Digital Literacy & Expression

President's Week Homework

2012-02-14T09:30:00.000-08:00

make sure you know your assigned MATH CONCEPT from your math teacher before you leave FRIDAY!

If you need to take the learning styles survey it can be found here: http://eadigilit.blogspot.com/2012/01/upsidedown-academy-become-your-own.html

Types of Camera Shots

2012-02-10T08:30:00.000-08:00

For a fuller explanation and photographic examples of the types of camera shots please refer to this excellent resource: http://www.mediaknowall.com/camangles.html

Or this one: http://rachaelmariebreheny.wordpress.com/2010/09/12/camera-shots-literal/

Script Writing

2012-02-08T08:30:00.000-08:00

Storyboard Example

2012-02-06T08:30:00.000-08:00

UpsideDown Academy: Become your own teacher - an Exhibition Project

2012-01-31T21:26:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the bare bones posting here but I'm a little tired. Here's what we'll be doing.

Introduce the project - more info in Ms. Negash's class

Video Unit 1, the basics
Small Films

ShamWOW!U - starts tomorrow
UpsideDown Math - starts in 6 lessons or so

Discuss the concept of Teaching and Learning

Who are you as a LEARNER?
Who do you need as a TEACHER?

Today's exploration: Learning Styles

https://docs.google.com/a/envisionacademy.org/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dE9Sa3ROalpmWGFJazEwYjRYU1ppd3c6MQ

Reflecting on your website

2012-01-30T18:42:00.000-08:00

We will start the day with a discussion.

When finished, and instructed to do so, click the link below and complete the reflection survey. If you don't finish you may finish later (by clicking the link IN THE EMAIL YOU ARE SENT WHEN YOU SUBMIT IT.)

https://docs.google.com/a/envisionacademy.org/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dE1vQjZZalRLWVdraW1UaVlKZDg2QWc6MQ

2012-01-27T15:55:00.001-08:00

DUE DATES? How’s about TODAY!

PAST DUE:

Cover
Introduction - 250 words
Blank space for Preface
5+ Narrative pages w/ 2+ photos each
15 Photos total
About the author - 3 solid paragraphs
Logo - Photoshopped and uploaded

TODAY: All final navigation and design

Add Forward and Back links to all pages but cover (Forward only)
Remove left side navigation
Tastefully change fonts, colors, layouts
ADD any additional EXTRA CREDIT items (see blog: Web Requirements)

ALL WEBSITES MUST BE SUBMITTED BY END OF CLASS TODAY

STAYING ON TASK for the Untold Voices website

2012-01-18T08:30:00.000-08:00

SOPA, PIPA, Cha Cha Cha!

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Staying on top of your daily work is the only way to be successful in this or any project. We assign deadlines in order to help keep you on track but, ultimately, and in life, YOU are in control of meeting them.

Due at the end of THIS CLASS: Your photos uploaded to picasaweb.google.com/home
Due at the end of FRIDAY'S CLASS: Your Introduction and your About the Author pages
Due ALL CLASS, EVERY CLASS: Your honest attempt to work to the best of your ability

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Today's Agenda

Changing colors & fonts
Changing layouts
Making a logo in Photoshop
Work time

Today we will learn some of the more advanced capabilities you can do with google sites but REMEMBER the only way to truly LEARN these skills is by applying them and experimenting with the tools.

Untold Voices Website Requirements

2012-01-17T08:30:00.000-08:00

If your transcript is not done then for gosh sake do THAT!
If your transcript has been shared then here is your task list for the PROJECT

Upload your photos to your school photo sharing site by following this link: https://picasaweb.google.com/home

John will demonstrate this today
Your photos will be graded at the END OF NEXT CLASS (Weds/Thurs)
You must SHARE the album with John and Trevor in order to get credit
You need a minimum of 50 photos in your album unless TREVOR tells John otherwise

Create your Untold Voice website @: https://sites.google.com/a/envisionacademy.org and share it with John & Trevor

NAME YOUR SITE EXACTLY THIS WAY: Untold Voices: An Oral History of Firstname Lastnameofyoursubject

If you are part of a group you must add an extra character to the URL (NOT to the website name)

Your site must contain the following [at a minimum]

An introduction of no less than 250 words

[1-2 pages & 1+ photo(s) per page]

A placeholder for the Preface

To Be Supplied by Trevor

Your oral history of no less than 500 words

[no less than 5 pages & 2+ photos per page - a minimum of 15 photos must be included on your site)]

Your About the Author page

[1 page maximum & 1+ photo(s)]

A reflection on the process to be assigned by Trevor & John

[1 page minimum]

A unique color scheme that is simple and tasteful - it must NOT use THEMES or TEMPLATES (you MUST do it all yourself) and it must not distract from the text or photos
A Photoshopped LOGO - DO THIS SECOND TO LAST
Full "Book Like" navigation, as you were taught through the exemplar- DO THIS LAST

Meeting all the requirements in step TWO will get you a "B" in Digital Literacy IF:

Your use your best effort
The pages have ZERO typographical errors
You turn the entire site in by Friday, January 27th, 2012

[to meet this deadline you must complete an average of 1 1/2 pages per class plus do the Photoshop and design work]

To get an "A"you must do some combination of the following:

John will demonstrate fonts, colors, advanced layouts and Photoshop NEXT class
Use photoshop for more than just the logo - you may get IDEAS from the templates but you cannot use the templates themselves.
Use an advanced layout that goes beyond the 'single box' of the blank template
Create additional pages detailing something beyond your transcription

Resources appropriate to your subject's story [i.e. resources for gay teens would work for our example story]
More background on your subject or their story [i.e. historical information, maps, and other explanatory material)

If you need to reference Trevor's original assignment it can be found here: https://docs.google.com/a/envisionacademy.org/open?id=1iThlU1nlBsucx1SGaOe5_s--6NrKyFbngn_Ts0HUnp4l-BgwScH-oy6DFPCM

The exemplar website for the Untold Voices project can be viewed here: "They Don't Understand" an Untold Voices webBook

Finish your work, be nice to Rachel!

