May 30

Year 7 - You kids are on a roll!

I see lots of great work being done! Let's continue with: DESIGN & CREATE

Remember - you must follow the Design Specification:

(Design Specification is 3 columns, justify columns, page border, underlined text, bold text, italics, caption below image, 2 different fonts, cu stom margin settings ( Narrow ) The bulletin should be colourful, informative, attractive and error-free. )

May 27

Year 7 - You kids are hard workers.

Once you have finished with the Design (3 outside designs, 1 inside design), please continue on to the Create part of the project. That's the fun part.

May 23

Year 7 - hope you had a nice day off!

Remember that we are part of the Technology Department (IT) and we follow a Design Cycle.

One aspect of the Design Cycle is "Design". During this phase, it is necessary to create a series of possible designs of the product. At this point all we are really concerned with is the "placement" of images and texts on the page.

At this moment the content is NOT important - that will come later in the Create stage.

May 20

Good Morning Year 7! You have been working like bees - buzzing around to complete your designs. It's hard work! You deserve a 5-minute diversion today - check out this great site I came across in my travels through cyberspace.

Haagen Dazs (the ice-cream company) is supporting this cause so check it out: http://www.helpthehoneybees.com/

Now, back to Rm 12 (hahaha). We are creating 3 different designs for the outside page of our tri-fold pamphlet.

After doing that, I would like you to complete one (1) design for the inside page.

When you are finished with that, let's print it (in black and white). That's the tricky part.

May 16

In Microsoft Word 2007, you can easily create a tri-fold pamphlet or brochure.

It's essentially a regular sheet of paper turned side-ways (landscape) and folded twice.

To turn a document side-ways, follow these steps:
1. Choose the Page Layout tab, Page Setup.
2. Click the Orientation icon.
3. Select the Landscape option and click on it.
4. Click on the Margins icon and select Narrow. Click on Narrow.

To make the three columns for the brochure, follow these steps:
1. Choose the Page Layout tab, Page Setup.
2. Click on Columns.
3. Select 3 columns. This will apply to your entire document.Now your document is formatted for three panels that fold over on a single page.

Let’s practice inserting:
· an image in each of the 3 columns
· a drop cap
· 2 different fonts
· Justify your columns
· caption below image
· bold text
· italics
· underlined text
· red and green typepage border only along the top of the page

PS: Year 7 click here for some new Vocabulary Games:-D http://www.quia.com/jg/1312188.html
http://www.quia.com/hm/389799.html

May 12

Year 7, Continue with your Plan

Evaluation changes

EVALUATE – Comment on your finished pamphlet
1. Is the text error free?
2. Evaluate the product against the Design Specification. Does the newsletter meet the design specification? Explain.
3. Are you happy with the outcome? Explain.
4. Look critically at your final project. If you had the opportunity to change something what aspect would you change and why?
5. Did you encounter (have) any problems? Refer to your “process journal/blog” for details.
6. Comment on your own performance throughout each stage of the project (investigate, design, plan, create, evaluate).
7. If you had the opportunity, would you change anything? If yes, what aspect would you change and why? Refer to your “process journal/blog” for details)
8. How could you use Word 2007 in the future?

Product Analysis - Student will solicit feedback from others.
9. Student will produce a list of 5 questions and post them to the student blog to solicit the evaluation of 5 others (classmates, parents, friends, teachers). Answers should be included on the blog post as comments.
10. Analyze the feedback

May 9

Year 7, it all begins with a PLAN

Let's create a Cross Functional Flow Chart. It's easy!!!!!

Click on the Office Button in the lower left-hand corner.
Next, Click on All Programs.
Then go to Microsoft Office and click on that.
Scroll down until you hit upon Visio 2007. That's the program we want:-)

Now open Visio 2007
In the Sidebar on the left - select FLOWCHART
Double click on Flowchart
We want our flowchart to be horizontal, and choose 5 bands

You did it Year 7 - now let's talk about what to do next!

May 6

Year 7 - Even more research!!!

Today I would like to gather infomation to include on your tri-fold pamphlet.

This is your way to introduce your city/country. Think about which places you would sugggest if your friend was going to visit this area.

Gather lots of images and information to share with others.

What kind of info??? Images, maps, coats of arms, museums, monuments, points of interest, special restaurants, foods. . . Well, Year 7, you get the idea:-)

May 2

We have 2 periods today interrupted by the break.

During Period 3 - I would like you to finish Activity 1 which you began on Monday and print it and hand it in.


