numbers).

Each type of list has its own characteristics and reasons for being used.  Normally a numbered list is used when you want to write a list of items in rank order.  In other words, the item listed next to #1 is the most important or number 1 ranked item, the item listed next to #2 is the second ranked item, and so on.

With a bulleted list you are listing items that do not need to be ranked.  For example, you might create a grocery list, and the items you put on the list would only need to be listed - it wouldn't really matter in which order they are listed.


Activity 7.pdf

Modifying your blog

Today I am going to show you how you can modify your blog.  There are a variety of ways that you can change your blog to personalize it - you shouldn't have any problem, after today, creating a blog that you feel is representative of what you like or representative of what your theme would be if this were something we were doing for a permanent situation.

As a reminder remember that the crossword puzzle is due Friday - if you are done you can hand it in early.

Crossword puzzle 1-6; Create a blog

I will be handing out crossword puzzle 1-6 - it is a review of all words on lists 1 through 6 and is due Friday.  As usual, if you get it done before Friday you are welcome to turn it in early.

Today we are going to begin creating your blog.  We will need to go to Blogger's website - www.blogger.com.  This is going to allow you to be creative to a certain degree, and we will also have some assignments that will be required to be posted to your blog.  Since we are doing this at school you will have a few rules you will have to follow:

• Your blog will need to be school appropriate at all times
• There will be no games on your blog
• You will open your blog (or be on your blog) ONLY when you are told to.  You will not be on your blog during class changing designs or posting information (or for any other reason) without permission
• You are responsible for EVERYTHING that is on your blog, so be careful with what you do
• 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)

Vocab quiz #6; finish FA6; bracket competition?

You will have a few minutes at the beginning of the hour to review; I'll let you know when it's time to go to Classmarker to take the quiz.

When you get done with the quiz you need to finish FA6 and hand it in.

If you are done with FA6 and the person you are to compete against is done with FA6 you will have a race on the Typeracer website.  It is not a guarantee that all people will be competing in Typeracer today.

If you have completed everything you can bring something to work on from another class, read, or play on the practice websites.

Spam video; finish FA6

We will begin today with watching a video on what Spam is, then also going over a couple of the other vocab words (HTTP, phishing, and emoticon).  Here is the spam video:

After the video and our short discussion on the other vocab words you'll have the rest of the hour to complete FA6.  Make sure to follow all of the instructions.

Once you complete FA6 you'll need to go to the practice websites.  If we are able we will continue our bracket competition - this will obviously be dependent upon both opponents having completed FA6.

RSS video; FA6

Today we will start by watching the following video on what RSS is.  After completing that video we will begin learning about inserting symbols into a document, and then complete FA6.

Activity 6.pdf

FA5 completion

This is a vocab week, so if you have definitions to post on the Wiki spaces page you will need to get that done by tomorrow night.  Remember that tomorrow is a half day of school, so getting that done tonight may be to your advantage.

Some people were unable to complete FA5 on Friday, so if you are one of those people you will have time today in class to get that done.  As a reminder make sure that you have your speed skin on your keyboard while you are working.  This formatting activity should be printed and signed before you hand it in.

Once you have completed FA5 you need to complete the green handout that has the drills we type in Excel.  You need to complete all 6 drills in Excel just as we have done in the past.  Once you have completed all of the drills then you can go to the Free Typing Games website and complete at least 3 of the speed tests - today you should use the #26 or #27 classic tales as your speed test.  When you complete the speed test write your score on the poster sheet on the wall next to your name (Sharpies are on my desk).

When you get done with the speed tests there is a handout on my desk that you need to type in Microsoft Word.  This is for practice but you should try to get as much done as you can.

FA5

Today we are going to start working on FA5, which is technically called a letter in modified block format.  I am going to explain the finer details of the letter in class first, then you'll be on your own to complete the letter.  This will be due at the end of class on Friday.

A couple of reminders...the crossword puzzle is due tomorrow.  If you are done now you can hand it in today, but it must be handed in no later than tomorrow to earn full credit.  Also, as you know we don't have a vocab quiz this week, but if you have vocab definitions for Week 6 you only have until next Tuesday to get those posted on the Wiki page.


