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April - May

Freeware Review
What is Freeware?



Step 1: Use these links to find a freeware you would like to review. Do not download any software. We are looking around and reading reviews. Not all freeware is worth downloading. 

  • 3 Alternatives: This is a site that you can use to search for 3 free alternatives of a software that you like.
  • Photoshop Alternatives: This is a site that has free versions of programs like Photoshop.

Other Freeware / Open Source Sites
  • Freeware Files
  • Top 100 Free Windows Downloads
  • Shareware
  • Open Source Alternative
  • Game Delevopment Freeware
  • Game Creation Resources
  • 3d Modeling Alternatives
  • Graphic Organizers/ Alternative to Kurzweil


Step 2: Complete your review by filling out the form below. All reviews should be saved into your folder. You can add images to support your review to show people what the software might look like. Login to engrade to hand in your completed file into the Freeware Review Turn-in when you have finished. 

freeware_studentws.docx
File Size: 18 kb
File Type: docx
Download File


How to Make a Resume

You have a choice of creating a resume for personal use or a dream job resume you would like to have one day. Before you begin each step be sure to watch the video on the left. Remember that your resume is the first thing that an employer looks at and you want to make a good impression. Take your time and make sure that you do more than one draft of your resume. 

Step 1: Planning Your Resume

Watch the video on the left before you begin.

Download and save a copy of the file below into your folder on the Z Drive. Turn in your completed file on engrade in the Resume Outline Turn-in then move on to Step 2.
Resume Outline
File Size: 25 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

Step 2: Creating Your Resume

You can use some of these action words in your resume.
action_words.jpeg
File Size: 1215 kb
File Type: jpeg
Download File

Watch the video on the left before you begin.

Download and save a copy of the file below into your folder on the ZDrive. Turn in your completed file on engrade in the Resume Final Turn-in.

You can use a template, make a resume from scratch or use the template provided below. 

Remember to save any downloaded files into your own folder on the Z Drive.
resumetemplate.docx
File Size: 41 kb
File Type: docx
Download File


News Flash!

Use this site New York Times - Your Money Guides to find a current event to report on. 
You may also choose from Yahoo Finance, the New York Times Business section or the NY Post Business section.


Don't like to read?
Use speakit on the top right corner of your Google Chrome browser.

1. Highlight the text you want read.
2. Click on the the speaker icon.
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Current Event Handout
Download the handout below and add information about your current event.

Current Event Handout
File Size: 22 kb
File Type: docx
Download File


Create a Comic Book or an Xtranormal Animation 

Use the words and their meanings from the previous assignment to create a comic or animation using the resources below.

Comic Strip Creation

Your comic should meet the following requirements:
  • Have at least 6 frames 
  • Use at least 5 words appropriately
  • Have at least 1 character

Note: To save your work print and save a copy to the Z Drive.

 Click Here to Begin

Xtranormal Animation

Your animation should meet the following requirements:
  • Define at least 5 words
  • Have at least 1 motion, 1 face and 1 camera
  • Make sure your character relates to the topic
 
Note: You will need to request a login. Ask Mrs. Luk for account information.

Click Here to Begin                             

What's the word?

Define the following words and turn in your definitions on engrade. You will be using these definitions in the next assignment so make sure that the definitions are correct, written in your own words and that you understand what the words mean.

Directions: Create a new document in word to record your definitions. Make sure you include your name, period(s) and date in the header. Save the document into the Z Drive titles Stock Definitions.

  • Stock
  • Bond
  • Bear Market
  • Bull Market
  • Capital

  • Supply
  • Demand
  • Stockbroker
  • Dividend
  • Initial Public Offering

Share Your Thoughts

What you think about this class is important.  Click here to share you feelings about this class and the way that I teach. Your opinion will be used to make this a better class next year for you and/or your classmates. 

Ready to Invest?

Click Here to Log In to the Game.
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The Stock Market Game- Intro

After learning about budgeting through the budgeting game, reviewing stocks and SMG rules as a class we will begin assignments 1 and 2. Once you complete these assignment you will receive your account information and your $100,000 virtual budget.
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SMG Assignment 1:  
After learning about how to read stock information fill out this worksheet to test your skills.
stock_quotes.docx
File Size: 138 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

SMG Assignment 2:  
Use this worksheet to record your top 5 stock choices. The resources discussed in the intro are included on the worksheet. 
my_stock_choices.docx
File Size: 21 kb
File Type: docx
Download File


Oops!
Try to survive the month with a fixed income. 
If you can pay your bills and have money left over, you win!


