Introduction

Digital Literacy Class: We are going to learn about so many incredible ways to be creative, collaborative, and to communicate. We will focus on computer skills and applications. Some topics you already know about, and you will know better, and other topics and applications will be new to you! Either way, we will work together to find the ones you are able to use best. This class consists of Project-Based-Learning. You will be given plenty of time to learn the skills and applications that you will use for a lifetime. I hope you enjoy the material we will cover. - Mr. S

Monday, March 28, 2016

Tackk.Com Introduction To Building Websites / Spring Break Tackk

Check out TACKK.COM.  I found this in a magazine on the flight home from
a weekend trip a couple years ago.  I thought this would be an interesting and fun way to
post information (Like Final Projects) for school.  You can
easily create single page websites for your work.  You could create a
single TACKK without logging in, or create a series of TACKK's.  Please
go to the website TACKK.COM to get started.  Make sure you add the TAG
(#varetech) to all of your sites so we can see them.




"Spring Break Tackk" Project



 MR SCRIBNER'S SAMPLE TACKK (SPRING BREAK)



Please go to Tackk.com and create a website.  Create
an account using your Gmail address and a password you can remember. 
You may use photos, youtube video links, and other items.  Please make
sure your website has the following items to receive credit for this
project today:



Here are the steps to create a new Tackk:


  1. Log Into Your Google Account

  2. Go to Tackk.com

  3. Sign In with your Google account (Click the Google Button)

  4. Press the GREEN PEN in the top, right corner to CREATE a New Tackk Page

  5. Choose "BLANK CANVAS"

  6. Begin by clicking the "+" on the Layout Section of the screen.

  7. Add a HEADLINE title for your New Tackk "Spring Break 2016"

  8. Click the "+" under your new headline.

  9. Add a Sub-Headline underneath your title "By (Your Name)" and another line that says "Vare STEM 321 Tackk Assignment"

  10. Click the "+" under your new headline.

  11. Add a Picture or Collage that illustrates what you are grateful for and what you did during Spring Break 2016.  Also add 4-5 sentences (TEXT) about your time off.

  12. Choose color, style, and a layout you like using the menu on the right.

  13. Add keywords and custom titles using the menu on the right.

  14. Once complete, click the "PUBLISH" Button.

  15. Email your Tackk.com Link to Mr. S for credit

  16. Review pages of your classmates and offer helpful advice.


Here is what your "Spring Break" Tackk should include:


  1. Website must be created using Tackk.com

  2. Website must include keywords #varetech and #springbreakvare

  3. Website must have at least one picture

  4. Website must have a Spring Break Theme

  5. Website must include at least 4-5 sentences about what you are grateful for in your life.  

  6. Finally, when you are done, please search the Tackkboard or Google Classroom for at
    least 5 other websites created by our class and post comments on them. 
    Be careful to be helpful not hurtful and let your classmates know that
    you appreciate their efforts!  



UPDATED ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS (30 MARCH 2016)





In addition to the items above, you must also include the following items on your new website:


  1. Add a video to your website.  You may copy/paste the link from Youtube or Vimeo, but it must be appropriate for school use.  DO NOT POST ANYTHING that might be offensive or inappropriate.

  2. Add a FORM for visitors to send you an email.  

  3. Add a MAP of the address of our school. 




Have Fun With This!!



- Mr. S

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Inspiration 8/9 Graphic Organizer Project - Family Tree & Personal Timeline


ACADEMIC/LEARNING OBJECTIVE


Today students will be creating a Personal Timeline and Family Tree with Inspiration 8/9.  Students will outline major events in their lives and a complete list of family members.  They will organize their items in chronological order, create hand-drawn organizers, create digital versions of their work, and upload the final creations to their Google Drive and SHARE them with Mr. Scribner for credit!





STUDENTS WILL ENTER THE CLASS QUIETLY AND BEGIN WORKING!





Students will work individually on the assigned projects.  Students must complete a hand-drawn version of the project prior to opening a laptop.


Today we will begin the Graphic Organizer Timeline and Family Tree Project!




Standards Covered In This Class  


PA 3.7.7 & 11 Section C / ISTE 2011




CSTA Tied With Common Core ELA/Math rev. 2014



ALTERNATE PROGRAMS ONLINE:  https://cacoo.com/ or https://bubbl.us/mindmap




 FAMILY TREE AND PERSONAL TIMELINE

Today you will design graphic organizers on Inspiration8/9.  Please create a
Personal Timeline and Family Tree in a digital format.  You must create
these from scratch using Inspiration 8/9.










