8th+Grade+Curriculum+(2011-12)

=8th Grade Curriculum=

==King's Educational Technology Department worked with experts to create standards for online content creation, online inquiry, and online collaboration. Collectively these standards are known as Digital Literacy skills that we believe are important for students to master at various stages of their K-12 careers. The Digital Literacy skills can be found at==

Student "How-to" Instructions

 * ===Install First Class at Home===
 * ===Installing King Printers===

Policies and procedures

 * 1) **Digital Literacy** is a hands-on class that teaches you important technology skills. The class is project-based, which means that I do very little lecturing and you get lots of time to work on your project. __**You are encouraged to work with a friend**__.
 * 2) I will provide a mini-lesson at the beginning of each class and answer any questions. After the mini-lesson and Q&A, the number of questions during the remainder of the class are __**limited**__. I do this so that you __**think**__ about your question and make sure it is __**important**__. After all, you can ask a classmate or surf the Internet for an answer.
 * 3) We will be doing several projects throughout the trimester. You must stay on task and use your time wisely. Your grade is based on the number of projects you complete and the quality of each project (see rubric below).
 * 4) It is important to understand that this class is more like an art class than it is a math class. There are important differences. In an art class, the teacher does nor move your arm to help you draw. Instead, you are given drawing tools and shown examples of what to draw. You can get feedback from the teacher, but only __**after**__ you draw something.
 * 5) The directions I give at the beginning of class and on this website are very specific. __**You must read them to know what to do**__. Make sure that you understand the requirements for each project __**before**__ you begin the project.

Grading

 * Class citizenship is 20% of the grade and the projects are 80%.
 * Class citizenship is based on how diligently you work (vs fooling around) and how much you help others. It also includes how well you treat the laptops, return them to the laptop cart, and plug them in.
 * Projects are scored on a three-point scale
 * 1 point - student showed significant effort on the project and completed __**some**__ of the project requirements
 * 2 points - student showed significant effort on the project and completed __**most**__ of the project requirements
 * 3 points - student showed significant effort on the project and completed __**all**__ of the project requirements

Individual Pacing

 * Since the class is project-based, you can work at your own pace. There is no homework for this class, but all of the project instructions are online and so they can be worked on outside of class.
 * It is possible that you can complete all of the projects before the end of the trimester. In this case, you can use this class as a study hall - providing that you can work quietly and productively. __**My strong recommendation is that you try and complete the projects before the very end of the trimester**__. It will not be fun trying to complete my projects at the same time that you are preparing for assessments.

Project 1 - Macintosh and FirstClass basics (you are allowed to ask me one question)
> > === ===
 * ===The first project is easy, but it teaches two important skills:===
 * ===(1) take a screen shot===
 * ===(2) upload a file to Firstclass and download a file from Firstclass to the Desktop===
 * ===there are __nine__ requirements to complete:===
 * ===(1) review the Firstclass Do's and Don'ts below.===
 * ===(2) use Firefox and navigate to **http://tinyurl.com/king-schedule2**===
 * ===(3) take a screen shot of your schedule (Shift-Command-3) - it will be a file on the desktop called "Screenshot" with the date and time as part of the file name.===
 * ===(4) rename the file to include your last name (example trimester3 schedule - Faig )===
 * ===(5) create a new folder called Digital Literacy8 in the __**documents**__ section of FirstClass===
 * ===(6) upload the file to this folder in FirstClass===
 * ===(7) download the trimester3 schedule file to your desktop===
 * ===(8) rename the file to include a version number (example trimester3 schedule - Faig - version 2 )===
 * ===(9) upload this second file to the Digital Literacy8 folder in FirstClass===
 * ===Call me over to see the two files in your FirstClass account===



Project 2 - Creating an Avatar (you are allowed to ask me one question)

 * ===Avatars are online pictures you use to represent yourself. Some people use actual photographs, but we are going to use a tool that allows more creativity.===
 * ===there are __four__ requirements:===
 * ===(1) Click on one of the images below and you be directed to a website where you will be able to create a similar avatar. Each website is different, but the general process is the same. You will be asked to select facial features like head shape, mouth, nose, eyes, eyebrows, etc. You may use another avatar creation website - if you know use one that is not listed below.===
 * ===(2) When you think your avatar looks like you (or the way you wish you looked), you should download the avatar to your computer. Download it by taking a screen shot (a skill you learned in Project 1)===
 * ===(3) Rename the avatar file to include your last name and the word "avatar". For example, my file would be "Faig avatar".===
 * ===(4) Upload the avatar file to the Digital Literacy8 folder in First Class. Show me the avatar saved in the Digital Literacy folder (in First Class).===
 * ===__The avatar must be appropriate!__===


