Final Blog Post Semester 1!

Good Morning!!  We did it.  Together we made it through all of our Microsoft Excel Tutorials in record time!!  Today I am going to ask you to please do the following ... ensure that each of your Excel Assignments are posted in Schoology and that you have posted Excel Assignments #2 & 4 together as part of this blog.  Again, this means that it is very important for you to do the following:

1. Please make sure that your project is complete and looks exactly like the example we did together in class AND like the one on the handout you have access to in Schoology.
2. Post your project as an excel file in Schoology (very important so I can see the functions you used!)
3. Take a screen shot using the snipping tool and post an image of your document here on your blog.  Be sure to also respond to the following questions:
1. What were a couple of cool features you learned that Excel is capable of doing?
2. What was challenging for you when it came to completing these assignments? 
3. What are some ways you believe an excel table, chart, etc could be beneficial for you?

That's it!  Once you have completed your project and this blog post, please check School Loop for any missing assignments you might be able to complete along with making sure you are done with lesson 17.2 in Edutyping!  Done with all of this?  Take care of some work for your other classes!!

Thank you!!!

Blog Post for Friday 12/5

Good Morning and Happy Friday!!!!  Today (hopefully) you will be able to finish your second project on Microsoft Excel!  Before working on that assignment, please complete one lesson of edutyping - lesson 17.1.  Then transition to excel - remember, we are on excel assignment #2 which can be found in Schoology.  While we did not work on this assignment together, be sure to read the instructions carefully, ask your neighbor a question if you get stumped and ensure that you have completed the task successfully.  Once you are done ...

1. Please make sure that your project is complete and resembles the examples on the handout you have access to in Schoology.
2. Post your project as an excel file in Schoology (very important so I can see the functions you used!)
3. Take a screen shot using the snipping tool and post an image of your document here on your blog.  Be sure to also respond to the following questions:
1. What were three things that you learned that Excel is capable of doing from completing this assignment?
2. What was the most challenging aspect of this assignment?  Did you have any trouble with any aspect of the project?
3. What company is responsible for coming up with the Excel Program?

That's it!  Thank you!!!

Blog Post for Thursday 12/4

Good Morning and Happy Thursday -

Today (for 4th period) and tomorrow (for 0 period) we are going to the Microsoft Store at Stanford Shopping Center.  The idea behind this trip is to participate in the hour of code.  Either in preparation (or reflection) of our trip, please respond to the following questions:

1. Explain what is the "Hour of Code."  You can do this based on your experience or by looking it up on the internet!
2. Some really famous people are involved in marketing the "Hour of Code." These people include Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Black Eyed Peas founder will.i.am and NBA star Chris Bosh. Why is it so important to them (and others) that you learn computer programming? Having trouble finding the answer? Here's a fun video that might have some answers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC5FbmsH4fw
3. Why is getting introduced to computer science so important?  Within this question, be sure to explain the job opportunities available in the Computer Science field.  Need some help finding data?  Check out this article (there's a video too) at http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-five-fastest-growing-jobs/

Thanks for your thorough, thoughtful response.  Once you complete this blog please complete lesson 16.2 in edutyping.  After completing lesson 16.2, please go ahead and begin working on Excel Lesson #2 which can be found in Schoology.

Thank you!

Mr. Rubin

Excel Assignment #1!

Good Morning!!  Now we are back in the swing of things!  Today (very exciting) we finished our first project on Microsoft Excel!  Great!  So that means that it is very important for you to do the following:

1. Please make sure that your project is complete and looks exactly like the example we did together in class AND like the one on the handout you have access to in Schoology.
2. Post your project as an excel file in Schoology (very important so I can see the functions you used!)
3. Take a screen shot using the snipping tool and post an image of your document here on your blog.  Be sure to also respond to the following questions:
1. What were three things that you learned that Excel is capable of doing from completing this assignment?
2. What was the most challenging aspect of this assignment?  Did you have any trouble with any aspect of the project?
3. What are some ways you believe an excel table with the functions we explored could be beneficial for you?

That's it!  Once you have completed your project and this blog post, please complete lesson 16.1 in Edutyping!  Thank you!!!

It's December!!