2012-01-13T08:30:00.000-08:00

Hello kids! I'm resting - you need to be WORKING!

Here is what you need to be doing:

FINISH your “About the Author” page on your personal website.

FINISH transcribing your oral history interview for TREVOR

POLISH the three OTHER pages on your personal website

Other schoolwork if you are finished with all of this

Show Rachel everything above before you choose to do this.

Special project information:

Your post should contain all of the following:
1) 8th graders should apply to EA!
2) Something about how awesome the school is or why you love it
3) Information Session is on January 19th, 6:30-8:00
4) Application deadline is January 20th
5) Link to the school promotional video on youtube - youtu.be/0q_pEYkDBNc
6) Link to the EA website www.envisionacademy.org

Examples
8th graders! If you want a super fun high school that will get you to college, come to Envision Academy! This school is the BEST! Come to our Information Session January 19th, 6:30-8:00 and apply before January 20th to make sure you get a spot. Check out this video! youtu.be/0q_pEYkDBNc

OMG I love my high school. Envision Academy is the best school in Oakland - the teachers are amazing, we have a ton of fun, and we are ALL going to college. If you want to come next year, you need to apply NOW because the deadline is January 20th. Come to the Info Session on January 19th, 6:30-8:00!!! youtu.be/0q_pEYkDBNc

WEB: Starting our "Untold Voices" Site

2012-01-11T08:27:00.000-08:00

Purpose:

I will Condense all three of my personal pages into one, third person, “about the author page” containing THREE-FIVE SOLID PARAGRAPHS
This page must be PERFECT - I will make sure all spelling and grammar is correct
If finished I will continue to improve my personal sight

Steps:

Make a 4th page titled About the Author
Take the BEST information from your three existing pages and put it on the new page (you need three to five solid paragraphs)
Change the tense to third person

“John was born on July 18th, 1960, in Berkeley, CA, and is a 5th generation Californian.”

Make the new page (and the whole site if you wish) look like how you want your Untold Voices website to look like (this is your prototype)
Have John review the new page
If finished early finish transcription or continue to make personal site better (using Photoshop, color & font settings, etc...)

Basic Web Design: Day Two

2012-01-09T08:30:00.000-08:00

READ THIS before beginning...

Your grades are posted on the wall and live on PowerSchool. Many of you did great - and many of you did not.

If you think something is wrong with your grade then check with John.
If you have either no pictures or no text you got an NC.
I will not change your grade unless it is marked with an "M" on the FAR RIGHT ASSIGNMENT COLUMN of the posted grades (or I made a mistake).

If you have an NC today you must attend MST on Tuesday or receive a Referral. I will only check in About Me's during MST.

There are some common problems that lowered your grades and that you need to correct on the About Me page and avoid on the other pages:

You must spell everything correctly
You must use proper grammar
You MUST use INSERT>IMAGE to put images on your site
You must pay attention to the aesthetics of the page (how it looks)

The words must wrap smoothly around the images and not have too many or inappropriate spaces or line breaks

NOTE: If you did a spectacular job on the content (hi Desi and Yasmine!) you might have received an "A" but if there are technical problems with spelling and grammar (hi again Yasmine & Desi) you will still need to fix them.
Big ups to Mario for a solid A-!

Today's Task is to complete your My Interests page

Complete your My Interests page BEFORE your do any corrections on any other pages.
If you finish early and both your About Me and your My Interests pages are PERFECT then begin on the My Dreams page.

If you are done with all three (John can tell you if you are finished) then you can work on Trevor's work or you can get advance instruction on changing the site design to make your pages 'fancier'!

Good luck and get crackin'!

Welcome to Semester TWO!

2012-01-03T08:30:00.000-08:00

Welcome back!
.
Now, do the warmup by clicking this link!

If you want to learn more about the technical history and workings of the internet I highly recommend you watch this cool animated short film: "History of the Internet" on VIMEO

The exemplar website for the Untold Voices project can be viewed here: "They Don't Understand" an Untold Voices webBook

Public Service Announcements: Finishing Strong!

2011-12-08T22:13:00.001-08:00

DO NOW: Visit the Rondebosch Boys’ High School, South Africa, Website and see what their school is like.

==============

For the rest of the Semester we will be focusing on our Photoshop skills and using them for social good.

Your task is simple... Create a Public Service Announcement (PSA) about something you care about in your community.
You can come up with a new idea or use one of the two ideas you already came up with (check your email for your response to the form "Think again of the community that you did your identity map of..." to see your responses)
Be creative! Cut up multiple images and make them your own!
You MAY take inspiration from somebody else's images but don't use an already photoshopped or manipulated image in your project!
[Click here to see the examples of PSA's and prompts from our earlier lesson]

Your PSA must conform to the following requirements:

8 1/2 x 11 inches OR 8 1/2 x 14 inches in size [Photoshop>Image>Canvas Size]

Have a clear and simple social good message using few words for the main message [Click here to see the examples of PSA's and prompts from our earlier lesson]

Have a graphic, be it artwork or photography or both. Particularly artistic all TEXT PSA's will be considered [Click here to visit the Adobe help document on working with type in Photoshop CS3]

Have zero profanity or inappropriate elements as determined by John or Coach Grimm

Be something you are willing to have posted in the glass case in front of the school for everyone to see

REMEMBER: Your PSA is supposed to benefit your community. When you have completed one you will email it to John in the following format.

