Sunday, January 26, 2014

Week of January 27

Hi everyone,

Well, this week should be interesting. As all of my classes know, I have MS. It doesn't usually affect my teaching other than some handwriting issues and occasional balance/walking problems. And my need to keep my classroom quite cool as some of your children may have mentioned!

The reason I'm mentioning it now, is that I have been receiving a pretty massive dose of IV steroids the last couple of days to treat some issues I've been having related to the MS. My last dose is Monday before my first class. Sometimes after an infusion, I do okay and other times it can get pretty awful. I have every intention of being at school, but if I can't make it through and need to go home, the plans may change slightly. The schedule below is what I would like to accomplish if all goes smoothly. If it's bumpier than planned there may be slight changes, but I will do my best to stick to the following:

Computers 2
On Monday, students will do another PowerPoint activity choosing their own design theme, fonts, etc. On Tuesday, we will review for the first test and on Wednesday, students will take a test over the first project. All tests in this class have two parts: a written portion and a production portion. All written portion questions come from the reading guide which students completed in class and can take home to use as a study guide. For the production portion, students will create PowerPoints using the techniques they learned in this chapter. On Thursday, students will watch a movie about technology.

Business Concepts
We will start chapter 2 on Monday, which covers consumer protection laws and making smart buying decisions. On Monday and Tuesday, we will do notes and students will work in groups on PowerPoints about identity theft. On Wednesday, we will continue notes and look at issues of Consumer Reports magazine. On Thursday, students will read an article about Facebook privacy on the internet.

Thursday is the reward field trip for students with zero referrals, zero tardies, and no more than two absences during the first semester. I will be one of the chaperones. Students who attend the field trip are not responsible for making up work missed in my class that day. They deserve it! Also, Friday is parent/teacher conferences. I look forward to meeting those of you who are able to drop in.

I think that's it for this week. Remember, if you ever have any questions/comments, please feel free to e-mail me at mdunn@vandals.k12.il.us

MD

Monday, January 20, 2014

Week of January 20

Hi everyone,

I have graded 150+ papers today and will be putting the first grades of the semester into TeacherEase this evening. This week and next will be four-day weeks due to MLK day and parent/teacher conferences. Here is what I have planned for this week:

Computers 2
Students will continue to work in PowerPoint, becoming familiar with the workspace and adding design elements and transitions. No test this week.

Business Concepts
On Tuesday, we will cover the last section in chapter 1, over supply and demand. On Wednesday, study guides 1.3 and 1.4 will be due. We will review for the test that day. On Thursday, students will take a test over chapter 1. I will also collect notes that day. On Friday, I will be at a PBIS conference and will likely leave a movie for students to watch.

I think that's it for this week. Have a good one!

MD

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Week of January 13

Hi everyone,

I hope everyone enjoyed their snow days. We will try this again from the top: here is what I have planned for this week:

In all classes, on Monday I will hand out the syllabus for each class and let everyone know what to expect during the semester.

Business Concepts 1
On Tuesday,  we will be starting chapter 1, about the economy. We will be taking notes in class and completing activities related to the content. I do grade notes at the end of each chapter. Study guides for the chapter will be passed out on Wednesday, with the first two sections being due Friday.

Computers 2
This week we will be starting the first project in PowerPoint, covering basic tools and commands. We will complete the first activity together. There will be no outside homework.

I think that's it for this week. Have a good one.

MD

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Another snow day

Looks like I spoke too soon. Hopefully on Friday I'll be able to give out the syllabus to each class and let them know what to expect this semester!

MD

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Week of January 6

Hi everyone,



It looks like tomorrow we will actually be having school, so I decided to make my first post of the semester. I hope everyone enjoyed their snow days. Thanks for stopping by the blog, which I usually update on Saturday or Sunday with information about the upcoming week. This week's post will have a short description of each class as well as the schedule for the first week.

On Thursday, I will hand out the syllabus for each class and let everyone know what to expect during the semester.

Business Concepts 1
This class is considered a consumer education credit. Students will learn about real-life scenarios, such as finding a job, making smart buying decisions, filing taxes, using a checkbook, using credit cards, etc. The class is one semester in length and is a graduation requirement.

On Friday, we will start chapter one, which covers consumers and their role in the economy. There will be no outside homework for this week.

Computers 2
This class covers both Microsoft PowerPoint and Microsoft Publisher. Students will learn the basics of PowerPoint, including sounds, animations, and timings during the first quarter. Publisher will be introduced during the second quarter when students create flyers, brochures, and newsletters. The class is one semester in length and is an elective. There will not be work to take home for this class, as it is all completed in the computer lab. However, students will be responsible for studying for tests. I haven't taught this class since I did my student teaching...nine years ago! Hopefully, I'm not too rusty.

On Friday, we will start with the first chapter in PowerPoint, working through the activity as a class. 

I think that's it for this week. Have a good one.

MD