Class Notes, Monday, March 9th

After you are done with the STAR Reading Test...

1) Find the link to your 1st podcast (posted on Youtube) here.

Access your website here.

Go to the podcast page on your website, and using the Youtube button on the right side of the page (on the "Insert" tab), drag the Youtube button to your podcast page, and upload your Youtube video to your webpage.

If your podcast was too short, your second one MUST be 6 minutes, minimum.

If I am missing your podcast, you need to submit it ASAP.

2) After you have taken care of that, you need to work on 5 TypingClub assignments. If you do not finish this in class, it is homework, due Monday March 16th.

3) With the reminder of class, you are to work on your podcast with your partner.

Class Notes, Monday, March 2nd

You and your partner are going to continue scripting, then recording your second podcast; this will be your video podcast, using the Facemoji app I showed you back in January. You need to go through the same process of preparing your topic as you did last time. You can find the list of topics here. You can begin working on your script here.

Class Notes, Monday, February 24th

NOTE: If you did last week's homework...CONGRATS, you have no homework this week.

If you did not, you now have to do *15* typing assignments.

Everyone should be in the editing phase of their podcast project. If you are just beginning the editing phase, see the February 10th Class Notes for directions. When you are ready to submit, you can upload it here:

WHEN YOU ARE DONE:

You and your partner are going to be filming a second podcast; this will be your video podcast, using the Facemoji app I showed you back in January. You need to go through the same process of preparing your topic as you did last time. You can find the list of topics here. You can begin working on your script here.

Class Notes, Monday, February 10th

IF YOU ARE STILL RECORDING:

1) If you are still recording your podcast with your partner, continue to do so. After you are done, set up your WeVideo account, while Mr. Bentley uploads your audio to your Google Drive.

IF YOU AND YOUR PARTNER(S) ARE DONE RECORDING:

1) If you and your partner are done recording your podcast, access your class Google Drive using this link. Download your audio files to your computer. Also, listen to, select, and download your intro/exit music (I have updated the audio clips, and they now all work with Wevideo).

2) Use this link to set up your WeVideo account.

*After you have set up your account, click on the "Media" tab at the top. Click on the + sign, on the bottom right. Upload your downloaded audio clips.

*Click on the "Dashboard" tab at the top, then "Create a new edit (Blank Edit)". Title it with your name, and "podcast" (as in, "John's Podcast"), then click "Start Editing".

*Click on the "My Media" button (just above the search bar). Drag your clips into the "Audio 1" timeline.

*Position the clips the correct order, clip and edit as needed. Use the scissors to trip unwanted parts.

*When done, click "Finish" in the upper right corner, titled (your name + "podcast"). Leave it as "Video with audio". Click "Export".

*Once the file has finished converting, upload it here.

HOMEWORK THIS WEEK:

*Complete 10 Typingclub lessons.

Class Notes, Monday, February 3rd

IF YOU ARE STILL RECORDING:

1) If you are still recording your podcast with your partner, continue to do so. After you are done, set up your WeVideo account, while Mr. Bentley uploads your audio to your Google Drive.

IF YOU AND YOUR PARTNER(S) ARE DONE RECORDING:

1) If you and your partner are done recording your podcast, access your class Google Drive using this link. Download your audio files to your computer. Also, listen to, select, and download your intro/exit music.

2) Use this link to set up your WeVideo account.

*After you have set up your account, click on the "Media" tab at the top. Click on the + sign, on the bottom right. Upload your downloaded audio clips.

*Click on the "Dashboard" tab at the top, then "Create a new edit (Blank Edit)". Title it with your name, and "podcast" (as in, "John's Podcast"), then click "Start Editing".

*Click on the "My Media" button (just above the search bar). Drag your clips into the "Audio 1" timeline.

*Position the clips the correct order, clip and edit as needed. Use the scissors to trip unwanted parts.

*When done, click "Finish" in the upper right corner, titled (your name + "podcast"). Leave it as "Video with audio". Click "Export".

*Once the file has finished converting, upload it here.

Class Notes, Monday, January 13th

1) We will start class by looking over the Podcast Script document, and discussing tips on making a successful podcast.

2) We will then head over to church hall to begin writing our own rough script for or podcasts.

3) When we're ready, we'll start recording our podcasts. Each partner is filming their own podcast, while the other partner is their co-host. Each podcast needs to be 4-6 minutes long.

Class Notes, Monday, January 6th

1) We will start class by partnering up with another student, and listening to a few minutes of a few different podcasts, taking notes on them. You only need to listen 3, and only to the first few minutes of each, to get a feel for how each podcast is structured. Fill out page 1 of the Podcast Listening Activity sheet as you listen.