Download this packet to start!
budgeting_packet.docx
File Size: 108 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

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To Calculate Fuel Cost:
  • Find out fuel cost using GasBuddy.com

Plans for Extra Expenses:
  • Find out fuel cost using GasBuddy.com

  • Cell Phone Plans: AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, Virgin Mobile
  • Cable Plans: Optimum, Time Warner, Verizon, Direct TV
  • Internet Plans: Verizon, Optimum, Comcast, Time Warner
  • Home Phone: AT&T, Optimum, Vonage
  • Other: Xbox Live ($60 upfront or $10/ month), PlayStation Network

Once you have finished the assigned projects in your area of study you may start on this next project.

Creating a Timeline of the Future

Directions: Click here to view an example timeline before creating one of your own. Your goal is to create a timeline for the next 40 years that shows your predictions of what the technology market would look like. You should use the flowchart in word to create your timeline. To learn how to use the flowchart tool in Microsoft Word click here to read directions or click here to view a video tutorial.

Your timeline must include the following:

  1. At least 8 examples of technologies that you think would be invented in the future.
  2. The year you think that the technology would be invented.
  3. The company that you think will develop the technology.
  4. A picture to represent the future technology.

Resource: 
Top 10 Inventions of the Furture
FutureTimline.net
Powerful Answers by Verizon
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January - March

Project Discovery

Watch this video before going to your area of study.
Be ready to discuss the video after watching it.


Click on the area you chose to study below to link to all lessons and resources. 
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Audio Development

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Computer Parts
& Repairs

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Game Development

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Graphic Design


December Projects

Login to App Inventor
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Click on the Image Above

Sketch It

This app allows the user to draw on the sketch pad by tapping on the screen or dragging their finger.
Videos on how to design and code this app are available on the Z Drive.
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Directions:

Design Your  App

Step 1- Adding Color Buttons

  • Drag and drop 4 buttons onto the viewer. 

  • To align the buttons next to each other drag the horizontal align box from the Screen Arrangement drawer on the pallet. 

  • Drag all of the buttons into the horizontal alignment box.

  • Change the name of the button by clicking Rename in the components area and change the text for the button in the properties area to a color. 

Step 2- Adding Your Canvas

  • Add the canvas component from the pallet into the viewer. 

  • Upload the image of the sketch pad from the app materials folder on the properties panel. 

Step 3- Additional Buttons

  • Add 3 buttons under the canvas. Name these buttons Small Line, Big Line, and Wipe. 

  • Make sure to rename the  buttons on the properties panel as well as in the components area. 

Program Your App: Blocks Editor

View video tutorials 3-5 to find out how to program your app. To find the video tutorial go to the following folder.

Z Drive >Class Resources>Videos >SketchIt


November Projects

Magic 8 Ball

Directions: To create this fortune telling app you will need to create a new app document in app inventor and the resources below. 
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Materials:

Magic 8 Ball Image
File Size: 8 kb
File Type: jpeg
Download File

Magic 8 Ball Sound Effect
File Size: 21 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File

Possible Answers
File Size: 13 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

Designing Your App

Step 1

Create a new app and name it Magic8Ball.

Step 2

Add 2 labels and 1 button to the design window. (Viewer)

Step 3

Add text to you labels to give the person using your apps directions.

Step 4

Add an image to the button (Magic 8 Ball Image) and then change the text to Tap Here and the text color to white.

Programming Your App

Step 1

Open the Blocks Editor > click on My Blocks> Choose Button1 and add the When Button1.Click block

Step 2

Go back to the Button1 section and drag Button1.Text into Button1.Click.

Step 3

Select the Built In tab and select the List section. We will need two main blocks to create our list. 

First we need the pick random item block so that our answers will be shown randomly. 

Then we will need to at block called make a list. 

Step 4

You now need to create a list of possible answers. To do this go back to the Built In tab and choose Text. 

Drag the first box shown called text into the make a list block. Click on the text to edit the text.

Repeat Step 4 to add all possible answers. (8 or more)

Creating Your First App: Hello Purr

View the video below to learn how to create your first app.
Under the video you will find all the materials you need to develop this app on your own.
Note: If you do not want to watch the video there is a document with instructions needed to develop this app.
Project Materials

Instructions (Print)
hello_purr___mit_app_inventor.pdf
File Size: 1434 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Link to Site
Hello Purr Tutorial Page
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kitty.png
File Size: 177 kb
File Type: png
Download File

Sound
meow.mp3
File Size: 18 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File


App Inventor

Visit this link http://beta.appinventor.mit.edu and sign into your gmail account to start using App Inventor.

Sign Up to Gmail

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If you do not have a gmail account sign up for one to use in class.
 You will need a gmail account to create apps using App Inventor.  