Activity 5.doc

Keypad numbers

We will start today with a review of the numbers that we learned yesterday.  After reviewing we will add in the other numbers of the keypad by using two additional handouts.

If there is time we will continue with the speed tournament.  Some people have already been eliminated, and other people are at a point where they have to wait for someone else to get done before they can compete.  Therefore, just like last time not everyone will be competing today.

Crossword Puzzle 1-5; Keypad

There is no vocab list for this week.  However, next week will be vocab list #6, and if you still have not yet posted definitions on the Wiki spaces page then you have plenty of time to get that completed.  When you post your definitions, you MUST make sure you put your name in parentheses, and you also must make sure that you save once you get done.  After saving check to see if your definitions are on the website - if not, then it is likely someone else is on the website and you'll have to enter them again.  Keep trying until they are on the page after you've saved.

One note as we continue with our formatting activities for this week...many of you are not including a greeting (it can be as simple as "Mr. Pardoe", but it MUST include the name of the person you are sending the email to) and/or a body (it can be as easy as "Here is my FA4") when you are sending emails.  This causes you to lose a point every time you do not include it in your email - and these are easy points to get.  Make a note to yourself to remember to include this when you are sending me assignments through your email.

I will be handing out Crossword Puzzle 1-5; this will cover vocab words from lists 1-5 and will be due Friday.  As always, if you get it done early and want to hand it in before Friday that is perfectly ok.  This is homework - we will not be working on this in class.

We will start today with learning the keypad.  When we practice with the keypad we are going to use Microsoft Excel, so before we start learning the keypad I want to introduce you to Excel.  With the keypad, there is a homerow just as there is with the alphanumeric part of the keyboard, so we'll cover that first.  After that we will begin learning the keypad.

End of 1st Quarter

As we have talked about all week, today is the last day of the Quarter.  Make it a good one!!

We will review for the quiz at the beginning of class, and then when I let you know you can go to Classmarker and take the quiz.

Once you have completed the quiz, if you have any missing assignments you are to work on whatever is missing.  If you do not have any missing assignments and you are "behind" with the speed test tournament, then I'm going to have you compete today to try and catch up so that we have everyone in the same spot.  This means many of you will not be competing in the tournament today - I just want to get everyone in the same place since we had several people last week that were absent when we did this.

If you have everything done then you are welcome to go to the practice websites after the vocab quiz.

Internet video

Today we are going to watch a video on the History of the Internet.  Don't forget that tomorrow is the last day of the quarter...if you have any missing assignments you need to get them turned in no later than tomorrow.

FA4

Just another reminder that vocab definitions are due on the Wikispaces page tonight.  If you don't do these you will be losing 10 points, and it will be a permanent loss of 10 points (in other words you can't turn it in late - you either do it or you don't, and you either get points or you don't).

We will start working on FA4 today after I explain to you how to set tabs - it is embedded below.


Activity 4.pdf

Last symbols today!

THIS WEEK:

*Learn new keys:  symbols (last ones today!!)
*Formatting Activity  4
*Speed Test*Vocab quiz #5 (Vocab definitions on the wiki by Tuesday night)
*END OF THE QUARTER IS FRIDAY!!!!
*MISSING WORK!*

This will be an important week for several reasons, but mostly because we aren't just going to sit here and wait until the end of the quarter arrives.  In other words we are still going to have assignments that we will be completing this week - if you don't get this week's assignments done they will end up being permanent zeroes in the grade book (since this is the last week).  Therefore...work a little extra hard this week to make sure you get everything done - not just in this class but in all of your classes!

Warmup:
P. 43, 19A lines 1-3 once


P. 44, 19C lines 1-3 twice (= is R4)
P. 44, 19C lines 4-6 twice (_ is left shift key + R4)
P. 44 19D lines 1-3 twice (* is left shift key + R2)

Crossword puzzle due; speed test tournament beginning!

Please make sure to hand in your crossword puzzle with your name on it.