*Podcast on sleep (example of interview podcast)

*Podcast on cell phone addictiveness (example of interview podcast)

*Podcast on fast food (example of interview podcast)

*Podcast on sports injuries (example of interview podcast)

*Podcast on the costs of winning (example of story telling)

*Podcast on Fantasy Football (example of back and forth conversation)

*Podcast on the history of doughnuts (example of informational)

2) Compare notes with your partner.

3) Using this link, look over different potential topics that you and your partner may be interested in podcasting about. You each will pick your own topic, but will be working with each other to help produce each of your podcasts.

4) Start answering the questions on Page 2 of the Podcast Listening Activity sheet.

Class Notes, Monday, December 9th

1) Open your blog and the editing portion of your website, on 2 separate tabs.

For the blog, when you are in your Dashboard, hover over the area at the top that says "(your name)'s Blog", click on then "Visit Site".

For your website, go to the "Blog" page of your website.

2) On your blog, copy the web address. On your website, on the right side, make sure you have the "Insert" tab selected. Click on "Embed". Make sure "By URL" is selected. Paste the web address of your blog here. Click "Insert". Use the blue circles to resize your blog, so that the entirety of the page is visible. Click "Publish".

3) Use this link to view the list of your classmates website. Pick 2, find their blog page, and reply to their blog posts from last week.

4) Using Edublogs, write a 5 sentence blog post, addressing 1 of 2 possible issues:

A) Write about a rule rule or restriction that your parents have for you, that you think is unfair. Why is it unfair? Why do you think they have the rule? What attempts have you made to get them to reconsider? At what point do you think they will reconsider? Why do you think you are capable of handling whatever the issue is?

OR

B) Write about ways that you feel unheard, ignored, disrespected, or insignificant. This is free writing, and you can write about whatever you'd like.

5) Using this link, pick a podcast that you think might interest you, and listen to at least 10-15 minutes worth (you're welcome to listen to more, if you'd like!). We will start working on podcasts soon, and I want you to start getting a general sense of what they are, and what they sound like.

Class Notes, Monday, December 2nd

1) We will start by taking our STAR Reading Tests in the Computer Lab.

2) We will then watch this video, on how food producers make the food we eat, addictive. After watching the video, write a 5 sentence blog post on your reaction to the video. Here is the link to the Edublogs site.

You MUST answer 2 of the following questions in your blog post:

-Do you think it's ethical how food producers manipulate the food they produce to make it more appetizing? Why or why not?

-How big of a role do you think these food producers play in America's growing obesity epidemic? Are we (the people eating the food) completely responsible for choosing the foods we eat, or do food producers and advertisers play a role, for encouraging us to eat foods they *know* are bad for us?

-Will anything you have learned in the video cause you to change they way you eat? How so? Why or why not?

-Were you aware that there are careers, industries and billions of dollars being spent, all devoted towards trying to get YOU addicted to foods that are unhealthy for you and can quite possibly cause you health problems now, and as you get older? Would you ever work in such an industry? How would you react if you found out that one of your parents did?

-Think about the science classes that you currently have. Now consider that there are scientists, who work with food producers, to help them understand how to make their foods more desirable, based on their knowledge of the human body. We often think of science being used to better our lives...how do you feel knowing scientists are also working to help make our lives more unhealthy?

Class Notes, Monday, November 18th

1) We will start by having a discussion on the importance of looking at stories we read online from multiple points of view, and not just going with our initial feeling.

2) We will the reply to 2 blog posts of our classmates. Using the blog links found here, the first reply that you type MUST be of the blog that is directly below yours, on the list (in other words, Christopher must reply to one of Emily's posts; Emily must reply to one of Ella's posts; and so on...). Your reply must be at least 2 sentences long, and be thoughtful (so, no "I agree..."). If you agree with what they wrote, explain why. If you disagree, explain. If you think they are looking at the issue from a limited point of view, and haven't considered other POVs, let them know what another POV might be.

Your 2nd reply can be to a blog post from whomever you choose, and also must be at least 2 sentences, with the same expectations as above.

After that, check your blog, and respond to anyone that commented on your posts (2 sentences, same standards).

3) After you have replied to 2 classmates blog posts, and to the comments on your posts, read this article, about how a mother disciplined her daughter for cyberbullying.

4) Write a 5 sentence blog post on your reaction to the article. Here is the link to the Edublogs site.

Questions to consider: Do you think the mother was justified to punish her daughter that way? Did she go too far? If so, why? If you were being bullied, and found out that your bully was punished in this way, how would you feel? Does this teach the bully not to bully others, or just show them that it's ok to bully others as long as you think you are right (like the mother does, in this situation)?

