Sunday, June 27, 2010

June 28, 29, July 1, 2

Good Bye


Year 8, it's time that we say good-bye for the summer.

But before we go, let's vote for Miss Callie's foundation;-)
http://publicservicechallenge.com/vote.php?vid=e9ufxWcobKo

Have a wonderful summer full of fun and friends!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Monday, June 14, 2010

June 15, 17, 18


Year 11, Miss Callie has started a foundation (SAES - Students in Action: Education Soweto).

There is a "public service challenge" being offered by Capella University in which the winner will receive $10,000 to support their charity. This prize would go a long way in helping fund this project.

Part of the selection process will be based on how many hits this video has. (Chris Larsen put together this video - Thank you Christopher;-)

Let's show our support by voting for Miss Callie's video: http://publicservicechallenge.com/vote.php?vid=e9ufxWcobKo

VOTE NOW AND VOTE OFTEN

You can vote once in each 24 hour period.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

June 14, 15, 17, 18


Time is up Year 8. All work is due Monday or Tuesday.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

June 7, 8, 9, 11


Year 8 - the PLAN - Criterion C
Under test conditions, FOLLOW this plan and hand in the final product when you finish for grading. Remember you only have this double to finish.


June 6 was World Environment Day. To show our support we will use our Publisher 2007 skills to create "door hangers" with an environmental message that we can display around the school.

Your design specification is as follows: Your door hanger must be colourful, must be eye-catching, must have an appropriate environmental message/slogan, and must include 2 images/clipart, must include correct spelling.


Let's start:

1. Find an environment message or slogan on the internet,
2. Find images to enhance your door hanger,
3. Open Publisher 2007,
4. Click on Blank Page Sizes,
5
. Click on Create Custom Page - 10.0 x 29.0 (this is in centimeters),
6. Add some creativity,
7. Proofread,
8. Check against design specification,
9. Cut out your door hanger and cut a circle so it can be hung,
10. Write your name on the back and submit it for grading.

That's it Year 8. You are done!

Learning Objective: with limited guidance follow a plan to further develop desktop publishing skills and techniques to create a useful object.

Monday, May 31, 2010

May 31, June 1, June 4


Then it's on to the EVALUATE Criterion E Maximum 6

Below please find the questionnaire that we will use to test your product. I will provide you with a paper version;-)

Show your product to 5 classmates and have them answer the questionnaire.

To test my product I will create a questionnaire. On a scale of 1-5, 1=awful and 5=awesome, please answer the following questions.

Did you find the color I used appealing?
Was it easy to recognize the purpose of my building from the design?
Do you feel that my choice of building would positively contribute to a "perfect" city?
Was my 3-D drawing complete?
Was it easy to identify the purpose of the inside rooms from their structure and location in the building?
Were my rooms decorated appropriately?

Then
1. Evaluate your product against the design specification and analyze your findings. Based on the feedback of your classmates how could you improve your product?

2. Evaluate your performance at each stage of the design cycle: INVESTIGATE, DESIGN, CREATE. Remember to suggest ways that you can improve your performance in the future in each stage of the design cycle.

3. Look at the unit question - were you successful? Were we able to answer the unit question? Are you now aware of what kinds of buildings/businesses we need in a community? Was your building a positive contribution to the "perfect city"? What would the impact of your building/business be in a city?

Sunday, May 23, 2010

May 24, 25, 28

The CREATE is almost finished.

1. Open your Google SketchUp 7 final product and I will come around and grade your actual product.

2. Write a reflection on the process of creating your product using Google SketchUp 7. Include any difficulties you had, obstacles that you overcame, successes, and any modifications/changes that you made. Remember you need to make a statement, then support your statement by giving more detail (example, reason, etc).

3. Please print your reflection and submit at the end of the first period.

Then it's on to the EVALUATE Criterion E Maximum 6

Below please find the questionnaire that we will use to test your product. I will provide you with a paper version;-)

Show your product to 5 classmates and have them answer the questionnaire.

