8th Grade Homework Blog
Friday, May 17, 2024
Students are either in Washington DC or doing special projects today!
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Students are either in Washington DC or doing special projects today!
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Students are either in Washington DC or doing special projects today!
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Students are either in Washington DC or doing special projects today!
Monday, May 13, 2024
We're continuing forward on Makeup Week. Let's keep finishing our old assignments!
The typing lessons today is #388!
IMPORTANT REMINDER: We have four school days (sort of!) to finish all unfinished assignments. Remember, any assignments left unfinished by 5/23 will be counted as zeroes!
I CAN: complete all past assignments.
Friday, May 10, 2024
We're continuing forward on Makeup Week. Let's keep finishing our old assignments!
The typing lessons today are #375-376!
IMPORTANT REMINDER: We have four school days (sort of!) to finish all unfinished assignments. Remember, any assignments left unfinished by 5/23 will be counted as zeroes!
I CAN: complete all past assignments.
Thursday, May 9, 2024
Let's continue yesterday's branding exercises! We'll finish the Skills Inventory and begin watching a tutorial on how to create a logo.
Today's typing lessons are #373-374!
I CAN: use brand management skills in order to market myself on the internet.
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Today, we begin our class' final assignment, which is about marketing yourself online! Today, we'll watch two short videos (1, 2) outlining what branding is and what it should look like in addition to watching a short PowerPoint--then, we'll start our Skills Inventory!
Today's typing lessons is #370-371!
I CAN: use brand management skills in order to market myself on the internet.
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Today's the last day to work on the Web Portfolio assignment! I'm so proud of everything I've seen so far.
The typing lessons today are #368-369!
IMPORTANT REMINDER: We have a new homework assignment, the Web Portfolio exit slip! Please complete it by the end of the quarter.
I CAN: use simple web development tools in order to build a simple and effective webpage.
Monday, May 6, 2024
The Web Portfolio moves forward as you continue to write your wrap-ups of the assignments you've done this year.
The typing lessons today are #365-366!
I CAN: use simple web development tools in order to build a simple and effective webpage.
Friday, May 3, 2024
The Web Portfolio moves forward as you continue to write your wrap-ups of the assignments you've done this year.
The typing lessons today are #363-364!
I CAN: use simple web development tools in order to build a simple and effective webpage.
Thursday, May 2, 2024
We won't see each other today because of state testing!
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
The more you poke around in working with your webpage in the Web Portfolio assignment, the more you'll find out! Please be creative and have fun!
The typing lessons today are #358-359!
I CAN: use simple web development tools in order to build a simple and effective webpage.
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
The Web Portfolio moves forward as you continue to write your wrap-ups of the assignments you've done this year.
Today's typing lesson is #357!
I CAN: use simple web development tools in order to build a simple and effective webpage.
Monday, April 29, 2024
You've done a lot of good work to be proud of these past weeks. Because we've done such awesome stuff, it's time to show off! We're going to build a webpage highlighting our strengths in the Web Portfolio activity. Today, we watch a short tutorial and figure out how to work with Google Sites!
The typing lessons today are #355-356!
I CAN: use simple web development tools in order to build a simple and effective webpage.
Friday, April 26, 2024
We're all presenting for PIFCIR today! Come prepared!!
No typing lesson today!
I CAN: use image manipulation, internet research, presentation creation, mapping tools, audio tools and video editing to create a project that cumulatively summarizes my experience this year.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
We're all presenting for PIFCIR today! Come prepared!!
No typing lesson today!
I CAN: use image manipulation, internet research, presentation creation, mapping tools, audio tools and video editing to create a project that cumulatively summarizes my experience this year.
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
It's the final day for PIFCIR! Upload everything and prepare to present tomorrow!
The typing lessons today are #353-354!
I CAN: use image manipulation, internet research, presentation creation, mapping tools, audio tools and video editing to create a project that cumulatively summarizes my experience this year.
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
We're nearly at the finish line with PIFCIR! One more day after today! Keep it up!
Today's typing lessons is #351-352!
I CAN: use image manipulation, internet research, presentation creation, mapping tools, audio tools and video editing to create a project that cumulatively summarizes my experience this year.
Monday, April 22, 2024
Three more days to work on your video game with PIFCIR! Remember to get help if you need it. Feel like you're falling behind? Be aware: programmers, you can use Scratch from home; salespersons, you can use Prezi/Google Presenter from home; artists, Paint.NET is a free program your mom or dad can download and install at your house, OR you can use Pixlr/PixilArt for free! Do what it takes to finish!
Today's typing lessons is #349-350!
