Back to School Night

Welcome to Technology - Mrs. Mary Beth Morell and Ms. Polly Sileo

7th graders will meet with us during one 40-minute period each week, and 8th graders will meet during two 40-minute sessions - one with Mrs. Morell, and one with Ms. Sileo.    Each of the 7th and 8th students has been issued a Google Chromebook for use in their core classes.  Ipads are also available for use by the students.  The idea is that we’re going to try to move more of the technology into the core classes, so that it’s better integrated with the subject matter.

Our tech classes this year will focus on the following areas:

• Scantron Testing – Scantron, the standardized testing required by the Archdiocese of Washington, will take place during technology class three times a year – September, February and May.  Each round takes three weeks of class time.
• Keyboarding - only if necessary.  By the end of 6th grade, we had hoped that our students would be typing 30 words per minute, as many of the final exams are given on computers at HTS.  We will test the students, and if they are far below that mark, they will be given time in class to work on their skills.
• Online Research Skills  - we will work on a variety of skills related to Internet searching and researching.  We will review effective searching strategies, how to identify a reputable website, how to organize research, and how to cite a source properly using an online citation maker.
• Presentation Skills – We will use a range presentation tools for class projects such as blogs, PowerPoints, Prezis and  iMovies.
• Yearbook - 8th Graders will create their personal yearbook pages. Please help us meet our deadlines by sending in pictures on the requested dates.
• Simple Programming - We will introduce some basic programming to our students.

Digital Citizenship

Throughout the year, we will be working with Counselor Cydney Lewis to do mini-lessons on Digital Citizenship, using the curriculum from Common Sense Media.  Topics will include Privacy and Digital Footprints, Online Safety and Security, Connected Culture and Respecting Creative Work.  Please consider subscribing to the parent newsletter on Common Sense Media http://www.commonsensemedia.org/ to help you navigate the constantly evolving world of social media with your child.

The Blog

Every week, we will provide updates on the 7th and 8th Grade Technology Blogs – our answer to a teacher homework page.  Students will be able to access any links or resources we have posted, and parents will be able to see what we are doing in technology class.  Our contact information will be there as well.  The link to the blogs can be found on my homework page: http://www.htsdc.org/faculty-homework-pages/morell/

Cornerstone and Grades -  Grades will be given periodically using Cornerstone, but because so much of our class is taken by standardized testing and tech “housekeeping,” grades will be given for the semester, not the quarter.

Questions, Comments or Suggestions?  Reach us on mbmorell@htsdc.org or psileo@htsdc.org

Welcome to 7th Grade Tech!

Greetings all,

Ms. Sileo and I would like to give you an overview of how you will use Chromebooks this year.

Remember to get your Technology Agreement forms in so we can begin to use them in class!





This is going to be great...

Mrs. Morell and Ms. Sileo

As you finish, TedEd videos

Be sure you have completed your teacher surveys first!























Check out this NBC Learn Site:

http://www.nbclearn.com/portal/site/learn/resources

After you finish your test today...

Watch a few of these:

Dare to Educate Afghan Girls:

Calculating Pi with Pies:



The (Archaeological) Search for King Richard:



What Cameras See That Our Eyes Don't:



The Mysteries of Vernacular: Clue:




The Mysteries of Vernacular: Assassin:


Ineptitude in the 40-Yard Dash:

Your Digital Footprint

Today, we will have a discussion about your Digital Footprint.  It will start with a pair of videos from BrainPop - one on Social Networks and one on Information Privacy and one on Social Networking.

The we will watch the following videos from the folks at Common Sense Media:

Your homework - before you leave for break:

Submit the three photos - 20 points
Return the following sheet, signed by one of your parents - 20 points.

Haiku Deck

Hello Dear 7th Graders,

Today, we need to learn to navigate a new App in the iPads called Haiku Deck.

This is a cool presentation tool like Prezi or Power Point, but it has been designed for use on an iPad. Unlike the other options, Haiku deck does limit the amount of text you may use on a slide.  

So today you will need to do the following tasks for a 20 point assignment:

1. Open Haiku deck, and set up an account using your HTS Email account, and the same password you use for Prezi and such. 

2. Create 5 slides.  Each slide must have an image, a title, and a line of text.  This line of text must be a complete sentence.

3. Email the presentation to me at mbmorell@htsdc.org.

You may create a slideshow on one of the following ideas:

5 countries, cities or states... and perhaps why you would like to visit them. (or five places you have been)

5 birds, butterflies, mammals, or other critters...

5 castles, beaches, monuments, or mountains, landforms

I'm open to other options, but this is more about learning to use Haiku deck than obsessing about a theme :)  I suggest you keep it simple, and take advantage of the gorgeous images that Haiku deck offers.

Have fun,

Mrs. Morell

TedEd Film Festival

OK my friends.  When you finish Scantron testing, you must be quiet to let others finish, so prepare to be amazed by this series of videos - mostly from TedEd.  At the end of class, we will give you about ten minute to comment on which was your favorite and why, and which was your least favorite and why.  This will be your 20 point participation grade for the day.