My goodness!  How in the world did that happen?!?!  Today is December 1st!  Yes, it's Cyber Monday - a dirty trick by retailers to get you to spend your hard earned money - I guess if it's still so popular, it must work :)

Today, we are going to kick off the morning with a reflection on our Thanksgiving Weekend.  How was your weekend?  Talk a little bit about what you did, where you went and who you spent most of your time with.  Be sure to discuss what your favorite part of the weekend was and what made that event/activity so much fun!  Now that we are back on campus, describe one reason you are excited to be back at school.

The second part of your blog is to set one concrete goal to accomplish between now and the end of the semester (2 weeks of classes and 1 week dedicated to final exams).  What is that goal and how do you plan to accomplish it.  While I would imagine this would be an academic goal with the semester quickly coming to an end, that is not a requirement.

Thanks.  Please complete lesson 15.2 in Edutyping after you complete the blog.  We will begin our lesson for today (you can find it in Schoology) shortly.

Monday, November 24th!

(can you name this university) - clue: it's in California!

Good Morning Sophomores and Happy Thanksgiving (almost)! We are going to continue with the theme we were focused on before our mentor breakfast Friday. There are three parts to today!

• Please complete Edutyping lesson 14.2
• Please respond to the following blog post:
• Below are three quotes about college. Please take a moment to read all three of these quotes. Then, please choose one quote and write 5 sentences describing what the quote means to you and how you feel it represents the importance of a college education to you! 
• A man who has never gone to school may steal from a freight car; but if he has a university education, he may steal the whole railroad. --Theodore Roosevelt
• A liberal education... frees a person from the prison-house of class, race, time, place, background, family and even his nation. --Robert Maynard Hutchins
• A liberal-arts education is supposed to provide you with a value system, a standard, a set of ideas, not a job. --Caroline Bird
• Take a moment to share out on the following:
• The two colleges you chose last week and the requirements for entry
• A discussion of the quotes listed above
• A success brainstorm - What are the three most important characteristics or habits that will help a student to be successful in college?

November 18th, 2014, Blog #2

Now that we are awake, we are going to complete a second blog for the day!  Think of this as a brief break in our Microsoft Office Curriculum for you to look into how Thursday at Canada can be beneficial for you!  To do so, please respond thoughtfully to the following questions!

First of all, to respond to the first 2 questions please visit collegeboard.org and click on the College Search tab at the top of the page.  You can be taken directly to the college search by clicking HERE.

1. With no filters selected, how many colleges does this site say are available to you?  What does that number make you feel?
2. On the left side of the page are a number of filters you can select.  Select as many (or as few) as you would like and please find the following:
1. 1 x 4 year college/university located in California that you would be interested in attending following high school.
2. 1 x 4 year college/university located outside of California that you would be interested in attending following high school.
3. How did you choose these schools?  Explain 2 reasons why these schools are desirable to you and 2 reasons why you would ever hesitate to attend these two schools?
4. On Thursday, we will be attending Canada College.  What is concurrent enrollment?  Is that something that could ever help you attend one of the universities that you chose above?

Final thought - I have been teaching for a long time now.  I have worked with a lot of students, met with a lot of parents and had many experiences of my own.  Why do you think so many people encourage you to go to college - especially those people who have a college degree already?

November 18th, 2014 Blog #1

Good Morning and Happy Tuesday!

Today you are going to post your final MS Word Assignment - Your Brochure for the Age of Reason.  For this blog post, please complete the following:

1. Please post an image of your final brochure using the snipping tool on your computer.
2. Please respond to the following questions about your assignment:
1. What new tools did you learn by completing this project?  Be sure to list at least 3.
2. What challenges did you run into while completing the project?  Is there something you could do next time to avoid these problems?
3. What other types of documents could you create using the columns, shapes, text wrapping tools that you might commonly see in our society?
3. Please discuss your experience with Microsoft Word:
1. How confident are you with Microsoft Word?  Would you consider yourself very good at using the different tools within the program or not?  If someone were looking for a function, where would you tell them to search?
2. How important do you think that understanding the Microsoft Word program is to your future?  Feel free to refer to this article for an idea of how it could help you!
3. What types of jobs/careers rely on Microsoft Word?  Regardless of the appropriateness of the article, an article recently stated that Microsoft Word is necessary for "Engineering jobs, teaching jobs, broadcasting, just about anything declared 'white collar'."  What does that comment mean to you?

Thanks for your write-up.  Please refer to the next blog post for today next.

Mr. Rubin

Microsoft Word Assignment #6 Posting.

Good Morning - today is Friday November 7th. Our agenda today is as follows:

1. One lesson of Edutyping - Lesson 13.2
2. Completing and posting Microsoft Word Assignment 6 on your blog.  This will require the following:
1. An image of the assignment (take a screenshot of your project)
2. In your blog you will discuss 
1. The purpose of the assignment (what did you set out to do?)
2. What new tools you learned and/or what tools were you able to practice from completing this assignment?  
3. Any challenges you faced? You might want/need to look at the assignment handout to pick these things out.
4. How will you be able to use the tools you learned in this assignment to help you create better work in High School?
3. After completing this assignment on your blog, be sure the assignment is correctly submitted as a Microsoft Word document in Schoology.  This will allow me to be able to see each of the steps you took to complete the assignment and ensure your links work correctly.
4. After all of that is done, you may continue your work on the Age of Reason Brochure for Ms. Bradbury and I.

Hey, thanks!!

A Check-In with your Mentor

While you will be meeting 4 times this year with your mentor, the partnership can be helpful on a number of levels.  You will obviously have a chance to reflect on your academic progress and set short and long terms goals with this adult.  In addition, it provides an opportunity for you to maintain a professional relationship with an adult in the community.  Today I am going to ask you to write an email to your mentor.  You want this email to be well written so that it is a positive reflection of you as a young adult.  Below are the requirements I would like you to consider as you complete this.

1. You must BCC (Blind Copy) Mr. Rubin at crubin@seq.org when you send the email.
2. You must follow the format below
3. You must take a screen shot in SchoolLoop of your current grades using the snipping tool
4. You must double check your document for spelling/grammar errors.

Dear Ms. Daniels,

(INTRO)

• Thank you so much for taking the time to come and meet with me in October and for offering to work with me this school year.  

(BODY)

• I wanted to email you and tell you how I have been doing since our first meeting.  
• include accomplishments you are proud of so far this semester
• include challenges you have had and how you plan to improve in your other classes

(BODY P.2)

• By the next time we meet I plan to ... (1-3 goals you have established either on your own or with your mentor).

(CONCLUSION)

• I look forward to seeing you on Friday, November 21st.

Thank you so much for your support.

Sincerely,

Chris Rubin

Blog Post 10/28

Good Morning - today is Tuesday October 28th.  We are just 3 days away from the end of October and Halloween.  Today we are going to spend our time on the following:

1. One lesson of Edutyping - Lesson 13.1
2. Posting Microsoft Word Assignments 4 & 5 on your blog.  You may submit both assignments in one blog.  This will require the following:
1. An image of each assignment (take a screenshot of your project)
2. In your blog you will discuss 
1. The purpose of the assignment (what did you set out to do?
2. What new tools you learned and/or what tools were you able to practice from completing this assignment?  
3. Any challenges you faced? You might want/need to look at the assignment handout to pick these things out.
4. How will you be able to use the tools you learned in this assignment to help you create better work in High School?
3. After completing this assignment on your blog, be sure each of the assignments are correctly submitted as Microsoft Word documents in Schoology.  This will allow me to be able to see each of the steps you took to complete the assignment.
4. After all of that is done, you may use the time to check SchoolLoop and work on any assignments for your other classes.  A reminder that after this week we have 3 weeks of school before Thanksgiving and then 2 weeks of school and Finals.  If you're doing great in your classes, GREAT - keep it up for just a few more weeks.  If you're not doing so great in your classes, NOT GREAT - you need to turn it around starting NOW!

Hey, thanks!!  

Posting MS Word Assignment #3 - Creating Tables

Today I would like to make sure we have posted assignment #3.  As a reminder you are going to post this assignments in two locations.  On your blog you will have to submit this assignment as an image. Take a screenshot of your project.  Please take a screenshot of the main page of the document.  In your blog you will discuss what you were working on while your audience is able to see the image as an example.

On your blog, you are responsible for responding to the following:

1. What was the purpose of the assignment (what did you set out to do?)
2. What new tools did you learn or what tools were you able to practice from completing this assignment?  What were some of the challenges you faced? You might want/need to look at the assignment handout to pick these things out.
3. How will you be able to use the tools you learned in this assignment to help you create better work in High School?

In addition to posting on your blog you must also post these assignments in Schoology.  In Schoology you should post your final version as a Microsoft Word document so I am able to see each of the steps you took to complete the assignment.  Again, please simply go to Schoology and upload your original Microsoft Word document.

Once you have completed your blog, please complete lesson 11.2 in Edutyping.

Thank you!

Blog Post for Tuesday 10.21

Good Morning!  Today is Tuesday 10/21.  For today's blog I would like you to respond to the following image above.  It is what I would call a "motivational" quote. Please respond to the following questions:

1. In your own words (and different words than above) explain what this quote is saying.
2. Do you agree with this quote?  Why or why not?
3. Why is it that "later" can become "never"?  Do you know anyone that a quote like this might apply to?  Discuss their story (or even a story that involves you) and what your reaction is to what happened.
4. Finally, how would a quote like this be applicable to your success in school?

Once you have finished this blog response, please complete lesson 11.1 in Edutyping.  We will then continue with our Microsoft Word Assignment #3 - Creating Tables together.

Thanks!

Monday 10/20 - The Start to Quarter 2

Good Morning and Happy Monday.  I am pleased to announce that grades have been posted and finalized in School Loop for the 1st Quarter.  While for some of you this may be exciting and a "feel good moment" for others of you it is a reality check that demonstrates your need to be more organized, stay on top of your work and push a little harder on the academic side of things.

For today's blog, please log into school loop.  Look only at this class and respond to the following questions:

1. What was our primary focus during the 1st quarter?  Think about the different topics we covered and perhaps 3 things you learned over the course of the last 2 months.
2. What, if any, assignments are you currently missing.  Why did you miss these assignments and what can you do (moving forward) to ensure you don't miss future assignments?  If you are not missing any assignments, discuss briefly how you have been successful this year and why you think you have been able to turn in 100% of your work in this class.
3. A lot of students talk about wanting the "opportunity" to go to college but that involves 3 years of dedication and hard work on your end.  Do you feel you have complete control over your success in school?  Why or why not?  How do you believe your grades in high school are connected to your acceptance and/or even your success in college?

Thanks and I will look forward to reading your response.  A reminder that each blog response must be a paragraph which from my understanding includes a minimum of 5 complete sentences.

October 16th Block Day

Good Morning Academy 10th Graders -

Below is your Agenda for Today.  Be sure that you have the following complete when you leave class because the Quarter ends Friday and grades will be posted through the following:

• Microsoft Word Assignment #1 - Creating a Cover Page
• Microsoft Word Assignment #2 - Creating the Newsletter
• Microsoft Word Assignment #3 - Creating Tables

In addition, please make sure you have completed through Edutyping Lesson 10.1 and have completed all blogs to date including your reflecion of MS Word Assignments 1 & 2.

Thank you!  Make this a productive work period.  Note that I have also posted MS Word Assignment #4 in Schoology if you want to move ahead.  You may also use any extra time to make sure you have completed your assignments for other classes with the end of the Quarter rapidly approaching.

Thank you and have a great day!

The Beginning of Microsoft Word

Good Morning and Happy Monday!  Last week we FINALLY begin working with Microsoft Office through a series of guided activities.  I know, I know - not always the most fun activity since it doesn't offer a lot of creative opportunities (those are coming) but definitely an important way for you to develop the essential skills necessary to be a proficient user of Microsoft Word.

Today I would like to make sure we have those assignments posted.  As a reminder you are going to post these assignments in two locations.  On your blog you will have to submit them as images so you will need to take a screenshot of your project.  Please take a screenshot of the main page of the document created so that as you discuss what you were working on, your audience will be able to see some examples.  On your blog, you are responsible for responding to the following:

1. What was the purpose of the assignment (what did you set out to do?)
2. What new tools did you learn or what tools were you able to practice from completing this assignment (you might want/need to look at the assignment handout to pick these things out)
3. How will you be able to use these tools to help you create better work in High School?

In addition to posting on your blog you must also post these assignments in Schoology.  In Schoology you should post your final version as a Microsoft Word document so I am able to see each of the steps you took to complete the assignment.  Again, please simply go to Schoology and upload your original Microsoft Word document.  To date, you have two MS Word assignments you should be posting - Creating a Cover Page & Creating the Newsletter.

Thank you!
Mr. Rubin

The End of An Era ... or, well a Unit!

Good Morning, Happy Thursday and Congratulations ... we are DONE with Google Apps!  Well, the truth is you will never be done with Google Apps.  It is a powerful tool that you will definitely be using throughout your High School career here at M-A and it is possible that it might be here forever ... who knows.  I am happy to say, however, that you are now equipped with the knowledge to use many of the tools within Google Apps.  Some of these tools include:  Google Drive (docs, sheets, etc), how to use a template, how to use the many features of GMail, Google Calendar, Creating an Online Quiz/Form, How to create a Google Site and add different features, how to use Google Translate, Picasa, the Google Custom Search, and more.  With that said, to wrap up our Google Unit, I want you to blog about it.  Here is the description of what I am looking for:

• Image: Take a minimum of 5 of the assignments you have completed and used the snipping tool to take a picture of.  Import these images into Picasa and create a collage with them.  If you would like, I will actually offer extra credit for you to add a video to your blog highlighting the assignments  you completed in Google complete with images, music and subtitles.
• Blog:  Okay, so we just finished a lengthy unit studying the various tools available to you in Google Apps.  I listed most of them above.  Please write an 8-10 sentence summary of your experience with Google Apps.  Consider the following:
• Give some background about the different tools you learned using Google Apps. What did you enjoy most about our Google Apps Unit?
• Explain/describe what you feel are the best tools you learned using Google Apps and/or what you think the most powerful uses of Google Apps might be?
• Make a strong recommendation for why your reader (or really someone you know) would benefit from using these tools in Google!
• Describe anything else that you would want your reader to know about your experience with Google Apps

Being Sure to Post your Project and Provide a Reflection!

Good Morning.  Today we completed our final assignment for our Google Site, please post a picture of your site that includes your homepage and show your site navigation.  For each project this year, it is important to me that you are able to discuss the following.  We obviously won't be posting something everyday this year, but there are times when we have shorter assignments and regardless I want you to be able to think about (1) the purpose of a project, (2) what you learned from completing it, (3) new tools that you are now more familiar with or possibly didn't know before and (4) what you liked about the project/any challenges you had!

Please be sure to take the time to do this following each project we post.

Creating a Google Site and adding a Calendar, adding an online quiz and adding a video!

Good Morning and Happy Friday.  Today you are officially 12.5% of the way through the school year.  For the assignment we just completed on Google Sites, please post 3 pictures (one of each page) and respond to the following questions:

1. What was the purpose of this project?
2. What did you learn from completing this project?
3. What new tools did you learn and how could they help you (or someone you know/people in your community) with your everyday life (school, work, home, family, etc).
4. What did you like about the project and what, if any, challenges did you face in completing the project

That's it!  Happy Friday again and have an amazing weekend!

Submitting Your Blog Address

Good Morning and Happy Tuesday!  Today we are going to continue posting our assignments to the web with the Google Form you just completed.  Here is what I would like you to post:

• 1 image of your completed form as it would be seen by someone taking your "quiz."  You can simply open the form and take a screen shot of the whole form using the snipping tool.  
• 1 image of the responses you gathered from your form.  Everyone needs to have a minimum of 3 people take their quiz.  When you go to your drive and view the responses, you may also take a screen shot of this.
• NOTE: You may submit just your image of the responses in Schoology.

Once you have posted these images, please discuss this project. What did you learn and how could knowing how to create a form like this help you, your family or community members.  In addition, what did you like about the project and what, if any, challenges did you face in completing the project.

After completing the blog, please click on the link below and complete the attached form with your blog address.  Be sure that you send me the link to your actual blog.  It should look something like: chrisrubin.blogspot.com.

http://goo.gl/c5C1mV

Thank you and have a great day!

Revisiting our Academy Community Building Trip!

Good Morning and HAPPY MONDAY!!  Yup!  It's Monday again!  Today we are going to begin the day by discussing our fieldtrip Friday!  Thanks to everyone who got their permission slip in by our departure day and time and joined us on the adventure!  A few questions to think about today:

1. Discuss what you took away from the guest speaker Peter Castelano.  What was your impression of the journey he described?  What did you learn from him and what do you think you would do either the same or differently in your life?  Why?
2. San Gregorio Beach!  What did you enjoy most about our trip?  Is there anything you would have changed?  Had you been to San Gregorio Beach before?
3. We call the first trip of the year our community building trip.  We usually pick a destination where we can have a relaxed day and give our students an opportunity to get to know each other.  Did you get to know any of your classmates a little better?  Learn something about them, just hang out with someone new, etc?  
4. What do you think of community?  What would be a good definition of the word "community."  Why is a sense of community so important and how do you think a "community" feel could help you be successful at M-A and in life?  How is a community feel established?

Thanks for your thorough, thoughtful response!  Once done, please complete lesson 5.1 on edutyping and then we will get started together shortly.

Posting your Projects for the World Wide Web

Good Morning and Happy Thursday!  It wouldn't be any fun if we created these assignments and never were able to show them to anyone!  Today I am going to ask you to take a moment and post your work to the web.  Each assignment needs to be converted to an image (if it isn't already) and I would like you to post your projects.  They can be posted in one blog post for today but you need to answer the following questions:

1. Please give a brief description of each of the projects posted.
2. What did you learn from each of the projects and from completing these assignments
3. What new tools did you learn and how could they help you with your everyday life (school, work, home, family, etc).  You could also talk about how this could help your family or community members.
4. What did you like about the project and what, if any, challenges did you face in completing the project

Please make sure that the following projects are addressed:  

• Using a Template in Google Drive
• Composing Mail, Attaching a File, and Organizing Messages in GMail.
• Creating a Google Calendar and Adding Events.

This blog post, your edutyping (through lesson 4.2) and our Google Calendar should be completed today ... the rest of the time is yours.  Spend a little time focusing on your other classes, check SchoolLoop or take a moment to read something of interest to you.  Remember, Quarter 1 Progress Reports come out next Friday and since we're off campus tomorrow, you want to be caught up on all your work!

Today is September 9th!

Good Morning!  Today is September 9th and the unveiling of the new iPhone!! This event gathers a lot of attention worldwide and, according to experts, won't disappoint anyone today!  Today we will kick off our class period by taking a moment to focus on the announcement of the iPhone 6 (or will it be called that?!?!?!).  Please watch the following video (http://www.sfgate.com/technology/article/Bigger-screens-expected-with-introduction-of-5742712.php) and respond to these questions:

1. What do you think of Apples decision to possibly release two different phones?
2. What are some of the newest features of the iPhone experts are expecting Apple will unveil today?  When do they expect the iPhone will be available for sale?
3. What is another product Apple may unveil today?
4. What was one thing that was interesting to hear about the shipment of the new iPhone?
5. What is a Sapphire screen?
6. How do you feel about Apple and how would you rank them among the most powerful technology companies in the world?  Why?  How does their success/failure affect our local communities?

Thanks for responding thoughtfully to all of the questions above.  We will get started as a group shortly!  http://www.sfgate.com/technology/article/Bigger-screens-expected-with-introduction-of-5742712.php

A Minimum Day Reality Check

Good Morning and Happy Friday ... wait ... wait ... Happy MINIMUM DAY Friday!!  I hope you have something fun planned!  I also figured that while we are just getting rolling with the school year, perhaps you want to take a little time during this second extended weekend in a row to think about your future ... please take a moment and respond to the following questions.  We will go around the class shortly and you will have a chance to share the following:

1. Pick 1 (only 1) college or university you are interested in attending and explain (briefly) why.
2. What is your GPA?  What is the minimum GPA to attend this school?
3. Do you believe that you can get into this school?  Why or why not?  Be honest and be realistic!