 * ............................ || [[image:JDF_Avatar1.jpg link="@http://www.osoq.com/edit-pictures-online/make-your-avatar.asp"]] || [[image:JDF_Avatar2.png link="@http://clayyourself.com/"]] || [[image:JDF_Avatar3.png link="@http://flashface.ctapt.de/"]] || [[image:JDF_Avatar4.png link="@http://faceyourmanga.com/"]] || [[image:JDF_Avatar5.png link="@http://www.buildyourwildself.com/"]] ||

Project 3 - Introduction to Computer graphics with geometry (you are allowed to ask me three questions)

 * ===Communication is a very important skill. Clear communications is very difficult because they need to be specific and detailed. You are going to give instructions to a turtle to draw your name. The turtle can only do what he is told (move, turn, etc.). This may seem challenging, but I chose something that you have done thousands of times - write your first name.===
 * ===Recommendations. You may want to make the project easier by doing the following steps before you actually start using Turtle Art:===
 * ===(1) Download and print the file TurtleArt Grid or ask me for a copy.===
 * ===(2) Hold the chart sideways (landscape) and draw your __**whole**__ first name on the grid.===
 * ===(3) Write the __**exact**__ steps to write your name. Pretend that you are giving someone directions over the phone.===
 * = ........................ ||= ===Important TurtleArt Command Widgets=== ||= ===Sample TurtleArt Program=== ||
 * =  ||= [[image:TurtleArt_Instructions1.png width="288" height="392"]] ||= [[image:TurtleArt_Instructions2.png width="393" height="241"]] ||


 * ===The project has __three__ requirements:===
 * ===(1) Use steps from above to write a Turtle Art program to draw the letters in your name. If your name is longer than six letters, you can write only the first six letters.===
 * ===Turtle Art is located in the __Applications__ folder on any school laptop . Make sure that you only use instructions to move the turtle - do NOT drag the Turtle around the screen. ===
 * ===(2) Upload the Turtle Art program (PNG file) to the Digital Literacy8 folder of First Class===
 * ===(3) Have me watch the Turtle Art program write your name.===
 * === Extra Credit : Draw your name in block letters with the FILL widget.===
 * === Extra Credit : Design computer art (see samples below)===
 * ===Download these advanced instructions ([|TurtleArt Instructions]) for creating art===
 * ....................................... || [[image:TurtleArt1.png width="400" height="307"]] || [[image:TurtleArt2.png width="400" height="310"]] ||

Project 4 - Advanced Movie making
(start video at 3:30) > > > > > > > ||= ===Green Screen - Shrinking & Growing=== (start video at 1:40) || ||= ===Green Screen - Car Crash=== || > ===You may work alone or in groups of 2 or 3. No groups of four and I reserve the right to break up groups __if some students are not helping their group__.=== >
 * ===Apple iMovie is an easy-to-use tool where you can use to create professional-looking movies that include images, video, and audio (music/narrations). iMovie also makes it easy to add titles and transitions, as well as, publish the movie for others to see. In this project, you will use advanced movie special effects. Here are four examples to watch at home (Youtube is blocked on campus):===
 * = ===Green Screen - Basic Example===
 * = ===Green Screen - Explosion===
 * ===There are __five__ requirements for this project and you are allowed __//**two**//__ questions:===
 * ===1) Make sure that iMovie is setup to use advanced options===
 * ===2) Create a movie about things that make you happy or that you like to do.===
 * ===3) The movie must be less than one minute long and includes at least __five__ of the following effects:===
 * ===(a) Create a scene with a green screen effect that uses an image background===
 * ===(b) Create a scene with a green screen effect that uses a movie background===
 * ===(c) Create a scene with a picture-in-picture effect===
 * ===(d) Create a scene that uses reverse motion, slow motion, or fast motion===
 * ===(e) Create a "cut away" video effect while an audio clip plays (used in interviews)===
 * ===(f) Freeze frame at the end of a movie clip===
 * ===(g) Detach the audio from a video clip and replace it with a voice narration===
 * ===(h) have a video clip with both music and narration (music "ducks" during narration)===
 * ===(i) use the "Image Stabilization" feature to make a shaky video easier to watch===
 * ===(j) use a video effect on a scene===
 * ===4) It is difficult to copy the iMovie project between computers. Instead, you can share the finished movie by using the Share menu. Select Export from the Share menu to create a Quicktime movie using the options below.===
 * ===You must use the "Streaming - Low" option to make the file small (see screen shot below)===
 * ===5) Show me the movie===