I CAN: use image manipulation, internet researching, presentation creation, and coding to create a project that cumulatively summarizes my experience this year.
Friday, April 19, 2024
We're nearly at the finish line with PIFCIR! We'll be going into Wednesday of next week! Keep it up!
Today's typing lessons are #347-348!
I CAN: use image manipulation, internet research, presentation creation, mapping tools, audio tools and video editing to create a project that cumulatively summarizes my experience this year.
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Four more days to work on your video game with PIFCIR! Remember to get help if you need it. Feel like you're falling behind? Be aware: programmers, you can use Scratch from home; salespersons, you can use Prezi/Google Presenter from home; artists, Paint.NET is a free program your mom or dad can download and install at your house, OR you can use Pixlr/PixilArt for free! Do what it takes to finish!
Today's typing lessons are #345-346!
I CAN: use image manipulation, internet researching, presentation creation, and coding to create a project that cumulatively summarizes my experience this year.
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
You're powering through. Five days left in PIFCIR, including today. You can do this. Make absolutely sure to ask questions if you have them. I'd love to debug some games!
Today's typing lessons are #343-344!
I CAN: use image manipulation, internet researching, presentation creation, and coding to create a project that cumulatively summarizes my experience this year.
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Congrats! Today's the halfway point for PIFCIR. If you have any questions, please let me know, because we're getting down to the wire. If you feel like you are falling behind, much of this can be done online, so you can work a little from home!
The typing lessons today are #341-342!
I CAN: use image manipulation, internet researching, presentation creation, and coding to create a project that cumulatively summarizes my experience this year.
Monday, April 15, 2024
PIFCIR keeps on moving!
Today's typing lessons are #339-340!
I CAN: use image manipulation, internet researching, presentation creation, and coding to create a project that cumulatively summarizes my experience this year.
Friday, April 12, 2024
PIFCIR continues as we move into day six. You'll have quite a while to complete this project effectively!
Today's typing lessons are #337-338!
I CAN: use image manipulation, internet researching, presentation creation, and coding to create a project that cumulatively summarizes my experience this year.
Thursday, April 11, 2024
It's day five of PIFCIR! Let's keep going!
Today's typing lessons are #335-336!
I CAN: use image manipulation, internet researching, presentation creation, and coding to create a project that cumulatively summarizes my experience this year.
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Today, we, of course, move on with PIFCIR. I'm excited to see your final products.
Today's typing lessons are #335-336!
I CAN: use image manipulation, internet researching, presentation creation, and coding to create a project that cumulatively summarizes my experience this year.
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
We're pouring ourselves into our work at this point. PIFCIR moves on, and we move with it. You are most likely working on your individualized sections (artist, programmer, and salesperson) today. Be sure to communicate well with your teammates to let them know what you think and what you need.
Today's typing lessons are #333-334!
I CAN: use image manipulation, internet researching, presentation creation, and coding to create a project that cumulatively summarizes my experience this year.
Friday, April 5, 2024
From today until April 24, you will simply be focusing on PIFCIR. Chances are some groups may still be deep in the storyboarding process, but if you are finished, then feel free to start working on the individualized sections (artist, programmer, and salesperson). Please let me know if you have any questions regarding any of these sections, as your teammates, who will be working on their own assignments, might be unable to assist you.
The last day to complete this project will be 4/24. Presentations will begin thereafter.
Today's typing lessons are #329-331!
I CAN: use image manipulation, internet researching, presentation creation, and coding to create a project that cumulatively summarizes my experience this year.
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Today, we continue on our PIFCIR road. If the students hadn't finished yesterday's Role Research document, they are more than welcome to finish that. Meanwhile, today we move onto the storyboarding process to determine concretely what the game should look/feel/sound like. Students who finish with this should check in with me for a process grade. Please check out my example of this assignment in case you need some inspiration as to how to accomplish this assignment in your groups. Finally, finishing this, students are free to begin the process in earnest! Programmers, get programming! Presenters, get researching! Artists, get drawing! Let's do it! We will be presenting at the end of the month.
No typing lesson today!
I CAN: use image manipulation, internet researching, presentation creation, and coding to create a project that cumulatively summarizes my experience this year.
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
With very little precious time left in our quarter, we embark upon the journey of our big cumulative project: Playing Is Fun, Creating Is Rewarding (hereafter referred to by the less ridiculously long acronym PIFCIR). Today, we will take a tour of the entirety of the project to give students an idea of what will be required of them throughout this process. Once students have formed groups and determined their jobs, we will be working on the Role Research document to determine what the game will be about. I will check this document for a process grade after its completion. Here is my example, if you need to take a look.