That's it ... simple as that!  We'll discuss as a group shortly! 

9/2 - A Great Labor Day and Reflection on Capturing Video Friday

Good Morning and Happy Tuesday!  Welcome to a relatively short week here at school.  To get back in the swing of things, today's post has two parts.

Part I:  How was your 3 day weekend?  What was the most fun thing that you did?  Describe this "highlight" of your weekend.  What was fun about it, who was with you, etc.  In addition, did you do any work over the weekend?  Schoolwork? Other work?  Are you looking forward to being back at school this week?  Why or why not?

Part II:  Going back to our class period on Friday, what did you think of the filming experience you had.  What went well?  What challenges did you face.  Describe in detail some of the challenges you and your partner faced as you completed this task.  Finally, and obviously you have not seen your video just yet, but how do you feel it went overall?  Did you get good footage or could it have been better?

Thanks for your thoughtful response!  Once you have finished this blog response.  Please look for the ipad with your video on it.

Thanks!

First Block Day of 2014-15

Good Morning and Happy Thursday!  I guess technically it would be your second block day since yesterday was a block as well.  I thought for today's post it would be interesting to get your feedback. What do you prefer?  Block days or regular days?  What are your reasons for that being a preference?  

While thinking about block days, regular days and your classes, how are you feeling about the school year so far?  Do you think things are going well?  Which classes do you feel you are setup to be successful in?  Which classes are you most concerned about? What are some strategies you have already put in place to ensure you are successful this year??

Thanks for your honest feedback and we'll get started shortly!!

All About Me

For our second blog post of the year it seemed appropriate to design something that would allow both myself and the rest of the class to learn something about you!  Once finished with the blog, we will actually also copy and paste this into a Google Document, however, this seemed like a good place to start!

Begin your write-up by giving a brief introduction of yourself including your name and then answer the following questions thoroughly:

• What are you strongest personality traits?
• are you outgoing? social? caring?  Give examples of how you demonstrate these traits
• What do you spend the most time doing outside of school?  Be sure to describe what you look forward to doing most (and/or just really enjoy doing!) Be thorough!
• Why did you choose to join the Academy and what is one reason you are excited to be in the program?  Is there anything that you can already say you like after the first 3 or 4 days of school?
• What are the goals you have established for yourself this year (minimum 3)?  What goals do you have as you move forward in High School?  What goals do you have for after high school? Any specific life goals?
• How do you plan to achieve each of the goals you have?  Again, be sure that you have a well thought out plan and that you are specific in this write-up!
• How do you learn best?  In other words, what can I do to help you achieve your goals!

As part of this assignment you must include a picture of yourself!  I can help with this early next week as we finish this up!

Creating and Sharing a Google Document

Good Morning!  Between the end of class yesterday and the start of class today we completed our first Google document.  For today's post, please include the snapshot you took of your document as was stated in the instructions found on Schoology.  Then simply respond to the following questions in paragraph format:

• What new tools did you learn from completing this first Google Assignment
• Discuss how this tool (both Google Docs. and being able to share a document) could benefit you during your High School Career
• Which fundraiser idea listed on your document do you feel would be the best choice for an organization trying to raise money.

Thanks!  It's that easy!!  Happy Thursday.

Preparing for the First Day of School

Good Morning and Welcome back to M-A!  Today we are going to begin our year long blog.  This blog will not only provide a good opportunity to use technology, but is a great way to track our course throughout the year, your thoughts on a variety of issues and general information, well, just a fun opportunity to learn about eachother.  Each day we will begin with a new topic.  Your blog will consist of your opinions, information and more and will be updated (typically) 4 times each week.  For today the question is simple.  How did you prepare for the first day of school?  Did your preparations begin just today?  This morning? Perhaps it began a week ago.  In addition, how do you feel today as school begins.  What are some things you are hoping to achieve this school year?  Even though it's August, this isn't a terrible time to establish an academic new years resolution. With each blog post, you are required to include one picture that represents your post.  Obviously, given that today is our first post, if you need help with this, don't hesitate to ask!

Welcome Back Again!! Let's have a great 2014-2015 School Year!