Day 14

6th:  We will be wrapping up our lesson in Scratch this week.  Today we will each create our own "Pong" game.

7th:  We will continue to explore some of the features of Microsoft Office Power Point today as we create a simple presentation about ourselves.

8th:  If you have not already saved your Propeganda Poster as a JPEG and e-mailed it to me at heidihemmesch@gmail.com you must do so by the end of class today in order to receive credit for the assignment.

Today we will be exploring the powers of Wordle as a free form of expression.  Please go to wordle.net to begin our discovery.

Day 13

6th:  Today we will continue our work in Scratch to create a presentation for your Christmas project.  Remember, although our goal is to learn to utilize the software, it is still important that your presentation makes sense.  Be sure that you are constantly monitoring yourself before you get carried away with coding.

8th:  Today we will finish up our work in Sumo Paint.  By the end of class today, I expect to be able to grade your completed assignment.  You can find the rubric that I will be using to evaluate your poster below.

By the end of class, I expect that you will have saved your poster as a JPG file by going to "File" then "Save to my computer."  After saving to the computer with your name in the file name, e-mail your JPEG file to me at heidihemmesch@gmail.com for evaluation.

Persuasive Propaganda Revolutionary War Poster – 25 points

You need more soldiers for your side of the war! It is your assignment to create a poster that would recruit men to join your side of the war. Your poster must have the following elements. Use this paper as your check sheet to make sure you do not forget any elements.


Elements:

Have a heading or slogan __________
Have a place to meet __________
Have a corresponding date to meet __________
Have a time(s) to meet __________
Have graphics that match your __________
side of the war and/or slogan
Must be colored and attractive __________
Persuasive & eye catching __________

Day 12

7th-  Today we will begin working in Microsoft Office Power Point. We will be creating interactive games using simple commands that will help further your understanding of how the program works.  The skills that you will learn over the next couple weeks will help you in the future and in High School when you are asked to create a .ppt to display information fro projects-  you'll be a pro!

Lets begin by locating and opening up the power point application from your computers start menu.  After you have opened, please type PPT Game in the 'click to add title' field, followed by your name typed in the 'click to add subtitle' field.  While you are waiting for your classmates you have permission to adjust font color, style, size, alignment, etc. as well as the slide background color.

Day 12

6th:  We will be working on our Christmas Presentations in Scratch.  We will begin adding scripts, costumes, and speech to our sprites to create a presentation on what Christmas is like in various cultures.

8th:  We will be closing up our Sumo Paint projects today.  Each student is expected to create a Revolutionary War propeganda  poster using the rubric as a guide.

THIRD GRADE

3

Click on the links (which are the blue words) below to check out some really cool Thanksgiving stuff!

Click here to watch videos.
read letters from the Mayflower here
tour the Mayflower here 
play the Web Quest here
and learn about daily life here



I hope you are having a great day.  I miss you all very much! SEE YOU TOMORROW : )

Love,
Ms. Hemmesch : )

Day 11

7th:  Today we will spend a portion of the class finishing up our Web Sites.  Then, we will use the Peer Evaluation Form to evaluate our classmates products.  While you are evaluating, it is important to remember that you are expected to assume the role of the consumer as you rate how well their site delivers "buying power" for their product.  After Peer Evaluations are completed, you will then use the advice from your classmates to enhance your website one last time before we close the books on the assignment.

Kacper
Oscar
Brittany
Amy
Emily
Amethyst
Juliet

Overall, I think you all did a GREAT job on your sites.  Congratulations and keep up the good work!

My older sister, our inspiration for this project, was just on LIVE TV selling her gloves.  You can click the link to QVC and then click the 'Video' tab to watch her taping from this morning.

Day 10

6th:      Todays vocabulary word is RAM - RAM (Random Access Memory) is the main memory used while the computer is working. RAM is temporary. 

We will continue to explore the wonderful world of Java.  I will teach you some tricks and guide you through creating your very first Pong Game.  Eventually, we will discuss our latest assignment that is expected to be completed before Christmas Break.  

7th:   We will continue to develop our company websites.  Don't forget, if you finish with the content before it is time to leave you can add some new areas to your web such as Links (links to other websites that have similar items), 

Employment Opportunities (paragraph about what you are looking for in an employee, questions you would ask in an interview, what positions you are hiring and how much they pay, etc.), Grand Opening (Information about your grand opening as well as any special promotions you are running that day or contests you will have, stuff you will be giving away, etc.).  You can also be creative and add anything other information that you would like to include on your website. Depending on where we are at the end of class, we may be calling this our last day to work on our Web Sites. 

