Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Read 180 Topic Software Component

The Read 180 program has three components:

  • Teacher-directed instruction using your R Book
  • Independent Modeled Reading in our "reading cafe"
  • Read 180 online "Topic Software"

Today you will begin using the Read 180 online component called "Topic Software". This program is interesting and fun! You will watch videos, listen to readings, read out loud and record your voice for Ms. Kline to listen to, answer questions about what you have read, take spelling tests, and write short essays...all online!

How to Use the Topic Software Component of Read 180

Open Firefox to the Spurgeon web site.

Click on the "Academic" menu bar item and drop down to "Read 180".
Click "Read 180 Links" in the navigation pane on the left.
Click "Scholastic Student Portal".
Click on the red "Read 180" box.
Click on the red "Read 180" box again.

Click "Allow" when prompted to authorize the microphone.
Speak into the microphone when prompted.

Type in your student ID#
Your password is your 8-digit date of birth: MMDDYYYY


You will have approximately one minute to look at your data on the Student Dashboard. This data shows your progress in the Reading, Word, and Spelling zones.

After looking at your progress, you will work in the program. A flashing disk means there is still work to do in one of the five zones: Reading Zone, Word Zone, Spelling Zone, Success Zone, or Writing Zone. You will continue working in each zone until you have reached mastery.

To exit the program:


Click "Zone Menu" on the lower right hand side of the screen.

Click "Quit" on the lower right hand side of the screen to quit the program.

If your microphone is not working:

First, check the beige control box on the headphones audio cable to see if the "microphone off" button has been pushed and the little red light is on (the red light on the bottom is always lit).

If the microphone still does not record sound:

Go to the Apple menu.

Drop down to System Preferences.

Click the Sound icon.

All tabs use USB device.

Check the Input tab window, make sure the volume is raised for the microphone.

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Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Read 180 Introduction

 

 Welcome to the Read 180 program!


You are enrolled in this amazing program to help you become the reader your are destined to become:

a reader who is ready for high school, college, and beyond!

Today you will take the Scholastic Reading Inventory assessment to find your lexile score. A lexile score helps match readers with books and other reading material so that they have a positive reading experience and can learn to grow as readers.

Please use the following steps:

Go to the Read 180 Student portal by clicking on this link.


 Click on the Scholastic Reading Inventory icon.

Log in to the program:
Username = Your SAUSD student ID#
Password = Your 8 digit birthday (MMDDYYYY)

Once you are logged in to the student portal:
  • Choose 3 literature genres.
  • Take a practice test.
  • You will take at least 20 minutes to complete the test. Please read carefully. Read the paragraph, then answer the questions
  • You are allowed 3 skips.
  • You will be given your lexile score at the end of the assessment.
  • Please write down your lexile on page 25 of your agenda.
  • Use this lexile score to choose books and reading material at any library.

Good luck on the assessment
and try your best to get the most accurate score!

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Monday, September 09, 2013

Creating a Google Doc

Today we are going to learn how to create a document with our
Google Apps for Education accounts!

Google Drive is the location where you will begin using the office suite applications in Google Apps. In Google Drive, you will find an easy-to-use word processor to create and edit written documents.

To create a document in your Google Drive account:
  1. Log in in to your Google Apps account from the Spurgeon web site so that you access your SAUSD Google account not another Google (gmail) account.
  2. Click on your 2013-2014 school year folder.
  3. Click the red "Create" button on the left side of your Drive account.
  4. Drop down to and click on "Document".
  5. Click on "Untitled Document" and type in the box to rename your document.
  6. Compose and edit your document as with any word processing software.
  7. Google Docs are automatically saved.
Let's practice by creating and editing a new document!
Add Image Icon
  • Create a new document as detailed above.
  • Rename the title to "About Me".
  • Type your name at the top of the page.
  • Click the "Align center" button to center your name as a title.
  • Highlight your name and change the font to your choice, change the size to no larger than size 36, and change the "Text color" to your preference.
  • Press return two times.
  • Insert a photo of yourself by clicking on the insert menu item, and drop down to image.
  • Click "Take a snapshot" to see the viewer.

  • When you are happy with your photograph, click "Take snapshot".
  • Move your photo to the bottom of your document.
  • You may also add a photo of your favorite thing, but don't forget to cite your resource, it's easy to do if you use Google docs Reference tool.
  • Great job!

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Friday, September 06, 2013

Creating Folders in Google Drive

You now know how to log in to your SAUSD Google account, but before we create our first Google Doc, we need to get organized! Today we will create folders to organize our Google Drive.


First, log in to your SAUSD Google account. You will be in your Google Drive at this point.


Next, click on the add folder symbol to add a folder to your drive
Now, label this folder 2012-2013 to house the work you created last year at school
Move your old documents into this folder by selecting the box in front of the document.




 Then, click on the "move folder" icon.

Select the correct folder.

Click "move".
You are also able to drag your files into the folder.

Now you will create a folder for this year and call it "2013-2014". Open this folder and create six folders for the 2013-2014 school year.

You are ready to begin the new school year with your Google account...great job!


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Logging In To Our SAUSD "Google Apps in Education" Accounts

Today we are going to learn how to log in to our
SAUSD Google Apps for Education accounts!

Your Google account is an online account that gives you access to many different applications you can use to complete projects for your classes. When you create something using your Google account, you are able to access it from any computer, anywhere, at any time. One of the best features of your Google account is the ability to collaborate with your teacher and other students on the same project!