YOU MUST CREATE A HAND-DRAWN VERSION BEFORE WORKING ON A DIGITAL VERSION ONLINE!


To
start, use a blank piece of paper to list your birthday, list all the
schools you have attended, list any significant events in your life
(birthdays, deaths, weddings, graduations, holidays, family trips,
honors, awards, or any other events you can remember) and the dates they
happened.  Open Inspiration 8/9 and open a New Blank Document.  Begin
to drag boxes into the timeline and label them in order.  Once you have
created your first box with a date underneath, you can now select the
box, copy and paste a new one next to it, and link them with an arrow. 
Continue until you have listed all the events up to today's date.  You
need to list 10-15 events to complete the project.

For the Family
Tree, make a complete list of all of your parents, step-parents, aunts
and uncles, brothers and sisters, grandparents, and any other family
members you can think of.  Now begin dragging in boxes and labeling them
with each person's name and date of birth (if you know it).  Now list
weddings in text between married couples.  Make sure to line up each
placemarker with others in the same generation.  Make sure you include
extended family (Aunts, Uncles, Brothers, Sisters, Etc.)  I would like
you to do your best to include at least 3 levels of your family tree. 
These should include siblings, parents, aunts & uncles,
grandparents, and anyone else you might know.  Once you have your
Timeline and Family Tree on one document, Go To FILE and EXPORT and save
it to the desktop as an IMAGE (JPEG) File.  Upload the JPEG File to
your Google DRIVE and SHARE the picture with me for credit. 


See the sample below for some more clarity.  Good Luck!

- Mr. S




Steps to complete Timeline/Family Tree Project:



1. Open Inspiration 8 / 9 on your Mac

2. Click DIAGRAM Button to create a blank Diagram

3. Drag enough blocks into the workspace to allow for one block for each person in your IMMEDIATE Family.

4: Label Each Block with Person's Title (Dad, Mom, etc.) and First Name

5. Connect each block with who is related to who.

6. For the Timeline, you must drag in at least 15 blocks.  

7. Label each block with event from your life.

8. Make a connection, in the order that the events occurred in your life, from one event to the next.

9. If you have
not completed your work before class ends, SAVE your Inspiration File to
Desktop and Upload it to Google Drive so no one can delete it.


10. Once complete, EXPORT your file as a Graphic Image and Upload the Picture to your Google Drive. 

11. SHARE the
Graphic Image (Picture) with Mr. S for Credit.  DO NOT SHARE THE
INSPIRATION FILE!  You will only get credit if you SHARE the appropriate
file on time.




Tuesday, March 8, 2016

GDrive: My BIO Slides Project


OBJECTIVE & STUDENT OUTCOMES


 Students will use online collaboration
tools (Google Drive) to create a 10-slide multimedia presentation. 
Students will follow directions and use photos, text, and color to
highlight specific facts about their topic.  Students will be able to
understand the difference between a written report and how writing for a
presentation requires bullet-style sentences.





STUDENTS MUST READ ALL DIRECTIONS ON THIS
WEBSITE PRIOR TO STARTING ANY ASSIGNED TASKS.  PLEASE FOLLOW ALL
DIRECTIONS AS GIVEN FOR FULL CREDIT!








 
Students will log into their Google Drive and
open a New PRESENTATION.  Students will learn the basic tools used to
create a presentation.  Students will create a MY BIO Presentation about
themselves.  Students will use Google Images to
select pictures for use today.  Students will Copy the pictures selected
to the desktop of the computer they are working with.  Students use
PIXLR.Com to upload, manipulate, adjust, save and add pictures to their
project.  Students must complete the steps below to CREATE and SHARE a
MY BIO Presentation for credit.






 Original Project Link - Autobiography PowerPoint Project





Hello Everyone,

 






Your
assignment is to create a GOOGLE DRIVE PRESENTATION Slide Show that is all about
you.  Here is a list of the requirements and some suggestions for what
to include in your slides.








A)   Part 1 {200 points} 

        i)     Presentation






(1) Saved as “(Your Name) Bio” and emailed to Mr. S






(2) Have a logical order to your slides






(a) Do NOT follow the slide suggestions order






(3) Use correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation






(4) Have 10 Slides






(a) Include a Title Slide






(b) Include a Birth Information Slide






(5) Have at least 4 Graphics/Photos that are related to their slides













2)   Slide Suggestions






a)  You may use these suggestions or come up with your own






i)     Make all your slides have appropriate content





Slide Suggestions































Slide


Contents


**Title


First and Last Name


Student Number


**Birth Information


Birthday


Birthplace


Length, Weight, and Time


Accomplishments


List at least three accomplishments.


