Thursday, January 29, 2015

Historical Facebook Research Project 2015 - INTRODUCTION

TEMPLE: ACADEMIC/LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Students will use the time to set up Weebly website for use in school and in other classes.  Students will use the website as a Personal-Professional Online Portfolio.
Students will begin keeping an online BLOG Journal on the website created.

STUDENTS WILL ENTER THE CLASS QUIETLY AND BEGIN WORKING!
STUDENTS MUST START BY READING ALL DIRECTIONS ON CLASS WEBSITE!


Wednesday, January 28, 2015

A Day In Your Life (Snow Day Tackk)

ALL:

TODAY YOU WILL CREATE A TACKK.COM WEBPAGE ALL ABOUT HOW YOU SPENT YOUR SNOW DAY!

MAKE SURE YOU USE AT LEAST ONE PICTURE OR IMAGE THAT REPRESENTS THE KIND OF DAY YOU HAD!

To complete this project today, which is worth a quiz grade for Marking Period 2, you will need to create and share a webpage on Tackk.com

I want you to list all the things you did, who you interacted with, and what kind of foods you ate.  Be specific!  Be creative!

Your Tackk.com site must have the following items:

Headline (Title)
Story:  3 paragraphs (5 sentences each) about what you did!
Picture
FORM (Response Section)
Keywords:  #caatech  #xroadsDITL2015

When complete, you must post the link to the class Google+ Page and email the link from Tackk.com to Mr. S for credit.  Here is a link to my example:  https://tackk.com/synhex

After you have created your page, you must search for other people's pages and post at least 5 comments (Be Nice!) for other student's to read.  Make sure the comments are within School District of Philadelphia guidelines and are not bullying or harrassing!

Good Luck!

- Mr. S

Monday, January 26, 2015

SNOW DAY - Club Sign Up / Journal Entry / Catch Up

ACADEMIC/LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Students will follow the directions on the class website.  They will sign up for the clubs they want to be part of for Seminar Period each day.  Students will complete a Constructed Response about a technology article.

STUDENTS WILL ENTER THE CLASS QUIETLY AND BEGIN WORKING!
STUDENTS MUST START BY READING ALL DIRECTIONS ON CLASS WEBSITE!  Students will use the link provided on the class website to sign up for the club of their choice.  Once complete, students will read a technology article and using the prompt provided, create a single, well-written paragraph about an invention they can dream up to solve a problem.  They will complete the Journal Entry on Weebly and email the published link to the instructor for credit.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE TODAY!
Standards Covered In This Class  
PA 3.7.7 & 11 Section C / ISTE 2011
CSTA Tied With Common Core ELA/Math rev. 2011


Everyone:

YOU MUST START CLASS BY SIGNING UP FOR A CLUB.  Click the LINK to the left and fill out the Google Form for Crossroads Club Sign Up List.  You are not guaranteed any choices, but this will give us the ability to place people in clubs they prefer.

WEEBLY JOURNAL ENTRY:   

TOPIC:  "MY CREATIVITY"

Read the following article:

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/technology/20150120_ap_c3a26239b4064054a62e07f94008691a.html

Think about how the person in the article decided to design and build his device.  Think about a problem that you know about in the world that might be solved by you.  By imagining a solution to your problem, come up with a brainstorm idea that could solve it.  Imagine you have all the money and time in the world.  NO IDEA IS WRONG.

Write a 5 sentence paragraph explaining your idea.  Use proper paragraph format by including a Topic Sentence, 3 supporting sentences, and a conclusion sentence (what impact will your idea have).  Make sure to publish your entry and send  me an email with the link for credit.

Good Luck!

- Mr. S

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

CODEHS.COM INTRODUCTION & SIGNUP

All:

ACADEMIC/LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Students will extend their individual learning about reading and writing CODE by working on a basic program online.  The program will allow students to begin to use the lessons learned during ‘Hour of Code” in December to begin learning specifically how to code in Java Script.  Students will be able to access this program anywhere they have access to the internet.

STUDENTS WILL ENTER THE CLASS QUIETLY AND BEGIN WORKING!
Students will work individually, but be able to peer mentor if necessary, to sign-up for and teach themselves to read and write Java Script. Students will create an account on CODEHS.com and begin working on the entry level Computer Science course as a followup to working in Blockly programming on Code.Org last year.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE TODAY!

Please begin your class today by reading the following article: 


Once you have read it, complete a Weebly Journal entry on why you should learn to code, how learning to code may help you in classes here and in the future, and what kind of code you are interested in writing (games, art, etc.)  4-5 Sentences TOPIC:  "CODING AND ME"

"The goal of CodeHS is to spread the knowledge of computer science by offering well-crafted instructional materials supported continuously by the quality, personal attention of our enthusiastic tutors. We believe that everyone has the ability to learn computer science, and we want to help them do so."