During Period 4 - I would like you to complete these online activities designed to reinforce vocabulary.
http://www.quia.com/jg/1312188.html
http://www.quia.com/hm/389799.html

April 29

Year 7 - Today we will practice what we have learned so far!

1.)You will receive an Activity Sheet.
2.)Please follow the directions.
3.)Please print and hand in your work BEFORE you leave class today. (You will have plenty of time to comfortably work and finish on time.)
4.)Please write a reflection of today's lesson in your Process Journal(blog).

April 22

Year 7 - Happy Earth Day! SDIS has lots of activities going on - please participate!

As for IT class... Let's begin with Activity 1

This needs to be printed and handed in before you finish class today;-)

Oops! I didn't bargain for an assembly today Year 7. . . Activity 1 will be on hold until Tuesday, April 29. Have a wonderful holiday on Friday (April 25!).

April 18

Year 7 - Help the Earth! Please take a few minutes out of your class-time to make a difference. As you know April 22 is Earth Day. This is a day that has been set aside to celebrate our great planet. As custodians, it is our responsibility to protect the planet and act as caretakers for future generations.

A Voicethread has been created and will become part of an Earth Day initiative (Earthcast 08 Project). Please contribute to the SDIS Earth Day Voicethread and offer advice for protecting our world.

1. Go to http://voicethread.com and register
2. Click on Browse
3. Type - SDIS Earth Day, then click on the magnifying glass
4. Record your message

Well done, Year 7. Check it out!



Now back to Word 2007 - Let's finish our Investigations today so we can go onto other things!

April 15

Year 7 - Have you finished your Investigation? Let's try to finish them today.

Then move on to the 2nd Tutorial. . .

April 11

Year 7 - Enjoy the day!

FYI

Year 7 - here are a couple of links for you to remember:

www.coolnerds.com
www.factmonster.com

To change your template your classmates are suggesting: www.finalsense.com

April 8

Year 7 - Well done Year 7 - On Fiday you completed the first Microsoft tutorial. You should have come across some new vocabulary so let's recap: Office Button, Ribbon, Tab, Group.

Now let's continue . . .

An Investigation plays a significant role in the MYP Design Cycle. It is the part of the cycle where we look for solutions to a given problem. Put on your detective's hat as we start the investigation.
* Remember to save all url’s for referencing text and images. But before we begin - Exactly what is a URL? Research and Explain!

1. What is hardware? Research and then explain in your own words. (Save url’s) .
2. Wh at is software? Research and then explain in your own words. (Save url’s) .
3. What is an operating system (OP)? Research and then e xplain in your own words. (Save url’s).
4. Which OP is in the computer you are using? (The school's computers) .
5. Name 2 software programs and explain what each of them is used for (Save url's).

April 4

Good Morning Year 7 - We have 2 tasks today (one for each period of our double).

1. Let's work through our first online tutorial for Microsoft Word 2007. http://office.microsoft.com/training/training.aspx?AssetID=RC102275001033

2. Let's begin the Investigation
* Remember to save all url’s for referencing text and images.

1. What is hardware? Research and then explain in your own words. Save url’s .
2. Wh at is software? Research and then explain in your own words. Save url’s .
3. What is an operating system (OP)? Research and then e xplain in your own words. Save url’s.
4. Which OP is in the computer you are using? (The school's computers) .
5. Name 2 software programs and explain what each of them is used for. (Save url's)

April 1

APRIL FOOLS DAY

Year 7 - It's done! I made an executive decision! After speaking with you on Friday I've decided that we will create tri-fold pamphlets which will showcase the diversity of our group by serving as tourist pamphlets for your country/city of origin. This will be great!

Let's get started!

March 28 - TERM 3 BEGINS

Year 7 - The welcome mat is out! I'm Ms. Dietrich and I will be your tech-teacher for Term 3.

We have lots of activity planned for this term with our main focus on mastering Microsoft Word 2007. It's a new program and learning how to use it effectively and efficiently will serve you in years to come.

But first let's get aquainted with the class blog. Let's go!

March 11

Year 7 - We have a lot to do today.

You should have created your pamphlet already. Have you also created one for Mrs. Thompson? If not, let's do that first.

Then you need to Evaluate your project.

Ask yourself (and answer) the following question;

1-Did you meet your goal?

2-Did you learn a lot about Word 2007?

3-Did you learn a lot about bulletins/pamphlets and what makes an effective bulletin?

4-Was it interesting task? Did you enjoy doing it? If no, why not?

5-Could you do this now alone for another class?

6-Does your pamphlet follow the Design Specification Explain.

7-How could the pamphlet be improved upon? Explain.