Some of the tools are office suite/productivity applications and are used primarily for typing and presenting information. These are Google Drive (formerly called "Docs"):
Other applications are for online publishing such as:
  • Sites (for creating websites)
  • Blogger (for creating blogs)
  • Calendar
You will use this account until you graduate from high school in the Santa Ana Unified School District!

How to log in:
  1. Open any web browser
  2. Go to the Spurgeon website at www.spurgeoncougars.us
  3. Click on the SAUSD Google Apps link:
  4. Sign in to your Google account
    1. Name = StudentID#
    2. Password = Your Date of Birth (MMDDYYYY)

You are now signed in and can now begin using your account!

  
To use your account, click on any of the items in the black Google menu bar at the top of the Google home page. Some of the items you will use frequently are:
  • Google Drive is where your office suite items such as documents, presentations, spreadsheets, forms, or drawings are housed.
  • Google Calendar displays calendars you have created, and any calendars that have been shared with you.
  • You Tube video-sharing website allows you to personalize your account with "channels".
  • Google Play is for books, magazines, media, games & Android apps.
How to log out:
  1. Return to the Google home page or your Google Drive page
  2. Click on your name in the upper right hand corner
  3. Drop down and click on "Sign Out"
Remember!
Don't forget to sign out of you Google account and disconnect your Google Chrome account whenever you leave your computer to protect your privacy.

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Thursday, September 05, 2013

The Moon Illusion

Ever wonder why the moon looks so much larger when it is rising over the horizon than when is overhead? So have many different scientists over the years!

Here is a great animated video discussing the topic.


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Digital Literacy and Responsibility



We are living in a digital age, and almost every aspect of our life involves digital technology.

Communication, digital media, science, medicine, finance, etc., every one of these areas in our lives is touched by digital technology, and we use the Internet to access every one of these areas of our lives.

So what does it mean to be a digital citizen? On Tuesday, you read the Santa Ana Unified School District's "Student Technology Use Policy" and we discussed the various important aspects in that document. Today, you will begin an online program that will lead you through multiple elements of digital literacy and responsibility. Best of all...this program is a lot of fun!

To use "Ignition Digital Literacy and Responsibility" program:
You will now begin the program which will take you on an animated journey through an imaginary digital world to teach you how to be a responsible digital citizen. You will work on this program every Wednesday until you complete the program.

To use the program:
  • Click Log In in the right hand upper corner.
  • Enter your user name and password.
  • Check your progress bar.
  • Click "Continue" to begin the course.
  • You will complete the "Welcome to Ignition" module first.
 

  • You will then begin Modules 1-7.
  • After you complete all of the activities, you will receive a completion certificate for digital citizenship.
  • Don't forget to log out before you leave every day.

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Wednesday, September 04, 2013

Happy Rosh Hashanah!

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and it is celebrated in September. This video was made by a Jewish cultural content website as a entertaining way to explain this important Jewish holiday.

Enjoy!



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Learn to Type by Touch with Keyboarding Online!

Today we will learn about the web-based keyboarding course, Keyboarding Online!

Open your browser and go to the website:
www.keyboardingonline.com
  • Click the red button that says "Login Now".
  • Enter the School Login and Password.
  • Click the Screen Based: Keyboard Mastery button.
  • Select the checkbox that states "Trust all applets from Ellsworth Publishing".
  • Click "Allow" when asked to download the Java application for Keyboarding Online.
  • Click "Open Existing Student File."
  • Click on this class period.
  • Click on your name.
  • Click "Open."
  • Enter your password.
  • Click "Set Up" on the left, then click on each tab to see how the system is set up for grading your keyboarding lessons.
  • Click "Introduction" and we will review this section as a class.
  • Click on each step, we will read them out loud as a class.
  • Follow the instructions in each section as required. These practice exercises will teach you how to use the Keyboarding Online program and will prepare you for the regular lessons.
  • Click "Lessons Menu."
  • Type only Line 1 in the Lesson 1, Line 1 window, do not type any other line at this time.
  • Repeat Line 1 if you still have time left on the timer. Don't forget this part or your WPM will drop!
  • The length of each timing is listed at the top of the window.
  • The timer is displayed at the bottom of the screen. When you reach the end of a sentence, you will hit the return key with your right pinky finger, and retype the line until your timer runs out.
  • You will only receive a score when you have reached 10 WPM.
  • You are required to type each line until you receive a score, but you may repeat a line to receive a higher score.
  • You will find your top three scores at the lower right hand side of the window.
  • Continue with Line 2 when you have received a score for Line 1.
  • Type Line 2 only in this new window. Don't forget to keep typing if your timer has not run out.
  • Continue this process for every line in each lesson.
  • Click "Progress Reports" and "Comprehensive" to check your progress.
  • Click "Grade Reports" and "Current Grade" to see your current grade.
You will be amazed at how quickly your speed and accuracy improve!

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Tuesday, September 03, 2013

SAUSD's Technology "Acceptable Use Policy"

When you use the Internet or technology equipment in an organization, the entity that offers the use of such technology will have an "Acceptable Use Policy" for its users. This policy explains what you are allowed to do or are expected to do when using technology within the bounds of the organization.

Every organization has an Acceptable Use Policy, and the Santa Ana Unified School District is no exception.

Today we will review the SAUSD Student Technology Use Policy. As a member of SAUSD, you will read it, and sign that you agree to abide by the rules of the organization. You will then take it home to also be signed by your parents.


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