Week of February 2

Hi everyone,

It's hard to believe it's the first week of February already. Here is what I have planned:

Computers 2
On Monday, we will review concepts and techniques learned in the second PowerPoint chapter. On Tuesday, students will take a test over the chapter. The remainder of the week we will begin project 3 in PowerPoint together. Students really enjoy this chapter as we begin to incorporate audio clips and videos into PowerPoint as well as use animations. There will be no outside homework this week.

Business Concepts
On Monday and Tuesday, we will discuss common consumer problems. Students will use the website of the attorney general of Illinois to find information about these problems and make posters explaining them. On Wednesday, we will review chapter 2 and on Thursday, students will take a test over the chapter. I will also collect notes that day. On Friday, students will begin creating PowerPoints about identity theft. They will also work on these next Monday.

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

MD

Week of January 26

Hi everyone,

Another four-day week ahead with parent-teacher conferences from 8-3 on Friday. I'm looking forward to meeting those of you who are able to stop in. If you aren't able to stop by and have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at mdunn@vandals.k12.il.us.

Here is what I have planned for this week:

Computers 2
Students will continue creating PowerPoints using the new skills and techniques in chapter 2. No test or outside homework this week.

Business Concepts
We will continue chapter 2 this week. Students are creating presentations using the Prezi website and later in the week they will create posters explaining common consumer complaints. Study guides 2.1 and 2.2 will be due at the beginning of the hour on Wednesday.

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

MD

Week of January 19

Hi everyone,

A four-day week ahead of us. Here is what I have planned:

Computers 2
We will start the second project in PowerPoint this week. This chapter adds new techniques to customize a presentation including picture effects, backgrounds, and the use of shapes in design. There will be no outside work this week.

Business Concepts
On Tuesday, we will review chapter 1. On Wednesday, we will take a test over the chapter and I will grade chapter notes. On Thursday and Friday, we will begin chapter 2, over consumer protection. Students will learn about how to complain about products that are unsatisfactory and ways the government helps to keep business from being unfair to consumers. There will be no outside homework from chapter 2 this week.

I apologize that I have not added grades for my Business Concepts classes to Teacherease. By the end of today, I will have all papers graded and in the program. All graded work will be returned to students tomorrow. Students will also be shown their quarter grades thus far.

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

MD

Week of January 12

Hi everyone,

We made it through the first week of second semester. By the end of the week everyone seemed exhausted, myself included. Hopefully everything will soon start to seem more routine after two weeks off school. Here is what I have planned for the week:

Computers 2
Students will continue to create basic PowerPoint presentations using clip art and transitions. On Thursday, we will review the first chapter and on Friday we will take a test. There will be no outside homework other than studying the review guide for the test.

Business Concepts
This week we will continue chapter 1, including different types of economic systems in the world and the concepts of supply and demand. On Tuesday, 1.1 and 1.2 study guides will be due at the beginning of class. On Friday, 1.3 and 1.4 study guides will be due at the beginning of class.

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

MD

Week of January 5

Hi everyone,

Welcome to my classroom blog, if it's your first time visiting this year. I only have semester-length classes, so I will be seeing a lot of new faces on Tuesday. This semester I will be teaching Computers 2 and Business Concepts. I usually update the blog 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 Tuesday, students will be participating in the all-school volleyball tournament. As a result, I will not see those classes. My morning classes will be doing some fun icebreaker activities to learn more about their classmates. On Wednesday, I will hand out a syllabus in each class and go over the expectations for the semester.
 
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. Attendance is also very important because all work must be done in class.

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

Business Concepts
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 Thursday, students will take and grade a pre-test to find out what they know before beginning the class.

On Friday, we will start chapter one, which covers consumers and their role in the economy. Students will take notes and watch a short video. There will be no outside homework for this week.

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

MD