File type = JPEG

Compression/quality = 8 or higher

Filename = PSA - Your Name.JPG

Subject = PSA - Your Name

Body Text =

Explain WHO your AUDIENCE is for this PSA
WHAT the SOCIAL ISSUE you are addressing is
WHY this PSA helps with this issue

TWO self grades

Technical Mastery = How well did you use Photoshop for this PSA? Show me where you "did good"
Application of Knowledge = How well does your PSA address your social issue? Why?

EXTRA CREDIT:

Do more PSA's
Do holiday cheer signs for the school

DMIN Community Word Online Student Conference

2011-12-06T21:53:00.001-08:00

STUDENTGUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPATION

Facing History and Ourselvespromotes the development of a more humane and informed citizenry through civildiscourse built upon tolerance and respect. Before you use this website, we askthat you read the following rules and agree to the Terms and Conditions of thissite.

Personal/Account Information
Each student and teacher will have their own account in Voicethread. This account identifies and tracks who postswhich comments.

PostingResponses and Comments

Responses and Comments

As you explore the photos on this Voicethread, you will be able to respond to questions next to each of the photos. Your responses may be republished elsewhere as Facing History or John deem appropriate. Other people who are participating and respond to the same questions will be able to see your responses. As the author, you are responsible for the ideas reflected in your responses.
Prohibited Terms

This website is a place for safe, constructive dialogue. You may not post potentially offensive or injurious material on this website. Remember this is a school-based project so your participation should reflect that of your teacher’s classroom expectations.

Facing History andOurselves may refuse to post or may remove any material that it believes isundesirable or in violation of these rules. We may also deny you access to thissite or terminate your access if we believe you are violating these rules orinfringing on other people’s rights. IfFacing History needs to take such action your teacher will be notified.

==================

Here is the link for the conference:

http://facinghistory.org/2011studentworkshop

Your login is in the following form:

John_K@facinghistoryandourselves.ed.voicethread.com

(COPY it, PASTE it, put your own name and initial in it):

Your password is: 123456

Submitting your "Heads will Roll" Photo

2011-12-06T08:30:00.000-08:00

Do Now: Get to work

Purpose (I will):

Complete my "Heads will Roll" PSD File
Including

5 Edward Headed people
3 color changes
2 text boxes

DO YOUR BEST - Quality is being graded

At the end of the period

FILE>SAVE AS

Name the file "heads will roll - Your Name"

SAVE YOUR FILE AS A JPG

Specify FULL QUALITY

SEND JOHN@ENVISIONACADEMY.ORG AN EMAIL

Attach the file to the email as an attachment using the attachment tools

Using TYPE in Photoshop

2011-12-05T04:10:00.000-08:00

Do Now: For our final project of the semester we are going to make social issue public service announcements (and festive) posters :

Think again of the community that you did your identity map of. If there was one MESSAGE that you could say to the people in your community what would it be?.

Would you be trying to tell people to STOP doing something?
Would you be trying to tell people to START doing something?
Would you be trying to get people to NOTICE something?
Would you be trying to get people to BELIEVE in something?

What do you YOU want people to HEAR?

AFTER looking at the examples below and then submit TWO or three ideas yourself on THIS FORM (log in to your email first).

AFTER looking at the examples above and then submit TWO ideas yourself on THIS FORM (log in to your email first).

==========================

Please WAIT before continuing

==========================

Today's Lesson: PHOTOSHOP SPECIFICS #3

Using Type in Photoshop

Basic Skills

Setting "Point" type
Setting "Paragraph" type
The Character panel
Using layer BLENDING MODES
Using layer STYLES
Using layer EFFECTS

To Practice & Get Credit

Select a photo
Add TITLE text as Point type
BLEND the title text into the photo on the layer below it
ADD an EFFECT and/or use STYLES on the title text
Add some explanation/information as Paragraph text (making sure it is readable - look at Smokey ABOVE as example)
Save as a JPG and email to John@EnvisionAcademy.Org for credit when finished (today or tomorrow)

Extra Credit

When you are finished with the practice you may start working on a festive HOLIDAY message for the EA community!
The message can be anything school appropriate
The message may be serious ("STOP LITTERING", for example) but it must also be CHEERY to get credit!
Email it to John@EnvisionAcademy.Org for credit.

Painting with the color replacement tool

2011-11-29T08:30:00.000-08:00

Do Now: Get your Identity Chart back from the pile and, on the reverse, answer the following question:

Think again of the community that you did your identity map of. Answer the following questions.

Who lives in your community and who does not?
Has the makeup of your community changed over time?

What accounts for that change?

How do people in your community learn who belongs and who doesn’t?

==========================

Please WAIT before continuing

==========================

Today's Lesson: PHOTOSHOP SPECIFICS #2

Learn to Paint with the Color Replacement Tool

I will learn to use the Color Replacement Tool

Choose a color with the Color Picker
Select the Color Replacement BRUSH from the Brush Tool button

Set Mode to Color
Set Limits to Find Edges
Set Tolerance to 30%
Choose One of the three eyedropper tools
Paint carefully!
Use [ ] to change your brush size

I will APPLY this Technique by

Continuing to work with the “Heads will Roll” photoshop example
Changing Edward’s shirt color
Changing one piece of clothing on three people in the photo
You should be able to turn the colored clothing "on" and "off" using layer selection

Select and Transform in Photoshop

2011-11-28T08:30:00.000-08:00

Do Now: Create an identity chart ON PAPER for your community

(This is in preparation for our international online seminar next week)

Just like individuals, communities like Oakland have identities, and factors such as geography, politics, economics, and historical events influence the identity of a community.

