Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Grade 5 - People of New York

Grade 5,

I am out of school at an educational technology conference. I am being a student, learning from other teachers new tools, ideas, and how I can be a better computer teacher. Learning never stops, even if you're a teacher.

You will watch the video below and answer a few questions...


For anyone that has difficulty commenting you can read this post and watch the video and if you still have questions, this post might be helpful too....


People of New York Part II from Rustad Media on Vimeo.

Your questions...

  • The video was mostly shot in Times Square. Time Square is often called the "crossroads of the world." Why do you think that is?
  • What was one thing that stood out to you?
  • What does it feel like to watch people as they go about their day? 
  • When the time-lapse portions started, many of those shots were not in Manhattan. Do you know where they were? Did you recognize any of the locations?
  • What does watching a video like this make you think about New York?
  • Does this video give you any ideas as to why people might love coming here, or living here?


Answer these questions in full and complete detailed sentences (at least one full paragraph) as a comment below...

Remember - Comment as "Name/URL" and use your first name and last initial (proper capitalization, no URL)- please respond in full and complete sentences - double check your work before posting your comment.

Grade 4 - Time Lapse: Earth

4th graders,

I am out of school at an educational technology conference. I am being a student, learning from other teachers new tools, ideas, and how I can be a better computer teacher. Learning never stops, even if you're a teacher.

You will watch the video below and answer a few questions...


For anyone that has difficulty commenting you can read this post and watch the video and if you still have questions, this post might be helpful too....

Time-Lapse | Earth from Bruce W. Berry Jr on Vimeo.


Your questions...

  • What did you see, in your own words?
  • What was one thing that stood out to you?
  • Did you recognize any parts of the Earth, any continents or countries?
  • When the night-time images came on, what did it make you think about?
  • Did seeing the Earth from above during both day and night change your thinking about the world we live in?


Answer these questions in full and complete detailed sentences (at least one full paragraph) as a comment below...

Remember - Comment as "Name/URL" and use your first name and last initial (proper capitalization, no URL)- please respond in full and complete sentences - double check your work before posting your comment.

Grade 3 - History of Typography

3rd Graders,
I am out of school at an educational technology conference. I am being a student, learning from other teachers about new tools, ideas, and how I can be a better computer teacher. Learning never stops, even if you're a teacher.

When we are typing we are entering our text using a particular font, or style of writing. But fonts aren't just fonts, they are "typography" or the art or technique of arranging type in order to make language visible.

Before computers there were typewriters and before that, handwriting. In order to make writing universally legible there needed to be typography.

Watch the video below and answer the questions as comments...

I know some of you saw this video last year, but not everyone has. Even if you did see it, you are now a year older and may have a different perspective or opinion about it. Regardless of whether you've seen it or not, all 3rd grades will complete this assignment


The History of Typography by Ben Barrett-Forrest from Dezeen on Vimeo.



The questions...

  • What did you learn about typography?
  • Do you remember any of the typography style names? Which was your favorite?
  • What did you think about the style of video?
  • Did you like the way the video looked and was animate?
  • If you saw this video last year, have any of your thoughts or opinions on typography changed? Did something new stand out to you?


Answer these questions in full and complete sentences as a comment below...

Remember - Comment as "Name/URL" and use your first name and last initial (proper capitalization, no URL)- please respond in full and complete sentences - double check your work before posting your comment.

Grade 2 - New Year's Eve in 2 Minutes

2nd graders,

I am out of school at an educational technology conference. I am being a student, learning from other teachers about new tools, ideas, and how I can be a better computer teacher. Learning never stops, even if you're a teacher.

Today you will watch a short video and then comment on it.



For anyone that has difficulty commenting you can read this post and watch the video and if you still have questions, this post might be helpful too....



Your questions:

  • What did you do this past New Year's Eve?
  • What did you think about the video?

Please answer the questions in full and complete sentences.

I hope you enjoy the video!


Remember - Comment as "Name/URL" and use your first name and last initial (proper capitalization, no URL)- please respond in full and complete sentences - double check your work before posting your comment.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Class 3-311 blogs

Class 3-311 blogs...

These blogs have been created in the computer lab under the direction of Mr. Casal.

