7th Grade :: Technology Applications
ANNOUCEMENTS
Please save all of your work as a Rich Text File - .rtf format instead of a .doc, .docx, .wpd, or anything else, please! Do you remember why?
RESOURCE LINKS
SCHEDULE
TBA for fall 2009
ASSIGNMENTS
If you do not log off of your computer before you leave, you will receive a detention
20may, Wednesday :: How Stuff Works
7th and 8th periods only
Check out this link to How Stuff Works and find an article that interests you. Write a minimum 200 word summary of your topic. Copy and paste the URL of your article at the end of your summary. Print this out and put it in the IN folder for you class period (BLUE). This is due in class on Friday.
Friday, 5/21 in class: How Stuff Works summary
14may, Thursday :: Blog Topic
Today, I want you to write a minimum of 250 words on one of these 2 topics:
- Write something about your mom, or a significant woman. It can be a letter to her or just an essay about her. It is up to you if you show it to her!
- Since you just read Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life, write about the meaning of your life.
Print this out and put it in the IN folder for your class's period.
14may, Thursday :: Group Evaluations
I will also ask each of you to report on the rest of your team and tell me how you all worked together as a team during this project. I want this to be confidential - I will be the only person to see it, so please be honest with me!
Download this form for your team evaluation. You'll need to print it out and put it in the IN folder for your class period. Make sure that your name is on it as well as your class period!
12may, Tuesday :: It All Comes Together Today
Enough extra time - it's time to present all of your hard work! Have one of your teammates show me where your PSA file is while the rest of your team gathers and decides how to present your media kit - your will have 15 minutes for this - no more! Make good use of your time!
4may, Monday :: TAKS - it came and it went
TAKS is history! Life can resume its regularly scheduled programming, which means that you are "programming" your PSA videos that are due on Friday! Unless you are finished, I need to see that you are working on this assignment.
If you are finished, I need a final copy of your video file. After that, you need to be working on school work, whatever that may be. If you have no schoolwork, log on to TypeRacer. If you choose to playing games instead, you will receive a detention with no warnings.
24april, Friday :: Stay with me here - read everything!
To recap what we went over on Wednesday, we will pick back up with the video portion of our mulit-media project when we see each other again on Wednesday, 4/29. I hope that you keep working on your 15-30 second PSAs during the next week in your groups so that we can get right into MovieMaker when we get back!
For today though, I want you each to spend the period playing with Typeracer. Go to http://typeracer.com, set up an account and either do the practice exercises or play the games! Mrs. Cox will be watching to make sure that everyone is engaged in this website; she will let me know who is doing other things and I will then hand out detentions when I see you again on Monday next week. IF YOU HAVE LEGITIMATE school work for another class that you can be doing, that is the ONLY exception to the Typeracer website rule. You will need to be ready to explain what you are doing to Mrs. Cox though if she asks you about it.
I look forward to hearing that there was nothing unusual about the day with Mrs. Cox! OK? :o)
20april, Monday :: continuing the multi-media project
As a reminder, please check the due dates posted on 4/16! If you discover that you will have a problem with a due date, you need to let me know ASAP so that something can be worked out. If you do not tell me about any problems until it is too late, that will just be too bad.
Although this is Technology Applications, it has come to my attention that some might need to be reminded of which applications should be used to accomplish which tasks:
- use PowerPoint for the Power point assignment
- use Publisher for the brochure
- use Publisher for the poster
- use Movie Maker for the video (we will go over this together in class)
- use Word for the letter
16april, Thursday :: PROJECT UPDATE
Due to different circumstances for each of the 3 class period, the multi-media project due dates have changed as follows - PLEASE read carefully for YOUR CLASS PERIOD!!
