Back to work after Labor Day

I hope everyone enjoyed their last bit of summer over the Labor Day weekend!  We usually recognize Labor Day as the unofficial last weekend of summer - now it's time to prepare for fall and everything that comes with it.

Today we are going to do several things.  First, I want to show you how to bookmark several websites so you don't have to continually type in their addresses.  Then after we complete that I will show you how to print a Google Doc (exactly like printing a regular document) - you will then print out your work that you completed on Friday during class.

Lastly we are going to learn two new keys today, and they are the U (R1) and the C (L2).  The U will be an easy key to learn, but the C will require good technique and will probably take some getting used to before you feel comfortable typing it.

As a reminder there is no vocab list this week, but if you are scheduled to post definitions to the wiki spaces page you can do that anytime between now and next Tuesday.

Learn period and left shift key; bookmark websites

Today we will learn two new keys that are not letters - they are the period (R3) and the Left Shift key (L4).

Additionally we will be checking our Classmarker accounts to make sure that you are able to get logged in - this will be how you take your quiz tomorrow, and with me being gone you will need to make sure everything is in working order today.  I gave you your username and password yesterday.

Lastly, if we have time, we will learn how to bookmark websites so you don't always have to type the web address in in the URL bar.  I've listed several websites on the board that you have been frequenting - it would be helpful to bookmark those.  Remember that a bookmark only works on the computer you are using, and only with the browser you are using - they do not transfer from one computer to the next or from one browser (on the same computer) to another.

Shift and period; bookmarking

In my class you are allowed 4 exits for the semester.  These can be used whenever needed, but you are only going to get 4 of these to use.  If you do not use these, at the end of the semester the ones you have not used will be counted as extra credit.  When you want to use one, this is the process you should go through:

1. Grab a sheet from the countertop
2. Come ask me to go to the restroom/locker
3. Take the sheet with you (it will act as your hall pass)
4. Bring the sheet back and put in the gray tray

Believe it or not we have already learned 15 of the 26 letter keys (over half).  We are making good progress - let's keep it up!!

The two new keys for today will be not be letter keys.  The Left Shift Key (L4) and the period (R4) will be learned today.  

GPS explained; Formatting Activity 1; bookmarks

1.  Today we are going to start with learning how to bookmark a page on the Internet.  This is exactly like putting a bookmark in a book, only you are doing this online.  It is a little different depending on the browser you are using, but if you can do it on Safari you should have no problem doing it on Firefox (or for that matter Internet Explorer).

We will bookmark the following websites today:
Wikispaces
Class blog
Edmodo
Classmarker
Gmail

When you bookmark the above sites, choose the one browser (Safari or Firefox) that you will be spending your time in when you go to the Internet.

2.  After bookmarking those websites, we will be watching a video on what GPS is and how it works.

3.  Speaking of vocab - if you put a definition on your wikispaces page, and then you read the definition and you don't understand it, is anyone else going to understand what it is?  If you find it confusing more than likely so will everyone else, so you need to enter a definition that is easily understood.  If you need help modifying the definition so that it would be understandable by all please see me.

4.  We will learn the X and the M today in class.  After today, we only have 3 more letters to learn! (the Q, the P, and the Z)

More Logo

• NEW SEATING CHART!!  We will be moving at the beginning of class to a new seat.  After you get logged in at your new location, you will want to bookmark the following websites:

www.google.com
www.classmarker.com
www.edmodo.com
http://gmsamazon*.wikispaces.com/  (change the * to your class hour)

• You will be required to type in your usernames and passwords on your new computer the first time you visit these sites.  They will not be "remembered" as they were on the other computer you sat at. 

• If you have not yet completed your vocab definitions on your wikispaces website you need to get that done immediately.

• Don't forget, the crossword puzzle is due tomorrow.  If you are done now you can hand it in early.

• We will be covering your REPEAT assignment from yesterday - get it out.  This was not for a grade, but we will go over the answers today in class.  At the same time I will answer any questions you might have concerning any of the problems that you worked on.

• The next assignment you will have is Practice #2, in which you will be creating designs using a REPEAT statement to draw designs.  My guess is that you will want to use Logo so that you can "experiment" as you are trying to create the designs.  You will also be working with a partner, so at the end of the hour today you will hand your paper in (so it doesn't get lost).  This Practice #2 will be due tomorrow (Thursday).