6th Grade

2017-18

June 11th: LAST CLASS!

You will be sharing your micro:bit projects on June 12th!

June 4th - 7th: 2 Classes Left!

  • Anyone doing the Inchworm Project (No one else can start this - there are enough people doing it now):
    • Everyone doing this project must code the servo and must connect a servo to see that it actually works.
    • If you are working with a partner:
      • You should build your inchworm together! When decorating the inchworm, be careful adding too much weight with things like duct tape. It might not move well with added weight.
      • Once the inchworm is built, both partners should test that their code will make the inchworm move.
      • Then you will create code that has one of the micro:bits control the other to make it move and remove any code you no longer need on your micro:bit.
        • Both micro:bits need on start code that includes the radio set group block. Your radio group MUST BE the number of one of the computers you or your partner uses - you both need the same number in the radio set block.
        • One partner will change their on button A pressed code to work instead on radio received.
        • The other partner will add or change their code so when the press a button it will send a message to the other micro:bit.
    • Remember, you must include something in your programs other than the code that is provided in order to get an "A". Some ideas:
      • Can the micro:bit on the inchworm count & display the number of steps it takes? Or maybe the sending micro:bit can do this.
      • Can the micro:bit on the inchworm display something on the LEDs as it walks?
      • Can you add sound somehow?
  • Work on your final project using the Micro:Bit - Make a Project slides as your guide. Remember:
    • You must have informed Mrs. Sedgwick of what you are creating. This is to insure that you cannot just copy from the person you are sitting next to and to make sure you are making something that it will be possible to finish in the time you have to complete this.
    • You must understand what you are doing before you start your project. Break down the steps so you know what code you will need to write. It could be a good idea to write it down!
    • Make sure that you have added something to your project to make it your own. You cannot earn an "A" if you have only copied code from a tutorial! You need to understand the code you are creating, including the code you may be using from a tutorial.
  • Finished coding? Build something for your project that enhances it. Remember, the micro:bit, battery pack, alligator clips, speakers, etc. must NOT be permanently attached to what you build or to one another - no glue, no velcro, no duct tape to attach these things! Some suggestions follow. These are just suggestions but whatever you build must match the theme of your project! You must do more than just use rubber bands.
    • Making a step counter? Build something to hold the micro:bit on your ankle or shoe. How about a bracelet?
    • Making a Harry Potter sorter? Create a sorting hat (use the template in the craft area or make your own) or maybe something with Legos.
    • Making an inchworm? Paint/color it and add designs or other elements to make it look like a worm or a robot or some other kind of animal. Do NOT attach anything too heavy or it won't move.
    • Making a game? Build a holder for the micro:bit somehow that will go with the theme of the game. For example, creating a ping, pong game, make ping, pong paddles for the micro:bit or maybe something with Legos.
  • Done? Sign in to Google Classroom and complete and turn in Assignment 020 - Micro:bit Final Project

May 31st: 4 Classes Left!

  • Whole Class: Introduction to Final Project
    • Guidelines
    • Options
  • Sign in to Google Classroom and complete and turn in Assignment 019 - Micro:bit Light Sensor & Sounds, if not done.
  • Open the Micro:Bit - Make a Project slides and select a project:
    • Inform Mrs. Sedgwick what you will be creating
    • Before you code, make sure you understand what you need to do to complete your project. Break down the steps so you know what code you will need to write. It could be a good idea to write it down!
    • Start coding your project - your code must be complete before you build anything.

May 21st & 24th:

  • Whole Class: Light Levels & Music
    • How to code
    • How to "hack" your headphones
  • Follow instructions on Micro:bit Light Level & Sound for slides 3-5. Links you may need:
  • Sign in to Google Classroom and complete and turn in Assignment 019 - Micro:bit Light Sensor and Sound
  • Done with slides 3-5 and your Google Site post?
    • Micro:bit Introduction Post: Make sure that this is complete according to the instructions for the post. Also, make sure that it uses complete sentences with proper spelling and grammar. There are quite a few incomplete posts and posts that are not grammatically correct and/or have spelling errors. There are posts that do not talk specifically about the input(s) used and output received. Re-read your post and fix problems with it - you might want to ask a classmate to read your post and identify problems with it.
    • Scratch Project Post (boys only): Make sure the post uses complete sentences with proper spelling and grammar. Make sure that you have a screenshot of your project AND that it links to your Scratch project. Many of you are missing the link and there are incomplete posts and posts that have grammar and spelling errors.
    • Micro:bit Compass Post: Did you complete this project? Have you documented it on your Google Site? Please do so, if you completed it. Use Assignment 019 as your guide for what it should include.
  • Finished with all posts? Find a partner who is also done & complete slide 6 of the Micro:bit Light Level & Sound slides OR Finish Micro:bit Compass, if you did not previously complete this OR Typing Lessons in Typing Club with cover.

May 7th - 17th:

  • Whole Class: Introduction to Micro:bit
  • Sign in to Google Classroom and complete and turn in Assignment 018 - Introduction to Micro:bit
  • If done, make a micro:bit compass - make sure to name your project 6th-YourFirstName-Compass
    • Follow the video tutorial to make your compass. When you have a working compass:
      • Take a screenshot of your code
      • Add a post to your micro:bit page on your Google Site explaining what you did, what input and output you used, any problems you encountered and how you overcame them, and the screenshot of your code. Don't forget, this post needs 2 text boxes: one with a heading (perhaps, Compass) and one with the information about what you did, etc.
    • Can you complete the Compass Extension? If you do, update your Google Site to add information about the extension and don't forget to update your code!

May 3rd:

  • Finish your Scratch Challenge project - get this to a good point to share by 2:40ish even if not completely done:
    • Share your project.
    • Make sure to include any instructions that are needed to run it and any credits if you used anything created by anyone else in your project.
    • Add your project to the 2017-18 6th Grade Studio
    • Add a post to your Google Site which explains a bit about your project, tells a bit about what you learned or what was difficult, and includes a screenshot of your project which links to the project on the Scratch website.
  • Finished early? Is there anything you can easily add to your project to make it better or more fun. It's okay to combine challenges if you have time.
  • Typing Lessons in Typing Club with cover

April 30th:

  • Whole Class Instruction:
    • Review what makes a computer, a computer
    • Review rules of Sorting Cards challenge
      • No talking during the challenge
      • Goal: Get the cards in a line, face up, in number order
      • When you are done, a team member should say "Done!"
  • Complete the Sorting Cards challenge
  • Whole Class Discussion:
    • What are the input, output, and processing in this activity?
    • How was your approach to solving this problem different from how a computer might have to approach it?
  • Whole Class Instruction:
  • Card Sorting:
    • Working together create the steps that a computer would need to sort your cards
    • Write down your steps
    • Test your steps using the Share & Test options
  • Whole Class Discusssion: Share Card Sorting steps
  • Card Sorting Share & Test:
    • Swap your steps with the other pair and test their steps
    • Update your steps, in the Iterate section of your paper and test that it works
  • Whole Class Review/Discussion:
    • What is an algorithm? A precise sequence of instructions that can be carried out by a computer to complete a process.
    • Why would someone create an algorithm to process information if they already know how they would do it by hand?

April 19th - 26th:

  • Whole Class: Scratch Challenges
  • Select a challenge and program it - you have 4 days (4/19, 4/23, 4/26, 5/3) for this. It is highly suggested that you decompose the project and create a plan before you start coding!
    • Magic-8 Ball - Let player ask a question and display a random Yes/No/Maybe answer. The easiest way to do this is using multiple costumes but there are other ways.
    • Knock Knock Joke - Read the requirements! Don't forget you can check out the How To help available in the Scratch Editor. The Stories - How to Talk to Each Other How To is good for this challenge.
      • Must use broadcast to control timing - no waits allowed for timing of the joke
      • Only the sprite that starts the joke can broadcast OR you may use a list to store and retrieve lines of Knock Knock joke and both can broadcast (or you can still code it so only one sprite broadcasts)
    • Mad Libs - Ask for types of speech words and then display or say a Mad Lib story.
    • Guess the Secret Number Game - Generate a random number and ask player to guess it. Tell player if they are higher or lower on their guesses and when they get it correct.
    • Program a song (or a round or a whole orchestra!) - Check out the Play an Instrument How To under Music for a tip on this one or check out the Make Music Cards
    • Use the sound blocks to select instruments and program notes to create a song. This must be a song and not just random notes. Do NOT use pre-recorded sounds. Do not just only follow the Make Music Cards - if you use these, you must add additional content.
    • Think the above are too easy? Sort a random list of numbers:
      1. Create a random list of numbers. Optional, make sure there are no two numbers the same in the list
      2. Sort that list into numerical order in the same or a second list
      3. Hint: One option - think about how you would sort any 2 numbers and then do that through the list until all numbers are sorted.
  • When you finish:
    • Share your project.
    • Make sure to include any instructions that are needed to run it and any credits if you used anything created by anyone else in your project.
    • Add your project to the 2017-18 6th Grade Studio
    • Add a post to your Google Site which explains a bit about your project and includes a screenshot of your project which links to the project on the Scratch website.
  • Finished? Try a 2nd challenge OR try to recreate the challenge you already did in another way (remix your original project) OR Typing Lessons in Typing Club with cover
  • March 22nd:

April 9th & 12th: End of 3rd Quarter

March 22nd:

March 19th:

March 12th:

  • Whole Class Discussion:
    • We learned that a computer is a device that "processes information". What kinds of "stuff" do you use, look at, create, or edit on a computer that you think might actually be information?
  • Input/Output Brainstorming
    • Vocabulary Review Input/Output
    • Complete & Discuss Inputs/Outputs for a Desktop Computer - Feel free to go look at the computers in the room
    • Complete & Discuss Inputs/Outputs for a Laptop - Check out my laptop
    • Complete & Discuss Inputs/Outputs for a Cellphone
  • Continue with outstanding work detailed on March 8th
  • Complete and Turn In Assignment 014 - Valentine Rebus Story Feedback
    • Forms from: Christopher, Conner, Elly, Evan, and Randy BUT only Christopher has turned this in.
  • Done? Typing Lessons in Typing Club with cover

March 8th:

  • Whole Class: Turning ON Computers. At end of class, Turning OFF Computers
  • Sign in to Google Classroom and OPEN the assignments below and check for comments from me. Fix anything that needs fixing, add a comment to the assignment, and resubmit the assignment. If you do not add a comment and resubmit your assignment when you have fixed problems, your work is incomplete and you will be graded as if none of the mistakes identified have been fixed.
    • 005 If I Were a Superhero - Returned w/things to fix: Conner, David, Gabriel, Kayla, & Mikaella
    • 009 App Lab Post - Returned w/things to fix: Abigail, Elly, Evan, Gabriel, & Kayla
    • 012 Valentine Rebus Story - Never turned in: David & Mikaella and Returned w/things to fix: Abigail, Elly, Evan, Gabriel, & Kayla
    • 013 What is a Computer - Never turned in: Gabriel, Mikaella, & Randy and Returned w/things to fix: Abigail, Christopher, Conner, David, Elly, Evan, Joshua, Kayla, Mikaella, & Nicholas
  • Typing Lessons in Typing Club with cover

March 5th:

  • Whole Class: Review of statuses in Google Classroom
  • Sign in to Google Classroom and OPEN the assignments below and check for comments from me. Fix anything that needs fixing, add a comment to the assignment, and resubmit the assignment.
    • 005 If I Were a Superhero
    • 009 App Lab Post
    • 012 Valentine Rebus Story
    • 013 What is a Computer - there are not comments on most of these but based on comments you received on other assignments, fix anything that is wrong with this.
  • Typing Lessons in Typing Club with cover

February 26th & March 1st:

February 22nd:

  • Whole Class Discussion: What kind of problems do computers help you solve & how do they do this?
  • What is a Computer?
    • Stack the pictures face down in the center of your group
    • Draw a line down the middle of your poster board and label one side “Computer” and the other “Not a Computer”. Put your names on in the bottom right-hand corner.
    • Turn over one picture at a time and discuss as a group whether the object in the picture belongs on the “Computer” or “Not a Computer” paper. Once your group is in agreement lightly tape (non-permanently) your objects on the board on the correct side of the poster.
  • Whole Class Discussion:
    • What rules or definition did you use to categorize the object in each picture?
    • Which object was most difficult for you to categorize?
    • How did you eventually make the decision of where to place it?
  • Whole Class:
  • Revise poster, if needed, and glue down pictures

February 15th:

February 12th:

February 8th:

January 22nd & 25th:

January 11th:

  • Sign into Google Classroom and:
    • Complete and turn in Assignment 010 - Let's Get Appy!
    • Complete and turn in outstanding work, if not complete:
      • Assignment 008 - App Lab (except David & Mikaella) This is late and every day it is not turned in will affect your grade.
      • Assignment 009 - App Lab Post (except David & Mikaella)
      • Assignment 007 - Reading Superhero Essays
      • Assignment 005 - If I Were a Superhero (Essay AND Google Site Post)
  • Done? Lessons in Typing Club with cover

January 4th & 8th:

  • Everyone except Mikaella & David - Sign in to Google Classroom and:
    • Complete and turn in Assignment 008 - App Lab (must be turned in by 1/8 at 2:30pm)
    • Complete and turn in Assignment 009 - App Lab Post
    • Continue working on Assignment 007 - Reading Superhero Essays and turn in if done
  • David & Mikaella - Sign in to Google Classroom and:
    • Complete & turn in Assignment 005 - If I Were a Superhero, including Google Site Post. If you think it is done re-read the directions and your post and fix problems with it. These should be written with correct grammar and spelling and you must read and follow all of the directions.
    • Work on Assignment 007 - Reading Superhero Essays and turn in if done reading all Middle School Essays.
  • Done? Lessons in Typing Club with cover

December 14th:

  • Whole Class: How to credit pictures in your app
  • Everyone except Mikaella & David - Sign in to Google Classroom and:
    • Complete and turn in Assignment 008 - App Lab
    • Complete & turn in Assignment 006 - Q2 Keyboarding Speed Tests, if not done
  • Mikaella & David - Sign in to Google Classroom and:
    • Complete & turn in Assignment 006 - Q2 Keyboarding Speed Tests
    • Complete & turn in Assignment 005 - If I Were a Superhero, including Google Site Post
  • David:
    • Complete & turn in Assignment 004 - Google Site Setup
    • Complete & turn in Assignment 003 - Self-Portrait

December 4th - 11th:

November 30th:

November 6th - 27th:

October 31st:

October 30th:

October 19th - 26th:

October 16th:

  • Whole Class: Google Sites
    • How to change the theme of our site
    • How to change the header image
    • How to add your 6th grade page & sub-pages (this is different this year)
    • Updating your about me page
  • How to save your self-portrait as a PNG
  • All Together: Sign in AND out of Google Classroom 3 times!
  • All Together: Open Assignment 002 - Science Lab Formatting in Google Classroom and open your document:
    • How to use lists
    • How to align images using a table
    • Sign out of Google Classroom
  • Finish your self-portrait in Pinta: Video Tutorials (use these as a guide but you can always do things your own way)
  • When completely done:
    • Make sure to save one last time
    • Delete the background layer (click on it and click the delete icon under the layers)
    • Add a new layer (Background) and move it to the bottom. Fill this layer with white.
    • Then do Image / Flatten to combine all layers
    • Select File / Save As and change the file type to PNG (do not change the file name) and save
  • Sign in to Google Classroom and:
  • Get a keyboard cover, sign in to Typing Club and complete lessons.