Create an identity chart for your community by drawing a circle with OAKLAND (or your town if not Oakland) in a circle in the middle. Around that circle, write the words and phrases that YOU use to describe your town.

Use the printer paper by the door if you don't have your own. At right is a clickable example of an identity chart for an individual:

Hang on to your chart while we discuss it and then turn it in for credit.

==========================

Please WAIT before continuing

==========================

Today's Lesson: PHOTOSHOP SPECIFICS #1

Learn to cut an object, place it on its own layer, and manipulate it!

I will learn 3 new Photoshop Techniques

The Quick Selection tool (and REMOVE)
Layer>New>Layer via copy
Edit>Free Transform

Erase, Clone, Blur (oh my!)

I will APPLY these Techniques by

Downloading “Heads will Roll” photoshop example file from here
Cutting Edward’s head off and placing it in its own layer
Pasting his head on each of the 4 other bodies, transforming and blending the results to look as natural as possible.
You should be able to turn each head "on" and "off" using layer selection

More photoshop cloning and image repair resources

2011-11-22T02:00:00.000-08:00

==========================

Today's Assignment

By the end of the period you need to email me

Your Photoshopped Photo
The SUBJECT should be "Your Name - Photoshop Image"
Put a description of what you did to the photo and why you did it in the BODY of the email
Send the email to john@envisionacademy.org

==========================

Steps to complete today's assignment

Open Photoshop
File-Open your photo
Edit using the tools we know so far - play around but HAVE A PURPOSE

Color Correct, Crop, and Clone!

File-Save As your photo as a JPG when done
Open school email - send jpg photo as an attachment to john@envisionacademy.org

Below are some more resources to help you with this assignment AND and extra credit assignment you can do today if you finish early

==========================
Cloning & Image Repair Tutorials

Photoshop Tutorial: Removing Unwanted Elements (Short 90 second video teaches you the basic concept)

Cloning something to DUPLICATE it (same tool, different use)

The Ultimate Guide To Cloning In Photoshop (Long, detailed, quite good - covers all the cloning/repair tools)

Some alternatives to cloning (interesting stuff, including using the layers, splitting the RGB, and other stuff from the video)

==========================
Extra Credit Assignment

Extra credit: Download the image on the right (ctl+click, blah, blah) and save it to your student drive. Open it in Photoshop and do your best to remove the pipe and the lighter from the girl's hands.

If you don't finish you can turn it in after the break.

(Lifehacker's) Basics of Photoshop: Color Correction, Touch Ups, and Enhancements [VIDEO]

2011-11-21T08:00:00.000-08:00

Lifehacker's Basics of Photoshop: Color Correction, Touch Ups, and Enhancements

Finishing your iPhoto projects

2011-11-16T08:36:00.001-08:00

Purpose:

For an “A” you must be finished with BOTH iPhoto projects by the END of THIS Class

I will finish selecting, cropping, correcting, and categorizing my Field Day & Community photos.
I will have SIX (6) Albums with my “best of” Field Day photos
I will have ONE (1) Album with my COMMUNITY photos & I will know my ‘word’

I will show these albums to John

If NOT finishing I will submit my progress by clicking HERE

iPhotoshop Day 6 - Catching-Up & Organizing

2011-11-14T04:38:00.000-08:00

Do NOW:

The do now is located on THIS FORM

.
---------------------------------------------

.
Purpose:

I will import the pictures I took last period & this weekend into iPhoto

I will properly TITLE the EVENTS
I will begin to select, crop, correct, and select my 5 best ‘community’ photos

I will continue to select, crop, correct, and categorize my Field Day photos.

I will edit a minimum of 15 new pictures today
I will submit my progress by clicking HERE

iPhoto Project Image Requirements

2011-11-09T19:13:00.000-08:00

Minimum 50, Maximum 150
No more than 30% with effects
all with “rule of 3rds” when possible
90% Cropped
iPhoto ALBUMS created and populated with the following:

5 best cropped in
5 best cropped OUT
5 best straightened
5 best enhanced
Top 5
one natural art (blurry or other)

(Lifehacker's) Photoshop Basics: Lesson 1 of

2011-11-03T21:05:00.000-07:00

We are going to watch this video as a class. It is a good, quick explanation of the basic tools in Photoshop.

"Basics of Photoshop #01 - What Does Everything Do?"

This is the MANUAL for this lesson. It is a good guide for you to reference as you do your work.

"Basics of Photoshop #01 - Manual"

---------------------------------

All of this material was developed by lifehacker.com (bless their hearts...)

It's the Inequality, Stupid!

2011-11-01T08:25:00.000-07:00

Warm-Up:

Choose a partner and sit with them
ON BOTH OF YOUR COMPUTERS Go to: http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/02/income-inequality-in-america-chart-graph
ON ONE OF YOUR COMPUTERS GO TO: https://docs.google.com/a/envisionacademy.org/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGtpSnh6bDFaQXg4cXNzLTdpWkNtQ1E6MQ
READ all of the graphic charts and then choose ANY three to respond to with your partner
Prepare to share out one of your responses.

Reading: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/09/opinion/sunday/protesters-against-wall-street.html?_r=3&src=me&ref=general

Film on Police Action

staying safe

History in the making

2011-10-31T08:15:00.000-07:00

Do NOW:
5 Minutes: Visit this tumblr site and read the postings until the buzzer sounds (http://wearethe99percent.tumblr.com/)
Now, think about what these people are talking about... do you get it? Are YOU part of the 99% Why or Why not?