No typing lesson today!
I CAN: use image manipulation, internet researching, presentation creation, and coding to create a project that cumulatively summarizes my experience this year.
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Today's the final day with Pixel Artistry! Make sure to compile all three of your drawings into a single cohesive (if absurd) piece. Keep these skills in the back of your mind as you move forward!
Today's typing lessons are #326-328!
I CAN: use online drawing tools to create simple sprites for use in other projects!
Friday, March 22, 2024
We're almost done with Pixel Artistry, and I'm super excited to see the results! Today and Monday are our final two days.
Today's typing lessons are #323-325!
I CAN: use online drawing tools to create simple sprites for use in other projects!
Thursday, March 21, 2024
We're continuing our way through Pixel Artistry, slowly but surely! The assignment will be running through the beginning of next week, so be sure you're appropriately pacing yourself!
Today's typing lessons are #320-322!
I CAN: use online drawing tools to create simple sprites for use in other projects!
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
You'll be out at Tolles today!
Monday, March 18, 2024
Today begins an ALL-NEW assignment called Pixel Artistry! We're going to use the skills developed here in order to make sprites for our final assignment of the eighteen weeks, so make sure to synthesize these skills!
Today's typing lessons are #317-319!
I CAN: use online drawing tools to create simple sprites for use in other projects!
Friday, March 15, 2024
We're finishing Makeup Days. Thank you for being diligent!
Today's typing lesson is #316!
IMPORTANT REMINDER: We have one school day to finish all unfinished assignments. Remember, any assignments left unfinished by today will be counted as zeroes!
I CAN: complete all past assignments.
Thursday, March 14, 2024
We're continuing forward on Makeup Days. Let's keep finishing our old assignments!
Today's typing lessons are #313-314!
IMPORTANT REMINDER: We have two school days to finish all unfinished assignments. Remember, any assignments left unfinished by tomorrow will be counted as zeroes!
I CAN: complete all past assignments.
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Today, we finish A Unified Game! Finish strong!
Today's typing lessons are #311-312!
IMPORTANT REMINDER: We have three school days to finish all unfinished assignments. Remember, any assignments left unfinished by Friday will be counted as zeroes!
I CAN: execute higher-level coding functions in order to assemble a playable game in a professional engine!
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Today and tomorrow will finish up the A Unified Game project! Work hard! Be tenacious!
Today's typing lesson is #309!
IMPORTANT REMINDER: We have four school days to finish all unfinished assignments. Remember, any assignments left unfinished by Friday will be counted as zeroes!
I CAN: execute higher-level coding functions in order to assemble a playable game in a professional engine!
Monday, March 11, 2024
There are so many options for the A Unified Game project! Choose what excites you!
Today's typing lesson is #291!
IMPORTANT REMINDER: We have five school days to finish all unfinished assignments. Remember, any assignments left unfinished by Friday will be counted as zeroes!
I CAN: execute higher-level coding functions in order to assemble a playable game in a professional engine!
Friday, March 8, 2024
We're gonna be working on A Unified Game until next Wednesday, so let's get the party started!
Today's typing lesson is #289!
I CAN: execute higher-level coding functions in order to assemble a playable game in a professional engine!
Thursday, March 7, 2024
You're off and running on A Unified Game!
Today's typing lesson is #287!
I CAN: execute higher-level coding functions in order to assemble a playable game in a professional engine!
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
You're choosing from the menu format for how you'll handle the A Unified Game project today! Choose wisely!
Today's typing lesson is #285!
I CAN: execute higher-level coding functions in order to assemble a playable game in a professional engine!
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
You're choosing from the menu format for how you'll handle the A Unified Game project today! Choose wisely!
Today's typing lessons are #283-284.
I CAN: execute higher-level coding functions in order to assemble a playable game in a professional engine!
Monday, March 4, 2024
We're jumping into an all-new project that's loosely linked to Begin The Game--it's called A Unified Game! Today, to prepare, we watch a short Unity tutorial, and begin to prepare to blast off!
More typing lessons with #279-280.
I CAN: execute higher-level coding functions in order to assemble a playable game in a professional engine!
Friday, March 1, 2024
It's the last day for Drawn To Animation! Exciting!!
DON'T FORGET: You have a new homework assignment, the Frames Exit Slip!
More typing lessons with #277-278.
I CAN: Learn how to create fluid animations that communicate a message effectively!
Thursday, February 29, 2024
Keep going with Drawn To Animation! I'm proud of you!
Today's typing lessons is #275-276!
I CAN: Learn how to create fluid animations that communicate a message effectively!
