Becoming Better Writers - Diagnostic NOREDINK.com

Today we will take a short break from our Multi-Media endeavors.  I would like everyone to go to NoREDInk.com and take a short diagnostic quiz.  This site will allow you to work independently on becoming a better writer.  You will be able to learn, and practice, identifying and fixing grammatical mistakes in your writing.  It will also help you to become more articulate.



Please sign up for the appropriate class using the passwords below:



CSA Period 3 - Class Code: safe ocean 26



CSA Period 7 - Class Code:  shiny cap 39



CSA Period 8 - Class Code:  melodic flag 33



CSA Period 9 - Class Code:  witty moose 82



CSA Period 10 - Class Code:  certain basket 63



Steps to Sign-Up and Complete Diagnostic



Prior to starting:  Sign into your Google Account and open a new tab on your browser. (Chrome)



Step 1:  Go to https://www.noredink.com/

Step 2:  Click on SIGN UP (Button)

Step 3:  Click on "I'm a Student"

Step 4:  Enter CLASS CODE exactly as listed above for your CSA class.

Step 5:  Click the "Sign Up With Google" Button

Step 6:  Select the appropriate GRADE you are in.

Step 7:  Choose enough interests to fill the Green Line and hit Continue

Step 8:  Click on the Diagnostic Assignment and complete it.



If you do not get done prior to class ending, you can finish on your own.  You have until October 11th to complete it.  You are not being graded on your score, only on whether you complete the diagnostic or not.  Future assignments will be graded for completion only.  You can sign-in and use this for practice on these skills anytime you like!



I hope this tool helps you to improve your writing, grammar, and your ability to communicate your thoughts and feelings as a writer.  Good Luck!



- Mr. S

ACADEMIC/LEARNING OBJECTIVE

SWBAT sign in and create an account on NOREDINK.com.  This site is used as independent practice for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and writing skills.  Students will complete a short diagnostic in multiple areas, as well as completing the basic tutorial on how to use the site.  Students will be able to use this tool to help them improve overall writing skills and mistake identification/correction.

CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF STANDARDS MET BY THIS ASSIGNED TASK

SCHOLARS WILL ENTER THE CLASS QUIETLY AND BEGIN WORKING!

READ ALL DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY!

Project: Scholars will sign into Google, sign into NOREDINK.com, create accounts and begin completing the online diagnostic assignment.  Students will use specific codes, listed above, to create accounts for each CSA class this semester.  Students will be assigned minimum number of skills and tasks to help improve their writing in both form and function.

Soundation - Creating Our Own Music!

As you enter the room today, go to your Technology Journal and create a new entry 

(Today's Date, TOPIC: Effects of Music).  Please read the following article to yourself:

https://www.blhsnews.com/opinion/2015/09/29/how-does-music-affect-our-lives/#

Once you have read the article, please answer the following questions:

How Does Music Affect You In Your Daily Life?  How Often Do You Listen To Music?  What Is Your Favorite Type Of Music, And Why?  What Was The Last Song You Listened To, And How Did It Make You Feel?

We will be using Soundation to create unique, and customized pieces of music.  You must follow the directions below, and export your music as a .WAV-File so you can use it in an upcoming project.  Please follow the directions below to begin creating music with Soundation.com. If you have already used this program, it is your obligation in class to help others.  We will discuss the Essential Questions below in class prior to working on Soundation.com.  HAVE FUN WITH THIS PROJECT!

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

Why Does Music Make Us Feel?

Why Does Music Move Us? (PBS)

The Power Of Music!

The Power of Music (Funny)

YOU MAY ONLY USE SOUNDATION. YOU MAY NOT LISTEN TO MP3's OR OTHER COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE MUSIC.

Today is your day to familiarize yourself with how the program works, and how to navigate around the different toolboxes. Save anything that you want to keep by uploading files to your Google Drive or save them to your desktop. Because other students use these computers, there is no guarantee that your work will be here tomorrow.

MR S MIXDOWN SAMPLE 21SEP16 (CLICK HERE)

SOUNDATION.COM INTRODUCTION:  Open the Soundation.com Application. I have included a short VIDEO from YouTube to help you work independently. Once I have finished the demonstration in class, use your headphones to listen to your work while you create a personal track. Try to create a track that is 20-25 seconds and includes any of the instruments listed in the Loop Browser. You will be using the final cut of this track you are creating as the background for the Marquise Project in Microsoft Movie Maker later in the Marking Period. Make sure it sounds like you want it too. When you are done look under the FILE section to Export Song To Disk as a WAV File and save it. You must upload your file to your GOOGLE DRIVE and SHARE it with MR. S for credit.  Please upload the file to the DROPBOX Link below as well:

MR. Scribner's DROPBOX File Link To Upload WAV File

When you have finished the project, use the GRADING RUBRIC below to figure out your score on this project. Additional learning should include working on completing the Music Lyric Project listed below, or use SOUNDATION.COM (Link Below) to create another unique song and EXPORT it as a .wav file for use later. Have Fun With This Project!