- 6th period
- PowerPoint, Brochure, Poster - DUE: W 4/22
- PSA and formal letter - DUE: F 4/24
- 7th period
- PowerPoint, Brochure, Poster - DUE: as scheduled, Th 4/16
- PSA and formal letter - DUE: F 4/24
- 8th period
- PowerPoint, Brochure, Poster - DUE: F 4/24
- PSA and formal letter - DUE: Th 4/30
These grades will go onto the laast 6 weeks grading period.
(I will work on putting calendar so it's easier to see...)
09april, Thursday :: Multi-media Project
Continue working with your groups today. If you haven't already, you need to start working on the individual elements of your project. I will check today to see how you've divided your tasks and ask about your production schedule.
If you forsee a problem with being able to complete this assignment on time, you need to speak with me asap, or email/text me asap. If you need me to help you with any part of this assignment, let me know asap! I am here to help you!
REVISED DUE DATE:
On Thursday, April 16, everything is due except for the PSA video. The PSA video and the letter are due on Wednesday, April 22.
07april, Tuesday :: Multi-Media Project
Today I want to see what your plan is for your multi-media project - show me your list of things that you've learned, things that you want to include in this project and then any other plans that you've made. If you haven't already done this, you need to do it today. I will come around and look at your plans and maybe ask you some questions about it.
You will be graded today on how well you use class time to work as a team on your project.
01april :: Multi-Media Project
You are now experts on the subject of cyber-safety, right? So, to share your knowledge and protect your friends, family and the FWAFA population in general, you are going to create a multi-media package for them. I will post the instructions here before class on Wednesday, so keep an eye out on the website so you can get a head start!
You will need to create a multi-media package that shares the information that you've learned about being safe online. It will need to have:
- a PowerPoint presentation about being safe online
- a 15-30 second PSA video
- a brochure about being safe online
- a poster to display
- a formal letter than introduces your multi-media package
Today, we'll organize ourselves and talk about exactly what the requirements are for each element of your package.
30march, Monday :: Staying Out of Trouble on the Internet!
Today, we're talking about security issues related to e-mail, IMing, free downloads. What should you do with spam and e-mail attachments? How can you possible protect yourself from all the bad things out there that want to take over your computer?
26march, Thursday :: Sitcky Websites
Sticky Sites - what? We'll look at this today.
Download this assignment file and complete it for 3 of your favorite websites.
DUE: Monday, 30march. Print this out and put in your class's IN folder.
24march, Tuesday :: Privacy Online?
We'll look at both of these files together and talk about them:
9march, Monday :: Cyber Safety
Since the article you summarized for your test was about Cyber Safety, we're going to look at that topic some more. You'll need to click on this image to go to the web page for today's assignment:
3march, Tuesday :: Summary Test
If you took good notes on Friday last week, you'll be just fine! If you didn't, pay close attention to the review that I give before the test - you might even consider adding to your notes! I will remind you of what a summary is, the 4 main steps to writing a summary and then explain what those 4 steps are. You will then be on your own to follow those steps when you write a summary on your test.
DUE: at the end of class TODAY
27feb, Friday :: Practicing
First today, we will talk about the way class went on Wednesday while I was gone and Mrs. Cox was your sub.
We will talk about and define what a "summary" is and is not, as well as what a "paraphrase" is and is not. These are writing skills that you will as you finish out 7th grade and prepare to move on to 8th grade.
How to Write a Summary - we will look at this in class today!
These are some examples that we'll look at and discuss:
You will need to take notes as we talk about these writing techniques. There will be a quiz over this information on Tuesday, 3/3 in class!
ASSIGNMENT: After going through today's lesson, you may re-write the summary that you turned in on Wednesday only if you think you need too. You may also correct any formatting issues that you may have had - check with me or on Snapgrades to see if there were any problems.
DUE: Tuesday, 3/3 in class
25feb, Wednesday :: Summarize
summary: (definition) A few sentences that tell about the main idea or ideas in an article, written in one's own words.
Have you ever had to write a summary before? Maybe so, maybe no. Either way, we're going to learn how to write a good one and impress your teachers with your writing skills! So, first, we're just going to write one straight out of the box.