The purpose of these blogs is to lay the foundation of a living portfolio, a place where students can post their work and publishing their writing, ongoing, during their time here at PS 10. The hope is as the begin the middle school application process in two years they will be able to show their blogs as timelines of their life as students, examples of the writing, and authentic demonstrations of their growth as students and people over the years.

Some posts are on specific topics with specific guidelines set forth by Mr. Casal. Some posts are entirely independent free writes, completely inspired by the students alone. The layout and design of the blogs is similarly guided, some layout elements are required, but for the most part the students are free to design as they see fit.

These blogs are intended to be student directed & controlled creative outlets to showcase their talents...



Ally: http://allyarportfolio.blogspot.com/
Kate A: http://kateaportfolio.blogspot.com/
Isis: http://isiscportfolio.blogspot.com/
Sophia: http://sophiaeportfolio.blogspot.com/
Phineas: http://phineasfportfolio.blogspot.com/
Helen: http://helenfportfolio.blogspot.com/
Bella: http://bellafportfolio.blogspot.com/
Mada: http://madagportfolio.blogspot.com/
Olivia: http://oliviagportfolio.blogspot.com/
Lena: http://lenagportfolio.blogspot.com/
Haley: http://haleyhportfolio.blogspot.com/
Jacob: http://jacobhbportfolio.blogspot.com/
Gus: http://gushportfolio.blogspot.com/
Ella: http://ellajportfolio.blogspot.com/
Nick: http://nickkportfolio.blogspot.com/
Brian: http://brianksportfort.blogspot.com/
Katie M: http://kateemportfolio.blogspot.com/
Camilo: http://camilomporfolio.blogspot.com/
Zenichi: http://zenmportfolio.blogspot.com/
Eshaan: http://eshaannportfolio.blogspot.com/
Knox: http://knoxoportfolio.blogspot.com/
Casey: http://caseypportfolio.blogspot.com/
Sequoia: http://sequoiarportfoloi.blogspot.com/
Banjo: http://banjosportfolio.blogspot.com/
Milo: http://milosportfolio.blogspot.com/
Naomi: http://naomifsportfolio.blogspot.com/
Josie: http://josiesportfolio.blogspot.com/
Gabriel: http://gabrieltportfolio.blogspot.com/
Katherine T: http://katherinetportfolio.blogspot.com/
Jaila: http://jailatportfolio.blogspot.com/
Theo: http://theoyportfolio.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Perspective is an intersting thing

This post is not an assignment, just something I found I thought folks might find interesting.

In life we tend to get use to seeing things a certain way. We expect things we see to look & act the same, the way we're use too, all the time. Sometimes, however, it is possible to look at things differently. Looking at things differently, from different angles or with a different mindset, is called perspective.

I found this great video that I think demonstrates the importance of perspective....



When you look at a picture or even a statue, the head stays still. But sometimes, it's possible for a picture or statue to follow you are you walk around it...



Move videos on the Brusspup YouTube Channel

That, is perspective.

Yes, the video refers to it as an illusion, and it is an illusion. An illusion is something that tricks your mind into seeing something other than what is truly there.

But I think it's also a great way to demonstrate the importance of looking at things differently.

Sometimes what we see isn't always what we expect. And sometimes the unexpected is easier to explain than we think. An open mind is the key.

Enjoy the video, and always keep perspective...


------------------------------------------------------->

An explanation from the creator of the video:

This is based on the famous dragon illusion which was inspired by Jerry Andrus. I've always wanted to try this illusion with several of these at once. I wanted to use 20 or 30 but after I tried a test with only 12, I realized 20 or 30 was going to be too many. So another thing I've always wanted to try was to have a large version. The original file was about 9 feet X 9 feet. I had to split the image into 4 files so the printer as my local print shop could print it. I traced all of the pieces on cardboard which I used to build a support structure for the prints. I used small pieces of cardboard and hot glue to make the structure really solid. One problem that I had was that the paper for the large dragon was really shiny. So if you look closely you can see the reflection of the eyes on the "top" and side panels. I bought some matte spray to try and minimize the reflections. It worked a little. Over all I was happy with the results.
The t-rex design is an original design used with the Gathering for Garder 3D dragon template. The original 3D template design (dragon) was inspired by the work of Jerry Andrus to celebrate Gathering for Gardner 3. http://www.thinkfun.com


Links to print out your own T-Rex: