What a Week for America.....Past, Present and Future!

This week is power packed.....so much going on in our country; past, present and future!!!  What am I talking about?  We had Monday off from school to honor a leader from our past; Martin Luther King Jr.  Dr. King left an amazing legacy for our country.  If you would like more information about what you can do to carry on his legacy check out this site.   As for the future, Friday marks an important day in our country's history.  On Friday, January 20th President Obama will hand the reins of our country over to President Elect Trump.  This has always been a very special day in our country; jam packed with traditions.  You can learn more about past inaugurations at this U.S. Presidential Inagurations created for students.
As you know, you will have an assessment this week.  This test will take place during class two.  For some of you it will be your only class this week.  Be sure to look over your study guide before the exam.  Once you have completed your assessment, please use this resource to clean up and manage the work side of your digital life.
In addition to the assessment we will work on trying to tie up all the loose ends of your blogs. Please use the checklist I have left at each of your computers to work through this process.  I will model some of these steps for you.
  Have a super week and be sure to check out the history in the making!!!!
    ~Mrs. White  :)

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Finishing Touches!

Welcome to the only full week of school in the month of January!  I hope you all had fun playing in the snow this weekend.  Maybe some of you even made some money shoveling!  The forecast for the middle of the week projects some warmer temperatures; so melting will happen.  Did anyone build a snowman or make a snow sculpture?  Perhaps this could be the topic of your next blog post.  I like these snowstorms coming on the weekends; no snow days!!!
This week you will FINALLY publish your first blog posts.  I have a great activity to help get your creative juices working.  I used this process last year and it was very effective.  You will have the help of the Blog Beautician; as it is her process.  I have modified it slightly.  I can't wait to see some of your titles!!!
   ~Mrs. White :)

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Welcome 2017!

Happy New Year to all of you!   I hope you found some time to relax, enjoy, and unplug over vacation.  I most certainly unplugged.  I did do a bit of "pinning" and remained active on my social/personal side of my technological life.  I did take a vacation from my professional side and hope you did the same.  I must say I was disappointed to not have a white Christmas, but on the flip side I was happy to not spend any time shoveling the white stuff.  I spent a lot of time with my family.  I ended up dog sitting for my two "grand puppies" over the weekend.  It was a lot of fun! The cousins certainly loved to wrestle. What is your best memory from vacation?
This week we will start off with a review of the "Two Sides to Your Technological Life."  You will have an opportunity to check out a Kanoot Jumble; a new feature.  You will also complete a study guide or review as you will (I'm sure you know what is coming next) be having an assessment shortly.
During class two you will make the final revisions to your first blog posts, blogger profiles and finally get them uploaded!!!!
Welcome back and let's get going!!!

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Snapchat VS Instagram

Hello My Techies,
   I will not be with you today in class.  I hope you all were dressed warmly while waiting for your bus this morning.  I have left a packet of information and work for you to do today.  Once you have finished reading this post you will put your iPads away.**   Here is a brief summary and some notes about today's lesson.
The first page of your packet is the plan for the day.  Please follow the steps in order.  All materials are included in the packet.
You will use an infographic as a resource for the first part of your assignment.  This inforgraphic should be on your keyboard.   You will write a paragraph defending your choice of the two social media apps.  Please be sure to use the resource to help create your statements.  If you are using information from your own personal experience be sure to start the sentence with, "In my experience..."  (This part of the assignment should take at least 20 minutes if you are using all your strategies and doing your best work.)
Once you have finished your paragraph, you will then move to designing your app.  Be creative and have some fun!!
If you should finish the work on the plan for the day (page one of the packet) I have included an additional assignment.  This final assignment is purely opinion based.  I am asking you to think about using social media in school; specifically Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat.  Take some time to think. Be sure to use examples in this paragraph.

**You may use your dictionary app when you need it.

Have a super weekend and stay warm!  See you Monday.
~Mrs. White

2 Sides 2 Tech Revisited

The month of December is flying by very quickly.  I don't know about you, but I can't wait for our first snow storm.  Don't get me wrong; I'm not looking for a snow day.  As a matter of fact, I don't want any snow days!!!!  I like getting out of school early in June.  I am looking for some of the white fluffy stuff.  Do you like snow?  How do you feel about snow days?  I have heard the forecast is predicting a very stormy and snowy winter.  If nothing else, we need to at least have a "white" Christmas.  Coincidentally that is the title of one of my favorite Christmas movies.  Do you have a favorite holiday movie?  Maybe your favorite is on the AMC Top 20 Christmas Movie list.  I suppose we can wish all we want for snow, but it won't make it happen.  We should all probably be sure to keep mittens or gloves in our backpacks just in case.
During our first class this week we will revisit the "2 sides to our digital lives."  Let's take another look at this video.  You have only one class to complete a group task.  You will create a "poster."  Yes, you heard me right.  We are going "old school" this week.  You and two other classmates will create a poster showing the two side to your digital life.  Any exemplar posters will be hung throughout the hallways of our school.  You must get this task completed in one class; so you will need to work quickly.
During class two, you will do the final revision of your first blog post and complete your blogger profiles.  These both need to be completed by the end of class two so we can upload them next week.  Be sure to use the packet in your Workstation Resource folder.  If you have any time at the end of class two, you may also dig in to your blog design some more. **
I know many of you are gearing up for our vacation, but it is still a couple weeks away.  Please stay focused and keep working hard.
Have a super week!!
**If you are in the December concert and miss class two due to rehearsals, you need to make up this missed class and complete your first blog post.  Please come and see me to get your most recent feedback.

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Hour of Code

Once again BIS will be participating in the "Hour of Code."  This is such an exciting event.  I am always amazed by the coding capabilities of my students.  If you like coding and are good at it, you may be able to find a great job some day.
We will start the celebration by watching, "How Computer Science is Changing Everything."  You will then report to Google Classroom to find your instructions for our coding activities.  I have created a resource with all the links and instructions you will need
Our first class will start with the basics.  During class two you can check out the connection Disney has with Code.org.
Have fun and code on!!!!!

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