8-Make a list of 3 questions about your pamphlet and post them to your blog. Ask 3 classmates to evaluate your pamphlet and answer the questions. Do a small analysis of the answers

March 7

Year 7, Sorry I'm not here with you today but you are smart kids and know exactly what to do.

Remember you have a Design Specification to follow: 3 columns, justify columns, page border top/bottom only, underlined text, bold text, italics, caption below image, 2 different fonts, custom margin settings to allow the pamphlet to close properly. The bulletin should be colourful, informative, attractive and error-free.

You have a double period and that is plenty of time to finish your newsletter. Mrs. Thompson will be so impressed with each of you!

If you have time, you can try to print your newsletter. It's a bit tricky because we will be printing on each side. First you have to print one side of the page and then insert the page back into the paper tray and print on the other side. Try it - I know you can do it!

Tuesday we will Evaluate the projects.

March 4

Year 7
You were really working hard on your Designs (Criterion B) on Friday (Way 2 go!). Let's finish the Designs and then work on the Plan (Criterion C) part of the project.

Remember, I won't be here with you on Friday and that's when I would like you to CREATE your advertising pamphlet.

Tuesday, March 11 we will Evaluate (Criterion E) the projects.

February 29

Year 7 - It's leap year. For more info on the whys and wherefores about this day - check out this site: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/leapyear2.html

This morning we will complete 2 parts of the Design Cycle - Design and Plan

Tuesday you will Create your pamphlet advertising (ancient) Rome as a tourist attraction!

February 26

Year 7 - today we will begin to Design our Rome Advertising Pamphlets. We have plenty to do, let's get started.

February 22

In Microsoft Word 2007, you can easily create a tri-fold pamphlet or brochure. It's essentially a regular sheet of paper turned long-ways (landscape) and folded twice.
To turn a document long-ways, follow these steps:
1. Choose the Page Layout tab, Page Setup.
2. Click the Orientation icon.
3. Select the Landscape option and click on it.
4. Click on the Margins icon and select Narrow. Click on Narrow.
To make the three columns for the brochure, follow these steps:
1. Choose the Page Layout tab, Page Setup.
2. Click on Columns.
3. Select 3 columns. This will apply to your entire document.
Now your document is formatted for three panels that fold over on a single page.

Let’s practice inserting:
· an image in each of the 3 columns
· a drop cap
· 2 different fonts
· Justify your columns
· caption below image
· bold text
· italics
· underlined text
· red and green typepage border only along the top of the page

PS: Year 7 click here for some new Vocabulary Games:-D http://www.quia.com/jg/1312188.html

http://www.quia.com/hm/389799.html

February 19

There was an assembly (the Technology Department showcased student learning this week) - so our class is cut short.

1) Typing
2) Concentration
3) You MAY work on creating the content for your project (that means that you can do Humanities work in IT class!).

On Friday before you leave I would like you to print out your Investigation so I can take them home with me for the weekend. I need some reading material (hahahaha).

February 15 - Activity Day

No classes today Year 7 - It's Activity Day. Have fun! See you next week!

February 12

Type, Type, Type - 15 minutes starting NOW!

We need practice inserting columns into Word 2007 documents.

February 1

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlos_lorenzo/394505836/

Year 7 - Carnival is right around the corner. But before we celebrate, we have a few things to finish. . .

1) Typing Practice - 15 minutes

2) Check out this little gameof Concentration I created for you: http://www.quia.com/cc/1295503.html

3)Have you finished your Investigation?

4) Word 2007: Borders, Columns, Page Colors

January 29

Friends, Romans, Year 7, lend me your ear!

1) 15 minutes of practice typing

2) Have you finished your Investigation? If not, let's get started. Make it look really attractive - looks count;-)

Now, let's talk about content - I love the Roman Empire!

3)Roman Links:

Kidipede - History for Kids: http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/romans/

BBC site - even has games!!: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/romans/

Mr. Donn's site (he's a teacher too!): http://rome.mrdonn.org/index.html

Send a roman e-card to a friend: http://www.roman-empire.net/cards/card.html

Links to lots of site about Ancient Rome: http://www.kidskonnect.com/content/view/262/27/

Glossary: http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/wwww/world/worldlistrome.htm

Roman Recipes (yum): http://www.mit.edu/people/wchuang/cooking/recipes/Roman/

Virtual Rome - take a tour today: http://www.virtourist.com/europe/rome/index.html

January 25

1) 15 Minutes practice typing.