Kacper
Oscar
Brittany
Juliet
Amy
Emily
Amethyst
Juliet

8th:  Today we will look at the rubric for your upcoming assignment on the Revolutionary War.  I will be teaching you about layers, masks, magic wands and erasers, filters, and effects.  You will use SumoPaint to create your poster over the next couple weeks (in other words, don't rush through it.).  

Day 9

6th:      Todays vocabulary word is RAM - RAM (Random Access Memory) is the main memory used while the computer is working. RAM is temporary. 

First, we will begin by reviewing the tutorial on Scratch.

Then we will continue to explore the wonderful world of Java.  We will be learning how to use codes and scripting to create sprites that talk, move, and change form.  Your first challenge is to attempt to discover how to get your sprite to move and bounce off the walls.  Then, try to make your sprite react to another sprite.  Today we will be exploring our new program and then we will discuss our assignment for the next few weeks.

7th:   We will continue to develop our company websites.  You will then work on your own to customize your site.  If you finish with the content before it is time to leave you can add some new areas to your web such as Links (links to other websites that have similar items), 

Employment Opportunities (paragraph about what you are looking for in an employee, questions you would ask in an interview, what positions you are hiring and how much they pay, etc.), Grand Opening (Information about your grand opening as well as any special promotions you are running that day or contests you will have, stuff you will be giving away, etc.).  You can also be creative and add anything other information that you would like to include on your website. 

Kacper
Oscar
Brittany
Juliet
Amy
Emily
Amethyst
Juliet

8th:  First,  we will review the  features of SumoPaint by watching the tutorial below. 

Next,  will look at the rubric for your upcoming assignment on the Revolutionary War.  You will use SumoPaint to create your poster over the next couple weeks.  

Day 8

6th:      Todays vocabulary word is Font.   Font is a particular sort of lettering (on the screen or on paper). Arial is a font. Times New Roman is another.

First, we need to begin downloading the new software we will be using for the next few classes.  Please go to scratch.mit.edu then click on "Download Scratch."  Follow the prompts and allow the software to download in the background while we work on finishing up This reading and then get started and hopefully finish activity 1 & activity 2. 

After completing the activities we will watch a short demo video on our new software.  We will be creating coding to generate interactive video games, stories, music, and art.  It's a super sweet program with limitless possibilities! It just takes a little getting used to : )

Here's another tutorial for our benefit : )

7th:  First, we will be downloading google Chrome on all of the machines in the Computer lab.  This will help our fellow classmates TREMENDOUSLY!  Go to google.com and download the application to your computer.

Then,   We will continue to develop our company websites.  You will then work on your own to customize your site.  If you finish with the content before it is time to leave you can add some new areas to your web such as Links (links to other websites that have similar items), 

Employment Opportunities (paragraph about what you are looking for in an employee, questions you would ask in an interview, what positions you are hiring and how much they pay, etc.), Grand Opening (Information about your grand opening as well as any special promotions you are running that day or contests you will have, stuff you will be giving away, etc.).  You can also be creative and add anything other information that you would like to include on your website. 

We will also take come time to check out each others websites.  Use this time to get ideas of things that might work for your own site.  We will be critiquing each others websites another day, so please save your comments for another time.  Just look and enjoy your classmates hard work.


Kacper
Oscar
Brittany
Juliet
Amy
Emily
Amethyst
Juliet

8th:  Great job on your blogs,  I strongly encourage you to keep up with your blogs on your own time from home!


We will be moving on to photo editing today : )  Your homework was to bring in an image that you would like to edit...did you remember?  Good.  We will begin watch watching a demo on the program we will be using to edit our images.  It's called Sumo Paint and it is probably the coolest free tool on the internet.

After watching the video we will go to sumopaint.com and we will spend the remainder of class exploring the features of this the Sumo Paint program.  Prepare yourselves....... this is so cool your  head might explode- consider yourself warned.


Below are some more demo videos you can check out for tutorial.

Day 7

All Classes: We will begin by watching a quick video about the history of computers at brainpop.com to give us a frame of reference for the accomplishments of Co-founder of Apple and Pixar, Steve Jobs, who passed away yesterday.  We will then watch CNN's tribute to Steve Jobs.  If you have extra time, I recommend listening to his commencement address at Stanford about how to live.

