" To err is to be human, and to blame
it on a computer is even more so."

– Robert Orben

Openness of Information

I have presented a majority of all of my materials I will use in class this year in an organized and digital form.  This is so they will be available as a resource to anyone that may require them.  They are free to download for anyone who needs them, as long as they are used non-commercially.

Getting back into class

We will start by going over class expectations and practice typing. Since its been awhile since some of the students have used a computer, we will take some time to get reacquainted with it's usage. After some speed drills, the task at hand will be typing out informational sheets on endangered animals.

Graphical Programs

Online Image Editors

Due to recent advances in online software. It is possible to edit images from any platform where an internet connection is available.

www.fauxto.com/

http://www.picnik.com/


Public Domain Photos:

Morguefile, big size pics, organized by topics, of high quality. They are copyright free, and with very original content.

ImageAfter, all kind of pics. You can find textures, nature...

Free High Resolution Photos, very original photos that you can use freely.

Copyright Free Photos, maybe they are not too big, but they are useful and nice.

http://www.inmagine.com/ Watermarks the images

Free Clip Art

Discovery Schools

Backgrounds:

backgroundsarchive.com great background images

BestAnimation's Backgrounds, allows to make really amazing backgrounds.

All Free Backgrounds, you can choose a background by color, texture...

bgMaker, has a gallery of designs and you can pick a background color that you like.

Google SketchUp

Google SketchUp is a design program that allows student to create their own three dimensional models. The program has a very simple and easy to use interface, and is very forgiving by allowing for dramatic alterations to be made at any time. This unit is taught almost entirely through tutorials, and most students picked up on the program with relative ease. This program allows students to practice working with a three dimensional space, be creative, and come up with unique solutions. The final project was for the students to create their own dream house, which I later burned to a DVD.

Unit webpage

Worksheet 1

SketchUp quick reference guide .2 mb

SketchUp official user guide 9.55 mb

SketchUp student workbook 47.5 mb

House warmup

Dreamhome project

Hyperstudio

The program Hyperstudio is a hybrid of Powerpoint and MSpaint. It allows the students to present a topic through several illustrated frames. Its abilities are rather minimal, but this is a strength when covering difficult topics where its simplistic nature doesn't distract from the challenging subject matter.

Atoms Chapter Review

Illustrating Indian Folk Stories Part 1 ,Part 2

Illustrating Simple machines Textbook needed

Egg drop design Open up this file in MSPublisher, and illustrate using Hyperstudio

Warning sign for nuclear storage site. Here is a copy of the rough draft, and here is the final draft to be opened in MSPublisher.

MSPublisher 97

MSPublisher is used to create a mixed media of both text and images. Posters, cards, and calendars can easily be constructed. The program has problems importing images and printing, so students will be taught ways to fix these problems before they occur.

Atoms Wanted Poster Need to recopy pdf out of final portfolio, If MSPublisher has not been covered yet, this activity may be done as an internet research project. Here are the approved web links.

Description Cube a six sided cube design template

American Revolution Poster Here is the instructions for the activity. Here is the American poster and here is the British poster.

Holiday Cards

Solar system travel brochure/poster

 

Paintshop Pro 5

Paintshop Pro 5 is an old graphics editing program which produces a lot of unexplainable errors. Hopefully it will be replaced with Gimpshop. More...

Non-graphical Programs

Online Office Tools

Powerpoint Materials

Link
Notebook materials

International PenPals

To develop an international perspective, students may be given the opportunity to exchange letters electronically with students their own age in one of more different countries. This is provided that a student demonstrates the ability and maturity levels required to represent the school district at an international level. We will be using the website Epals.com for this letter exchange.

Spreadsheets

Spreadsheets are one of the cornerstones of the business industry. In this class, students will review what was covered last year and expand upon it using flash tutorials and worksheets. More...

LOGO Programming

LOGO is a very simple programming language. The original use of this language was to program a robotic turtle to move around a room draw shapes on the floor. The main focus of this unit is not the necessity of the LOGO language, but to practice the skills necessary to program in any language. Students will practice logical thinking, creativity, and trouble shooting. More..

Iditarod Race

The Iditarod Race is a long distance dogsled race that occurs in early March. During this unit, students will make use of the internet to keep an active record of their own racer and the terrain and conditions of the trail covered.

Stock Market Unit

During the stock market unit, students will pick some companies to invest in and record how the market prices change over time using a spreadsheet.

Worksheet Links?

SmartQuest Market Simulator

Virtual Stock Exchange Research site

A good source for some worksheets

OpenOffice

OpenOffice is a office suite implemented as a replacement for MSWorks 4.5. It allows students to type out documents, create spreadsheets, and make PowerPoint presentations. Here is a website that explains how to use the program.

Html

Depending on how fast the class picks up on LOGO and how much time is left at the end of the year, learning the basics of html may be a possibility. Here is a website that explains the basics of html.

Additional Resources

Study Island

Studyisland.com is a website that will used periodically in preparation for the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT).

Lecture

Computer class is more than simply slamming keys on the keyboard. To fully understand technology the makes up our world, it will be occasional necessary to discuss essential technological topics. Relevant topics range from basic computer hardware, the recent applications of technology, to even internet safety. These lectures serve a duel purpose. The first is to assure that every student has a basic understanding of computers and how they function. Then second is to demonstrate the relevance what they are learning to world at large and to possibly spark some interest in the subject matter. So in short, listen up, you just might learn something.

Computer Hardware

Students will study and observe several different pieces of computer hardware with the possibility of dissembling and reassembling and IBM.

Activity Links

Here is a link to a few good sites that students can use if they are finished with the current assignment and have been given permission by the instructor.

Science Connection

Density Online Review

Here is an interactive flash lab for practicing density.

Here is a copy of the worksheet.

Grouping the Elements

Students will use the program Inspiration to organize Groups 1-18 off the periodic into metals, nonmetals and metalloids. Here is the directions to help with the research. The carbon data sheet needs to be retyped. Here is Group1 and Group2

Periodic Table Review

Students will use the internet to review the periodic table

Worksheet1 Periodic Table Online

Worksheet2 Chemistry Scavenger Hunt

Carbon Allotropes

Students will use the internet to research four of the most common carbon allotropes and record them on a data table. Here is a set of weblinks to help with the research. The carbon data sheet needs to be retyped.

Science Article

Students will occasional be required to summarize a daily science news article. This is meant to strengthen their literacy and comprehension of the subject matter, and to present science in a favorable dynamic light.

If needed, a rough draft worksheet can be found here.

Researching the planets

Students will use the internet to fill out a data table about the planets. The links to do so have been provided, and students can not stray off of these pre-selected sites. Here are the webpages , and here is the the data table if you need another copy

History Connection

International News article Summary

Almost every week, students will be required to turn in a typed news article summary. The article can come from any creditable source as long as a copy of the news article is attached to the final draft of the summary. A rough draft of the summary must be brought into class on Thursday to be typed.

BBC, CNN World, World News, NYTimes World, Spiegel International

If needed, a rough draft worksheet can be found here.

Early Explorer Plates

The students will choose four explorers from a list then research them using the internet and a list of pre-approved sites. They will then decorate the paper plates using colored pencils. More...

Oregon Trail

As a final for Social Studies class, students will be required to make a journal packet that describes their experience traveling on the Oregon Trail. More...

Math Connection

Tessellations

Tessellations are patterns that are repeated across a sheet of paper. It is a topic supplemental to graphics editing if time is available. Here is a instructional link.and here is worksheet 1 and worksheet2.

Other

Educational Games