October 12th:

  • All Together: Open Assignment 002 - Science Lab Formatting in Google Classroom
    • CREATE a Google document and:
      1. Check that the page margins are set to 1"
      2. Select a readable, print font with upper and lowercase letters (Times New Roman is recommended) and set the font size to 12.
      3. Set the line spacing to double-spaced
      4. Type the standard page 1 headings (each item is on a separate line at the top of the page - see Format Example document)
      5. First Name Last Name
      6. Earth Science
      7. Date the Lab is due in the DD Month Name YYYY format (for example, 16 October 2017)
      8. Center and underline the Title of the lab - Density Lab, in this case
      9. Add the Section titles. These should all be underlined and NOT indented.
      10. Introduction:
      11. Procedures:
      12. Data:
      13. Conclusion:
      14. Create a data table in the Data section - use the one in the example Science Lab Format document
      15. Type a sentence under each section title to say what that section should include. Remember to indent this and to turn off underlining.
      16. Add a standard header to the 2nd page - this needs to show the page number as Page 2.
    • TURN IN the assignment

October 9th:

  • Whole Class: Questions on DAR Essay formatting?
  • Sign in to Google Classroom and open and finish Assignment 001 - DAR Essay
  • NOTE: This must be complete & turned in BEFORE your next class. Since your 1st draft is due to Mrs. H. before then, this should not be a problem.
    • Check for comments on your the assignment and your document and fix the problems. Use the videos provided!
    • Complete a bibliography for your essay with at least 3 sources (see October 5th for more details)
  • Done? Finish your self-portrait in Pinta: Video Tutorials (use these as a guide but you can always do things your own way)
  • When completely done:
    • Make sure to save one last time
    • Delete the background layer (click on it and click the delete icon under the layers)
    • Add a new layer (Background) and move it to the bottom. Fill this layer with white.
    • Then do Image / Flatten to combine all layers
    • Select File / Save As and change the file type to PNG (do not change the file name) and save
  • Sign in to Google Classroom and:
    • Change your avatar to your self-portrait - you must use the PNG version.
    • Go to the About page for 6th Grade, open the folder for the 6th Grade Google Sides and:
      • Open your site and update your Home page to reflect you now.
      • Add a new page for 6th Grade.
  • Get a keyboard cover, sign in to Typing Club and complete lessons.

October 5th:

  • Whole Class:
    • How to count words on your essay
    • Reminders on using EasyBib
  • Sign in to Google Classroom and open Assignment 001 - DAR Essay
    • Sign in to EasyBib and create a Bibliography for the sources you have used for your DAR Essay . You might find these tutorials on using EasyBib helpful - they were created using examples from 4th grade Mission Reports but the instructions are the same for this except that MLA includes the URL of websites and no longer gives an option.
      • If you do not have any sources on your assignment document, you will need to select at least 3 sources from the DAR Essay page, preferably what you have actually used for your research. You MUST have at least 3 sources for your essay.
      • Make sure you are using MLA8 style citations.
      • Books: You MUST have title, author, publisher, and publication date for books.
      • Websites: You MUST have the correct article and website titles and the URL of the page. If at all possible, you should have an author, publisher/sponsor, and electronically published date - these may not be automatically found; it is your responsibility to look for them on the websites you use.
      • When done, use the Export / Copy & Paste option to copy your bibliography information onto the Bibliography page of your essay. This should format correctly - if it does not, the 2nd and subsequent lines for any entry in the bibliography are indented, not the first line! Do NOT copy the Works Cited title.
    • Fix any outstanding problems on your essay document.
    • Update the number of words on your title page - You will need to do this on your actual essay when you have finished it.
  • Done? Finish your self-portrait in Pinta: Video Tutorials (use these as a guide but you can always do things your own way)
    • Draw the outline of your head, neck & shoulders on a new layer - do NOT fill in with skin color, yet! Do NOT put anything else on this layer other than your hair and the neck of your shirt. Video Tutorial
    • Add a new layer to draw each of your features; you can duplicate a layer to create a similar feature. To get an idea of where each feature should be, check this out.
    • When you are done, delete the template layer and add your skin color to your outline layer.
    • Here's how the drawing on the original template turned out.
    • To save layers, save as .ORA file type.
    • When completely done:
      • Make sure to save one last time
      • Delete the background layer (click on it and click the delete icon under the layers)
      • Then do Image / Flatten to combine all layers
      • Select File / Save As and change the file type to PNG (do not change the file name) and save