Class Notes, Monday, November 11th

1) This is a CATCH UP day! You are either:

-Posting your word cloud to the Graphic Design page of your website. You need to have at least 4 word clouds posted. Do not post side by side; post one on top of another. Enlarge your word cloud big enough that each work can be read. MAKE SURE TO HIT "PUBLISH" WHEN YOU ARE DONE. The specific directions are found on the Class Notes, Monday October 28th post.

-Posting your 5 sentence response to the USWNST article on your blog page. MAKE SURE TO PUBLISH YOUR BLOG POST WHEN YOU ARE DONE.

-Begin writing a second blog post, titled "Why I might be wrong". Using at least 1 source (not Wikipedia), write 4 sentences explain why your opinion from your 1st post might be mistaken. Read through the questions at the end of the November 4 Class Notes post below.

-Also, please make sure your website is properly set up! The directions for this are on the October 14th Class Notes post below.

ALL OF THESE ITEMS ARE DUE BY THE TIME WE HAVE CLASS NEXT WEEK!

Class Notes, Monday, November 4th

1) If you have not already, you are uploading your word clouds to the Graphic Design Page of your website. Remember, you can access your website through the 8th Grade Google Classroom page.

2) Once you have uploaded your word clouds to your website, while you wait on the rest of the class, I want you to read about what blogs are, using this link. After you are done reading, you can set up your blog, one that we'll be using over the next few weeks. You can find your username on Google Classroom; your password is the same as your Google account password. You can log to the blog that I have set up for each of you, here.

Once you are logged in, click on "Appearance", then "Themes" in the lefthand column. Use this to set up how you want your blog to look.

Lastly, while you wait, you can read this article on the US Women's National Soccer Team. Pay close attention to the last few paragraphs (that discuss the player's income). Our first blog post will be discussing these last few paragraphs.

3) Once everyone has finished uploading their wordclouds to their website, we'll be playing the "email" game that I described in class.

HOMEWORK:

A) Read the article about the USWNST.

B) Log into your blog

C) Click on "New Post"

D) Write at least 5 sentences about your thoughts on the last few sentences, regarding the pay disparity between the male & female players. You must give your opinion on several of the questions posed below:

-Do you think the players on the men's and women's teams should be paid the same? Why/why not?

-What should pay be based on? Giving good effort? Winning championships? The number of fans attending the games? The number of people watching games on TV? Or the ability of the players to negotiate whatever salary they are able to get? Whatever answer you choose, why did you choose that?

-In sports, we see different athletes make wildly different salaries all the time. Tom Brady, who's won more than any other quarterback ever, is only currently the 18th highest paid QB (Brady makes $15 million per year; Russell Wilson of the Seahawks is #1 at $35 million per year). Brady has said he's ok with that...but is it fair? Should anyone make more than football's greatest winner, even if he's ok with that?

Class Notes, Monday, October 28th

1) Use this link to the word cloud website to continue changing your short stories (the ones without the emojis) into word clouds. If you have forgotten, the directions are below:

Click on "Create Now".

Select and copy the first sentence in your short story. On the word cloud website, select "import", and paste that first sentence in the empty area. DESELECT "Remove common words". Click on "import words". You will see each of the words listed, one on top of another.

Find the first word of your sentence, and change its "size" to 5. Find the next 2 words in your sentence, and change their size to 3. Go to "options", and change repeat to "none". Once you are set, click "Visualize".

Click "download", then "Standard PNG", and your word cloud will download to your computer. Create a word cloud for each of your sentences, and download each when done.

2) Once all of your word clouds are downloaded, go back to your webpage. Go to the Graphic Design Page, go to the "Insert" area, and use the "Images" button to upload each of your word clouds. Do not have them side by side; set them so that they are one on top of another.

3) Once completed, you can get started on this week's homework, 10 additional lessons on TypingClub.com.

4) After about 15 minutes, we will transition to using this word cloud website to change our short stories (the ones without the emojis) into word clouds. Click on "Create Now".

Select and copy the first sentence in your short story. On the word cloud website, select "import", and paste that first sentence in the empty area. DESELECT "Remove common words". Click on "import words". You will see each of the words listed, one on top of another.

Find the first word of your sentence, and change its "size" to 5. Find the next 2 words in your sentence, and change their size to 3. Go to "options", and change repeat to "none". Once you are set, click "Visualize".

Click "download", then "Standard PNG", and your word cloud will download to your computer. Create a word cloud for each of your sentences, and download each when done.

5) Once all of your word clouds are downloaded, go back to your webpage. Go to the Graphic Design Page, go to the "Insert" area, and use the "Images" button to upload each of your word clouds. Do not have them side by side; set them so that they are one on top of another.