Back From Break

Welcome back my little chickadees.  I hope you had some fun and found some time to be "off the grid."  I "powered down" myself over break.  It was great to spend a couple of days in Nashville with our daughter.  This time I flew instead of making that long drive; so much better!!!  The weather was amazing and everything was so green and colorful!  Have you ever heard of the Grand Ole Opry?  I was lucky enough to see an amazing show there featuring The Brothers Osborne, Chris Jansen, Kelsea Ballerini, and Rascal Flatts. The next night we attended the release party for an up and coming young artist, Levi Hummon which was actually work for my daughter, Ashley  She has a very cool job!   You will have an opportunity to share your vacation stories on your blogs this week.

Before you start a new blog post, you will be taking your post DDM for technology.  I can hear you moaning and groaning already.  I know it seems early for the "end of year" tech DDM, but I didn't want to have you work on this during PARCC testing and there are so many field trips and interruptions after PARCC testing we would have never completed the test.  This will NOT be a content grade, but it is very important so please take your time.  There are two parts to the assessment.  You will take DDM Part 1 during class 1 and DDM Part 2 during class 2.  If you should finish early, you will start working on your blog post.

Logging in to your Tech DDM:
Use this link to get you to Learning.com.
Your log in information is as follows:
Username:  lastname_firstname21
Password:  LUNCH ID + 00
Enter:  Barnstable
Then click log in.

Please be sure to read all questions and choices carefully.  Take your time.  If you have any questions, please raise your hand and I will come over.  There is to be NO talking during this assessment.

The Home Stretch

The Red Sox open at Fenway Park this week.  It just doesn't seem possible!!!!  Have you ever been to a game at Fenway?  I know it is an old park and there are many other beautiful ones out there, but I think Fenway is very special!  Do you know all of the history of Fenway?  If you have never been to a game at Fenway, you definitely need to add it to your "bucket list."   GO SOX!!

This is your last week to work on your spring projects.  If you stick to your task assignment sheets, you will have no problem getting this done and turned in on time.  I will share the instructions for turning in this assignment in class.  We will start off class by visiting a "wall" in Padlet where you will answer a question which will give me some feedback.  I will share the QR code with you as you enter class.  Have a super week!  I can't wait to see your finished products!!!

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Tips for Your Projects

Memes are very fun to create.  We see them everywhere.  Have you ever created one?  There are so many sites and apps out there.  I have created one related to your spring projects.  I'm sure you've seen this little guy before.  Take a look at it below the tips I've included.

Tip #1:  Completing Your Storyboard:
When creating a presentation you should always take the time to create a storyboard first.  I have included copies of blank storyboards in all of your folders.  If you need more, please ask.  You don't want to waste time being a perfectionist with your drawings and text.  You are making basic notes, rough drafting, in each slide box on the template.  Draw stick figures or simply write what you will use as your "key words" in your "query."
**Be sure to include a title slide (which should have the group members first names) and a Resource or Bibliography slide (this is where you will copy and paste from your EasyBib project library and add any image citations.)
Don't worry about backgrounds, fonts, colors, and transitions.  You will sit as a group on the due date to finalize these items.

Tip #2:
Text before images!!!  Your words are the most important part of this presentation.  You need to convey your solution or answer to your audience.

Tip #3:
Limit your text on each slide.  Text should be large enough for your audience to read from a distance (like the tables in our cafeteria.)  You can use bullets to emphasize points.  Slides do not need to be written in complete sentences, but audience must understand your points.

Tip #4:
Work together and communicate with one another (yelling and bossing around are not effective ways to communicate.)

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First Big Meeting

Well the calendar says April, but the weather feels more like February.   The forecast for the beginning of this week is a bit frigid.  Have you ever wondered about how often is snows in the spring in our area?  The Old Farmer's Almanac has a way for you to get that information. I was quite surprised by some of the information.  You may be too!  We have been talking about the many layers of community in our lives.  I saw this story over the weekend and it reminded me of our discussion.  See how one local business involved another local community.

Your long awaited group assignments have been made and will be announced during class one this week.  Take a moment to view the presentation I created to summarize your project.  Please remember we are treating this assignment the same way you would experience an assignment from your boss in the real world.  You wouldn't whine to your boss about who you have been told to work with in a group, so don't whine to me (I'm the boss!!!)  I have created some documents which have been designed to keep you on task and productive.  You will only have four class meetings to get this job done so you need to stay focused and on task. These projects must be completed before we leave for April Vacation.

By the way, if you are doing School Bell Schedule you may want to check out this source.

**On that note; if you are absent this week you must contact me before your next class so I can put you in touch with your group members.  They will fill you in on your task and the date of its completion.

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