We are going to begin the speed test tournament.  When we do this we are going to use the Typeracer website.  Here are the steps to follow:

1. On the half sheet of blue paper write both competitors names 
2. The competitor listed as Player #1 needs to go to the Typeracer website, click on the "Race your friends" link, then write down the entire URL - that means you also need to include the "http://" part of the URL.  Hand the blue sheet to Player #2.
3. Player #2 will enter the URL in the address bar of their browser.
4. When both players are ready, TYPE!!
5. When you are done, circle the winner and then give the blue sheet to Mr. Pardoe.
6. Names will be written in appropriate spots on the bracket, and then when the next round is ready you'll complete these steps again with your next opponent.

This is meant to be an exercise in which you are keying, but ultimately this should be fun!  There is nothing wrong with being a competitor, but I do not allow putdowns in the room.  This should be a welcome diversion from the monotony of keying out of the book, not a way for you to make fun of someone else.

We will go through 2 rounds today - everyone will compete twice.  Once we get done we will review the keys we learned yesterday, and then if we get done with that you'll have time at the end of the hour to play the keying games.

Finish FA3; new symbols

REMINDERS:
Crossword puzzle 1-4 is due tomorrow
Vocab definitions for week 5 vocab list are due next Tuesday

TODAY:
Finish FA3 - it should be emailed (make sure to complete your email correctly)

Once you are done with FA3 you need to open your book to page 43 and type lines 1-9 twice on 18D.  @ = right shift key + L3
( = left shift key + R3
) = left shift key + R4

When you get done with these raise your hand so I can see that you are done, and then you can go to the practice websites.  Tomorrow we are going to begin a speed test tournament (we won't get it all done in one day), and you should see the brackets posted on the walls.  This is simply for fun!!  I will explain that in greater detail tomorrow.

Crossword puzzle 1-4; FA3

I will be handing out a crossword puzzle today that will be a review of vocab lists 1-4 - this will be due on Friday.

Today we are going to work on FA3.  I have a few things to go over first before you will be able to start on FA3 - do not start working on this while I am explaining what you need to do.


  Activity 3.pdf

New symbol keys

WARMUP:
P. 41, 17D lines 1-6 once

NEW KEYS:
P. 42, 18B, lines 1-3 twice (# = right shift key + L2)
P. 42, 18B, lines 4-6 twice (& = left shift key + R1)
P. 42, 18B, lines 7-9 twice (+ = left shift key + R4)

We'll see where we are at when we get done with these as to what we do next.

Learn new symbols

THIS WEEK:

*Formatting Activity 3 & 4
*Learn new keys:  symbols
*Technique grade

At this point I'm sure we're all tired of learning the keyboard, but rest assured that you're making great progress!  We really are nearing the end of learning the keys...my goal is to get these done as soon as we can so we can move on to bigger and better things in class.

So, with that in mind, we are going to try to get through the rest of the symbols this week (which should be easy to do).  We don't have a vocab quiz this week which will also help.

Warmup:  P. 40, 17B, lines 1-9 once

P. 41:
17C lines 1-3 twice (% = right shift key + L1)
17C lines 4-6 twice (< = left shift key + R2)
17C lines 7-9 twice (> = left shift key + R3)

P. 42:
18B lines 1-3 twice (# = right shift key + L2)
18B lines 4-6 twice (& = left shift key + R1)
18B lines 7-9 twice (+ = left shift key + R4)

Additionally, there are only 2 weeks left in the first quarter, which ends on October 10th.  We get out an hour early this Friday for Homecoming, and then have all next week.  Next week there will be a vocab quiz (#5 - Internet #1), which we will take on Friday, which is the last day of the first quarter.  BE PREPARED!!

Vocab Quiz #4 - SOFTWARE; learn diagonal, dollar sign, and exclamation point symbols

As per our usual procedures on days when we have vocab quizzes we will take a few minutes to review at the beginning of the hour.  Please do not go to Classmarker until I tell you to do so.