Career


What you want to be?


How you will do this?


Class Schedule


What is your schedule this semester?


Dislikes


Identify your dislikes.


Family Information


Family Size


Parents Names


Siblings


Favorites


Identify your favorite things.


Friends


Who are you friends?


What do you do with them for fun?


Goals


List short-term goals (for the year).


List intermediate goals (for the next 3 years).


List long-term goals (for the next 10 years).


Hobbies


Identify your hobbies.


Job


What is your job?


What are your job duties?


Likes


Identify your likes.


People


Have different people make comments about you.

















            ** Required Slide






Part 2















      _____ / 5 points               Saved as “Bio”







      _____ / 5 points               Logical Order to Slides







      _____ / 5 points               Correct Spelling, Grammar, & Punctuation







      _____ / 5 points               Slide 1 – Title Slide







      _____ / 5 points               Slide 2 – Birth Information Slide







      _____ / 5 points               Slide 3 –







      _____ / 5 points               Slide 4 –







      _____ / 5 points               Slide 5 –







      _____ / 5 points               Slide 6 –







      _____ / 5 points               Slide 7 –







      _____ / 5 points               Slide 8 –







      _____ / 5 points               Slide 9 –







      _____ / 5 points               Slide 10 –







      _____ / 5 points               Graphic 1 –







      _____ / 5 points               Graphic 2 –







      _____ / 5 points               Graphic 3 –







      _____ / 5 points               Graphic 4 –







   














TOTAL















      _____ / 85 points






GOOD LUCK!!! 





STEPS TO COMPLETE PROJECT (READ ALL DIRECTIONS FIRST!):


1. Sign into Google Drive

2. Open NEW Slides Presentation

3. Rename SLIDES Project "(Your Last Name) MyBio P(??)"
 

4. Open new Browser Tab to Google Images
 

5. Select VEIW IMAGE of Full Size Pictures (You need at least 4 pics)
 

6. Save Images or Image URL's for Use In Presentation

7. Choose Template Style
 

8. Begin to enter personal information on each Slide.

9. Complete each slide by adding information and photos
 

10. SHARE with Mr. S for credit!  DO NOT EMAIL!  JUST SHARE IT!
 

11.  Be Prepared To Present This To The Class In The Future!

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Autobiography Project - Google Drive Document


ACADEMIC/LEARNING OBJECTIVE






Students

will learn to use Google Drive Documents by CREATING a ONE-PAGE
Autobiography.   Students spend the next two class periods completing
the assignment.  They must SHARE it with Instructor for Credit.








STUDENTS MUST START BY READING ALL DIRECTIONS ON CLASS WEBSITE!



Students will enter the room quietly.  Once seated, they will log into their Google Account and Click on the Google Drive Button in the Applications Menu (Waffle) of the Browser.  They will Create a NEW Document.  They will immediately rename the document as outlined below.  They Must SHARE the document with MR.S for Credit!






Hello Everyone,





Today you will log in to your Google Email Account and open Google
Drive.  You will CREATE a new document.  This document will be a
one-full-page Autobiography all about you.  I have copied and pasted my
example below.  Please use the whole page to describe everything about
you since you were born.  You must use proper grammar, spelling,
sentences, and be prepared to SHARE it directly from Google Drive to Mr.
S.  You must use no larger than a 12-font Times New Roman and single
space lines.  Please leave a line between paragraphs.  I am looking
forward to reading these, and you will be creating a Presentation from
the content later this week.  Make sure you include LIKES, DISLIKES,
where you grew up, things you did, schools and activities you
participated in, and add some things people do not know about you.  Good
Luck!





- Mr. S



STEPS:


1. CREATE DOCUMENT IN GOOGLE DRIVE

2. RENAME DOCUMENT:  AUTOBIOGRAPHY (LAST NAME) PERIOD/DAY (?)

3. SHARE DOCUMENT WITH hscribner@ucvare.org



Questions To Get You Started (Copy and Paste Into Document To Help You):



1. Name, Birth Date, Family, Where You Were Born



2. What I Like Doing At Home, School, In My Community And Schools I Have Attended?



3. People and Things That Are Precious To Me And Why?



4. What Do I Want To Be When I Get Older?  



5. How Do Others See Me?  What Contributions Do I Make To My Family/Community?



6.  What Are My Other Ambitions/Goals/Desires In Life?



7.  Anything Else I Want People To Know....






EXAMPLE:





AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MR. SCRIBNER




I was born in Bloomington, Indiana.  I was
raised in Indiana, Virginia, and  Missouri until I was in the Second
Grade.  My family moved to Western Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.  I
attended the Upper Perkiomen School District from 2nd to 8th Grade.  I was then transferred to St. Pius X High School in Pottstown, PA for grades 9-12.