2) Open a Word document.
3) Click on the Insert tab
4) In the left-hand column, click on Cover Page
5) Choose one
6) Type your name and Year 7 Unit of Work

The tutorials are done and you have lots of knowledge about Microsoft Office Word 2007 and now you are ready to start your investigation.

Type each question and answer it completely. Save all url's for future reference.

1. What is hardware? Explain in your own words. (Save url's)
2. What is software? Explain in your own words. (Save url's)
3. What is an operating system (OP)? Explain in your own words. (Save url's)
4. Which OP is in the computer you are using? (The school's computers).
5. Name 2 software programs and explain what each of them is used for. (Save url's)

January 22

Creating a Design Cycle with Word 2007 is really fun and easy. Think of all the possibilities. . .

Also, uploading it to a blog is easy as well. First of all open PAINT. Then copy and paste the Smart Art Image into PAINT. Save As a JPEG. Finally, upload the image into a new blog post. It's that easy!!!

Now on to another activity. Please follow the directions for Activity 2.

January 18

Year 7 - Another week has just melted away!

1) Type, Type, Type! Let's practice for 15 minutes. Remember practice makes perfect.

2) There are 5 steps to the Design Cycle. Name them (in the correct order).

3) Open a Word 2007 document.

4) Click on the Insert Tab.

5) In the Illustrations Group, click on Smart Art.

6) In the left-hand column click on Cycle

7) Now create a cycle depicting the MYP Design Cycle. Take your time and experiment! Explore all the possibilities:-)

(Is it possible to add another shape? Is it possisble to delete a shape? Is it possible to change the direction of the arrows?)

8) Let's find a way to upload this graphic to your blog. This might be a little tricky!

9) Now, list your observations and your conclusions.

January 14

Year 7 - we've got lots to do today!

1) 15 minutes of typing practice (so you will become experts!)

2) Some need to know Microsoft Word 2007 vocabulary: Office Button, Ribbon, Tab, Group, Drop Cap, Watermark, Bold, Italics, Indent, Icon

3) Complete the Activity 1 - it's online here http://www.thinkfree.com/view.tfo?file=c48mhdMHa2U=tfo (also located in the sidebar), print it and hand it in:-)

January 11

It's Friday Year 7:-)

1)Let's begin with our typing practice.

2) Preview of Word 2007 and appropriate vocabulary.

January 8 - Welcome Back Year 7

Get a Voki now!



Welcome back Year 7. I hope that Santa was good to you and that you are relaxed and ready to start Term 2. We have lots of fun in store for you, so let's get started.

1)Learning to type is an important skill to know. Nowadays students use computers and programs like Microsoft Word to do their homework and write essays. Blogging across the curriculum is becoming commonplace and you are expected to already "know" how to type. Well, typing is a skill like any other and in order to get good at it, you must practice. A fun online typing course is located here: http://freetypinggame.net/ Let's use this site and practice each time we meet for 15 minutes.

2) Next, let's continue with the second Microsoft Word tutorial. It is located here: http://office.microsoft.com/training/training.aspx?AssetID=RC102276801033

I have headsets for you to use. Remember that these tutorials are part of the Investigate portion of the Design Cycle. In order to properly/efficiently use Microsoft Word, it is imperative to learn how it works;-)

3) Remember to reflect upon this lesson in your Process Journal (blog) after every class.

If you have any questions, just raise your hand!

December 14

Happy Holidays Year 7

Because you are involved in the Assembly today and you have been such good kids and we only have 1 period today, you can have a FREE period:-)

Remember, keep the noise level down.

I'm wishing you a very happy holiday no matter what you do and a wonderful 2008!

December 11

Year 7

Let's do a little review:

1. Log in to your blog account.
2. Click on New Post - It's a good idea for you to have a new post open so you can reflect on the work you are doing throughtout the class.
3. Answer this question, "What is the primary reason that we created our IT blogs?"

In this class you will become proficient using Microsoft Word 2007 and we need to become familiar with the vocabulary associated with this new tool. Some of the vocab we will use today: office button, ribbon, tab, group. Microsoft has great tutorials to give us all the information we need to be successful with their products.

4. Let's get started with Word 2007. Our first tutorial is located here and will provide basic knowledge about getting started.

5. When you are finished, please reflect on your blog/process journal.

December 7 - Museum Visit

No IT classes today for Lanuage A Yr 7's due to your field trip.

Have a wonderful day.

For the rest of us, well, we'll figure something out;-)

December 4

Welcome Year 7! My name is Ms. Dietrich and I will be your tech teacher. We will explore Word 2007 and practice typing this term. It will be great fun and we will learn a lot! Word 2007 is a useful program and you will be using it throughout the coming years.