Today you will use your time to individually sign up for CODEHS.COM.  This is the next step to learning to read and write computer code.  Use the following link:


Make sure you click on the section that says "I Want To Learn".  Click the BUTTON that say "I Have A CLASS CODE"!  ENTER your First Name, Last Name, Crossroads Gmail Address, and a Password you can remember.  The Class Code at the bottom will be: E545

Once you have completed the process of creating an account, you may start learning in the Computer Science Basic class.  You will be learning Java Script. It is a simple language.  You will work on your own, and you will need headphones to watch the instructional videos.  You may start working on this today, and continue at home if you like.  We will be working on this during the 3rd Marking Period together, but for now, create and account and get started.  Good Luck!

- Mr. S

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

African-American History Month - ComicLife Biography Project

ACADEMIC/LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Students will learn to use ComicLife to load, manipulate, adjust, and save digital photographs in a comic book style format.  Students will then use that knowledge to create a researched comic book page (1-2) of a famous African-American from history.  The page will be displayed online for comment.  Students will successfully design, create, choose content for, alter, save and post their work online.  

STUDENTS WILL ENTER THE CLASS QUIETLY AND BEGIN WORKING!
Students will work individually to master the ComicLife software suite.  They will choose photos from Google Images to work with.  They must complete research on the person assigned to them, and create a 1-2 page project.  Final projects must be posted the Google+ Community Web Page AND sent by Gmail to Mr. S for credit.

Peer Mentoring will be used to help each other master the program.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE TODAY!
Standards Covered In This Class  
PA 3.7.7 & 11 Section C / ISTE 2011
CSTA Tied With Common Core ELA/Math rev. 2011

Ok Everyone,

Weebly Journal Entry:  Follow the link below to the United States Library of Congress site for Black History Month.  Choose any of the articles listed and READ it!  Write 4-5 Sentences in a Weebly Journal Entry telling us about why you chose the article, what was interesting about it, and what you learned while reading it.  Make sure to state what the article was about and why it is important.

Title:"Black History Month"
Link:  http://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/

Assignment:  Today you will choose an African-American Historical figure from my list and create a 1-2 page comic-book about that person's biography.   Include where they are from, what significant contributions they have made, and why they are a prominent historical figure.  Your page must include when and where they were born, some reference to where they lived, and where they are now.  I encourage you to create your page with some "flow" to it.  You must collect pictures to go with your story and then use ComicLife to create the comic book pages.  YOU MUST USE AT LEAST 6 PICTURES.  YOU MUST HAVE AT LEAST 2 QUOTES. We will work on one together in class today and your story is due by Thursday, February 6th (4pm). No two projects can be on the same person.

Use these websites to choose a historical figure:

http://www.factmonster.com/spot/bhmbios1.html

http://history1900s.about.com/od/people/tp/famousafricanamericans.htm

I MUST APPROVE YOUR CHOICES PRIOR TO YOU STARTING YOUR PROJECT!  A list will be available online to reference the choices made by everyone.

Here is the list of People's Choices (CLICK HERE)
 
I found the first sample (Above) online.  The sample below that was created by me this morning in about 10 minutes.  Take your time and use the whole page please.

You will be graded on the following basis:

50 points - Accuracy of Historical Facts
50 points - Grammar and Spelling
50 points - Creativity and Layout
50 points - Turning it in completely and on time.

STEPS TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT:
1.  Find Pictures and Complete Research
     Research Includes:
          Where They Were Born
          Reason They Are Famous
          Contributions To Society
          Where They Live Now
          Famous Events They Were Involved In
2.  Open ComicLife and Adjust Your Layout
3.  Add Pictures In Logical Order
4.  Add Headline/Title
5.  Add Quotes and Historical Notes
6.  Add Your Name (byline)
7.  Save Work as ComicLife File
8.  EXPORT File as PDF and JPEG
9.  Upload PDF and JPEG as Separate Files To Your Google Drive
10.  Click the SHARE Command and Email the Files to Mr. S For Credit
11.  Copy the Shareable Link and Paste it into the Google+ Community For Everyone To Share!
  
Good Luck and Have Fun!!  Final Projects should be submitted in both JPEG(image) and PDF(adobe) format by emailing me at my school address.  YOU MUST ALSO POST A LINK OF THE JPEG VERSION ON THE CLASS GOOGLE+ COMMUNITY.  I will compile them, and you will see them all next week as my screen saver.  I will try to print them in color to display them.  Get to work!!

YOU MUST INCLUDE A REFERENCE TO WHERE YOU FOUND YOUR INFORMATION.  LINK TO WEBSITES MUST BE SPECIFIC!

