Friday, December 21, 2012

Friday Frivolity

It's the end of the world... and I feel fine!








Oh, and, by the way...

IMy Students!
You guys make EA the special place it is
Stay safe, don't be a fool,
and get some rest - because next semester 
we're going to kick your booty with work!
xoxox, J


Thursday, December 20, 2012

Winter Final


Agenda:
First FIVE minutes - Instructions
Then,
P4)10:20-11:05
P5)2:00-2:45
[Take your time, write thoughtfully and completely.  
Check your spelling]
(If you finish the reflection early STAY IN YOUR SEAT 
and do something quiet like looking at the Photoshop galleries linked below -
John's advisees can come get their Winter Break reading book if they wish)

Then...
The rest of the class - Presentations 

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

FINAL TURN IN OF PHOTOS FOR FINAL


Purpose: I will work on my THREE images to be turned in for my DLE Final.

Warmup: Get right to work.  You can read announcement articles AFTER you have submitted
Agenda:
  1. Announcements and stuff to be read while others are finishing up their work.  Read/listen/watch in depth at home: 
    • You can read the text on the first  and the third one, the video on #1 and all of #2 is to do at home or after-school.
      1. The science of music: Birds show off their dance moves
      2. This one is even cooler: Why drums make us move - the science and the romance... download AT HOME!
      3. Want to read some of the political stuff John reads?  
        • WARNING this is grown-up stuff and some folks are exercising their right to be controversial. Anyway you can look at some of this stuff on The Daily Kos.  One particularly fun read is by VetGirl.
  2. Independent work
    • By TODAY AT 4:30PM you must submit three original and three modified photos that you yourself took for your final, and on Weds/Thurs you will reflect on and present those photos. 
    • If you "finish" then you must continue to work on photos or, with teacher approval, you may work on other schoolwork.  
    • To submit your photos:
      • Save As: All Photoshop files as maximum quality JPG files
      • Export: All original photos and any modified only in iPhoto as  maximum quality JPG files
      • Email: all SIX in one email to john@envisionacademy.org
      • Subject line: Submit - P? - SIX PHOTOS - Firstname Lastname
    • Off task behavior will result in a lower grade.

REQUIREMENTS IN BRIEF BELOW:
    1. Photo 1 must be manipulated via iPhoto and Photoshop
      1. Simple modification will not be able to receive a grade higher than B
      2. Complex modifications, including adding and/or removing  items in the photo, are eligible for an A or higher.
    2. Photo 2 must be only cropped - no modifications allowed
    3. Photos 3 is your choice but it must be a photo you took.
    4. ALL photos should be cropped for best effect and or printing and the reasons for or against cropping must be detailed in your reflection on the photo.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Photo Assignment Work Days

Purpose: I will work on my THREE images to be turned in for my DLE Final.

Warmup: TypingWeb.Com TEST!
Agenda:
  1. Announcements: 
    1. WTF in History: For decades Doctors and Nuns in Spain stole babies from poor people by telling them they had died at birth and then sold them to rich people.  No, really...
  2. Independent work
    • By Tuesday 12/18 you must submit three photos that you yourself took for your final, and on Weds/Thurs you will reflect on and present those photos. 
    • The next three classes are to be used for photo editing and prewriting of your reflection (3.3.7).  
    • If you "finish" then you must continue to work on photos or, with teacher approval, you may work on other schoolwork.  
    • Off task behavior will result in a lower grade.
      1. Photo 1 must be manipulated via iPhoto and Photoshop
        1. Simple modification will not be able to receive a grade higher than B
        2. Complex modifications, including adding and/or removing  items in the photo, are eligible for an A or higher.
      2. Photo 2 must be only cropped - no modifications allowed
      3. Photos 3 is your choice but it must be a photo you took.
      4. ALL photos should be cropped for best effect and or printing and the reasons for or against cropping must be detailed in your reflection on the photo.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Photoshop: The Clone Tool (Happy 12/12/12!)

Purpose: I will learn how use the CLONE tool in Photoshop to remove unwanted items from a complicated background and I will export it to a JPG for emailing.