This is the place for Year 7 students to get all the information they need to be successful in IT class :-)

All of your assignments will be posted here.

You will need a blog to get started. Your blog will be your Process Journal. An online notebook where you will record and reflect upon your IT work and your IT project. It is a requirement that you post after each IT session (each double-period) you record what you did in class that day. Also record any URL's (web addresses) that you visited during research. (It makes it easier to revisit them ;-)

If you don't have blogs - there's no time like the present to create them. If you do, then we will record the addresses.

We will explore the teacher's blog and all of the information that you can find on it.

We will also visit a site where we can practice typing online: http://freetypinggame.net/ (at school or at home).

Away we go!

November 30

Goodbye Year 7.

I will miss you but have fun as you continue on your carousel.

Até a vista! and Happy Holidays!

November 23/November 27

Year 7

It's time to EVALUATE

Unfortunately, we are experiencing some problems with Survey Monkey:-(
It's not as easy to use and I had originally thought. Not to worry, we will move to Plan B!

1) Insert your bulletin into your blog.
2) Write 5 questions for other people to evaluate your product (bulletin). Questions such as "Is it attractive?", "Is it informative?"
3) Post the questions on your blog under the bulletin.

You are going to ask 5 people to evaluate your bulletin by going to your blog and leaving comments! You will then summarize what others have said about your project. (Example: Four of the people thought that my project was excellent and the other person felt that it was really good. They all like the colors and images that I used. Three of the people suggested putting more text as it is a bulletin. They remarked that it looked more like a poster than a bulletin.)

Next,

Evaluate your own project:
Answer the following questions in complete sentences giving details and reflection:
Did you meet your goal? Explain
Did you learn a lot about Word 2007? Explain
Did you learn a lot about bulletins/newsletters and what makes an effective bulletin? Explain
Was it an interesting task? Explain
Did you enjoy doing it? Explain
Does your bulletin include all the elements stated on the design specification? Explain
Explain how your product could be improved upon? Explain

Wow! Now you are tired!

November 20

Activity Day

Year 7 - Enjoy your day. See you Friday.

November 16

Year 7

1)Today continue with creating your bulletin. Remember to run the spellcheck. Ask another student to proof-read your bulletin.

2)Compare the bulletin to the Design Specification. Does it contain: 1 Title Text Box, 3 additional tex boxes, border around 1 of the text boxes, the text in 1 boc should be centred, 1 drop cap, 2 different font types, 1 bold/italics/underlined text, 2 illustrations/images - 1 should be rotated, 1 custom watermark, appropriate page border, background colour.

3)Justify any changes that you make.

4)After that I would like you to print screen your final bulletin and turn it into an image that can be uploaded onto your blog.

5) Now we are ready to EVALUATE our work. Go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/ and open an account.

November 16

Year 7 - We are almost finished!!!!! Your class is on-task and you are working hard! You are terrific!

November 13

Everyone should be finished with the Design segment!

Now, on to the planning stage. The purpose of this section is 2-fold: 1) to reinforce the stages in the Design Cycle and 2) to plan the steps which need to be taken in the "Create" stage. So, let's get started.

I know that some of you started the Plan last Friday (WELL DONE!)

1) You need to create a flow chart. Open Microsoft Office Visio 2007
2) Click on Flowchart (you will see it listed in the left-hand sidebar)
3) Choose a background and insert 5 icons (your choice;-)
4) There should be "arrows" connecting one box to the next (like this)

5) The text in the boxes should follow the flow of the Design Cycle (Investigate, Design, Plan, Create, Evaluate - *Remember that the order is VERY important)

6) In the PLAN box you will insert all the steps (one by one) that you need to do to create the bulletin. (You will use this Plan next week as a guide when you create your template.)
Your Plan box will be full of text (the steps) and the other 4 boxes will only have one word in each of them.

7) Finally, create another box and type the words "Process Journal" and include your blog address.

There, you are done! You did it!

Year 7's are stars

November 9

Wow! It's Friday already. The week has just flown by . . .

Please make sure that you have completed the DESIGN part of the cycle by the end of class today. If you need help - just HOLLER (hahahaha)!

The next section that we will begin with is the PLAN. If you finish early, let me know and I can help you get started on it.

Keep up the good work Year 7 - You are FANTASTIC!

November 6

Welcome Back Year 7! I've missed you! Hope you had a great break and are ready to work!

Today, we will:

1) Finish the Investigation - let me check your work

2) Choose an IB Learner Profile to research

3) Continue to work on the Design portion of the project.