October 2nd:

  • Sign in to Google Classroom and open Assignment 001 - DAR Essay and correct any problems identified on this - if you have written your essay, I have not corrected the content, including grammar; I may have commented on a spelling error.
  • Self-portrait in Pinta:
    • NO FLOATING HEADS.
    • Save your self-portrait as 6th-YourName-Portrait in the Pictures folder
    • Open & copy template and then copy & paste it into a new image in Pinta:
      • Draw the outline of your head, neck & shoulders on a new layer - do NOT fill in with skin color, yet! Do NOT put anything else on this layer other than your hair and the neck of your shirt. Video Tutorial
      • Add a new layer to draw each of your features; you can duplicate a layer to create a similar feature. To get an idea of where each feature should be, check this out.
      • When you are done, delete the template layer and add your skin color to your outline layer.
    • Here's how the drawing on the original template turned out.
    • To save layers, save as .ORA file type.
    • When completely done:
      • Make sure to save one last time
      • Delete the background layer (click on it and click the delete icon under the layers)
      • Then do Image / Flatten to combine all layers
      • Select File / Save As and change the file type to PNG (do not change the file name) and save
  • You MUST bring your sources for your DAR Essay to class with you on Thursday. If your title page is NOT complete, you MUST bring the missing information with you to class on Thursday!

September 26th & 28th:

  • Finish & turn-in/resubmit Assignment 001 - DAR Essay in Google Classroom
    • Create Title Page
    • Create Essay Content page including a correct header & a sentence or two so I can see that you know how to properly indent and set your line spacing, etc.
    • Add page for Bibliography
  • Self-portrait in Pinta:
    • NO FLOATING HEADS.
    • Save your self-portrait as 6th-YourName-Portrait in the Pictures folder
    • Open & copy template and then copy & paste it into a new image in Pinta:
      • Draw the outline of your head, neck & shoulders on a new layer - do NOT fill in with skin color, yet! Do NOT put anything else on this layer other than your hair and the neck of your shirt. Video Tutorial
      • Add a new layer to draw each of your features; you can duplicate a layer to create a similar feature. To get an idea of where each feature should be, check this out.
      • When you are done, delete the template layer and add your skin color to your outline layer.
    • Here's how the drawing on the original template turned out.
    • To save layers, save as .ORA file type.

September 21st:

  • Whole Class: How to format your DAR Essay
  • Whole Class: How to join the class in Google Classroom
  • Open Assignment 001 - DAR Essay in Google Classroom
    • Create Title Page
    • Create Essay Content page
    • Add page for Bibliography

September 18th:

September 14th:

September 11th:

September 7th:

  • Whole Class: Review What You Will Be Doing Today
  • Complete the Student Technology Survey
  • Complete the Start of the Year Keyboarding Speed Tests
    • Go to your sheet and enter your name in cell A1 - First Name ONLY!
    • Click on the Test Name & select the link
    • Do NOT change the settings on the test
    • When the test is done, you will see a message that says "Your typing speed was xx words per minute with xx errors. Your calculated speed is: xx words per minute." Take note of the CALCULATED speed. That is what you will record on the spreadsheet.
    • Take the test twice. Do NOT answer the "Do you want to place your calculated wpm speed on the scoreboard? Instead, use the Reload icon on your browser to reload the test after you have noted your calculated speed.
    • Record the best of your two calculated speeds from the test on your Keyboarding Speed Tests spreadsheet in the Start of the Year column.