To test my product I will create a questionnaire. On a scale of 1-5, 1=awful and 5=awesome, please answer the following questions.

Did you find the color I used appealing?
Was it easy to recognize the purpose of my building from the design?
Do you feel that my choice of building would positively contribute to a "perfect" city?
Was my 3-D drawing complete?
Was it easy to identify the purpose of the inside rooms from their structure and location in the building?
Were my rooms decorated appropriately?

Then
1. Evaluate your product against the design specification and analyze your findings. Based on the feedback of your classmates how could you improve your product?

2. Evaluate your performance at each stage of the design cycle: INVESTIGATE, DESIGN, CREATE. Remember to suggest ways that you can improve your performance in the future in each stage of the design cycle.

3. Look at the unit question - were you successful? Were we able to answer the unit question? Are you now aware of what kinds of buildings/businesses we need in a community? Was your building a positive contribution to the "perfect city"? What would the impact of your building/business be in a city?


Monday, May 17, 2010

May 17, 18 20, 21


Year 8, continue with your CREATE. It needs to be finished today. At the beginning of next lesson I will grade your work in class.

Learning Objectives: The student will be able to work to produce a product/solution of quality appropriate to MYP Year 2.

Monday, May 10, 2010

May 10, 11, 13, 14

Year 8, now we will fast forward to CREATE: Criterion D Maximum 6 points

We will do the PLAN - Criterion C as a homework assignment;-)

Look at the descriptors for Criterion D Assessment:

1-2 The creates at least part of a product/solution.

3-4 The student uses a limited range of appropriate techniques and equipment resulting in a product/solution of a reasonable quality.

5-6 The student uses appropriate techniques and equipment. The student mentions any modifications made resulting in a product/solution of appropriate quality using the resources available.

So, today you will begin to create your product. The design specification is as follows:

The final product must include:

1. Color - you must incorporate color
2. Recognizable - the building must be easily recognizable
3. Positive contribution to the perfect city
4. 3-D
5. Rooms must have a specific purpose (example: in a Restaurante there are several "rooms": dining room, kitchen, storage area, WC, staff room, etc.
6. 2 inside rooms are "decorated" (can use items from the 3-D Warehouse)

Learning Objectives: The student will be able to work to produce a product/solution of quality appropriate to MYP Year 2.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

May 3, 4, 6, 7



Continue with your designs. Don't forget to evaluate each against the design specification, then choose 1 and fully evaluate it against the design specification.

Monday, April 26, 2010

April 26, 27, 29, 30

Today we will be creative as we Design the product/solution!

Design: Criterion B Maximum 6 points

Students are expected to generate several feasible designs that meet the design specification and to evaluate these against the design specification.

Students are then expected to select one design, justify their choice and evaluate this in detail against the design specification.

To get a 5/6: the student generates more than 2 feasible designs, and attempts to evaluate them against the design specification. The student attempts to justify the chosen design and evaluate it against the design specification.

Today, using pencil and paper you will create 3 possible designs, choose one evaluate it in detail against the design specification items #1, 2, 3.

DESIGN SPECIFICATION

Please use the following Design Specification:

The final product must include:

1. Color - you must incorporate color
2. Recognizable - the building must be easily recognizable
3. Positive contribution to the perfect city
4. 3-D
5. Rooms must have a specific purpose (example: in a Restaurante there are several "rooms": dining room, kitchen, storage area, WC, staff room, etc.
6. 2 inside rooms are "decorated" (can use items from the 3-D Warehouse)

To test my product I will create a questionnaire. On a scale of 1-5, 1=awful and 5=awesome, please answer the following questions.

1. Did you find the color I used appealing?
2. Was it easy to recognize the purpose of my building from the design?
3. Do you feel that my choice of building would positively contribute to a "perfect" city?
4. Was my 3-D drawing complete?
5. Was it easy to identify the purpose of the inside rooms from their structure and location in the building?
6. Were my rooms decorated appropriately?