Warmup: TypingWeb.Com LESSON!
Agenda:
  1. Announcements: 
    1. Today in History: On December 12th, 1963, Kenya gained its independence from Britain.
  2. MiniLesson:
    1. The CLONE tool in Photoshop allows you to create something from something else.  If you have a SIMPLE background then no problem, use the healing tools, but what if you need to recreate a COMPLEX background?  Use the CLONE tool.
    2. When finished with a photoshop file you need to EXPORT it as a JPG in order to share it with a wide audience.
  3. Practice
    1. By the end of class you must email me a finished copy of the example picture (below) with Charles' head REMOVED and the picture still looking natural.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

iPhoto/Photoshop work day (final photos due 12/18)

Purpose: I will finish uploading my photos and continue to practice my photo editing skills

Warmup: READ the ENTIRE Announcements section silently to yourself.  I will be deducting points for ANY talking

Agenda:
  1. Announcements: 
    1. News you crave: The world is going to end, TOMORROW!  Not.  
      • Listen (at home) to a cool radio show about doomsday propheciesseparating fact from fiction.
      •   Part 1 | Part 2 
    2. If you are not able to upload your photos or your Exploratorium videos by TODAY then YOU HAVE MST.
    3. Your final requires that you submit (the original and the final versions of) THREE (3) photos that you have taken yourself.
      1. Those photos should be cropped and manipulated to make them the best three photos you possibly can produce
      2. You should show evidence of the following photographic concepts (you will do this by submitting the original AND the manipulated photographs and writing about each photo)
        1. The photographic eye: Each photo should be about more than just the subject.  The elements of the entire photo should be interesting, either on purpose, via manipulation, or a happy accident
        2. The rule of three: It should be evident in all of your photos that you are using this technique to at least partially satisfy requirement 1, the photographic eye.  Any photo that does not follow this rule will need to have why explained in your written artist statement.
        3. Cropping: All photos should be cropped to their best effect, specifically for display via online or commercial printing. What?  You need to crop the photos and explain why you cropped them the way you did, discussing if and why you are printing them or only planning to display them online.
        4. Other manipulations: At least one of the photos must be manipulated using Photoshop and/or the iPhoto quick editing tools.  You must take at least one photo beyond the reality you captured with the camera.
        5. One photo must remain UNmanipulated other than cropping.
      3. Final requirements in brief:
        1. Both the original and the manipulated photos must be emailed to John by TUESDAY, December 18th.
          1. Photoshop files must be exported as JPG files (instructions next lesson)
        2. You must submit three photos in both their original and their manipulated form
        3. You must have taken the photos yourself
        4. You must crop all three photos or explain why that would not have been artistically appropriate
        5. One of the photos must be further manipulated in Photoshop or iPhoto
        6. One of the photos must remain UNmanipulated except for cropping
        7. At the unit final you will write a FOUR paragraph artist statement (which you may write a first draft of in advance)
          • Paragraph 1: Explain what the photographic eye means to you and how you went about deciding what to photograph for this project.  
          • Paragraph 2: Explain the subject of your first photograph.  Explain how you manipulated the photo in detail (what was cropped, what was manipulated, and WHY).  
          • Paragraph 3: Explain the subject of your second photograph.  Explain how you manipulated the photo in detail (what was cropped, what was manipulated, and WHY).  
          • Paragraph 4: Explain the subject of your third photograph.  Explain how you manipulated the photo in detail (what was cropped, what was manipulated, and WHY).  
  2. MiniLesson:
    1. Making a duplicate of your photos so that you can submit the original and final versions.
    Edit your photos and THEN duplicate the ones you want to turn in
     The NEW photo will have Version 2 added to its name
    REVERT the ORIGINAL to ORIGINAL: 
    submit both ORIGINAL  and VERSION 2 by EXPORTING


  3. Work time:
    1. If you have not uploaded your photos or your videos from the Exploratorium you must do so NOW
    2. Once uploaded you may work on sorting, cropping, manipulating, selecting, duplicating, and exporting the three photos you will submit.  You may also begin the rough draft of your artist statement for any photo you have decided to submit.