==========================================
Wait - do NOT go on until instructed

Well now, what is REALLY going on?

http://www.momsrising.org/blog/children-occupy-wall-street-it%E2%80%99s-about-sharing-they-get-it-why-doesn%E2%80%99t-everyone/

==========================================

And now for some poetry
==========================================

Haven't we been here before???

2011-10-28T10:24:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Class of 2015!

You all did such a great job last night!
One of the most important things we can do after a great success (or a challenging moment) is to reflect on how we got there so that we can repeat the good and avoid the bad.

Please use this form to submit your reflection. To get a grade for the exhibition you MUST submit your reflection. CLICK HERE

If you are new and didn't have to present, write your answers from that perspective...

If you don't have a school email account get with John so that you can fill out the reflection.

Exhibition is THIS THURSDAY!

2011-10-24T19:33:00.000-07:00

Tired? ME TOO!

Here's the Drill for Mon-Tues-Weds in Digital Literacy...

John will be dedicating his time to the people doing recordings FIRST, and on others during the moments in-between.
If you are still adding EVIDENCE to support your THESIS please sign-up on the board. I will help you in-between recordings.
If you are finished then help others or do quiet work. Help keep the room quiet for the recordings.
If you are getting ready to record please make sure of the following:

Your Story has a SOUNDTRACK
Your transitions are NOT on AUTOMATIC
You have a BLACK SLIDE at the end of your slideshow
Your narration is 12 PT black NOT BOLD Normal Readable Font

If you are still adding narration hurry up.

REMEMBER: You wrote most of this in your Testimonio & Memoir already!

xoxox

Finishing Your Digital Story

2011-10-19T22:53:00.000-07:00

Almost there!

For those that are ready we have a BRAND NEW MICROPHONE set-up for recording! Sign-up on the door.

We've discovered that it is best to print your narration so make sure it is in a 14 pt font and not bold.

Work hard, refer to the older posts for previous steps, and hang in there... you WILL get this done!

J

Writing your Narration

2011-10-17T08:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome!
Your Digital Story is DUE this Friday.

To write your narration go to the "View" menu in Keynote and turn on "Presenter Notes"
Write your narration is the spot below the slides!

Completing your Digital Story Slides

2011-10-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

By today you should have already
completed the following:

A BRAINSTORM of the themes and important events that run through all three of your projects and (Timeline, Testimonio, Memoir)
A THESIS from that brainstorm. The thesis should be a short, declarative sentence.
As LIST OF EVIDENCE, ideas, quotes, and events drawn from your projects, that support your thesis. Without this list of evidence you cannot create your Digital Story.
All of these should be recorded on your Google Doc Outline.

DO NOW!

Whatever you have NOT done from the above list!
[Use the links to the right to find the
posts that cover those topics]

Classwork...

* WE ARE IN PROJECT MODE *

Work as hard as you can
Get answers to your questions before you get lost or frustrated!

Check the BLOG for answers first INCLUDING past blog entries!
Then ask the students sitting near you
Then, after doing the above, GET UP and go to John

Today:

Once you have your list of evidence you can now get started on your slide show.

Remember that you need at least three slides from each project
You may cover 1 event/idea or more on those slides
You may mix slides/projects to tell the story the way you wish
You do NOT need to use words - be artistic and use images, pieces of ideas, whatever you like to convey your story in a creative way.

Once you have your slides finished you can now get started on adding your music and writing your narration.

LAST, do an exit ticket before you leave.

Listing Your Evidence

2011-10-12T08:30:00.000-07:00

REMEMBER: YOUR Completed Digital story
is DUE Friday October 21st!

DO NOW!

GET TO WORK, don't stop, work the entire period.

Classwork...

* WE ARE IN PROJECT MODE *

Work as hard as you can
Get answers to your questions before you get lost or frustrated!

Check the BLOG for answers first INCLUDING past blog entries!
Then ask the students sitting near you
Then, after doing the above, GET UP and go to John

Today:

You should have already finished your THESIS... If you have NOT then you need to get with John quick. You can find him sunning by the window next to Natalie's desk...

Once you have finished your THESIS then ORGANIZE YOUR EVIDENCE.

Evidence is those things from your three projects (Timeline, Testimonio, Memoir) that supports your thesis.

If your THESIS is "I am not who you think I am!" then your evidence should support that idea - it should show WHY you are not who we think you are!

Open your Google Doc Outline
ADD a new section to the outline called EVIDENCE.
In this evidence section write down the specific pieces of evidence from your three projects (Timeline, Testimonio, & Memoir) that you plan on using in your Digital Story.
THIS EVIDENCE WILL BE THE THINGS YOU TALK ABOUT ON YOUR SLIDES AND IN YOUR NARRATION. IT SHOULD DIRECTLY 'PROVE' YOUR THESIS.
If this confuses you then ask a neighbor who has completed this step.

Once you know what story you are telling (THESIS) and how you are going to tell it (EVIDENCE) then you can START ON YOUR KEYNOTE SLIDES.
LAST, do an exit ticket before you leave.

Finding the THESIS for your Digital Story

2011-10-11T08:30:00.000-07:00

REMEMBER: YOUR thesis is simply the thread that ties all three of your projects together!

DO NOW!

If you have NOT already done so, open your Digital Story Project Outline from your Google Docs and enter your THESIS (which you did as homework over the weekend).

When finished open the COMMENTS in the upper right hand side of the document, "show the comments stream", and add a comment saying that you are done with your thesis.
I will automatically get an email saying you have added the thesis if you do this.

