Searching Here, There, and Everywhere

Google has become commonplace in our world today.  It is no longer used just as a noun, but has now become a verb.  How many times did  you "Googled" something this weekend?  How long has Google been around anyway?  And who thought of Google?  So many questions.  How can I get the answers?  I know; I'll Google them!  Check out the history of Google.
All this talk about Google has been deliberate.  This week we will take a look at getting the most from Google.  Before learning how to search well, you must understand how a search works in Google.  You will start with an assignment in Google Classroom using the video, "How Search Works."
Once you have finished that assignment, you will move on to the next  This one uses another Google tool, Google Presentation and was created by the people at Google as well.  You will explore Google search with A2:  Google Landing.  Don't worry if you have some trouble.  We will go over this activity together before you turn it in.  Have fun!  I can't wait for you to be Google Search experts.
   ~Mrs. White

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What Does Your Signature Say About You?

We have been talking about emails and communication.  That got me thinking about signatures.  I started to do a little bit of research; okay more like exploration, about signatures.  My first thought was about the expression, "Write your John Hancock on the line."  I mean I know who John Hancock is, but why him?  Why not one of the other founding fathers?  I came across this very interesting article, John Hancock.  Check it out.  I then started to think about my signature.  What does my signature say about me?  Have you ever thought about this?  I found this interesting video and wanted to share it with you.  In this day and age our signatures are more often of the digital form.  Is there a way to make your digital signature more creative and personal?  The answer is "YES!"  Today you are going to work on doing just that.  We will continue our "Email Etiquette Lesson" from earlier.  I have inserted a step.  Let's call it Step 3- Part 2.  This resource will give you all the information you need.  Have fun!

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A Short Week

I hope you all enjoyed your long weekend.  The middle was most definitely soggy.  I bet we got almost an inch of rain!!  At least the rain was sandwiched between two sunny days.  So why weren't we in school on Monday anyway?  The answer is we were off for Columbus Day!  Go in to the History Channel's Vault episodes to find out more about this special day.  We are going to work very hard in this shortened week.  I hope you are ready!!

During Class #1 this week we will pick up where we left off before the iPad roll.  You will start working on perfecting your email skills.  Let's start by taking a look at a quick video review.  You will then go to Google Classroom to find the assignment for the rest of class.  I think you should be able to get it all done in one session if you work efficiently.

During Class #2 (for some of you the only class this week) you will complete your iPad assessment.  Once you have finished the assessment, you will have the opportunity to be creative and make your Google avatar.  Please follow the instructions and use the resources I have shared with you in this Google Doc.

Assessment Link

At the end of the week we will all do a great big collective, "Phew!!!" for a job well done!!
   ~Mrs. White :)

Rain, Rain Go Away!!

After a long summer of no rain, lately it doesn't seem as though it will ever stop!  To make matters worse, there is a mammoth hurricane swirling around in the Caribbean.  Hurricane Matthew quickly strengthened to a category 5 hurricane over the weekend; the strongest possible rating.  What are the categories of hurricanes and what does all that mean? Check out the explanation from the National Hurricane Center. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope he takes a hard turn to the east and goes out to sea!!

This week you will complete Part 2 of the 21st Century Skills Assessment.  I know this is a long process and not very exciting, but the data will benefit us all!  I can't wait for you to see how much you have learned when you  You should have a reading book with you and know what to do.  You will take Part 2 of the 16/17 Pre-Assessment.  If you were absent last week, you need to take Part 1 today and will have to take Part 2 at another time.  Please be sure to read the questions carefully and think before answering.  Once you have completed all the questions, "Turn In Test", log out of Learning.com, sign out of your workstation and read quietly.  Please go to Learning.com, sign in and begin the assessment.  If you have any questions, please raise you hand and I will come over to help you.

During our second class this week we will review our iPad rules using Kahoot.  Before we get started, I would like you to watch this video from Apple Education.  It shows how some students are using iPads to improve their learning.  Perhaps it will give you some ideas.  Once we have finished the review, I will share a blank iPad Assessment Study Guide with you.  We will complete this together and you will need to use it to help you prepare for your assessment in a couple of weeks. We should also have some time to clean up your iPads.

Have a great week!!
  ~Mrs. White                                          

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So You Have an iPad......Now What?

Brrrrrr.....What a change in the weather!!  Fall most definitely arrived this weekend.  The leaves are still green, but the red on the thermometer is dropping.  We may still have a couple of warm days, but the early morning will very consistently be chilly for sure.  I have been wondering if the drought conditions this summer would impact the fall foliage show.  See what New England Today has to say about "Leaf Peeping" in New England.

By the time you read this, you should have your iPad which means you should have it with you right now.  We are going to take a look at your devices, do some organizing, and do some reviewing.   I hope the experience so far has been positive.  This is the first time we have used this MDM (multi device management system.)  I would like to know what your first impressions are about the process.
We will put your apps in some folders and get your iPads ready to roll.  We will end class by using one of the shortcuts on your iPads.  I wonder if you can figure out which one?!!!  I have also created a Kahoot iPad review for us to work on together.

You will work on a pre-assessment during class two this week (except for my Monday peeps!!)
You will take the first part of the 21st Century Skills Assessment.  It is a pretest. This will not be a content grade on your report card, but it is very important.  Please take your time and read each question carefully.  It should take you the entire class to finish.  If you do not finish by the end of the period, don't worry.  If you should be done before the bell I expect you to sit quietly and read.

Please use the resource link below to get you to the site.  If you have any trouble logging in, please raise your hand and I will come over to help you.

I would like to repeat; this will not appear on your report cards.  There was no study guide and I did not want you studying for this.  This is a baseline; showing me where you all are right now.  It will help me plan for our year so you are ready to take this assessment again in June.  Take a deep breath and do your best!!!

Please click on this link:  21st Century Skills Assessment Resource  

So Much Excitement

The day has arrived!!!!  You will be receiving your iPads some time today.   I am so excited to be a part of this day.
Because I will be busy in the library handing out iPads, a substitute will be in my lab working with you.
I know I can trust you to follow my instructions below and do a great job.  You should have brought a reading book to class with you.  You will need it when you have finished taking our Tech DDM.

Today you will take the first part of the 21st Century Skills Assessment.  It is a pretest.  This will not be a content grade on your report card, but it is very important.  Please take your time and read each question carefully.  It should take you the entire class to finish.  If you do not finish by the end of the period, don't worry.  If you should be done before the bell I expect you to sit quietly and read.

Please use the resource link below to get you to the site.  If you have any trouble logging in, please raise your hand and the teacher will come over to help you.

I would like to repeat; this will not appear on your report cards.  There was no study guide and I did not want you studying for this.  This is a baseline; showing me where you all are right now.  It will help me plan for our year so you are ready to take this assessment again in June.
Take a deep breath and do your best!!!

See you next class!

Please click on this link:  21st Century Skills Assessment Resource