I want you go to this web site, Science News for Kids and find an article in the list on the left side of the home page that interests you. Read the article and then write a summary about it. Don't worry about if you're doing it "right" or not, I just want you to write a summary
These are the requirements for your summary that will be handed in TODAY at the end of your class period (assignments not turned in today will result in a late grade):
- do not change the font type, only the size and style when instructed to do so
- line 1: your name and class period - font size 12pt
- line 2: the title of your article - font size 14pt and bold
- line 3: the author's name - font size 12pt and italic
- line 4: the url of the webpage - font size 12pt
- skip line 5 and begin your summary on line 6 - font size 12pt
THIS MUST BE TURNED IN TODAY. USE YOUR TIME WISELY!
DUE: today, at the end of the period. Anything turned in after today (unless you are absent today), will receive a late grade - 10 point for each day late. Turn this in next Tuesday, you can only receive a 90, Thursday, an 80, etc.
17feb, Tuesday :: The Final Phase
I would like you to make a poster that shares what you learned from your interviews about the "good old days." Simple enough? Maybe not. For this final assignment, you are only allowed to use whatever kinds of technology that were available in 1972 - i.e. no computers and no photocopying! If you have a question about how to do something, ask your parents or grandparents how they would have done this assignment when they were your age, or ask me!
The complete assignment is detailed here, explaining the entire process that we've been through.
DUE: Thursday, 19feb. This counts as a test grade!
10feb, Tuesday :: Your Interviews
Today we will go over some of the questions that you turned in on your list of interview questions. You may want to add some questions or change some on your list. You need to conduct your interviews by Thursday and bring your notes to class with you. If there is a scheduling problem with your interviews, you must let me know in ADVANCE or your assignment will be counted as late.
DUE: Thursday, 12feb - your notes from your interviews.
For your notes, you do not need to write out verbatim what was said. Make notes of words and phrases that will remind you of what s/he said. Asking a valid follow up question will be counted as extra credit. A valid question is one that comes from a response to an original question. It will contribute more content to your interview notes. A question like "what color was it?" is not a valid question!
You will be graded on:
- the depth/quality of your questions - do they show that you spent time thinking about this assignment?
- the thoroughness of the answers you get - do you ask more questions to get more information?
- Extra credit for follow up questions and/or well thought out, original questions
On Thursday in class, I will tell you what you are going to do with your interview notes.
06feb :: More on the Good Old Days...
6th period - Just for you...
You need to read the assignment posted for 04feb (the one after this one). You are one day behind the other classes! Mr. Adams will go over the assignment with you. Your due date for today's assignment is Tuesday next week.
7th and 8th periods
Today you need to turn in your list of at least 10 questions for your interviews. Check Wednesday's assignment for the details about what I expect and how you will be graded on this. Remember, this must be hand written and turned into the IN folder for your class's period with your name and class period on it! You MUST turn in whatever questions you have written at the end of the period, whether you are finished or not. I will not accept these assignment late!
4feb :: The Good Old Days - Just How Good Were They?
What was life like before the evolution of technology? How much technology do you use in every day life without even thinking about it? Just how dependant are we on technology? Can we learn anything from the "good old days" or were they even "good?" How can we know the answers to these questions?
You will need to write out 10 questions that you will use to interview 2 people about what life was like before all the technology that we enjoy today. First, the questions. We discussed this in class. Using those ideas, you need to come up with a minimum of 10 questions to ask your interview subjects. You may use your computer to organize your thoughts, but when you turn in this assignment, you must write it out on a piece of paper in hand writing that I can read!. Penmanship used to be its own separate grade in the "good old days," so part of your grade will be based on legibility - how easy it is for me to read.
DUE: Friday, 6feb in class, your list of at least 10 interview questions to ask about life before technology. Remember that you must write these out by hand and turn them in by the end of class period. Be sure to include your name and class period!