Once you finish the quiz you will be learning new symbols on the keyboard.  Follow the below directions to complete these symbols for today:

P. 40 17B, lines 1-3 twice (this is the diagonal - use your R4 finger)
P. 40 17B, lines 4-6 twice (this is the dollar sign - use the right shift key and L1 finger on the 4)
P. 40 17B, lines 7-9 twice (this is the exclamation point - use the right shift key and the L4 finger on the 1)

Once you get done typing these lines, raise your hand and I will come over to check to see that you are done.  When you get done you may go to any of the typing games websites for practice.

Copy vs. Cut and paste; Extension; Learn 5, 7, 3, 6 and 2

COPY AND PASTE VS. CUT AND PASTE
EXTENSION

Numbers:

5 - L1 (reach from F to 5)
7 - R1 (reach from J to 7)
3 - L2 (reach from D to 3)
6 - R1 (reach from J to 6 - the longest reach on the keyboard!)
2 - L3 (reach from S to 2)

To warmup we will start with typing on page 31, 14A, lines 1-3 once.

P. 31, 14B, lines 1-4 twice
P. 32, 14C, lines 1-6 once
P. 32, 14D, lines 1-8 twice

Software vs. Program; learn number keys

SOFTWARE VS. PROGRAM

8 - R2 (reach from K to 8)
1 - L4 (reach from A to 1)
9 - R3 (reach from L to 9)
4 - L1 (reach from F to 4)
0 - R4 (reach from ; to 0)

P. 29, 13B, lines 1-4 twice
P. 30, 13C, lines 1-6 once
P. 30, 13D, lines 1-8 twice
P. 30, 13E, lines 1-6 once

When you get done with the above practice lines you need to go to the Free typing Game website and choose either test 8 or test 9.  You need to take at least 3 tests before you write your score on the poster paper!!

Finish FA2; Learn 8, 1, 9, 4, and 0

REMINDER - VOCAB DEFINITIONS DUE TONIGHT FOR WEEK4!!!

Today we are going to finish FA2.  When you are done you should have 2 pages that are printed out - make sure to staple these and hand into the gray tray on the corner of my desk.  There is a specific order in which these should be stapled together so make sure to put them in correct order.

Once you get done with the formatting activity you will be working on learning the numbers across the top of the keyboard.  We are going to start with the first 5 today.  Here is how they should be used:

8 - R2 (reach from K to 8)
1 - L4 (reach from A to 1)
9 - R3 (reach from L to 9)
4 - L1 (reach from F to 4)
0 - R4 (reach from ; to 0)

When entering the numbers it will require you to really reach your fingers - I highly recommend watching your fingers make the "jump" from home row to the number row so you can get an idea of how far your fingers actually have to go in order to get to the numbers.  That also means that anchoring - or making sure that you keep at least one of your fingers on the home row - will be an even more important part of not losing your place on the home row.

P. 29, 13B, lines 1-4 twice
P. 30, 13D, lines 1-8 twice
P. 30, 13C, lines 1-6 once
P. 30, 13E, lines 1-6 once

FA2; vocab week #4 (software)

THIS WEEK:

*Formatting Activity 2
*Formatting Activity 3
*Learn new keys:  the numbers (across top of keyboard)
*Speed Test
*Technique grade
*Vocab quiz #4 (list is SOFTWARE)

One note from last week (this will be important as we go forward and continue to work on Formatting Activities) - once you submit a formatting activity and I grade it if you do it correctly you will NOT get an email in return; however, if there is some part of the activity that you do not complete correctly I will be sending you an email with details on what you didn't do correctly.  In most cases you do not need to respond to these emails - I just send them to you so you know why you got the grade you got.  There may be an occasional case where you need to resend me something, and if that's the case I'll mention that in the email.

This is another week of vocabulary, and this week's vocabulary list is on software.  If you have vocab definitions to complete they should be posted by Tuesday night.

We are going to start today with working on Formatting Activity 2.  When we do these activities they will be embedded on the blog (you can see it below); on most days I will be discussing with you what you need to do to complete the formatting activity correctly, but if I see people working on the assignment while I am talking and explaining how to complete the formatting activity I will be taking 10% off of your grade.  Do not start working on these activities until I tell you to start.