If you already added your THESIS to your outline on Google Docs then:

Open the Outline and then open the COMMENTS in the upper right hand side of the document, "show the comments stream", and add a comment saying that you are done with your thesis.
I will automatically get an email saying you have added the thesis if you do this.
THEN ADD a new section to the outline called EVIDENCE.
In this evidence section write down the specific pieces of evidence from your three projects (Timeline, Testimonio, & Memoir) that you plan on using in your Digital Story.

Classwork...

* WE ARE IN PROJECT MODE *

Work as hard as you can
Get answers to your questions before you get lost or frustrated!

Check the BLOG for answers first
Then ask the students sitting near you
Then GET UP and go to John (or call him over if he is VERY near)

Today:

BEFORE you can begin on your keynote you must have a USABLE THESIS! If you did NOT accomplish this as homework or during the Do Now then you MUST do this before you do anything else.

If you need help with your Thesis John will be working with a small group near the door.
If you don't need help then GET IT DONE!
When finished with your thesis open the COMMENTS in the upper right hand side of the document, "show the comments stream", and add a comment saying that you are done with your thesis.

I will automatically get an email saying you have added the thesis if you do this.

NOW ADD a new section to the outline called EVI DENCE.

In this evidence section write down the specific pieces of evidence from your three projects (Timeline, Testimonio, & Memoir) that you plan on using in your Digital Story.
Once you do this then your outline is complete enough to begin work.

As you work on the project remember to write down any change in your ideas or thesis on the outline. If you don't you will forget them!

THEN start on your Keynote by laying out ALL 12 slides, Transferring your ideas from the outline to each one.

You can erase your 'notes' from the slide later, but lay out your outline in slide format so that you can see if you have enough to complete the Digital Story.

LAST, do an exit ticket before you leave.

Digital Story Project Requirements

2011-10-07T08:30:00.000-07:00

Do NOW!

============================================
Purpose

I will understand the requirements and deadlines of the Digital Story Project
and I will add the project DUE DATES to my SCHOOL GOOGLE CALENDAR (with alerts)
and I will finish my themes & begin my thesis
and I will submit an exit ticket with my progress

============================================
Agenda

Introduce project requirements
Place project dates on Homework Calendar with alerts
Open Digital Story Project Outline

Manke sure you are sharing the outline with john@envisionacademy.org

============================================

Project Description

Projects Must:
Have a unifying THEME
Be done in Keynote
Have a minimum 12 slides

Introduction (Name, etc...)
Thesis - what are the themes/connections between the three pieces of work?
3 slides about Timeline Events
3 slides about your Testimonio
3 slides about your Educational Memoir
Conclusion

Have a single unifying song for the soundtrack
Have a Voiceover Narration for the entire slideshow

Slides can be pictures and/or words

- creativity will be rewarded -

Google docs!

2011-10-05T05:09:00.000-07:00

Do NOW!

Fill out this short form about the last project. This writing will help you get participation credits in the discussion that leads off the class time. [Command+Click the paragraph!]

============================================
Purpose

I will review my effort on the Digital Timeline Project in order to improve my work for the future AND I will learn how to use Google docs to plan my next project by sharing an outline with John by the end of the period.

Agenda

Looking back: reviewing the Digital Timeline Project
Looking forward: the Exhibition
Introduction to Google Docs

Drawings
Presentations
Collections
Spreadsheets
Documents

Creating your first outline

Sharing the outline with john@envisionacademy.org

Get your work Done!

2011-10-04T08:30:00.000-07:00

DO NOW:

www.typingweb.com

15 Minutes! Go! Now! Do!

Post your current WPM in the Exit Ticket!

After "Time" is called, return BELOW for the lesson...
====================================
Hello!

As promised I am away today...

Fear not, your able substitute teacher is here to keep you safe (and to let me know how wonderful you were - and name names if you are not)

REMEMBER: Your Timeline and your Testimonio are past due...

and your work ramps up with Trevor next week...

and you have an exhibition Thursday,

October 20th (a little less

than 3 weeks away).

Please be mature and do what you know you should do:

Take Care of Business

If you are done, done, please be helpful, courteous, kind, and above all, QUIET.

You MUST have your work done by Tonight.

Do the following, in THIS ORDER:

Go finish your Timeline or revise it (add photos, links, more stories) to get a higher grade.
Finish your Testimonio if it is not ready
Do work for Trevor's class
Do Math and Physics homework
HELP A FRIEND WHO NEEDS TO GET THEIR WORK DONE...
Show your Timeline to someone else who is finished and get feedback.
Show it to the sub!
If you are honestly done with everything you may quietly, with headphones or no sound, play one of our games located in the student drive, or kill some zombies. Heaven help you if you play games and don't have all your work done, though.
Submit an exit ticket or resubmit your Timeline before you go...

SUBMIT your Timeline Project HERE.

You may listen to music, using headphones, at an appropriate level, only using Pandora or other playlist Players. Do NOT use YouTube or other players that require your action.

Turn in your Tiki-Toki Timeline!

2011-09-30T22:12:00.000-07:00

Today is the

BIG DAY!

Today, by the end of class, or the end of lunch, whichever is later, you must submit your Timeline if you wish FULL CREDIT!

And, really, who doesn't?

To finish your Timeline check the rubric (by clicking here) and try to get '4's on all of the tasks.

REMEMBER it is always better to turn in what you have and REVISE it later than to turn nothing at all in on the due date.

When you are ready, FILL OUT the SPECIAL

Project Check-In form located HERE.