>

Project 5 - Excel Basics
> = =
 * ===Excel is a powerful tool for analyzing and graphing data. It is used by every type of business (from bakery to investment bank) to help make better decisions. It is easy to create different scenarios (e.g., worst case, best case, most likely case, etc.) to help pick the best one and it can perform complex calculations.===
 * ===There are **__four__** requirements for this project (you are allowed to ask 2 questions)===
 * ===(1) Download this Excel template ([|DigLit8 Template])===
 * ===(2) Read the directions and complete the tasks on the [Introduction] tab. The tabs are located at the bottom of the spreadsheet (see picture below)===
 * ===(3) Choose __**one**__ of the projects below. You will have to create a new workbook because the Bronze, Silver and Gold pages are locked.===
 * ===bronze - find data on the Internet and create a chart ( I must approve your choice of data ).===
 * ===silver - create the calculations to figure out your GPA===
 * ===gold - create the calculations for a store invoice===
 * ===(4) Upload the spreadsheet to the DigLit8 folder in Firstclass and show it to me===

Project 6 - Image Editing
>
 * ===In this project, you will use Adobe Fireworks to edit a picture so that you eliminate the background. This becomes necessary when you want to remove parts of a photo, such as other people. Eliminating the background also makes it easy to combine parts of different photos together.===
 * ===There are 3 requirements for this project and you are allowed to ask __** //one// **__ question===
 * ===(1) Read this tutorial about three different methods of removing a background. Practice on the mug image that I used for my demonstration ([|Click here to download mug]). Save the mug image to your computer by right-clicking and slecting "Save Links As". (you right-click by holding down the [Control] key and clicking the link).===
 * ===(2) Open the image in Fireworks and remove the background from the image using two of the three methods from the tutorial above. Make sure that the filename includes the method you used to remove the background (magic wand, pen, lasso).===
 * ===(3) Upload both mug image files to the Digital Literacy8 folder in Firstclass and show them to me. Which method worked best?===
 * ===(4) Select an image that you have taken with a camera or an image from the Internet. Show it to me __**BEFORE**__ starting the project.===
 * ===Extra Credit: If you use all three methods -or- your image is extremely well done===

Project 7 - Creating a collaborative document
> ==There are 4 requirements for the project ( you may ask 3 questions ).== > > > > > > > > > >
 * ==Wikis are basic websites that can also be used for collaboration with other students.==
 * ===(1) Watch this introductory video on wikis (you will have to watch it at home)===
 * ===(2) Create a wiki at Wikispaces and name it with "King", first name, and last two letters of your last name. For example, my wiki would be named "__ KingJohnFa __" and the URL would be http://kingjohnfa.wikispaces.com. The wiki should be "Protected" and be of type "K-12 Education" (see image below)===
 * ===(2a) Change the wiki "theme" (see diagram of steps below)===
 * ===(3) Edit the main page and answer the questions below. Each question should be separated by at least one blank line and the question should be bolded.===
 * ===(3a) What is a wiki? (//answer must be in your own words//)===
 * ===(3b) Give one example of how a wiki can be used in education. The example must be unique and cannot have been used by another student.===
 * ===(3c) What was your favorite project so far?===
 * ===(3d) What was your least favorite project so far?===
 * ===(3e) Are there any projects that you wish we had done?===


 * ===(4) Create at least one more page on your wiki.===
 * ===(4a) Add a hyperlink to one of your wiki pages===
 * ===(4b) Insert an image onto one of your wiki pages (see diagram of steps below)===
 * ===(4c) Add an embedded video one of your wiki pages (see diagram of steps below).===
 * ===(4d) Add math symbols to a wiki page (see [|Adding math to a Wikispaces] document)===
 * ===add the LaTeX codes into your wiki, but the code needs to have a special market before and after it. An example is below:===
 * ===(4e) Add one more type of content that you can embed in a wiki page (see via Widget button)===


 * ===(5) Invite another classmate to be an editor on your wiki.===
 * ===(5a) Have your editor friend add content to a page===
 * ===(5b) Review the [History] tab of the page to see what changes your friend made===


