4th Grade - February 2/2014 - New Winter Olympic events

The Olympic Winter Games are currently happening. They started on February 7th and go until the closing ceremony on February 23rd.

Below is a video describing the new events at these Olympic Games. These are events that have never before been Olympic events.


Watch the video and answer the questions below...

Your questions:

• What did you think about the video?

• Which of the new events looks most interesting to you? Why?

• Have you watched any of the Winter Olympics this year?

• Have you seen any of these new events? 

• Do you currently do any winter sports? Ice skating, skiing, hockey, etc?

Please respond in full and complete sentences, paragraph form. Double check your work before posting your comment. Once you post your comment, Mr. Casal will be notified and he will grade and approve your post. Your comment will not appear on the blog until Mr. Casal has read and approved it.

Have a great week off, watch the Olympics, and have fun!

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.

3rd Grade - February 2/2014 - Which Olympic sport is for you?

The Olympic Winter Games are currently happening. They started on February 7th and go until the closing ceremony on February 23rd.

Below is a video of celebrities and athletes (not Winter Olympic athletes) answering the question: "In which Winter Olympic Sport would you want to compete?" 

Watch the video and answer the questions below:

Your questions:

• Have you watched any of the Winter Olympics this year?

• What Winter Olympic sport would you, as a 3rd grader, like to compete in?

• Do you currently do any winter sports? Ice skating, skiing, hockey, etc?

Please respond in full and complete sentences, paragraph form. Double check your work before posting your comment. Once you post your comment, Mr. Casal will be notified and he will grade and approve your post. Your comment will not appear on the blog until Mr. Casal has read and approved it.

Have a great week off, watch the Olympics, and have fun!

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.

We tweet @P10Brooklyn. A lot

Tweeting @PS10Brooklyn has become a core component of many classrooms. It has been great to see teachers, students, and parents alike embrace the power of Twitter as a communication, collaboration, and connection tool.

For example, @MsKertesz in the 4th grade has used Twitter to connect with a class in Liverpool, England. They do weekly Skype sessions and our 4th graders have developed a great working partnership with their English counterparts. Without Twitter these two classes, separated by an ocean, would never have connected.

Twitter has also gotten PS10 recognition outside of New York City...



One of the largest educational technology conferences, FETC, is an annual event drawing thousands of educators from all over the world to Orlando, Florida, to share and learn together. PS 10 was invited to present our use of social media, Twitter in particular, to the attendees at the conference. Here is the slideshow from that presentation:

This is the webpage created to support PS10's appearance at FETC

What do we tweet?

@PS10Brooklyn tweets out news and information related to school, but also retweets a lot of the great work teachers are tweeting from their classrooms.

At it's core, Twitter @PS10Brooklyn allows the community as a whole a real-time glimpse into the classroom learning environments. It also allows us to share the great work and successes of our students in a global, meaningful, and authentic way.

Social media is here to stay. Twitter is growing platform. Here @PS10Brooklyn we want to be at the forefront of technology and teach our students proper digital etiquette. The best way to do this is to model appropriate and positive use of digital tools. Tweeting with PS 10 is the best way to model the powerful good social media, and Twitter, can bring to the instructional environment.

Check out all the teachers who tweet:

https://twitter.com/PS10Brooklyn/lists/staff

Not on Twitter? No worries! Follow our hashtags here:

tagboard.com/ps10bk - general school tweets
tagboard.com/ps10sw - student work specific tweets
tagboard.com/ps10st - student written tweets



Feel free to email, or tweet @PS10Tech with any questions.

Thanks!

Class 5-404 blogs...

Class 5-404 blogs...

These blogs were originally created in the computer lab under the direction of Mr. Casal using their PS 10 Google Apps for Education accounts. Since their initial creation the students have taken 100% control of the direction and content that appears on their blogs (while meeting the guidelines of the PS 10 acceptable use policy)

These blogs were started in 2012 when the students were in the 4th grade. It was the first foray of any class into the world of student-driven blogging. Prior to this students comment on teacher-written posts. This was an opportunity to give students control of their digital publishing.
(roughly 10 students are new to the class this year, so their blogs are not as robust and populate yet)

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.

When they leave PS 10 if they would like to keep their blogs they will be able to change ownership to a personal Google account.

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




Ajax: http://newyorkknicksajax.blogspot.com/
Amelia: http://splapaint.blogspot.com/
Brisa: http://brisafkane.blogspot.com/
Caleb: http://calebkoolstuff.blogspot.com/
Carter: http://carterkportfolio.blogspot.com/
CC: http://crazyccwarriors.blogspot.com/
Elsa: http://bornothology.blogspot.com/
George: http://george-minecraft.blogspot.com/
Hershel: http://dibikg.blogspot.com/
Ian: http://iansgportfolio.blogspot.com/
Justice: http://justicecportfolio.blogspot.com/
Kai: http://kaisportfolio.blogspot.com/
Leandro: http://lg123soccer.blogspot.com/
Lauren: http://msmythology.blogspot.com/
Maddie: http://more-maddie.blogspot.com/
Marvin: http://marvinhportfolio.blogspot.com/
Max: http://veyronmine.blogspot.com/
Nora: http://norakhportfolio.blogspot.com/
Michelangelo: http://mikedoodlesies.blogspot.com/
Nyklos: http://wilsonbasketball.blogspot.com/
Owen C: http://oacthinks.blogspot.com/
Owen T: http://taberthoughts.blogspot.com/
Rajesh: http://rajeshsreptiles.blogspot.com/
Taylor: http://taylorjsportfolio.blogspot.com/
Tim: http://nbatimothy.blogspot.com/
Tristyn: http://insanityblogyea.blogspot.com/
Unni: http://greekmyth-unni.blogspot.com/
Waheeb: http://waheebpportfolio.blogspot.com/



And just becuase I think it's great to see:
http://tomerronen.blogspot.com/
Tomer is a former student and was a member of the class when we started the blogs. His family moved out of state but he has maintained his blog. It's great to see him keeping up even though he's no longer at PS 10!

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....

NYE Times Square from The Timelapse Group on Vimeo.

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.

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/

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:

• GreenT-Rex image
• http://i.imgur.com/vBDV8o5.jpg
• Red T-rex
• http://i.imgur.com/80DDCYy.jpg
• Blue T-rex
• http://i.imgur.com/Z8lZnoK.jpg