When you are finished, I will review it for accuracy and return a copy if you need to make changes.  If there are no changes and you are finished, you should post the picture of your ComicLife Page to your Weebly Website.  Have fun and relax with this project.

Mr. S

Monday, January 12, 2015

PIXLR.COM Photo Project & Collage

ACADEMIC/LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Students will learn to use PIXLR.com to load, manipulate, adjust, and save digital photographs.  Students will then use that knowledge to create a single photo for submission today, and create a digital photo collage to display online.  Students will successfully choose, alter, save and post their work online.  

STUDENTS WILL ENTER THE CLASS QUIETLY AND BEGIN WORKING!
Students will work individually to master the PIXLR.com photo editing software suite.  They will choose a photo from Google Images to work with today, alter it, email and post it to the Google+ Community Web Page for credit.

Peer Mentoring will be used to help each other master the program.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE TODAY!
Standards Covered In This Class  
PA 3.7.7 & 11 Section C / ISTE 2011
CSTA Tied With Common Core ELA/Math rev. 2011

PIXLR COLLAGE PROJECT (100 points)

We Will Start with a presentation about basic Digital Photography.  If you miss it, please (CLICK HERE) to review the Powerpoint.  On your own, there are tons of basic photography videos on YouTube or Kahn Academy.  Please feel free to use your time to watch some of them.  Do not waste time on videos that are off task or not helpful for this specific project.

Today you will be creating a Photo Collage with PIXLR.COM like the one below.  Please make sure that you leave a space on the collage for a "key" (Description or Title for each picture and how it corresponds to the assignment requirements. Also make sure that you upload and make all changes, editing or cropping decisions before starting the collage.  Have all seven pictures finished and saved to the desktop before beginning the collage.  The collage function on pixlr.com will not save work.  You start and complete the collage in one session.  See below for the photo topics.  YOU MAY ALSO USE COMICLIFE TO LAYOUT YOUR COLLAGE IF YOU LIKE.

You will create the following photographs (each topic is YOUR interpretation of what that picture should be,  be creative and show me what you think represents each topic below) for this assignment

HERE IS MR. SCRIBNER'S EXAMPLE

1.  Architecture With Attitude

2.  Self-Portrait

3.  Blur Blur Blur

4.  Black and White

5.  Comic Book

6.  Food For Thought

7.  Micro-World

You must take all of the photographs yourself or find them online.  You may not just "Drag and Drop" photos into your project.  You must manipulate them with pixlr.com in some way.  Add a background, text, or effect to make them yours.  You can use anymaking.com or cartoonize.net to change pics into cartoon mode. 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING THE "KEY" PICTURE:
1.  Open Google Slides
2.  Use Headline as Title "Collage Key"
3.  Add Each Title and Picture Title Underneath
4.  FILE Download as JPEG (Open in Preview)
5.  EXPORT File from Preview to Desktop as JPEG
6.  Import JPEG File as Picture to one of the sections on the Collage


Do not download the trial, just use the online version.  Your email should include a description of each picture in the format below:

YOU MUST EMAIL ME YOUR FINAL COLLAGE AS A JPEG ATTACHMENT.

Body Of Email (Sample):
Picture 1:  Architecture With Attitude:  Taken by me at Pyramids of Giza.  Overlayed picture of me at Pyrimids with picture of Sphynx to show size comparison.

Picture 2:  Self-Portrait:  Taken on the Subway from City Hall on the way to school in the reflection of the window.

Picture3:  Blur Blur Blur:  Taken on the train platform at City Hall (Subway) with Negative Mode on camera.

Picture 4:  Black & White:  Taken on corner of Broad and Dauphin of the building accross the street.  Cropped on PIXLR.COM and added Sepia tone for old time look.

Picture 5:  ComicBook:  Taken of UCHS Cheerleaders (2011) and then used Cartoonize.net to change into cartoon look.

Picture 6:  Food For Thought:  Cupcake shot from Christmas last year.  Cropped with PIXLR.Com

Picture 7:  Micro-World:  Tear of Friend.  Face picture taken last year.  Cropped and Zoomed with PIXLR.COM to show only the tear. 


You may copy and paste the above sample to keep formatting, but you must use your own information on each picture.


YOU MUST ALSO UPLOAD YOUR COLLAGE TO YOUR GOOGLE DRIVE AND SHARE THE LINK ON THE CLASS GOOGLE+ COMMUNITY PAGE (Crossroads 2014-2015) FOR CREDIT!






Thanks for being creative.

-Mr. S

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Inspiration 8/9: City Web Research Project CAPSTONE

ACADEMIC/LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Today students will complete a “Check On Learning” Project.  Students will use the graphic file (JPEG) of their City Web Research Inspiration Map as the basis for creating a Tackk.Com Webpage.  The page will be created according to the directions on the class website.  Students will successfully Create, Share, and Comment on other student’s sites to receive credit for this project.
 