Monday, December 10, 2012

iPhoto Editing Tools

Purpose: I will finish uploading my photos and learn to do minor, quick, corrections using iPhoto

Warmup: TypingWeb.com LESSON

Agenda:
  1. Warm-up:  TypingWeb.com LESSON
  2. Announcements: 
    1. Today in History: Meet Ada Lovelace - the woman who was the first computer programer EVER!  Born on this day in 1815.  Girls have ALWAYS rocked!
    2. If you were not able to upload your photos or your Exploratorium videos by Tuesday then YOU HAVE MST.
  3. Lesson:
    1. iPhoto Basics (you may upload AFTER we go over the basics)
      1. REMEMBER: You open iPhoto by going to your STUDENT DRIVE FOLDER and clicking on your own iPhoto Library
      2. Events and auto-splitting
      3. Albums vs Events (many to one)
      4. Editing tools: Quick Fixes
        1. Rotate vs. Straighten
        2. Straighten vs. Crop
        3. Crop: Constrain or not?
      5. Editing tools: Effects
        1. Preset Effects - adjustable!
      6. Editing tools: Adjust
          1. Direct editing of colors, exposure, 'sharpness', etc...

Friday, December 7, 2012

Photo uploading and Editing (lite)

Purpose: I will learn to upload my photos and do minor, quick, corrections

Warmup: 



Agenda:
  1. Warm-up: FRIDAY TYPING TEST, When finished read one of the "today in history links" under announcements.
  2. Announcements: 
    1. I love you guys - last class was hella fun...
    2. Today in History: 
      1. 1941, Pearl Harbor is bombed prompting the USA to join in the fighting in WWII
      2. 1972, Apollo 17 lifts off on the last manned mission to the moon
  3. Lesson (part 1)
    1. Uploading your photos (screenshots below)
    2. If you have a cable for your device: GO TO STEP 5
    3. If you DO NOT have a cable for your device
      • (you need to be efficient and fast because there are people waiting)
      • Get a cable from John OR ANOTHER STUDENT -or -
      • If you have an SD Card in the device, get the SD Reader
      • THEN GO TO STEP 5
    4. If you did not use your own device 
      1. Help your partner upload their photos into their student drive (steps 5 & 6) 
      2. Copy the file into YOUR student drive with a flash-drive and RENAME it with YOUR name.
    5. Plug your device in and open iPhoto
      1. there's a special way to open iPhoto so wait for it...
      2. Your device should show up under "Devices" (duh) and might show you how many images/movies it thinks you have on the device
        1. If your device does NOT show up CALL JOHN OVER
      3. In the Upper Right Corner you should see an IMPORT button
        1. Click the import button and watch it import your photos
        2. When it say's "X number photos were successfully imported" Select "KEEP PHOTOS"
          1. We are being extra cautious this first time
        3. While we are waiting around for everyone to import their photos look around iPhoto, what do you find? What can you do?
    6. Before we can move on we need to MOVE YOUR IPHOTO LIBRARY TO "STUDENT" so it does not get deleted!
      1. CLOSE IPHOTO
      2. Open FINDER and look for your PICTURES folder in the SIDEBAR on the RIGHT and CLICK ON IT
      3. ARRANGE your files by DATE and you should see a file named "iPhoto Library" at the top.  If not look for it using SPOTLIGHT and then choose "Show all in finder"
        1. Do not worry about the file extension because different versions of iPhoto use different extensions (your's is ".iPhoto" mine is ".photolibrary")
      4. DOUBLE-CLICK on the iPhoto Library you found, it should open iPhoto and your photos should be there
        1. If NOT ask a neighbor and if they can't help call John over
      5. If they ARE your photos, CLOSE iPhoto.  If they ARE NOT call John over
      6. Once iPhoto is closed SLOW CLICK on the iPhoto Library's FILE NAME and add YOUR name to the filename and hit enter.  MINE would say "John's iPhoto Library"
      7. Once it is renamed MOVE the file to your STUDENT drive and, once it is there, double-click it AGAIN to make sure you have your photos safely stored on the student drive.