THE FORM IS LONG, SO GIVE YOURSELF

20 MINUTES OR MORE TO COMPLETE IT.

Adding Categories to your timeline

2011-09-27T08:30:00.000-07:00

Hello beautiful students!

Today we will begin to finalize our timelines.

While we are adding and editing our Stories we will now also be categorizing them.

Remember how my Timeline had "John the Teacher", "John the Father", and "Historical Event" as categories? Well, now that you have some events in your own timeline let's do some categorizing of your own events!

To categorize simply go to:

Admin -> Your Timeline -> Categories -> + Create New Category

Use the picture below to guide you...

Adding CATEGORIES to your timeline

Okay, that's the new skill for today!

For the Rest of the week we will be finishing our timelines by creating more personal or historical stories, scanning photos and documents, and fixing up each story to include links and visuals.

For the complete requirements visit this post:

Timeline Project Requirements.

Five minutes before class is over don't forget to fill out the EXIT TICKET!

Continuing your Timeline

2011-09-21T21:10:00.000-07:00

Howdy! We have a loooooooooooooong period today and you will be mostly self-directed.

Take a look on the RIGHT hand side of the Blog as well... Notice the new section titled THE GRIND? Those are links you will need every day while working on this project.

Your task is to complete 8 to 12 of the following three types of things (8 if you want a 'B', 12 if you want an 'A', more for extra credit. Less for, well, let's not go there...)

Scan a Photo or Document
Enter a personal event with 3 lines of detail (add photo or link too if you can!)
Enter a historical event with 3 lines of detail (add photo or link too if you can!)

Mix and match as your tastes & resources dictate...

Okay, get going. I will be mostly helping people doing the scanning today so if you need help first ask a colleague then GET UP and come ask me a question.

Remember you need at least 8 items completed to get a good score today. And if you don't fill out the exit ticket you get ZERO credit for today.

Cheers!

* if you get all the way to Flicker today please log your password here: Flicker Login Form

Starting your timeline

2011-09-20T08:30:00.000-07:00

Hello! Yesterday was fun, wasn't it? Remember to try out for the Ragged Wing Youth Ensemble NEXT Tuesday after school!

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR TODAY'S LESSON IS LISTED ON THIS BLOG (AS FAR AS I KNOW). READ all instructions CAREFULLY. READ each section COMPLETELY before command+clicking the link after the instructions.

YOU HAVE 5 (five) TASKS DUE TODAY

---------------------------------------------------------------------
TASK 1

Now: Command+Click the following link and log your warm-up for Credit (come back here to the BLOG when you are done and do task 2)

Copy & Paste Your Warm-up here...

---------------------------------------------------------------------
TASK 2

Finished POSTING your warm-up? Great! Now, go to Tiki-Toki and REGISTER using a username and password you can remember. Once registered, create your first timeline.

Do not spend time on colors or pictures or backgrounds or you will not finish today's work. You can go back and fix stuff up later! Enter ONLY this information:

Timeline NAME = (Example) John's Family Timeline
Start date = either your oldest grandparent's birth date (use Jan 1 if you don't know it) or 01/01/1955, whatever you decided to use
End date = 09/20/2011
Introduction = Something Short for now
Push Create in the lower righthand corner!

Once you have successfully registered and created your timeline come back here to the BLOG and do task 3.

Now, command+ click this link:

http://www.tiki-toki.com/

---------------------------------------------------------------------
TASK 3

How was it over at Tiki-Toki? Did they treat you right? Cool! Now, record your username and password and Timeline URL by command+click the following link (come back here when you are done and do task 4):

Record your Tiki-Toki login info here...

---------------------------------------------------------------------
TASK 4

Now, go back to your Tiki-Toki TAB and enter your first event "STORY" (you can use the event you created for your warm-up or do a different one, your choice). Use the management tools that pop down from the right side. NOW ENTER AS MANY STORIES AS YOU CAN! It will save you time later!

(come back here when you are done and do task 5)

---------------------------------------------------------------------

TASK 5

When you are done (or when John tells you to 5 minutes before the end of class) come back here and fill out the Exit Ticket by command+clicking the link!

Submit your EXIT TICKET here!

2011 Student Survey

2011-09-16T23:21:00.000-07:00

In the better late than never department...

Now that you all have your emails we'd like to spend a moment and have you take the:

Envision Academy Freshman Survey - 2011*

*If you are having trouble with your email raise your hand and call John... he can change your password.

Finding historical data for your timeline

2011-09-14T08:30:00.000-07:00

Hello beautiful students.

Be nice to Shane and work hard

so that you get full credit for the day

Visit the links below

Try to find TWO interesting historical events for each FIVE-Year period on your timeline [1955-60, 60-65, 65-70, etc...]

Your timeline starts either at 1955 or the birth year of your oldest grandparent, you choose...

Use a VARIETY of the timelines but stay on THESE timelines

Take notes on the worksheets and turn in your worksheets WITH YOUR NAMES ON THEM at the end of class to receive credit.

Remember:

There is very little time for you to do this project. Mess around now and you’ll be frantic while the kids who are finished sit around eating ice cream & mocking you...