October Projects


Breaking Down Hate Speech

After looking over the definitions and watching the video on the home
page sign into Engrade and add to the Hate Speech Discussion.
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  • Hate Speech: Making cruel, hostile, or negative statements about someone based on their race, religion, national origin, disability, age, gender, or sexual orientation
  • Stereotype: A simplified and often negative assumption about a particular group of people
  • Derogatory: Intentionally hurtful and harmful, designed to insult or degrade
  • Mediation: Efforts by someone who is not part of a situation to settle disputes

Trash Talk Gone Wild

Read the article called Hate Speech Corrodes Online Games below or listen to the audio file. Once you have gone over the article add to the class discussion by visiting www.engrade.com and clicking on the discussion titled Trash Talk Gone Wild. Don't forget to comment on someone's post. Don't forget to comment on someone's post.
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hate_speech_corrodes_online_games.pdf
File Size: 10 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Judging Jeff's Profile

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Pick one of the 4 sections on Jeff's profile. Answer the 4 questions given at the end of the section in a Word document. Once you answer all 4 questions post your response in the class discussion named Jeff's Profile.

Profile Sections: 
  1. Privacy
  2. Self-Expression and Identity
  3. Connected Culture
  4. Respecting Creative Work
Directions: Download the handout and review the profile section you would like to judge. Put your answers in a Word document and save it to your folder on the Z Drive.
judgingjeffsprofile-handout.pdf
File Size: 441 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


College Bound

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Directions: You are college admissions officers who must decide which of two college applicants to admit. The admissions committee has already determined that the candidates, Markus and Tommy, are equally desirable based on their grades, test scores, and personal essays. The officers also have the following information from an online search of each candidate. 


Review the material below. Then fill out the Feedback Form and make your final choice.

Step 1: View Abbas's Story on the Z Drive before reviewing the admission packets on Markus and Tommy.

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Step 2: Review the Admissions Packet

Admission Packet
File Size: 858 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Markus Sanders

markussanders.wma
File Size: 2191 kb
File Type: wma
Download File

Tommy Williams

tommy_williams.wma
File Size: 2124 kb
File Type: wma
Download File

Step 3: Use this documents to record information on each candidate to decide which should be accepted into the school.

feedback_form.docx
File Size: 17 kb
File Type: docx
Download File


Decision Tree

Deciding what to post online may seem easy but sometimes 
we don't think about how our friends could feel about our posts. 


Directions: Create a decision tree that could help someone decide whether or not they should post information online.  You will be using SmartArt to create a flowchart in MS Word that has questions people should ask themselves before posting information online.


Main Idea Examples:

  • Should I post this picture of my friend? 
  • Should I tag my friend in this video? 
  • Should I tag my friend in this picture? 
  • Should I post this information online?


How To: Creating a Decision Tree (Video)

This video is available on the Z Drive in the Class Resources folder.

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Private Today, Public Tomorrow

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Directions: Download the article below. When you have finished reading/listening, log into engrade and join our class discussion on Unintended Consequences of Sharing. 

Article (Print Version)
unintendedconsequences-handout.pdf
File Size: 249 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Article (Audio Version)
unintendedconsequences_audio.wma
File Size: 2258 kb
File Type: wma
Download File


September Projects


Create a Facebook Page In Microsoft Word

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Click below to download your file and save it to your folder on the Z Drive.

Make sure to keep your pages appropriate for school. 
They will be hung up on the wall when you are finished.
facebook.docx
File Size: 37 kb
File Type: docx
Download File


Create an icon for your Engrade account.

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Use one of the following:

http://www.picassohead.com/ 

http://www.icongenerators.net/catdot.html

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2006/10/mii.swf

http://www.reasonablyclever.com/mini/ 

http://stripgenerator.com/strip/create 

http://www.buildyourwildself.com/

http://www.avatar-generator.com

www.tektek.org


Turn In Your PowerPoint

Directions: Go to www.engrade.com and sign in. Go into GP1 and click on where it says Turn-In to upload your work. Select the file you would like to upload from your folder in the Z Drive and follow the rest of the steps. 

Once your work has been turned in it will be graded.   

***Make sure you are uploading the right file for the right project and that it is the final version.***
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Create A PowerPoint

Please view the PowerPoint on how to create a PowerPoint before you begin to make your own. Your PowerPoint will be graded on how well you follow the guide lines reviewed in the PowerPoint. 

Creating a PowerPoint Presentation
File Size: 1121 kb
File Type: pptx
Download File

Choose the topic you would like to make your presentation on.

About Me

Directions: Create a PowerPoint about yourself after filling out the questionare below. You can choose 5-10 questions to include in your PowerPoint. Be sure to include images, related information and animations as needed.

about_me.docx
File Size: 18 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

How To

Directions: Fill out the question sheet below. This sheet will help you decide what you would like to teach someone to do.  Be sure to include images, related information and animations as needed when you create your PowerPoint.
creating_a_how_to_presentation.docx
File Size: 15 kb
File Type: docx
Download File


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Photos used under Creative Commons from visualpun.ch, 401(K) 2013, francisco.j.gonzalez, Colin ZHU, Evil Erin, drukelly