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Make sure you're good with Drawn To Animation before the end of our time with the assignment!
Today's typing lessons is #273!
I CAN: Learn how to create fluid animations that communicate a message effectively!
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
We're closing in on the end of Drawn To Animation. Have fun and take your time!
Today's typing lessons are #271-272.
I CAN: Learn how to create fluid animations that communicate a message effectively!
Monday, February 26, 2024
We've got five more days with Drawn To Animation. Yeah!!
Today's typing lessons are #269-270.
I CAN: Learn how to create fluid animations that communicate a message effectively!
Friday, February 23, 2024
We unfortunately do not have class today thanks to High School Planning day!
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Continuing on with Drawn To Animation. Let's go!
Today's typing lessons are #267-268.
I CAN: Learn how to create fluid animations that communicate a message effectively!
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
We're working through the Drawn To Animation assignment now, and I'm excited to see how you handle it!
More typing lessons with #265-266.
I CAN: Learn how to create fluid animations that communicate a message effectively!
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Today, we begin to watch the tutorial for Frames, a new project we're starting in relationship to our Digital Citizenship unit. Pay close attention and then read the Drawn To Animation assignment.
The typing lessons today are #263-264!
I CAN: Learn how to create fluid animations that communicate a message effectively!
Thursday, February 15, 2024
The students are now moving into the final small Digital Citizenship lesson. Today's Digital Citizenship discussion is, in a way, a review of last year's ideas as we close the book on this very short unit. Come equipped with ideas about what's right and wrong to do on social media as we chat as a class.
The typing lessons today are #261-262!
I CAN: practice safe and responsible use of technology and become an informed, responsible digital citizen.
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
We're continuing along with our examination of Digital Citizenship today as we have a discussion about...well, discussions! Today, we'll talk about what's safe to chat about online and when you might feel uncomfortable. Here's the video to watch today!
The typing lessons today are #257-259!
I CAN: practice safe and responsible use of technology and become an informed, responsible digital citizen.
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
What happens when someone from the internet asks you to meet in real life? What should you do? We'll talk about it as we move along today. Here's a video for today.
The typing lessons today are #254-256!
I CAN: practice safe and responsible use of technology and become an informed, responsible digital citizen.
Monday, February 12, 2024
We're going to make a little turn here and use the next few days to talk about Digital Citizenship. We'll watch a short video and discuss it, in addition to having some discussion about what's okay to share and not okay to share online.
The typing lessons today are #251-253!
I CAN: practice safe and responsible use of technology and become an informed, responsible digital citizen.
Friday, February 9, 2024
Today is the final in-class day for the Shopping Spree assignment! If students do not finish this today, they will have to come in during intervention, homeroom, before school, or after school. DO NOT PUT THIS OFF! We are inching ever closer to the end of class, and if you delay in making up your old assignments, it is possible that you may end up not finishing them and earning a zero. No one wants you to get a zero. That would be sad.
Don't forget!: Today, we have a new homework assignment: the Google Sheets exit slip.
The typing lessons today are #248-250!
I CAN: use spreadsheets to create real budgets to use in your everyday life.
Thursday, February 8, 2024
You're likely done with buying stuff by now--concentrate on making your Shopping Spree beautiful!
Today's typing lesson is #244!
I CAN: use spreadsheets to create real budgets to use in your everyday life.
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
It's the week of the Shopping Spree! We'll have it until 2/9. Go hard!
Today's typing lesson is #242!
I CAN: use spreadsheets to create real budgets to use in your everyday life.
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
We are knee-deep into the Shopping Spree assignment, and will be working on it for quite a while. Students are to have Google Spreadsheets open during the course of this week and start their shopping, formatting, and editing.
Today's typing lesson is #240!
I CAN: use spreadsheets to create real budgets to use in your everyday life.
Monday, February 5, 2024
We have finished with tutorials, and will be working on the Shopping Spree assignment for the entirety of this week! Students will be putting finishing touches on their assignments by 2/9, hopefully.
Today's typing lesson is #238!
I CAN: use spreadsheets to create real budgets to use in your everyday life.
Friday, February 2, 2024
On this, the final day of Shopping Spree tutorials, we handle the the final part of the tutorial, in which we discuss charts and graphs within the program. Once students have a professional understanding of this topic, they are well prepared to begin the actual assignment. This assignment will continue into next week!
Today's typing lesson is #236!
I CAN: use spreadsheets to create real budgets to use in your everyday life.
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Today, we learn the ins and outs of Google Spreadsheets today as we move further into the program. We watched the the second third of the tutorial as we moved along. Today, we also formally introduced the Shopping Spree assignment in class, and gave the students a chance to understand how they're applying the skills they've been learning to the assignment itself.
