|
|
|
I can't believe that it is almost Spring Break! We still have a lot of work to do in the next two weeks as the third quarter comes to a close. My 7th graders are finishing up some imovie projects and learning to create a website using iweb. My 6th graders have been doing some drawing and learning about graphs and spreadsheets. In grades 2/3, we have worked on word processing by typing poems written in the classroom. In grades 4/5, we have done different things with different classrooms. Most things had something to do with keynote. It is safe to say 4/5 students are mastering keynote!
Middle school parents, please remind your children to finish the year strong by completing any outstanding assignments. There are really no acceptable excuses for not completing technology assignments since all work is done in class and I have open "computer lab time" during recess/lunch that can be used to catch up if they fall behind.
|
| Mike Butler
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Happy New Year!
As the quarter winds down it is very important that Middle School students complete missing assignments. Since MAP testing is essentially over and I have my lab back, I will have the computer lab open during lunch/recess for students who want to take advantage of the extra computer time. As always, I will be fair when assessing missing assignments and look at the reasons for the missing assignments. Students who have squandered time/opportunity with poor choices will not receive the same consideration as students who missed school due to illness. There is enough time for everyone to complete everything that is missing as long as they have the right attitude.
The new quarter will bring a new group of sixth graders and my first group of seventh graders. I will say good bye to my eighth graders. In the elementary grades will will start to move toward more productivity work (word processing and presentations) and less keyboarding.
As always, if you have any comments or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.
Mr. Butler
|
| Mike Butler
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I hope you and yours have a restful, happy winter break filled with family and love.
Mr. Butler
|
| Mike Butler
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wow! November flew by and winter is fast approaching. It's time for an update of what is going on in technology classes.
Second-fifth grade continue to work on "touch typing" keyboarding. There are a lot of great websites with games to practice keyboarding. It is important that students train their fingers by practicing using the correct fingers to press keys. This is more important than not looking at hands.
Sixth grade just finished up creating some wonderful digital stories. Ask your child to bring home a copy of his/her story on his/her flashdrive. We are now beginning a unit on Scratch. Scratch is an application, developed by M.I.T. , used to teach computer programming logic. We work our way through 8 lessons that build upon each other. At the end of lesson 8 each student will have created a simple video game. Students should come away from the experience with a new appreciation for how much work goes into creating a video game.
Eighth grade is working on an imovie unit. Students will create a movie from still images. They will also learn some of the advanced imovie tools such as "picture in picture" and "green screen." Later in the year, they will be asked to use their imovie skills for a social studies project for Mr. Brackmann.
|
| Mike Butler
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The quarter is ending this week and we all know what that means: parent teacher conferences. Please stop by and see me if you have any questions about your child's grade in technology class. If you do not have any questions, stop by and say hi. See you during conferences.
|
| Mike Butler
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yesterday we had our first successful "live" streaming morning announcement. Brady and Lucas did a fantastic job in front of the camera and Bill and Dustin were "spot on" behind the scenes with the equipment. We will continue to do braodcasts this way but will not formally replace mourning announcements until all the teacher computers have silverlight ugraded. Until silverlight is upgraded they cannot show the broadcast.
If you would like to view some of our archived (older) broadcasts, please go to http://www.ihigh.com/ggs/
ciao
|
| Mike Butler
|
|
|
|
|
|
| We are fast approaching the end of the first quarter. It is hard to believe that 1/4 of the school year is over. Below you will find a summary of what we are working on in technology classes for the month of October.
Kindergarten- Compass Learning and becoming comfortable with using a mouse
First grade- Compass Learning
second/third- Keyboarding using type to learn 4. Occasionally, parent ask about students doing type to learn 4 at home. Unfortunately, TTL4 is not web-based and can only be accessed at school in the computer lab. There are a lot of free websites out there that students can access to practice keyboarding. Take a look at the 2nd/3rd web page, http://gurneegrade.d56.org/staff_directory/ggs_specials/mr_butler/second__third_grade/keyboarding_practice/, on my web site for a page of some of my favorites.
fourth/fifth- keyboarding using type to learn 4 and Native American research for classroom social studies projects
Sixth- We are currently learning about graphs by creating a presentation about the different types of graphs and when to use one over another. We will then learn how to create simple spreadsheets that incorporate graphs. After we finish with spreadsheets, we will do a measuring distance in google earth project.
Eighth- We are learning computer programming logic using an application called Alice. |
| Mike Butler
|
|
|
|
|
|
| With Mrs. Glickley's support and encouragement, I embarked on the task of creating a morning news program for Gurnee Grade School that would stream live over the internet. I am working with my 8th grade enrichment students with the goal being to develop a student led news program. We made some good progress and have been waiting patiently for a laptop to stream our newscast. The streaming website requires a Windows computer and we our a MAC school. Our technology director has been working on a work around but as of yet has not conquered the problem. In the last few days, my video camera has started to act up. I have been looking for a replacement but finding a new camcorder with a firewire output is almost impossible. I may have to buy an older used camera.
While the students are disappointed with the roadblocks we have encountered, they are still excited about the project. When we have all of our issues resolved I will post a link for viewing archived news casts.
~Mr. B the techno gecko |
| Mike Butler
|
|
|
|
|
|
| We begin each new year by learning about computer/internet safety. I use a wonderful website created by the FBI to aid in teaching internet safety concepts. The topics covered in grades 3rd-8th include:
http://usa-sos.org/index.cfm?Page=Topic-By-Grade
Parent tips for all kids
Master the fine art of password creation. It can actually be fun to develop really good passwords. (See more details on how to do this below.) Strong passwords are a key defense against unauthorized access to your information, as well as identify theft.
Know the difference between information worth sharing and private information. There are many ways you can share your ideas and creativity online, but personal information should remain private. Never input personal identity information such as phone numbers, addresses, or your date of birth in order to download something. And never, ever give Social Security numbers or credit card information.
Be very careful with what you download. Don’t download free games or videos to your computer. These programs often come with spyware and viruses that will land your computer in the shop – and you in hot water.
Tips on creating a perfect password
Protect yourself -- and your stuff -- with strong passwords that safeguard your digital data.
Use these tips to help you do it:
• Don’t use passwords that are easy to guess – such as your nickname or your pet’s name. People who know you well can guess these kinds of passwords.
• Don’t use any private identity information in your password. Identity thieves can use this information to pretend to be you.
• Don’t use a word in the dictionary as a password. Hackers use programs that will try every word in the dictionary to guess passwords.
• Do use combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols. These are harder to crack than regular words because there are more combinations to try.
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/advice-for-parents/help-your-kids-stay-safe-and-secure-247-digital-world
|
| Mike Butler
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome to another great year at G.G.S. It's that time of year; time for football to begin, the air to blow a little cooler, and students to return to school. This year I am going to try something different. I am going to blog to keep parents up to date on what is going on in class as well as share some helpful hints or tips regarding technology. I hope you will find my blog informing, valuable, and perhaps humorous. If at any time, you need to speak with me, please call or email me. I respond to email more quickly than I return phone calls. Here's to hoping for a wonderful last full year in this old building.
Mr. Butler
mbutler@d56.org
847-505-1771
|
| Mike Butler
|
|
|
|