STUDENTS WILL ENTER THE CLASS QUIETLY AND BEGIN WORKING!

Students will work individually on the assigned projects.  
Today you will make changes on your City Web Research Project (Inspiration 8/9) and create a Tackk.com website dedicated to showing the best parts of the city you were assigned.  Students should create the websites, post the active links, and comment on each other’s work to complete the project.
Click This Link to see the Lesson Plan For This Project:  https://tackk.com/a1vk76


Everyone:

Now that you have created a City Web Map in Inspiration 8/9, you have EXPORTed it as a GRAPHIC FILE (JPEG) and Saved it to your Google Drive.  You will need to create a Tackk.com webpage for your city.  SEE MY EXAMPLE BY CLICKING HERE

You must include a picture of your Inspiration 8/9 City Web Map, Headings For Each Item, Working Links for ALL ITEMS LISTED, and a Picture of your city at the Bottom.  The header information must include the name of your assigned city, Your Name (First Initial, Last Name), Your Email, and Crossroads@Meade.

Everything listed on your City Web Map must also be listed on your Tackk.com website!

Make sure that you include all the same data that you have on your CITY WEB MAP and all of the links need to work.  I will update my MAP as an example.  Take your time with this project and make sure you use the keywords #caatech and #citywebmap2015 in the search bar.  When the project is finished, post the link to your map to our Google+ Community Page so I can grade it.


If you have not received your City Web Research Map back with changes yet, you either did not submit it correctly, or you are not finished with it.


Good Luck!


Mr. S

Monday, January 5, 2015

New Year's Resolutions!

Happy New Year to Everyone!!

Welcome back to Crossroads!  I hope your Holiday Break was relaxing and peaceful, and that you were able to spend some time with family and friends in harmony.  Today you will create a journal entry (Weebly.com) that will help you to explain how you are going to be a better overall person this year.  We all try to make resolutions and keep them, but rarely do they turn into habits that last longer than a few weeks.  Please read the following article "New Year's Resolutions for Teens"  and open a new Journal Entry (Weebly) describing (2-3 Sentences Each) how you might set and keep at least two new Resolutions. 


When you are done, complete your work on the City Web Research Project! 

UN Global Sustainability Goals Project Map

Word Counter For Text

This free script provided by JavaScript Kit

Integrity (13 Characteristics)

13 Characteristics of People Who Have Integrity

1. They Value Other People's Time: They value their own time so they also value the time of other people. They know you have plenty of other places you need to be and won’t hold you up. If you spend time with them, it is likely they will thank you for that as well.

2. They Give Credit Where It Is Due: They do not take credit for things they did not do. They will always credit those who deserve it. If you help this person with a project he or she will likely mention your name so you can take credit for your work.

3. They Are Authentic: They are their truest forms. You won’t catch them in a lie or being fake.

4. They Are Always Honest: They are honest people that feel no need to lie as it is important for them to get to where they need to get in life honestly.

5. They Never Take Advantage Of Others: They are not the kind of people who will take advantage of someone else. They love to build people up and help them get where they need to be. Taking too much from someone else will never be an issue with someone who has a lot of integrity.

6. The Do Not Argue Over Disagreements: They will talk through things in a civil manner or not talk at all. You cannot and will not force this person into arguing over something completely ridiculous. I find this to be a very respectable trait.

7. They Give Most People The Benefit Of The Doubt: They try to see the good in everyone. I think this is because they feel like maybe there are more people in this world that also have integrity. That being said, if you take advantage of them too much they will get rid of you.

8. They Know When Something Is Bothering Someone: They have a great intuition that lets them know when something is going on. If someone is down in the dumps they will notice. Chances are they will actually do what they can to cheer you up.

9. They Believe In Others: They accept your word as truth until it is dis-proven. That being said, they do not take lying well. And once you lie to them, it is unlikely that they will ever take your word again.

10. They Apologize First: If they have done something wrong they will come to you and apologize. This is just how they are. They own up to their mistake and try to make things right.

11. They Are Humble: They do not quite know their own worth. While they are very important and do so much good they don’t quite see it. You should remind them of it.

12. They Do Good When They Can: They are always helping other people. They love to know that they have improved someone’s life. It gives their lives meaning.

13. They Are Always Kind To Those Who Need It: Giving kindness can go a long way. When someone looks like they need a little pick me up these people deliver. They can brighten up almost anyone’s day.

If you are someone who has true integrity, thank you for being who you are and thank you for all that you do. You really do actually make a difference in society, please keep up the good work. If you feel no one else is proud of you, know that I am.

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