Growing up in rural Pennsylvania had many advantages.  I was active in
sports, outdoor activities, and once I was in Middle School, I was able
to ride my bicycle just about anywhere.  I also had many part time jobs
since the age of 12 to support myself.  I started working on farms in my
area to make extra money.  I bailed hay, milked cows, and chased calves
around the barn when I accidentally left the gate to their pen open.  I
then spent time working for a stone mason who lived on our block.  I
spent a summer lifting bricks and blocks, mixing cement and building
scaffolding systems.  I learned a lot.  I also delivered papers, worked
at local fast food restaurants, and did maintenance work on a local golf
course throughout High School. 




My grades were horrible throughout school.  I graduated at the bottom of
the class from my high school despite scoring very well on standardized
tests.  I was accepted at Shippensburg University in 1986 for a summer
program called Act 101.  I was also accepted to the Antonelli School of
Art and Design for my photography skills.  In hindsight, I probably
should have gone to the photography school.  I did not succeed in
college and partied too much.  Eventually I flunked out.  It was not all
bad though, I was put in the position of needing to join the Army
Reserve to help pay for school, and the leadership skills, training, and
discipline would ultimately make that one of the best decisions I have
made in my entire life.




I went to Basic Training in 1988.  I was stationed at Fort Jackson, SC
for Initial training and Fort Gordon, GA for “Commo” school.  I made
some of the best friends of my life while serving my country.  I have
excelled at military training and went on to be deployed twice overseas
after 9/11.   I am still very interested in the firearms training,
first-aid, and other classes I was required to take.  My military
service also allowed me to see the world and to really have an
appreciation of what being born in the USA means.  I have seen the
advantages that are taken for granted by others who have not had the
same vision of poverty and war.  I am thankful for those experiences as
well.




I was married in 1992 to my oldest son’s mother.  I was divorced and now
am re-married to the mother of my other son’s.  My sons are 20, 9, and 7
and are awesome!  I will celebrate my 14th anniversary of my marriage to my wife this year.  We live in our home near King of Prussia, PA.  I
began to try to be a teacher while at Shippensburg in 1987.  I wanted
to be a history teacher, but found my way into other jobs as I needed
more money to support a family.  I started in sales and customer service
for various companies in the Philadelphia area in 1991.  With a new
family and child to support, I took whatever job was available at the
time.  I gradually, over the years, was able to turn one opportunity
into another while moving from job to job every 3-4 years.  I got better
at sales and more professional in my manners and appearance.  I have
sold building products, health care services, engineering services,
coatings and paints, and ultimately ended up as a kitchen designer and
architectural sales representative.  I also went to Gwynedd Mercy
College from 2004-2006 and finished my degree in Business Administration
20 years after beginning it at Shippensburg University.




While on deployment in the Middle East in 2008, I was given the
opportunity to take my Praxis (teacher’s) exams.  I scored very well
with no preparation.  When I returned from overseas, I went back to
Gwynedd and enrolled in the Teacher Certification program.  I also
approached the School District of Philadelphia for a job.  I was given
an Emergency Certification and allowed to teach in January of 2009.  I
was at University City High School for 3 years.  I also taught Middle School at Crossroads Accelerated Academy at Meade.  Most recently, I was teaching K-8 classes at Roosevelt Elementary School in the Germantown section of Philadelphia.  I am excited to be working with you here at Universal Vare Charter Middle School!




In addition to teaching,  I coach many sports for my sons, I play
volleyball and lead worship and missions teams at my church, and I spend
time with my family as much as possible.  I am also a Boy Scout Leader
for my sons.  I am interested in sports, video games, and construction
projects around my home.  My family and I also enjoy spending time
outdoors fishing, camping, hiking, and riding bicycles. 








Foods
I enjoy include anything grilled, ice cream, and spinach dip with
pumpernickel bread.  I love to cook and enjoy cooking with my
9-year-old.  In 2014 I completed my Masters Degree.  I want to continue to
coach sports and work with the Cub Scouts (BSA), improve the conditions here at Vare and continue to teach as much as I can. 
Ultimately I might want to be a Principal or a Counselor as well.

Dragons Breathe Fire

Dragons Breathe Fire