Sunday, April 18, 2010

April 19, 20, 22, 23


Develop a Design Brief: Answer the following questions. Write in complete sentences. Use in-text referencing.

1.What is Google Sketchup7?
2.What does CAD stand for?
3.What can a CAD program do? Explain and include details.
4.Which professions use CAD programs? (Name at least 3)
5.Decide which building you will contribute, and then research this type of building. Include images of at least 3 different buildings and evaluate each to gather ideas and information.
6. What is Google Sketchup’s 3-D Warehouse? Explain in your own words and include details.
7. How can you use the 3-D Warehouse to help you? Explain in your own words and include details.

Learning objective: The student will develop research strategies, record sources and document learning.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

April 12, 13, 15, 16

Year 8 - Term 3 has already started so let's get down to business;-)

Today we will look at the Unit of Work and the Assessment Rubric and then begin our Investigation.

Remember that there are 3 separate tasks in the Investigate stage of the Design Cycle: Identify the problem, Develop a design brief, Formulate a design specification.

Today during class we will complete 1: Identify the problem

Write a paragraph that will Identify the Problem (minimum of 5 or 6 sentences )
To ensure success follow this template. . .

1 sentence - State the problem that you are going to solve. *

1 sentence - Restate (say again in your own words) the problem (from Unit of Work)

2-3 sentences - Say why you think this project is relevant (why are we building the perfect city using Google SketchUp?)

1-2 Sentences – Say how you will solve the problem

1-2 sentences – Say how Human Ingenuity connects to your project

*Example: The problem I am going to solve in IT class this term is, “How can Google SketchUp help me contribute to my community?"

This is due today. Please submit at the end of class today.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

March 22, 23, 25, 26, April 8, 9



Year 8 - In Term 3 we will develop new skills using Google Sketchup. Google SketchUp 7 is an easy to use 3D modeling program.

Google Sketchup is a freeware that can be downloaded to your computer at home easily.
You can download the free version HERE.

Let's get started by working through the video tutorials: http://sketchup.google.com/training/videos/new_to_gsu.html

Work through Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 today;-) You are responsible for this information;-)

Learning Objective: with limited guidance develop CAD skills and techniques appropritate to Year 8 students.

Monday, March 15, 2010

March 15, 16, 18, 19


March 15 Activity Day
March 16, 18, 19
Year 8 - Wow! You worked extremely hard this term and as a little reward you have today to explore the internet at your leisure!!! Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, March 8, 2010

March 8, 9, 11, 12


Time's up!
Year 8, I need your Create and Evaluate. If you haven't handed them in, do so today;-)

Friday, March 5, 2010

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Monday, March 1, 2010

Sunday, February 28, 2010

March 1, 2, 4, 5


2 Tasks to finish your project

1. CREATE - Criterion D Use your plan to create your digital story and write a paragraph saying whether your plan worked or not.

2. EVALUATE - Criterion E Fill out and hand in the worksheet to evaluate your product and your your performance.

Learning objectives: follow plan to create a product of appropriate quality; carry out tests to compare final product against design specification, suggest improvements, reflect on their performance and identify parts they found difficult and suggest ways in which their performance could be improved.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

February 22, 23, 25, 26

Welcome back Year 8. We have 3 things on our agenda today.

1 - Please print your storyboard - they are due today;

2. We have 20 minutes to complete the Plan - Criterion C - maximum 6 points;

3. Use your Plan to Create (Criterion D - maximum 6 points) your digital story.

Learning Objective: select suitable resources, follow instructions, consider the process

Plan due today at the end of class


Sunday, February 7, 2010

February 3, 9, 11,12

Year 8 - Today we will FINISH the storyboard.
1. Insert a 2-column table into a word document
2. Begin with the Narration
3. Include Motion; Music; Title
4. Color Code your information
5. Insert 2 possible images, choose 1 and justify your choice

We have until the end of class today to finish.

DESIGN due February 22, 23, 25, 26 - beginning of class

Thursday, February 4, 2010

February 5 - Activity Day!