6th:    We will continue start learning about the big boxy things sitting on your tables.  This reading will get us started and then we will see how much we know by printing off and completing a couple of activities:activity 1 & activity 2.

7th:   We will continue to develop our company websites.  You will then work on your own to customize your site.  If you finish with the content before it is time to leave you can add some new areas to your web such as Links (links to other websites that have similar items), 

Employment Opportunities (paragraph about what you are looking for in an employee, questions you would ask in an interview, what positions you are hiring and how much they pay, etc.), Grand Opening (Information about your grand opening as well as any special promotions you are running that day or contests you will have, stuff you will be giving away, etc.).  You can also be creative and add anything other information that you would like to include on your website. 

We will also take come time to check out each others websites.  Use this time to get ideas of things that might work for your own site.  We will be critiquing each others websites another day, so please save your comments for another time.  Just look and enjoy your classmates hard work.


Kacper
Oscar
Brittany
Juliet
Amy
Emily
Amethyst
Juliet

8th:  Continue to work on your blogs.  By the end of class today, I expect that you will have at least 3 original blog posts and cleaned up the side bars.  After you have completed the layout and feel of your blog you are expected to view the video about Protecting Your Reputation Online.  Then, you will visit your classmate's blogs and comment on them.  DON'T FORGET, the whole world (strangers, your friends, teachers, grandparents, Father John, etc.) can read what you post -be mindful of what you say.

You guys did are doing a great job!  Visit your friends Blogs and contribute to the two-way world of BLOGGING:


http://dancerkw.edublogs.org/
http://nba2011.edublogs.org/
http://caitgw.edublogs.org/
http://tintedglass88.edublogs.org/
http://amandalovesadventuretime.edublogs.org/
http://evy30176.edublogs.org/
http://bigfoot98.edublogs.org/
http://hunter305.edublogs.org/
Izzy's Blog! - Just another Edublogs.org site
http://tierra9632.edublogs.org/
http://stephaniebieber.edublogs.org/
http://marie98b.edublogs.org/
The Life of Brittany Winton — Just another Edublogs.org site

Day 6

6th:   Today's vocabulary word is application.  An application is a program on your computer that allows you to do something (e.g. surf the web, write a letter, draw a picture). I will be giving back your list of the keyboard shortcuts today.  We will be finishing up our detective work today.  We will also be start learning about the big boxy things sitting on your tables.  This reading will get us started and then we will see how much we know by printing off and completing a couple of activities:activity 1 & activity 2.

7th:  First, we will be visiting brainpop.com and watch the featured movie about computers.  We will talk about the impact Stave Jobs has had on all of our lives.  We will be working on our Websites again today.  We will start by creating pages to help the consumer navigate our sites.  You will then work on your own to customize your site.  If you finish with the content before it is time to leave you can add some new areas to your web such as Links (links to other websites that have similar items), 
Employment Opportunities (paragraph about what you are looking for in an employee, questions you would ask in an interview, what positions you are hiring and how much they pay, etc.), Grand Opening (Information about your grand opening as well as any special promotions you are running that day or contests you will have, stuff you will be giving away, etc.).  You can also be creative and add anything other information that you would like to include on your website. 

8th:  Continue to work on your blogs.  By the end of class today, I expect that you will have at least 2 original blog posts and cleaned up the side bars.  

You guys did are doing a great job!  Visit your friends Blogs for inspiration:


http://dancerkw.edublogs.org/
http://nba2011.edublogs.org/
http://caitgw.edublogs.org/
http://tintedglass88.edublogs.org/
http://amandalovesadventuretime.edublogs.org/
http://evy30176.edublogs.org/
http://bigfoot98.edublogs.org/
http://hunter305.edublogs.org/
Izzy's Blog! - Just another Edublogs.org site
http://tierra9632.edublogs.org/
http://stephaniebieber.edublogs.org/
http://marie98b.edublogs.org/

Day 5

ALL GRADES:  Before we do anything, please take this survey for the Growing Healthy Kids program.  


6th:  Today's vocabulary word is CTRL Key.  A key on a computer keyboard that is pressed in combination with another key to activate a shortcut.  I will be giving back your list of the keyboard shortcuts today.  We will be finishing up our detective work today.  We will also be start learning about the big boxy things sitting on your tables.  This reading will get us started and then we will see how much we know by completing a couple of activities:activity 1 & activity 2.