    7. Lesson (part 2)
      1. Using iPhoto for image management and minor editing
        1. No Notes on Blog - Classwork only









Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Basic Digital Photography: with linked references

Purpose: I will learn to take better pictures - even with a crappy camera

Warmup: TypingWeb.com - take a LESSON do NOT take a test unless it is AFTER taking a set of lessons.


Agenda:
  1. Announcements: 
    1. Wednesday/Thursday is our Photo Walk: Rain or Shine
    2. Friday is upload day: Bring the Exploratorium VIDEOS and the proper cable
  2. Lesson: 
    1. Having an "eye" for photography
    2. The "Rule of Thirds"
    3. Volume
      • This is a trick born of the digital age - it costs you nothing but time to take a LOT of pictures, and the more you take the better chance you have of getting THE ONE.  It also allows you to experiment and take three similar but different pictures.
    4. Editing
      1. Because of rule 3 you need rule 4.
    5. Examples...


















Monday, December 3, 2012

Accelerated Reader Assesment


Purpose: I will try my hardest in order to know my reading level
Warmup: Sit quietly and prepare to be a good reader
Agenda:
  1. Announcements: 
    1. Wednesday/Thursday is our Photo Walk: Rain or Shine
    2. Friday is upload day: Bring the Exploratorium VIDEOS and the proper cable
  2. Accelerated Reader PEP TALK! Take this SERIOUSLY! 
    1. Remember that a little clock will pop-up if you are running out of time.
    2. There is a post-it on your table.  IF you are not allowed to answer a question because it "timed out" then put a mark on the paper.  
      1. When you are done, if you have marked the paper put your name on the top, otherwise leave it blank.  I will collect them when I come around.  
    3. Username: 
      1. 1st Letter of FIRST name +
      2. 1st FOUR letters of LAST name
        1. Example: jkitt
    4. Password: ???
    5. https://hosted333.renlearn.com/2076072/
  3. Photoshop Noodletime













Friday, November 30, 2012

Photoshop: Basic Tools part 2.5 (the rest of the tools)


Purpose: I will know my way around the Photoshop tools
Warmup: Typing TEST @ TypingWeb.com
Agenda:
  1. Warmup: 
    1. TypingWeb.com Typing TEST
  2. Announcements: 
    1. AR TEST Monday in DLE - take it seriously, we are looking for reading improvement from ALL students (are you reading your Outside Reading Book for Natalia regularly?  the only way to be a better reader is to READ!)
    2. Photo Walk is NEXT Wednesday/Thursday.
    3. Photo Walk and Exploratorium video upload day 
  3. Lesson: 
    1. Tools (tip: hold down shift+letter to cycle through tools!)
      1. Retouching and painting tools
      2. Drawing and type tools
      3. Navigations tools
      4. Color Tools
      5. Quick Mask
      6. Screen Modes
    2. Option values
    3. Rulers
    4. Guides
    5. Other ways to ZOOM!


Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Photoshop: Basic Tools part 2 (the actual tools)

Purpose: I will know my way around the Photoshop tools
Warmup: TypingWeb.com
Agenda:
  1. TypingWeb.com
  2. Finishing the video
  3. Tools (tip: hold down shift+letter to cycle through tools!)
    1. Selection tools
    2. Crop and Slice tools
    3. Retouching and painting tools
    4. Drawing and type tools
    5. Navigations tools
    6. Color Tools
    7. Quick Mask
    8. Screen Modes
  4. Option values
  5. Rulers
  6. Guides
  7. Other ways to ZOOM!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Photoshop: Basic Tools

Purpose: I will know my way around the Photoshop workspace
Warmup: TypingWeb.com
Agenda:
  1. TypingWeb.com
  2. Panels
    1. Docks (NOT 'Docs')
    2. Groups
    3. stacks
  3. Workspaces
    1. NO, you can't save them
    2. YES, you can restore the default
  4. Organizing your file storage
    1. Create "Older" Folder
    2. Copy ALL work to OLDER
    3. Create NEW Folder
      1. P5 John Kittredge <- Use your full name - NO NICKNAMES
    4. Download Photoshop Work Files #1 from GRIND
  5. Tools
    1. Selection tools
    2. Crop and Slice tools
    3. Retouching and painting tools
    4. Drawing and type tools
    5. Navigations tools
    6. Color Tools
    7. Quick Mask
    8. Screen Modes

Monday, November 26, 2012

Photoshop: Introduction & Tools

New Seats if you want them!