SOUNDATION ONLINE AUDIO CREATOR (CLICK HERE)

SOUNDATION YOUTUBE TRAINING VIDEO LINK

Step By Step Instructions

1. Log In To Computer and Go To Soundation.com


2. Click on STUDIO and select either Flash Version or Chrome Version.


3. Create Music with at least 3 loops (minimum)


4. When finished, Click FILE and "Export .WAV File" to your Desktop


5. Play the file using Media Player and make sure it is at least 20-seconds long for credit.


6. If you have access to Google Drive, Upload your file to your GDRIVE and SHARE it with Mr. S (hscribner@ccs.us) for credit.


7. Once the file is on your Desktop, Open the Class Assignment Site (collegiumtech.blogspot.com) and find the Soundation Project Post.


8. Click the "MR. Scribner's Dropbox File Link To Upload WAV File" Button


9. Follow the direction, using your @ccs.us Gmail Address to upload your file for credit.


10. If you were able to sign into GOOGLE, you must also SHARE your file with me once it is uploaded to your Google Drive.

GRADING RUBRIC:

CATEGORY	10	8	6	R - Redo
3 Loops Minimum	3 or more loops used	2 loops used	Only 1 loop used	Not Completed
Loops Blended Correctly	All Loops Sound Correctly Blended	One Loop Is Off Key or Out Of Sequence	Multiple Loops Are Off Key Or Out Of Sequence	Not Completed
File Is Exported As WAV file	File Correctly Exported To Desktop	File Exported But Lost	File Not Exported	Not Completed
File Is Uploaded to GDRIVE and SHARED for credit.	File Is Uploaded Correctly			File Is Not Uploaded Correctly
Overall Effort	Scholar worked diligently on the project and has at least a 20-25 second MP3 to use	Scholar included most items, but MP3 is less than 20 seconds long.	Scholar\'s MP3 is too short and lacks more items or was not shared correctly for credit	Project not completed at all

Once you are finished with these steps, you should now CHECK your website.  Once your link is active, you have finished today's assignment. 

ACADEMIC/LEARNING OBJECTIVE

SWBAT CREATE a 20-25 second MP3 for use in an upcoming project.  Scholar will use Soundation.com on Windows Destop (Chrome) or similar music production software to create, adjust, save, share, work with an original music arrangement using pre-downloaded LOOPS.

SCHOLARS WILL ENTER THE CLASS QUIETLY AND BEGIN WORKING! 

Project:  Scholars will open Soundation and use pre-downloaded LOOPS to create an original music (MP3) project of 20-25 seconds in length.  Scholars who do not bring headphones may complete an alternate project by reading articles about writing lyrics and submitting a Google Document with an original song of some kind.  Scholars must also complete a Constructed Response on Google Classroom about Music and Learning.

YOU WILL BE GRADED ACCORDING TO THE RUBRIC ABOVE.

READ ALL DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY!

Alternate Project:

(Extra Credit for those who already created a Soundation Music Track.)

MUSIC LYRIC PROJECT:

Open a Google Document or MS Word Document and name it "(YOUR LAST NAME) Music Lyrics (Class Day/Number)".  Read and review the following articles on writing music (like poetry), write your song in the document and SHARE it with MR. S for credit. 



IF YOUR GOOGLE IS NOT WORKING,



http://www.wikihow.com/Write-Song-Lyrics



http://robinfrederick.com/learn-how-to-write-a-song/



https://www.google.com/search?q=writing+music+lyrics&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8



USE THE FOLLOWING OUTLINE AS A GUIDE TO WRITE A SONG LYRIC.  CHANGE UP DIFFERENT VERSIONS TO CUSTOMIZE IT!

Introduction

A

A

B

A

B

B

C

B

D

D

D

E

E

F

E

Wrap Up

Harvey in High School

Found this on Facebook!!

Old Pic of Harvey at St Pius X High School in Pottstown, PA. This was taken from a group picture of a production of West Side Story. I looked at it and immediately saw my son Patrick and where he gets his whole personality. Funny how we parents don't remember that we were probably bigger "pains in the butts" than our kids are today. Nice mischevious smile though, huh?