7th:  We will be continuing with our webs in class today.  But first, you need to e-mail me your websites URL at heidihemmesch@gmail.com This will be worth 5 points. If you finish with the content before it is time to leave you can add some new areas to your web such as Links (links to other websites that have similar items), 
Employment Opportunities (paragraph about what you are looking for in an employee, questions you would ask in an interview, what positions you are hiring and how much they pay, etc.), Grand Opening (Information about your grand opening as well as any special promotions you are running that day or contests you will have, stuff you will be giving away, etc.).  You can also be creative and add anything other information that you would like to include on your website.  Today will be your last time block to work on this web and I will be checking it at the start of Friday's class.

8th:  We will begin by taking this quick quiz based upon your Blog Questions assignment.  When you finish, you will continue to explore the features available for your blog.  You will also be adding your first blog post.  Postings will be due by next week.

Day 4

6th:  Today's vocabulary word is CPU.  A CPU is the Central Processing Unit in your computer.  It's what makes your computer work.  Today we will begin our detective work using keyboard shortcuts.  We will be having a quiz on this material within the next couple of weeks.

7th:  Today in class we will begin to build our websites (woo hoo!).  The majority of the class will be spent doing some good, old fashioned, hands-on learning.  You will be clicking through designs, templates, fonts, colors, etc. as you lay down the design foundations for your website.  Remember to think about what will be most visually pleasing and easy to navigate for your customers.  You website must include this information.

8th:  Time for some action!  Today we get started creating out blogs. You should also know some of the characteristics that make a blog "good".  We will begin by creating usernames and loging into our Blogs.  After that, we will explore the features of our blog host and begin to develop the format for our Blog.  Did you remember your assignment of bringing a picture?  See if you can figure out how to upload your picture onto your blog.  The design aspect is always my favorite part of creating any website, blog, etc.  so please, HAVE FUN and learn by doing!


Because time is short and I really want you to begin developing your blog, we will postpone the Blog Quiz until next week. : )

Day 3

6th:  I will spare you the heart stopping excitement of reviewing the classroom rules and expectations today (you're welcome).  This class we will continue to build our Technology Notebook that we started last week in Excel.  After we start our notebook we will be doing some detective work using keyboard shortcuts.

7th:  Now that you have an idea for your company it's time to start brainstorming the details.  In class today, we will be watching a tutorial on a how to create a free flash website using wix.com In order to make your web complete, you will need to include this information.  

8th:  To get started today, check your answers to the homework from last week's class.  Also, we will be having a quiz next week on Blogs (what they are, how they are used and some of the vocab) so you should use these answers to help you review.  The quiz will be next Friday. 

Now that we know what a blog is and how they are used, we will be viewing three blogs in class today.  Using these blogs as a basis, we will be determining as a class "what makes a blog good?".  You will be working independently to check out some blogs and then discuss some questions  By the end of class today we will have begun to discus what the parameters of our blog should include.  We will then jump head first into blog creation!

Day 2

6th:  In class today we are going to review the procedures/grading policy for this class.  This semester in class we will be keeping a technology notebook using Microsoft Excel and we will be setting it up today.  

Today's vocabulary word is DESKTOP - The main screen in Windows where you can put pictures that act as shortcuts to various programs and files. 


7th:  In class today we are going to review the rules and procedures/grading policy for this class.    We will also be discussing your project for the semester and checking out some company ideas.  By the end of class today you will need to e-mail me (heidihemmesch@gmail.com) with your company idea (e.g. clothing store, ice cream company, photography studio).

8th:  In class today we are going to review the rules and procedures/grading policy for this class.  The bulk of today's class will be spent watching a short video on blogging and answering some questions based on the video "Blogging in Plain English".  The questions should be completed and e-mailed to me (heidihemmesch@gmail.com) by the start of class on Friday.  

Day 1 - Welcome To Computer Lab!

Welcome to Computer Lab!  My name is Ms. Hemmesch and I will be teaching Middle School Computer Lab this year.  I am also the Third Grade teacher.


I hope you are ready to learn because I have a lot to teach you about computers and the way that you use them.  SO welcome to our Blog!  This is the starting point for class every day and you will find everything you need to know about our class right here.  Assignments, handouts, homework (yes, homework), study guides, etc. can all be found right here.

To get started please take a moment to read over our Classroom Expectations.  Then complete this short survey to give me a better idea of who you guys are, what your previous experience with technology is, and what kinds of things you are interested in learning?  I always learn best when I actually care about what I'm studying, and I bet you do too.  But, there is no way for me to know what you guys care about unless you TELL ME, right?  This survey will be your first grade, so make sure you answer all required questions!