@ Produce three possible bulletin layouts
@ Choose one and fully justify your choice
(Why did I select this layout? Is it more attractive? Is it more eye-catching?)
@ Evaluate against the design specification


Design Specification is: It should include at least – 1 title text box, 3 additional text boxes, borders around 1 of the text boxes, the text in 1 text box should be centred, 1 drop cap, 2 different font types, 1 bold/italics/or underlined text, 2 illustrations (1 of the images should be rotated), 1 watermark, an appropriate page border, and the page colour should be your favourite colour.

Remember: The bulletin should be colourful, eye-catching, attractive, informative and geared toward secondary school students.)

October 26

Good Morning Year 7

I was reminded that Year 7 is on the carousel and that you will be moving on to another technology class in December. That means that our time together is limited:-(

It also means that we have a lot to accomplish so let's get started.

Have you finished your Investigation? If NOT, let me know (raise your hand).

Today we will start the DESIGN portion of our project.

1. 
   Produce 3 possible bulletin layouts (using Word 2007 produce 3 different bulletin layouts). Save each of the layouts as an image.
   
2. Choose one and justify your choice (Why did you choose this particular design for your final project? Was it a better layout? Was it more attractive? Was it easier to read?)
   
3. Evaluate against the design specification (Does your product include everything that the design specification calls for?)

October 23

Year 7 - Good Afternoon



1) We need to finish the project we started on Friday. Look at the previous post for details.

Remember that we are also learning about the Design Cycle: Investigate, Design, Plan, Create, Evaluate (which correspond to Criteria A, B, C, D, E). As part of the Design Cycle process must complete a Folder of Documentation.

Let's look more closely at our Unit of Work (you will find this in the Year 7 folder (IT-MsDietrich) and in the sidebar under Important Links (UNIT OF WORK).

2) Let's make a cover sheet for the entire project. Open a document in Word 2007. Click on the Insert tab. Look at the Ribbon. On the far left you will see the Command - Cover Page. Click on the Cover Page icon. You will see a variety of professional looking Cover Pages to choose from. Select one.

Type: Year 7 - Unit of Work, Your Name, Term 1 2007 or the Current Date. You may also include an image (if you like).

3) Next start a new page entitled: INVESTIGATION

a) Investigate word processing software (List another word-processing program. Justity use of Word 2007 - Why are we using Microsoft Word and not another package.).
b) Provide evidence of research about bulletins/newsletters/magazine page (for information regarding what makes an attractive, well-designed layout).

Here are some links to get you started:
http://www.edzone.net/~mwestern/tutorials/makeanewsletter.pdf
http://desktoppub.about.com/od/layout/ht/workable.htm
http://www.drmts.com/edu201/Schedule/nesassign.htm

Another place to check out is: Click the Green START button (located in the lower left-hand corner of this screen. Next, click on ALL PROGRAMS. Then select MICROSOFT OFFICE. Finally, open MICROSOFT PUBLISHER 2007 (the programs are listed in alphabetical order).

Open Publisher 2007 and look at the templates they have available. There are some really cool ones. You might get some good ideas for your project.

October 19

Year 7 - we have lots to do.


Let's get started right away!


1)As a class let's review the Word Toolbar and the vocabulary associated with it. We need to know: ribbon, office button, tab, group, command. These are important aspects of the New Word 2007 and we need to know them so we can speak about them intelligently!

2) Word processing practice:

Start up Word 2007,

A. open a new file and enter the following text:

The Olney Pancake Race

Pancake races are not uncommon inmany towns and villages but the Olney pancake race is perhaps most internationally famous. It has been filmed and shown on televisionin Britain and America.

The Olney panckae race started in the year 1455 and at that time pancakes were as popular as pizzas are today. In order to qualify for the race, you must have been a permanent resident of Olney for at least three months. There is a dress code for all competitiors, the housewife's traditional uniform - an apron and headscarf!

At 11.30 a bell is rung to tell competitors to start frying pancakes . A quarter of an hour later, a secodn bell is rung to tell them to assemble on teh market Square with their freshly made pabncake and frying pan.

All competitors must toss their pancakes once whilst under starter's orders and then twice during the actual race. the prize for all this effor, apart from the fame, is a kiss from the ringer of the pancake bell.

B. Save the text with the filename P1, close the file and exit word.
C. Load Word and reload the file, P1.
D. Proofread and spellcheck your work, making corrections as necessary.
E. Quick save your file.
F. Insert a new paragraph after the paragraph ending: It has been filmed and shown on television in Britain and America.