6th period - your due date is Tuesday, 6 feb. You will go over this assignment with Mr. Adams in class on Friday, 6feb.
30% of your grade will be based on the thought put into your questions and the number of questions that you have listed. A list of 10 questions that don't show me that you thought about this beyond what we talked about in class will be a 70 - average.
20% of your grade will be based on your penmanship! If I have to struggle to read your handwriting, you will get an maximum of 80 points. If I can't read it at all, I reserve the right to take off up to 40 points.
On Friday, 2/6, you can work on this during class but whatever work you have done must be turned in. I will not accept this assignment late without a 10% reduction in your final score.
Next week, we will talk about how you will conduct your interviews and then what we will do with the results of your interviews.
2feb :: While I was out...
I want you to review for me what you did in class last Thursday. You may then re-write the assignment that you turned in that day if you wish to do so.
29jan :: I can't think of something catchy, so this is just for today, Thursday
We will start class today by reading this article: The Inventor of the Week. When you finish reading this article, we will talk about it - what do you remember without having specifically been told to read for comprehension? We'll then make some observations about the things that you remembered and things that you didn't.
The point: What kind of skills did you use as you read? What is your reading process? How do you adapt to certain difficulties with reading and comprehending? Is reading on a computer screen different that reading from printed material? How do you make sense of what you read?
Based on what we talked about class, write a paragraph or two telling me about your own reading process; have you ever thought about what your process actually is, do you like to read, why or why not, what skills work best for you, did we talk about something you want to try that could help your process, and any other thoughts, questions or observations.
DUE: At the end of class today. - please print this out with your name and class period on it and put it in the newly la bled red IN folder for your class period.
27jan :: NO CLASS TODAY
23jan :: Blog topic: What do you remember?
I want you to think back about the whole presidential campaign, about the Inauguration, about President Obama. Write what you remember about it all! If you need to find some information on the web to add to what you remember, you may use that.
This needs to be at least 200 words long and needs to include at least 2 pictures that show what you're writing about. Be sure to include sources that you use in your blog as well as for your pictures!
DUE: at the end of class TODAY. Save it as obama.rtf in your maddox folder AND print it out with your name and class period on it and place it in the IN folder for your class period.
This is something that I may keep and return to you when you graduate in 2014. Really!
14jan :: You've got mail - but how did that happen?
Open a document in Word and using the notes we took in class, answer these questions:
- What does "e-Mail" literally mean?
- What are the 2 parts of an e-mail?
- What are the real world examples that I gave for each of the 2 parts?
- Tell me the 4 fields in the 1st part of an e-mail.
- What is an attachment?
- What is an e-mail client?
- What is the e-mail client that is part of Microsoft Office?
- What is web-mail?
- List 5 examples of web-mail.
- What is a server?
- Tell me an example that I used as a "server" in the real world.
- If I sent you an email, explain how it gets to your inbox. You can do this with words or draw a diagram.
These are the notes that I gave during class.
Print out your answers and turn them into your class period's IN folder by the end of today's period. Remember that I take off points if your name AND class period are not on your paper!
When you are finished, login to Typing Pal. Remember to use the link in the right side column!
12jan :: You've got mail!
We all do it. We all love it. It makes us feel loved. But how does it work? We'll start by taking this online quiz to see how much you know about how email works.
Here is a cool video about How Email Works. We'll watch it in class too so you can hear it...
Assignment: QUIZ on Wednesday, 14jan
I will give notes in class today that you will be able to use for this quiz! Save your notes in your maddox folder as emailNotes.rtf. FYI, these are the notes I used in class:
08jan :: Pictionary with Paint
You know the game - you love the game! OK. Maybe not, but you WILL! We're going to play Pictionary today in class, but we're doing our drawing with Paint. Paint has lots of cool tools that can help you enhance your drawing and do things you can't do with just a marker. I'll give you 20 minutes in class to practice before we begin the games....
You will be graded for your class participation!