Activity 2.pdf

Vocab quiz #3

You will have a short amount of time at the beginning of class to review for the vocab quiz - you'll need to go to the Wikispaces page to review.  If you don't know your password I don't have it - you'll have to create a new password on the website.

After completing the quiz you will need to turn to page 18 in your book and learn three new keys.  The apostrophe is keyed with your right little finger (R4) and is the key between the semicolon and the return key; the hyphen is keyed with your right little finger (R4) and is the key to the right of the zero; and the quotation marks are keyed with your left shift key and right little finger (Left Shift + R4) and is located on the apostrophe key between the semicolon and the return key.  On page 18, Lesson 8D, type lines 1-9 twice each.

Once you get done with these lines raise your hand and I will come look at what you have done.  Once I have seen that you have completed these lines you can go to any of the practice websites and play the keying games.

Short day - learn Caps Lock key, question mark, and TAB key

Today you only have a 1/2 day of school (the teacher's still have to work a full day...be sure to think of us when you're out riding your bike or playing with your friends this afternoon!), and so we are going to use the shortened time to learn 3 new keys.  They are the Caps Lock key (L4), the question mark (Left shift + R4), and the TAB key (L4).

There is a vocab quiz tomorrow so please prepare yourself accordingly.

Windows vocabulary; vocab word search; keying practice

DO NOT CHANGE THE BACKGROUNDS ON THE COMPUTER!!  This actually is a violation of the computer lab policy and should not be attempted.

I want to start today by discussing a few things regarding this week's vocabulary list - Operating System, Windows, Tool bar, and Menu bar.

After explaining those to you I am going to give you time in class today to search for definitions for your vocabulary words.  After today there shouldn't be anyone who doesn't have a definition posted when it is time for their words to be posted on the Wikispaces page.  You're not going to be able to post your definitions in class today but you will have your definitions.

Once this is complete we will head back to the practice websites for more practice.

Learn Z and colon (left shift + R4); vocab definitions due tonight!

If you have not completed FA1 and emailed it to me then you need to get that done ASAP at the beginning of class.  If you have already completed FA1 and it has been emailed to me then you need to go to the Free Typing Game website and complete a couple of the speed tests.  Choose test #8.  These do not need to be written on the poster on the wall - just practice to see how well you can do.

Today we will learn the last letter (yay!) on the keyboard - the Z (L4); in addition we will also be learning the colon (Left Shift + R4).

Just a quick reminder for those who are responsible for vocab definitions for week 3 - your definitions must be posted to the Wikispaces page by tonight.

Finish FA1; Vocab week #3

THIS WEEK:

*Learn new keys:  Z, colon (:), Caps lock key, Question mark (?), Tab key, 
*Speed Test practice
*Technique grade
*Vocab quiz #3 (list is WINDOWS)
*Formatting Activity 2


Today we will complete FA1 and submit that to me, via email, for a grade.  Before you send anything with your email we need to cover a few things regarding submitting assignments to me using your email.

1. When you submit an assignment through your email you must include the 5 parts to a proper email (email address, subject line, greeting, body, and signature).  We've already covered this information so this should be a simple reminder.  However, if you do not have a signature in your email account you were probably gone the day we did that and you will need to create a signature (either ask a person sitting next to you or see me outside of class).
2. When you submit an assignment to me you will need to attach a Microsoft Word file - DO NOT ATTACH A GOOGLE DOC!  Usually what happens when you attach a Google Doc is you have to give me permission to see it, and some people will forget to do that.  More importantly, some of the formatting used in Word gets lost when the document is transferred over to a Google Doc, and then when I go to grade it your document will not "look" correct.  ALWAYS ATTACH A MICROSOFT WORD FILE!!
3. Save your formatting activities in at least two places.  My suggestion is to save them to your Google drive and to a flash drive.  DO NOT SAVE TO THE DESKTOP!!
4. I will show you how to upload a file to your Google Drive - if you have a bad memory take notes.  This is important and it is something you need to know how to do, not just for this class but for your future in this school district as there are many teacher who will expect you to have the skill of saving a file to your drive.  You also need to know how to download a file from your drive to your computer, so we'll go over that as well.