A pancake is a thin flat cake of batter usually fried and turned in a pan, often rolled up with a filling. Pancakes are traditionally eaten on shrove Tuesday.

G. In the fourth paragraph after the words tell them to assemble, delete the words on the Market Square.
H. Replace competitors with the word entrants each time it apprears (three times).
I. In the third paragraph move the sentence In order to qualify for the race, you must have been a permanent resident of Olney for at least three months from being the second sentence so that it becomes the last sentence in the paragraph.
J. Save the file as a Word 97-2005 document with the filename P3.
K. Close the file and exit Word.

3) Let's type a little. 10 minutes for typing lessons and 10 minutes for typing GAMES:-)

Next week we will start making our "Design Folder"

October 16 - Assembly

Year 7

Wow, our assembly was full of interesting people and information today. As a result we only had 15 minutes of IT class.

We'll catch up with our work on Friday! See you then!

October 12

Year 7. . .

Typing is soooo much fun! Becoming proficient (really good at it) will be of a great advantage to you and help you with your school, work, personal life!

1)Each class we will begin by spending 10 minutes with typing exercises and 10 minutes with the typing games. Remember the site we are using is here: http://freetypinggame.net/

Keep track of your progress by writing about it in your process journal (your blog). Write the number of the tutorial(s) completed that day. You can also keep a record of your score in the games:-)

2) We will review the Word Toolbar and practice using the vocabulary associated with it.

3) One fantastic feature of blogs are that they are interactive. That means that you can comment on your classmates blogs. Please visit 2 of your classmates blogs and leave comments. (You might need permission to visit a blog - ask that an invitation be sent:-)

October 9

Year 7

Today we are going to begin something new!!! We are going to learn to type.

We are hoping to have a program downloaded on our computers in Room 12, but in the meantime go to this great free online site:

http://www.freetypinggame.net/

Let's get started! What fun! In the coming weeks we will practice typing 15 minutes every class. We will become experts in no time!

Now -

October 10 is Columbus Day in the United States. We are going to take this opportunity to discover some Columbus Day activities online.

Columbus Day Word Puzzle - http://everythingesl.net/downloads/columbusday_puzzle.pdf
Explorer's Routes - http://www.teachervision.fen.com/tv/printables/botr/botr_009_23-24.pdf
The Story of Columbus Day and Activities - http://www.teachervision.fen.com/tv/printables/botr/botr_009_8-10.pdf
Why Explorers Explored - http://library.thinkquest.org/J002678F/why.htm
Make a timeline - http://abcteach.com/MonthtoMonth/October/timeline.htm
Word Search - http://www.thepotters.com/puzzles/kids/columbus.html
Paralaugh - Fill in the blanks and create a story - http://www.mrnussbaum.com/libs.htm
The History Channel - http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=mini_home&mini_id=1044
Check out this site for some cool games - Merchants of the Great Exchange and Whose Lunch Is It Anyway?

October 2

1. Open Word 2007
   
2. Key in the following text. (This should not be in bold lettering and the line endings will not necessarily be in the same place.)
   
   

   Why Am I Yawning?
   

   Yawning is an involuntary action. When you yewn it is a sign that you need more oxygen in your lungs. If you have been sitting in a room with little ventilation and the air has become stale, your body cries out for oxygen to cleanse and purify the blood.
   

   The quickest way to supply htat need is to get out in the fresh air and breathe deeply. You will then find that the desire to yawn will vanish, because you are able to breathe in the oxygen you need.
   

   Sometimes you yawn when you are tired. The amount of rest necessary for a person to remain in good health varies greatly. Adults seem to require progressively less rest as they get older.
   

3. Insert a Drop Cap in the first paragraph
   
4. Run the spell check (ABC). It's located on the Review ribbon
   
5. Save the text as "Yawning"
   
   

   Click on the Office Button and Save As a Word 97-2003 Document
   

6. Reopen Yawning and add the following text.
   

Sometimes you yawn when you are bored. In such situations, you are probably not breathing deeply and feeding your lungs as you should. Maybe it is inconvenient to take a quick rest or impossible to escape from the boredom. Try breathing deeply. This will not eradicate the boredom but it might well stop that yawning!

7. Find a photo online to accompany the text and insert it into your document

8. Insert a Watermark (found on the Page Layout ribbon) with the text "Yawning"

9. Change the Page Color (found on the Page Layout ribbon) to your favourite color

Well Done Year 7!

September 28

Good Morning Year 7

Today we are going to do an exercise (online Investigaion) on online searching because it is very important to student life.