Today's typing lesson is #234!
I CAN: use spreadsheets to create real budgets to use in your everyday life.
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Now that Caveat Emptor is complete, we begin a new project, the Shopping Spree! Today, we watch the first third of the tutorial video that is going to teach us how to use Google Sheets, the program we'll be concentrating on with this assignment. We will be doing a bit of practice with the program.
Today's typing lesson is #233!
I CAN: use spreadsheets to create real budgets to use in your everyday life.
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Today is the final day in class to finish both sections of the Caveat Emptor activity. Now you know how to evaluate items and stores!
DON'T FORGET: You have a new short homework, the Caveat Emptor exit slip.
Today's typing lesson is #230!
I CAN: determine credible webstores and reviews while accurately comparing and contrasting online products.
Monday, January 29, 2024
We're approaching the ending of Caveat Emptor! Use your time wisely!
Today's typing lesson is #228!
I CAN: determine credible webstores and reviews while accurately comparing and contrasting online products.
Friday, January 26, 2024
Chances are that you've hit section two of Caveat Emptor. We'll finish up talking about the assignment today, and you'll have until Tuesday to finish the project.
Today's typing lesson is #225!
I CAN: determine credible webstores and reviews while accurately comparing and contrasting online products.
Thursday, January 25, 2024
More Caveat Emptor! Remember to be careful and clear with your reviews and explanations. If you happen to finish your section one early, you can move onto section two, but be careful!
Today's typing lesson is #223!
I CAN: determine credible webstores and reviews while accurately comparing and contrasting online products.
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
We're continuing on with Caveat Emptor today. Likely, students are reaching roughly number 7 or so on the first section. The first section of this project should roughly take five days, so please take your time when researching!
Today's typing lesson is #220!
I CAN: determine credible webstores and reviews while accurately comparing and contrasting online products.
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Our next mini-project is going to teach us how to be responsible shoppers online, and how to find the most reliable websites. We'll begin to understand reviews and advertising biases, as well! The assignment is called Caveat Emptor, and today we begin section one.
Today's typing lesson is #218!
I CAN: determine credible webstores and reviews while accurately comparing and contrasting online products.
Monday, January 22, 2024
Today, we finish the Begin the Game activity.
Today's typing lesson is #213!
I CAN: learn simple coding concepts and functions.
Thursday, January 18, 2024
Begin the Game continues to move forward! Remember, if you're kicking butt, try to move to a different section of the assignment!
Today's typing lesson is #211!
I CAN: learn simple coding concepts and functions.
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Begin the Game continues to move forward! Remember, if you're kicking butt, try to move to a different section of the assignment!
Today's typing lesson is #213!
I CAN: learn simple coding concepts and functions.
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Still moving forward with Begin the Game! I am super excited to see the results of your hard work. We'll have until Friday to work on it!
Today's typing lesson is #211!
I CAN: learn simple coding concepts and functions.
Friday, January 12, 2024
We're continuing our work on Begin the Game! If you love coding, awesome! I'm down with that. You can try to do all five of the criteria listed on the assignment page for a fun challenge! If you hate coding, that's okay! Thank you for trying it out with me. Do, at minimum, two of the criteria on the assignment page, then move on to anything else on the What Do I Do board.
Today's typing lesson is #209!
I CAN: learn simple coding concepts and functions.
Thursday, January 11, 2024
It's a quick project, but a week from today will be the the final day to work on Begin the Game! It's short and simple, and is meant to be a quick primer on coding to see if you're interested in moving on with the activity at the end of the year. We'll talk more about that soon!
Today's typing lesson is #205!
I CAN: learn simple coding concepts and functions.
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Today, we finish the basics of the Scratch activity. Now that we've learned some very rudimentary skills of programming, we'll see if we can refine them by doing an assignment that dives further into Scratch on Monday through Thursday.
Let's start the typing lessons with #203!
I CAN: learn simple coding concepts and functions.
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Let's start off with a fun mini-activity: coding! Today, we're doing an activity on MIT's Scratch program that teaches us how to make Pong (well, Breakout, really, but let's not split hairs) on our very own! We'll be focusing on this activity today and tomorrow.
There will be no typing competition today!
I CAN: learn simple coding concepts and functions.
Monday, January 8, 2024
Welcome to Computers with Mr. Alexander! Today, we simply went over the guidelines and regulations of the classroom. I handed out the syllabus and we discussed various classroom rules.
I CAN: learn about my classroom.
I CAN: familiarize myself with a webpage.