Year 8 - I get to see you twice in one week!!!!

Today we will meet for 2 periods and then you will continue on your rotation.


Period 1 - We will take a walk and snap pictures to use in our movies.


Period 2 - We will create Flickr accounts and explore this image hosing site. http://www.flickr.com/


Flicker Toys are located here: http://bighugelabs.com/ and http://www.pedagonet.com/other/flickr.htm

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

January 28, 29, February 1, 2



Year 8 - Continue writing your script. Finish it in class today;-)

January 27

Year 8 - As was advertised in the Daily Notices.

There will be a repeat of the PhotoStory 3 tutorial (which was our classwork right before we went to Christmas break) today at lunchtime (1:40).

It should take about 20 minutes to complete.

It's way fun! Don't miss this opportunity.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

January 21, 22, 25, 26


Print Questions 5-8 and please hand them in.
We have 2 periods together,
PERIOD 1
3. Formulate a Design Specification
I will provide you with the Design Specification

Design Specification - List what your product is going to be, be like, be used for, be able to do and be made with

The presentation will include:
•a minimum of 15 photos/images,
•at least 2 photos should include text/title,
•at least 2 photos should have an “transition/motion”,
•background music,
•narration (voice overlay) appropriate to topic,
•time length - approximately 2 minutes,
•each student presentation should creatively display relative information.

Test Plan - Describe a test that will check each point in your design specification
(Make sure that you describe who the test is for and how it will be used )

Let's create a test/questionnaire to evaluate the product.

Learning Objective: The student will design, with limited guidance a test to evaluate the product/solution against the design specification.

PERIOD 2

DESIGN

How can one arrange the material in such a way as to maximize its appeal and be functional at the same time?

•Write a script for your story

Finish the script for homework

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Jan 14, 15, 18, 19

2. Develop a Design Brief - This is where we conduct research which will help us solve our problem.

Remember to research the problem and cite your sources (Use in-text referencing, Use more than 5 sources).
Give complete information; use print screens, URL's and include details to support your answers. Your goal is to conduct a thorough investigation and become a master researcher;-)


5. What is a tutorial? Explain in your own words.
6. What is image hosting? (Explain in your own words). Why would someone use an image hosting service?
7. Research these the following video hosting services: www.photobucket.com , www.tinypic.com and http://video.google.com How are they similar? How are they different? (Compare and Contrast)
8. What is a storyboard? Explain in your own words.

Learning objectives: The student will identify websites as possible sources of information, learn how to reference sources.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

January 7, 8, 11, 12


Welcome back Year 8 - I hope that you had a wonderful holiday break and are ready to start our project.

First, let's take a look at the requirements necessary to participate in this international project: http://liferoundhere.pbworks.com/

Next, let's do a quick check in the sidebar to locate our primary documents (Unit of Work, Assessment Rubric).

Now, let's get down to work and begin the Investigation. We will begin by Developing the Design Brief:

Design Brief - This is where we conduct research which will help us solve our problem.
Remember to research the problem and cite your sources (Use in-text referencing, Use more than 5 sources).
Give complete information; use print screens, URL's and include details to support your answers. Your goal is to conduct a thorough investigation and become a master researcher;-)

Answer these questions and write in complete sentences:
1
.What is digital story-telling? Explain in your own words.
2. Which programs can we use for digital storytelling? Name 2 programs that can be used: include print screens, URL's and other important information.
3.
Are either of these tools freeware ( Freeware: Legally obtainable software that you may use at no cost, monetary or otherwise, for as long as you wish . ) ? If, yes, name that program. If no, continue searching until you find one that is freeware .
4. Find 2 educational dig ital stories online. Supply each URL and give a small summary of each of the stories. (http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/ )

Finish this work for homework and be prepared to hand it in at the beginning of the next class.

Learning objectives: The student will identify websites as possible sources of information, learn how to reference sources.

Sunday, January 3, 2010