Online Searching

1. List six (6) different search engines

2. What are the three main differences between google.com and google.pt?

3. State ten services that Google offers

4. The words entered for a google search are sometimes called keywords or search terms. Go to http://www.google.com/, press the I'm Feeling Lucky button and enter the search term Portugal Schools. What do you notice about your search results?

Sept 25 - Reflection

Year 7 what an afternoon!

It took a lot of steps, but we finally did it :-) Thanks Sara!

I thought that we could easily cut and paste our word documents to publisher - Not So!

So, this is what we did

1) Opened the poster made in Word
2) In View - reduce the page size to 60%
3) Took a screenshot (Click on the Print Screen - Print Scrn key)
4) Open Paint
5) Paste (right click)
6) Select your poster using the text box tool
7) Cut
8) Close Paint
9) Open Paint again
10) Paste (the poster again)
11) Save as: JPEG file

Now:
12) Open your blog
13) New post
14) Insert Image (here is where you insert the image from your folder on the school's server)

Yikes, that's a lot of steps!!! There must be an easier way (hahaha).

But you did it! Well done!

September 25

Year 7, I have an idea!

You are going to convert your posters from Word 2007 to an image!

How are we going to do that?

1) Open your document with Publisher 2007 ( yes, that's right;-)
a) go your folder on the school's server
b) find the Word 2007 document that is your Peace Poster
2) Right click on the document
3) Open with Publisher 2007
4) Click on Save As
a box will open
5) Scroll down until you come to JPEG
6) Click on Save

You have just saved the poster as an image to your folder on the school server!

Well done!

Now, please add this image to your blog.

How? It's easy!

1) Open your blog to a new post

2) Insert an image (the poster) from your folder

Well, you should be very proud of yourself! Pat yourself on the back!

FYI (for your information)

Sept 21 - International Day of Peace

Good Morning Year 7 :-)

This morning we will:

1) Finish the document we began on Tuesday. The assessment is skill driven- (inserting 3 text boxes).

2) Today (September 21, 2007) is the International Day of Peace. Using Word 2007, create a poster celebrating peace.

3) Send your finished product to my email and I will combine the images and upload them to the class blog!

September 17

Good Afternoon Year 7

Period 7 was an assembly so our time is limited

This afternoon each of you is going to continue working on inserting text boxes into a word document.

I would like to you work on that until the end of the period. I will assess that document as Criteria A.

September 14

Year 7 - It's Friday. You've worked very hard this week and it's almost time for the weekend but before you go:

1. Finish tutorial 1

2. Complete tutorial 2 : http://office.microsoft.com/training/training.aspx?AssetID=RC102276801033

3. Create a document and practice inserting text boxes. Please insert 3 text boxes into a document.

September 11

Good afternoon year 7.

We have a double period again today so we can get a lot of work done.

I assume that everyone has created his/her blog and that each of you has recorded the URL, your email address and the password in your diary.

Let's move onto more important things like classwork! (hahahaha)

1. Log in to your blog account.
2. Click on New Post - It's a good idea for you to have a new post open so you can reflect on the work you are doing throughtout the class.
3. Answer this question, "What is the primary reason that we created our IT blogs?"
4. Let's get started with Word 2007 . Our first tutorial is located here and will provide basic knowledge about getting started.

How to insert an image

Inserting an image into your blog is easy (when you know how to do it!).

1. Create a new post
2. Look at the toolbar - you will see an icon (a little picture) for an image (it's located between the ABC - spell check icon and the Film icon)
3. Click on the Add Image Icon
4. A box will open asking if you want to add a picture from your computer or directly from the www
5. I suggest adding an image that is already stored in your computer
6. Choose a layout - this means that your image can be placed on the left side of the post, the right side of the post, or in the middle.
7. Choose image size - do you want the image to be small, medium, or large?
8. Click on the orange button: Upload Image
It was that easy. Now you try it.

September 7

Welcome back.

1. Today we will finish up creating our blogs.
2. We will then learn how to "add an image" to the blog
3. Write a reflection about the process of creating a blog. a) Was it easy/difficult? b)Was it frustrating?
4. Answer this question, "What is the primary reason that we created our IT blogs?"
5. Let's get started with Word 2007 . Our first tutorial is located here and will provide basic knowledge about getting started.

Wow! That's a lot of work, let' s get started.

Hi Year 7

You all were having so much fun, I thought that I would join you and create a blog of my own:-D

This is going to be another tool to help us become SDIS's 1st paperless classroom.

I will post our class assignments here. You will always be able to stay on task!