Purpose: To set a goal for our first semester grades & get an overview of the TOOLS available in Photoshop

Agenda:
  1. TypingWeb.com (Example UserName: john1ea,  Example password: Kittredge1)
  2. Grade tracker & Powerschool
  3. Introduction to Photoshop
    1. Tools you can use
    2. Overview Video: It is a good, quick explanation of the basic tools in Photoshop.
      1. "Basics of Photoshop #01 - What Does Everything Do?"


Monday, November 19, 2012

End of project tasks and Semester warning bells!


Photoshop example: where you can go

Field trip:

  1. Permission Slip much?
  2. School Lunch or your own lunch (snack bar is expensive)
  3. Proper behavior: you shouldn't have to ask, but in case you do...

Tasks:
  1. Send revisions for regrading
  2. Clean out old files on student drive. Email them or upload to google DRIVE
  3. Finish work for Natalia and..?


Return rested and ready for 3 strong weeks as we finish out the semester - remember your first real, permanent and on your transcript, grades are final one month from tomorrow (are your grades where you want them to be?)

Friday, November 16, 2012

Partay!

Great job last night. You have a free period ( AFTER I talks to 'ya!)

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Exhibition is Tomorrow!

  1. Print out your script!
  2. REname your final version as FINAL - Block ? - Testimonio Keynote - First Lastname
    1. If you fail to do this you will be presenting the Keynote you turned in last Friday
  3. Practice, practice, practice - even if it is at your own computer with no audience.
    1. You should waste ZERO time this class - all effort will pay off in confidence and polish during the Exhibition.  Trust me on this!



Tuesday, November 13, 2012

I want one...

Replica of the Clinton Cabinet Room

My First President

Lunch panel on the history of race relations in Little Rock

Don't forget to scroll down for the lesson and more pictures from today.

The only museum of African American history in Arkansas

Don't forget to scroll down for the lesson and more pictures from today.

With Dr. Roberts after the discussion

Don't forget to scroll down for the lesson and more pictures from today.

Terrance and Elizabeth

Don't forget to scroll down for the lesson and more pictures from today.

Black & White students who made this history

Don't forget to scroll down for the lesson and more pictures from today.

Central High School

Don't forget to scroll down for the lesson and more pictures from today.

Printing Your Presenter Notes

Welcome back Class!

I'm still in Memphis, TN, as I write this but when you read this I will be in Little Rock, Arkansas, with Terrance Roberts & Elizabeth Eckford.  Look on the back wall of the classroom... see the girl being harassed by the white girls in the poster?  That's Elizabeth Eckford.

Many of you have been following my trip via facebook and know some of the powerful experiences I've already had - today promises to be even more powerful.  When I return we'll look at pictures and I'll tell you what it was like - after we get this exhibition done!

Today you have TWO GOALS:

  1. Make your Keynote as good as it can be
  2. Practice presenting the Keynote - your performance rubric can be found here 
To practice you need to print out your presenter notes so here's the instructions on that!  I'll see you all Thursday morning. Text if you need me (ask permission first if in class), I'll respond if and when I can.

Printing Presenter Notes is EASY!



Select FILE | PRINT from the menu

Don't hit the "PRINT" button 
on the dialog box yet!  
First change the settings to 
"Handout | 3 Slides per Page | ADD NOTES"

And then look in the bottom left of the box and choose "Open PDF in Preview"


Check the PDF to see if you can SEE ALL OF YOUR WORDS


If you CAN'T then close preview and go back into Keynote and Select the text that is too big


NOTE:  If you can't select the text CLOSE and REOPEN Keynote - that should fix it.
Then, once the text it selected use the Format Bar to choose a smaller text size - 18 should work




 Then repeat the File | Print | Preview process as many times as you need until you can see ALL of the text on ALL of the slides


When that all looks good you then PRINT from Preview (remember to choose the DLE Printer and remember NOT to snatch the paper from the printer or you will break it and every other Freshman will HATE you)

XOXO
J