The Links

http://ehistory.osu.edu/world/TimeLineDisplay.cfm?Era_id=16

http://www.historycentral.com/Samerica/Index.html

http://www.historycentral.com/Africa/Index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_role-playing_video_games:_1974_to_1985#1981

http://www.animatedatlas.com/timeline.html

http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3148-mexico-mexican-history-time-line-overview-resource-page

http://www.infoplease.com/yearbyyear.html

http://www.historycentral.com/20thCent.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_technology

http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/

http://historicaltimeline.com/ht_inventions.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_timelines

http://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ie=UTF-8&ion=1&nord=1#hl=en&sugexp=gsis%2Ci18n%3Dtrue&cp=19&gs_id=k&xhr=t&q=timeline+of+historical+events&qe=dGltZWxpbmUgb2YgaGlzdG9yaQ&qesig=O4EVGl8UJkH0o6X5N2mVOw&pkc=AFgZ2tkgps_XLlei2A4_rtDQI8Hi9H_rHKhT6fX1GYGpu4WSMfIQL-6pW8nAKmEww9RnHfyHpagiuvpSw4xf7AvO8MF10hWZ6g&pf=p&sclient=psy-ab&nord=1&site=webhp&source=hp&pbx=1&oq=timeline+of+histori&aq=0&aqi=g4&aql=&gs_sm=&gs_upl=&fp=1&ion=1&biw=1387&bih=783&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.&cad=b

Good Luck!

Timeline Project Requirements

2011-09-13T08:29:00.000-07:00

Timeline Project

Minimum Requirements

20 personal 'stories' and
20 historical 'stories'

EVERY story must have a photo or other visual
EVERY historical story must have a link to more information
EVERY story must be categorized
When possible your personal stories should include a link to more information as well

DUE FOR FULL CREDIT ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH

When completely done email your Timeline's URL to

John@EnvisionAcademy.org

THEN spend the rest of your time either

typing papers for Natalia or Trevor

-or- helping others!

Extra Credit: Current Events

2011-09-09T08:42:00.000-07:00

go to the BBC Website at www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14841746 and read the article on the President's speech last night. Return here to comment mentioning these three points:

What do you think, from reading this article, the problem with the US economy is?
From what you read in the article, do you think the President's actions will help?
What do you think about the reactions to his speech?

After finishing this response find a video of the speech from last night and post a link to it in a response, then go watch the speech.

Extra Credit: Digital Literacy

2011-08-26T05:30:00.000-07:00

Done typing your paper? EXTRA CREDIT TIME THEN!!

Visit this link, read the story, and then return here to comment. What do you think? Does it matter to you? Why, or why not? Be frank, but be polite - and remember anyone can read what you wrote.

Post as Anonymous again but REMEMBER to include your name and period if you want credit.

http://gawker.com/5834158/tim-cook-apples-new-ceo-and-the-most-powerful-gay-man-in-america

Digital Literacy

2011-08-22T08:30:00.000-07:00

Visit the following link...

Man jailed for Facebook incitement to riot to appeal [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-14557772]

When finished return to this blog and post a COMMENT:

1) Your First Name
2) Your DLE period
3) A response to what happened (what do you think or feel about it)
4) A connection to your own life (how this type of thing has or might impact you)

(this is a PUBLIC Blog so represent well)

If you have time AFTER making a comment you may visit for other views of this issue:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14442203
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14568160

Sub Plan: Cost of Living

2011-08-17T03:14:00.000-07:00

Hello beautiful students...

I am unexpectedly away today (perhaps I am sick, who knows? But you still need your education and when I get back we will use the information you get today to work on our next project!)
Please be nice to the substitute and remember that I hold you to even higher expectations when I am away!

-------------------------------------------

Today we will be exploring the cost of living in the Bay Area and examining what that means.
First I want you to read this blog post from a few years back and then return to this posting to answer a few questions:

http://www.mymoneyblog.com/six-figure-salary-survey-results-whos-making-100k.html

-------------------------------------------

Now that you've read the article, please answer the following questions.
Every few questions the teacher will pause you to discuss the answers and classroom leaders should assist in leading the discussion.
(you will need to flip back and forth between the questions and the article to review what you've read)

Click HERE to answer the questions

-----------------------------------

Well, I hope you found that interesting!

Now we are going to look at income figures for Oakland. Again the data is a little old, but that is the nature of how it is collected.
Go the the following link and then scroll down to the last three lines before the 'Business QuickFacts". Ask your neighbor or the teacher for help if you can't find the information.
Look at the numbers for "Per capita money", "Median household income" , and "People of all ages in poverty", and then return to this posting to answer some questions.

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0653000.html#.Tx_v4e0CbkY.gmail

-----------------------------------

Now that you've looked at the Oakland income numbers, please answer the questions on THIS question form.
After every question this time the teacher will pause you to discuss the answers and classroom leaders should assist in leading the discussion.
(you will need to flip back and forth between the questions and the data to review what you've read)

Click here to anser the second question set

-----------------------------------

Now we are going to look at our city compared to other places we could live. To do this you first have to decide two numbers:

First, decide how much money you think you would need to live a good life. Is it $100,000 like the people in the first reading? Be realistic, you are unlikely to make much more than that but if you think you could then use whatever number you think is realistic on the high end.

Second, think about how much money the adults around you make. If they don't have a college education the likely make between $25-35,000 per year. If they do have a degree they likely make $50-60,000 (which is also the median for the Bay). Think about your current educational path and decide how much money you are REALLY likely to have.

Now, with those two numbers in mind go to the cost of living calculator and compare living standards between Oakland and another city you might like to live in for those two income levels. You can choose whatever city you want to compare with Oakland: New York, Chicago, Miami, LA, SF, Atlanta, Fresno, whatever. When you are finished, return here for your last task.

http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/costofliving/costofliving.html

--------------------------------------------------

Now you've done the cost of living comparison open an email to ME (john@envisionacademy.org) and write to me about your experience today.

Do you feel you learned something about the real cost of living?
Has what you learned today influenced how you think about your future and what you need to do to obtain the future that you want?
Include any other comments as well so I can design the next steps of this lesson well.

Thanks again for your attention today, this was an important lesson. See you soon.