After completing this and emailing your FA1 to me we will review by going to the websites.  What I would like for you to do first is go to the Free Typing Games website and try 3 speed tests - we're not going to record these, but let's just practice.  After doing those then you can go to any of the practice websites on the Website resources page on the blog and practice.  Make sure to keep your speed skin on the keyboard!

As a reminder this is vocab week #3, so if you are responsible for defining words for this week those need to be posted by tomorrow night (Tuesday, Sept. 16).  If you missed last week's quiz on Friday you will need to come in outside of class time and complete it.

Vocab Quiz #2 (Hardware #2); Formatting Activity #1

You'll be given a few minutes at the beginning of class to review for the quiz - you'll want to go to your Wikispaces page to do that.  Do NOT go to Classmarker until asked to do so.  As a reminder, make sure to submit your quiz answers - failure to do so will mean that you will have to come back and retake the quiz.

When you are done you will need to complete Formatting Activity 1, which is embedded below.  The instructions are given here - follow the instructions in order.  However, instead of completing steps 7 and 8 what you need to do is save your file to a flash drive. We will cover how to complete step 8 on Monday.  IF YOU DO NOT SAVE YOUR DOCUMENT TO YOUR FLASH DRIVE IT WILL BE ERASED AND YOU WILL HAVE TO START OVER NEXT WEEK!!!


FA1.pdf







If you get done you are welcome to go to the website resources page on the blog, go to the practice websites and play typing games.

Learn Q and comma; start Formatting activity 1

We will begin today with learning the Q (L4) and the comma (R2).

Once we complete learning these two new keys we will begin the process of learning about the first formatting activity and the formatting toolbar in Word.  Because we will be working on a Formatting Activity tomorrow in class (after the vocab quiz) you will want to bring your flash drive so that you can save your work to it.

We also will spend a little bit of time today talking about how to upload a file to your Google Drive, because this will also be a procedure you will be employing frequently throughout the semester (as we work on the formatting activities).  

Lastly, don't forget that tomorrow you have a vocab quiz over the week 2 vocab words (Hardware #2).

Speed test; practice

We are going to spend some time today reviewing the keys we have learned so far.  After reviewing we will go to the Free Typing Games website to see how our speed is progressing.  Just like we did last time we will take 3 one minute timings and use the best score.  Remember to use the corrected speed when writing your speed on the poster.  You will need to use either test #6 or test #7.

After completing the timed writings I will have another activity for you - I'll explain it when we get to it.

GPS video; review all keys learned; learn P and V

We are going to start today with this video on GPS.  Again, if you have GPS as a vocab word you may want to take what they talk about here and include it with what you post on the Wikispaces page.

Today we will review all of the keys we have learned so far.

We will also learn the P (R4) and the V (L1).

Week 4; Learn M and X; router video

THIS WEEK:

*Learn new keys:  M, X, P, V, Q, comma (,)
*Speed Test
*Technique grade
*Vocab quiz #2 (list is Hardware #2) - videos on router and GPS
*Formatting Activity 1 (end of the week - maybe)

ROUTER VIDEO

After watching the video we will review from last week, then we will move onto learning the M (R1) and the X (L3).

If you have not yet posted your definitions for this week's vocabulary list you need to get that done by tomorrow night.  I would highly recommend that you get that done during lunch recess, study hall, or tonight at home so you are not scrambling at the last minute tomorrow night trying to get it done.

Learn B and Y

Today we will add the B (L1) and the Y (R1) to our arsenal of learned keys.  These are both long reaches on the keyboard, but since you are using your index fingers it should help.

After learning these two keys we will spend the rest of the hour reviewing.

Review; Blind assignment

We will start with a review from yesterday - we had very little time to practice the right shift key at the end of the hour so we will spend some time today reviewing that key along with everything else.

Once we spend some time reviewing we will be completing our blind assignment.  This will involve 20 words - I will spell each word to you so you need not worry about being a bad speller - and we will print this out and hand it in for a grade.  I will have several other instructions that I will give you before we start.