 * ===You can embed content from other websites into your wiki. Examples of content that can be embedded includes Youtube videos, blog posts (RSS), Twitter feeds, and Google Maps. When you embed the content on a wiki, it has more of a "newspaper" feel and looks better than simply having links to other webpages. Embedding content in a wiki is a two-step process (see diagram below)===
 * ===__Step one__ is to locate the "Embed code" of the content you wish to embed. This is usually found by locating a button labeled "Share". Keep in mind that some websites do not let you embed their content.===
 * ===__Step two__ is to copy and paste the embed code into a wiki widget.===




 * ===Below is an example of finding the Embed code on a Google Map:===

Project 8 - Exploring Concept Maps
>
 * ===Concept maps are a form of note-taking that can be more powerful than writing text in an outline format. They are created by brainstorming ideas (//called nodes//) and then connecting them //with lines//. There is research that the brainactually stores information in the same way as a concept map.===
 * ===We will be using an application called "Inspiration", which is located in the Applications folder of the school laptops. If you want to load the software onto your personal laptop, then try this free 30-day trial.===
 * ===Part of the power of concept maps is that you can work collaboratively and share a common map (this does not work well with outlines, because one person usually does all of the work). Concept maps are a more __active__ form of note-taking because adding new information each day forces you to "fit" it into an existing map. This requires thought and so you are actually reviewing as you are building the map. With outlines, you only review if you review the prior days notes before class.===
 * ===There are 3 requirements for this project ( you may ask 3 questions )===
 * ===1) Review three of the following concept maps:===
 * ===Great Depression===
 * ===Causes leading to World War===
 * ===Factors Leading to the Holocaust===
 * ===[|Birth of Jazz]===
 * ===How To Write a Movie Review===
 * ===Click here for more examples===
 * ===2) Create a concep map that answers a particular question - the question is based on your history teacher and section (see table below). The concept map must have:===
 * ===at least five nodes===
 * ===at least ten connections between the nodes===
 * ===one image node (inserted) instead of a shape===
 * ===3) Save the concept map as a JPEG image using the File|Export menu. See screen shot below for additional information.===
 * ===4) Upoad the concept map graphics file to the wiki you created in project 7.===
 * [[image:Inspiration_Export1.png width="297" height="314" align="center"]] || [[image:Inspiration_Export2.png width="466" height="351"]] ||

Mas, O'Do, Ore, Pee, Tru, Val, Wit || Moo, Sam, Sav, Sta, Tho, Whe, Win || Mar, Mud, Per, Rab || OR What happened in the Treyvon Martin case?? || Ben,Chi,Cou,Eag,Fig,Fle,Gal,Gol,Har, Joh,Lop,Pet,Qua,Sap,Sil,Sto || Qui, Smi, Voi, Win ||
 * || **Teacher & Section** || **Topic for concept map** || **Students** (first three letters of last name) ||
 * || Lewis section 1 || Why does the First Amendment protect freedom of speech? || Boo, Coo, Gal, Gimp, Gri, Hen, Kop, Lop,
 * || Lewis section 3 || Why does the First Amendment protect freedom of the press? || Ber, Dil, Kno, Lin, Lin, McC, McD, McQ,
 * || Lewis section 4 || Why does the First Amendment protect freedom of religion? || Abb, Con, Del,Des, Gal,Hol, How, Kap,
 * || Lewis section 5 || Why does the First Amendment protect freedom of assembly?
 * || Leist Section 2 || What are civil right and why are they important? || All, Bra, Coh, Cor, Cou, Har, LdM, Nel,

Project 9 - Washington DC * THIS PROJECT IS OPTIONAL *

 * ===Prezi is a web-based tool for making presentatons. The presentations are more animated than Powerpoint presentations.===
 * ===There are 3 requirements for this project:===
 * ===(1) Review __two__ of the following Prezi presentations:===
 * ===Great Jazz Bassists and their Influence through the Agess===
 * ===Martin Luther King, Jr. ===
 * ===Tutorial Prezi en español===
 * ===Color===
 * ===Overview of Coca Cola Company===
 * ===Feel free to search for other examples===
 * ===(2) Create a Prezi account using your King e-mail.===
 * ===(3) Create a Prezi about our trip to Washington DC.===
 * ===Include anything that you can remember about the trip.===
 * ===Include your favorite part of the trip.===
 * ===There must be at least four nodes===
 * ===(3) Show it to me===