Ms Tella's 7th Period Critiques

Mrs Tella gave the class an assignment to create a Keith Haring inspired drawing based on several criteria. Students are to view three drawings and post their critiques using the criteria given.

KKCHS View from Johnson Highway

Here's our link to Ms Tella's VoiceThread project. Feel free to add your earliest memory of visiting Kennedy-Kenrick. Click on the arrow to get started, you can listen but will need a VoiceThread account in order to post a comment. Accounts are easy and quick to set up

What colors should I use?

Great lesson on using Kuler to establish color themes.

Using Skype

A Librarian at Lake Placid Middle/High School has done a lot of work with Skype and offers these ideas for ways to use it within the classroom.

Example Skype Projects

Some examples of Skype projects that have been implemented in other schools include (but are not limited to):

· Foreign language classes talking with students in other countries

· Science classes discussing research with a renowned scientist

· Literature classes discussing a book directly with the author

· Art classes “visiting” an artist’s gallery

· History classes in different schools comparing historical events in their home states

· Two schools planning a charity event via online Skype meetings

· Teacher professional development seminars

· Music classes “meeting” a particular artist, composer, or conductor

· Health classes debating or discussing teen issues with students in a different part of the country

· Virtual book clubs

Getting better search results, Part 1

Use capitals to zero in on specific words. Kennedy Kenrick vs kennedy kenrick

On the Internet, 'case sensitive' searching means that when you use capital letters the search engine will only show results where the words are capitalized. Lower case will get you both upper and lower case spellings.

Phrase Search to find words that have to go together in a specific order like, "Kennedy Kenrick"

This is a very good way to find lyrics or poems It works better for any search where it's important that words come in order.

Your task is to do a Google search on the topic you were assigned. First do one the way you would normally, then try both of these tips. Post your results here at this blog. Your posting should include the words you typed in the search box and the total number of hits you got. How have the results changed in any way beside giving you a different number of results?

Your posting counts as one homework grade. Due date will be given in class.

Help at the Library

Arrgh! I have too much reading to do! How can I get through it all?

Kurzweil
Last year, Kennedy-Kenrick was awarded a grant for Kurzweil Reading software and equipment that can be very useful for anyone needing a little extra help with reading assignments. It can also help convert an assignment to an Mp3 so it can be taken on the road.

What is a Kurzweil Reader?
The Kurzweil package lets student and teachers take printed assignments, scan them and turn them into audio thereby making reading assignments easier for any students that might otherwise be having difficulty keeping up. Having assignmets read, while the student follows along with the text, can help make students stronger readers since the student controls the speed at which the software reads.

Kurzweil will also let students turn reading assignments into Mp3 files so that the content can be put onto IPods or other Mp3 player. Now, extra busy students can bring their assignment with them on the team bus or anywhere else they are allowed to listen.

What's not to like? While scanning and transferring files requires some extra time the payoff can be huge for students that need the boost. If a younger sibling could use this service, let big brother or sister help them by converting the text. Any parent that would like a demonstration of Kurzweil or any other library database or software is invited to Tomlinson Learning Center. This opportunity is available during evening conferences or during the day, by appointment. Any one that would like to contact me can reach me at pspadaro@kkchs.org.