As a reminder, if you have vocabulary words that need to be defined for next week they need to be done by next Tuesday night.  That's still plenty of time...this is just a friendly reminder to get that done.  If you want to come in here at school (outside of class time) then you are welcome to do so, just make sure you let me know when you are coming in.

Speed test; learn W and Right Shift Key

We are going to start by reviewing all of the keys, with a concentration on the keys we learned yesterday (the U and the C).

After reviewing we are going to take a speed test to see how fast you are keying.  This will not be for a grade, but it will give us an idea as to where you are now, and then when we do this later how much you have improved.

After the speed test we will head back to learning two new keys - the W (L4) and the Right Shift Key (R4).

Learn U and C;

FOR THIS WEEK:

*Learn new keys:  U, C, W, Right Shift, B, and Y
*Speed Test
*Technique grade
*Blind assignment
*Reminders:  Google doc - passwords; vocabulary postings (due by Tuesday of the week they are on the vocab list)

Today we are going to learn the U (R1) and the C (L2).  We are making good progress towards learning the entire keyboard - keep up the good work!

First vocab quiz; keying review

We will take a few minutes at the beginning of the hour to review the vocab words for this week.  You will want to go to the Wikispaces page for your class to do that (remember that to get to your Wikispaces page you need to go to the vocabulary page on the blog and click on the class hour link). DO NOT GO TO CLASSMARKER UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO!

Once you are done with the quiz you need to open Microsoft Word and type lines 1-10 on 4C at the bottom of page 9 in the book.

When you complete those 10 lines you may go to the following websites and practice:

Typing Lessons (you can work on lessons 1, 2 or 3)

Sense-Lang (work on lessons 1-5)

Free Typing Games (you can type lessons 1-4, 6, 10, and 15)

HAVE A GREAT 3-DAY WEEKEND!

Classmarker account; create a Google doc with passwords; review all keys learned

Today we are going to check to make sure your Classmarker account works (this is the online website we will go tomorrow to take the vocab quiz).  I will give you your username and passwords so you can gain access.

Next we will create a new Google document that will hold all of your usernames and passwords - this way you will have 24/7 access to the usernames and passwords and you won't have to memorize them or carry around papers to help you remember what they are.

After we get that accomplished we will review all of the keys we've learned so far.

Modem video; review; learn left shift and period

We have a couple of housekeeping items to begin with today:

1. Make up times for classwork include: before school (except Wednesdays when I have morning duty), lunch recess, Study Hall (for those not in Band or Choir), or after school (until 3:30).  Plan accordingly if you need to use one of these times.
2. Assessments - if you tell me when you come in the room it makes leaving for the assessment much less a distraction.  Then, when it is time for you to leave you can just quietly get up and go, and I'll know why you are leaving (you won't have to raise your hand and interrupt whatever we're doing - you can just go).

The below video will help to explain what a modem is (a modem is one of the vocab words for this week...if it's your vocab word and you think you need to change the definition after watching the video then you can change it when you get home tonight).

We will start with a review of all the keys we've learned, but today's review will be a little different from what we've done in the past.  You'll need to think of a word that has at least 4 letters in it that we can type from all the letters we know on the keyboard - I'll explain the rest in class.

When we get done with this we will learn the left shift key (L4) and the period (R3).

Learn the N and the G

Today is going to be pretty basic. We'll review all of the keys we've learned so far, and then we'll add two new keys to the mix - the N (R1) and the G (L1).

As a reminder, if you are responsible for vocab definitions for week 1 they need to be posted on the Wikispaces page by tonight.

Vocabulary introduction; beginning week 2

This week:

Vocabulary
Create Wikispace accounts
Create a Classmarker account
Review of all keys learned
Learn N, G, Left Shift key, period (.)
Technique grade 

TODAY:
We are going to begin by talking about the vocab words and vocab lists for the class.  If you go to the vocabulary page on the blog you'll see a variety of information - we'll be covering this today.  Additionally, you'll need to have access to the wikispaces page so that you can submit vocabulary definitions (that's already been done by me - you will need to verify by checking your gmail, and we'll do that in a little bit).

The vocabulary for this class is really split into 2 parts - on one hand you will be responsible for knowing all of the vocabulary words for any given week, and you will demonstrate your knowledge by completing a vocab quiz.  On the other hand you will be required to find definitions for the vocab words and post them to the wiki for everyone to study off of.  This "research process" will be graded, just as the vocab quizzes will be graded (our first vocabulary quiz will be this Friday, and it will be taken online on a website called Classmarker).

When you post a definition to the Wiki, your definition should be easy to understand.  Sometimes, after finding a definition, you will see that the definition that you have found doesn't help you to understand what that vocab word means (or is).  Therefore, find definitions that are easy to understand, and if you can't find one that makes sense please see me so I can help you write an easy-to-understand definition.

Additionally, if you have a vocab word that is an acronym (GPS, WWW, or FAQ) then please include what the letters stand for (for example, WWW stands for World Wide Web, and when you enter your vocab definition on the wiki make sure to include that).
This will seem a little foreign to begin with, but we will be talking about this every day between now and the end of next week, which is when your first quiz will be.
You could set up a calendar reminder in Google so that you receive an email - this way you will be reminded several days in advance of when you need to have a definition posted on the wiki.  And, since you already know the words that you will be asked to define, you could find a definition for each of your words and save those definitions in a Google Doc - then when it is your week all you have to do is copy from your Google Doc to the Wiki.

Review keys learned and learn T; 10 Facts about me assignment due tonight!

To start today we will review the O that we learned yesterday.  After reviewing that key we will be learning the T (L1).  Remember, after today you will have already learned 50% of the letters on the keyboard!

Once we get done with the above we are going to take the short time we have left and review.  We are going to use a couple of different websites to break up the monotony and get out of using the book.  Here's the first website:

Lesson 1

Once you get done with Lesson 1 go on to Lessons 2 and 3.

If you complete the above you need to go this next website to practice:

Sense-Lang.org

On that website you can complete any of the lessons from Lessons 1 - 5.  If you complete all of these lessons you need to continue on to the following website:

Free Typing Games

You can work on Lessons 1 - 4, 10, and 15 on this website.

REMINDER: 10 FACTS ABOUT ME ASSIGNMENT DUE TONIGHT!

5 parts to correct email; first assignment

Anytime you are required to send an email in this class you will need to make sure that you include the 5 parts to a correct email.  That will almost always be a part of your grade.  They are listed here:

1. Email address
1. Username (what comes before the @ symbol)
2. the @ symbol
3. email server (gmail or yahoo, for example)
4. the period
5. the top level domain (.com, .net, .org)
2. Subject line
1. explains to the reader of the email what the email is about
2. not typed in all caps
3. Greeting
1. include the name of the person you are sending the email to
2. depending on your relationship with the individual, it may be "Dear Mrs. Smith" or you might enter "James"
4. Body
1. Write in complete sentences
2. if you want your email to be professional (and it needs to be in here!), avoid texting language (LOL, OMG, B4, etc.)
3. spell check!!
5. Signature
1. create a signature using features in Google (done!)
2. eliminates having to remember to type your name at the bottom

The name of the assignment is "10 facts about me".  You will need to send this to me by Friday (this is a homework assignment - you will not be allowed to complete this during class).  However, the 10 facts are going to be a little unique - here's an example of what you would need to include:

1 - I have 1 sister
2 - I have golfed at the John Deere TPC twice
3 - I went to 3 River Bandit games this summer
4 - 4 is my favorite number
5 - I have been to a Chicago Bears game 5 times
6 - I started playing the piano at age 6
7 - The house number at the address where I live is 723
8 - I have been to Lake of the Ozarks 8 times
9 - The zip code of the town I grew up in is 80759
10 - One of the cars I own is a 2010 Toyota Highlander

When you email me make sure that you include the 5 correct parts to an email.  Due Friday means that it is due by midnight on Friday night (when you send an email to me I will be able to tell when it was sent) - so you can work on this after school tomorrow but your best bet will be to complete this tonight.

The last part of class will be reviewing what we learned Tuesday, and then learning the O (R3).