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Dear students and families, This week, students will be bringing home a class list with codes for each of them. These codes are part of the web address of their online Photopeachmovie. Follow the directions below to slideshow:
 * Friday, May 14, 2010:**

To view your movie, type: [] followed by your code in the address field. For example, if your code was: mennxg your movie can be found at… [] No login or password is necessary to see a movie.

Dear students and families, Students have begun publishing slideshows to the web. Maybe you'll see your child's slideshow. Here's how: Go to www.photopeach.com Login: treehousetechclass Password: swat7d. note: Include the period after the d in the password Go to My Shows. Search for your child's video by looking for the title following a two digit code:(Which # day s/he has tech class), (grade) i.e. day 3, grade 5 would be 35 Use the Prev and Next arrows at the bottom of the page. These videos are in order of day/time created with the most current shown on the first page. If you are looking for a video that you know was made days/weeks ago, you may copy the following into the address bar: []= followed by a page number.
 * Thursday, April 15, 2010 (Revised: 4/23 & 5/5):**

Please log out before you leave the website.

Another way (which is easier but requires a code) is to type in the following line in the address bar of your browser: [] followed by a 6 or 7 character code (letters and numbers) given to you by your child. Students can copy these codes down from school and give them to you. With this method, there is no need for a username or password.

Enjoy! Mr. Bentley

Dear students and families, I hope this note finds you well and wish you a healthy and happy Easter/Spring Break. Many students are very excited about beginning digital storytelling projects. You/they have asked that I include more info and links. I will complete this letter in the next day or so to help with those requests. To get started, read below regarding how we've spent the last few weeks, check out the many storytelling links and check out the sites: photopeach.com and animoto.com. Best wishes, Mr. Bentley
 * Thursday, April 1, 2010:**

FRIDAY, MARCH 26TH NOTE TO PARENTS: (To read/save, right click and select "save target as..."

During the 21st and 22nd weeks of Tech Class, we spent time...
 * Weeks of March 25 and April 12th, 2010:**


 * Grades K-1:
 * Students began learning how to create online movies. Students logged in, chose and uploaded pictures, put pictures in their sequence of choice, deleted unwanted pictures, chose a title and background music and published their movies to the web...all using Photopeach.com. Once posted, anyone may post comments/compliments.
 * Grade 2:
 * Students practiced resizing windows and Wordart objects inside Microsoft Word. Students tweaked Wordart objects using the various options available. By doing this, students realize that Word has an organization to help users personalize their documents. Students were introduced to digital storytelling using Photopeach.com (See Grades K-1 above).
 * Grades 3 - 5:
 * Students looked at a variety of movies on Photopeach.com (See Grades K-1 above.). They saw that all movies were either a story with a beginning, middle and end or of a topic. Students were told to decide by next class what they would like their movie to be about. They were also asked to think about the audio (background music) and video (pictures they would like to use) of the movie.

During the 19th & 20th weeks of Tech Class, we spent time...
 * Weeks of March 9th and 17th, 2010:**

>> Digital Storytelling links: >> [] >> [] >> [] >> [] >> [] >> [] >> [] >> []
 * Grades K-1:
 * Students had choice time to spend on the many Treehouse-linked websites. Students began creating their own videos.
 * Grade 2:
 * Students continued exploring Wordart inside Microsoft Word. Students formatted a Word document, saved it in a folder and created a Wordart object. Some students also had choice time to spend on the many Treehouse-linked websites.
 * Grades 3 - 5:
 * Students finished their WordArtName Project & completed the Four-Window challenge. Students also had choice time to spend on the many Treehouse-linked websites. Students were also introduced to digital storytelling and given a tour of many of the websites below.

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During the 18th week of Tech Class, we spent time...
 * Week of February 26th, 2010:**
 * Grades K-1:
 * Students were introduced to Photopeach.com where they will be making short movies and posting them online. Once posted, anyone may post comments/compliments.
 * Grade 2:
 * Students practiced resizing windows and Wordart objects inside Microsoft Word. Students tweaked Wordart objects using the various options available. By doing this, students realize that Word has an organization to help users personalize their documents.
 * Grades 3 - 5:
 * Students finished their WordArtName Project.
 * Students completed the Four-Window challenge.
 * If time permitted, students were introduced to Wordle.net, a creative text display web tool that makes word clouds. Some of their artwork is shown here.

During the 16th & 17th weeks of Tech Class, we spent time...
 * Weeks of February 4th and 17th, 2010:**
 * Grades K-2:
 * Students continue to grow in proficiency in moving about the internet. Students were asked to explore the [|Windridge Elementary School's website]and to share anything they found fun and/or interesting.
 * Grades 3-5:
 * Students checked their [|ePal] email accounts and discussed how the program was going.
 * Students worked on their WordArt Name Project. Many completed it.
 * Students were given the Four-Window challenge. Students were to create four Microsoft Word documents, show them simultaneously, and have each document set at a unique view (100%, text width, page width, whole page view). This challenge was to be taken on only after their WordArt Name Project was completed and any [|ePal] problems were addressed.

During the 14th & 15th weeks of Tech Class, we spent time...
 * Weeks of January 19th and 27th, 2010:**
 * Grades K-2:
 * Kindergarten students used [|www.abcya.com] as a means to practice using the forward and back buttons in Internet Explorer as well as moving between and closing windows.
 * First and Second grade students deconstructed a web address to help them find a particular game on [|www.primarygames.com]. By deconstructing a web address, students begin to realize that web pages are organized to help users find desired pages.
 * All K-2 students used ABCya's keyboard [] to practice familiarity of the keyboard.
 * Grades 3-5:
 * Students were given new user logins. Although they are not individual accounts, by using several user logins, our network will work more effectively and fewer technical problems will occur.
 * Students practiced resizing windows and Wordart objects inside Microsoft Word. Students tweaked Wordart objects using the various options available. By doing this, students realize that Word has an organization to help users personalize their documents.
 * Students were given challenges and a project to inspire them to explore the various options available using the organizational structure of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Word.

During the 11th, 12th & 13th weeks of Tech Class, we spent time...
 * Weeks of December 8, December 16th, 2009 and January 7, 2010:**
 * Grades K-2:
 * Students practiced using the mouse and keyboard. We practiced logging on to our network and logging off, by using the ctrl-alt-delete buttons at the same time.
 * Kindergarten students used [|www.abcya.com] as a means of practicing our motor skills.
 * First and Second grade students tested their mouse skills through mousercise: []
 * First and Second grade students enjoyed more practice time with the games at PBC Library: [].
 * Grades 3-5:
 * Students continued their ePal work from the previous week. See Week of November 30, 2009.
 * Students tested their mouse skills through mousercise: []
 * Students enjoyed more practice time with the games at PBC Library: [].

During the tenth week of Tech Class, we spent time...
 * Week of November 30, 2009**:
 * Grades K-2:
 * Students practiced using the ctrl+alt+delete keystroke to access our login screen and to log out at the end of our class.
 * Students practiced using our username and password to log into our school network.
 * Students developed their motor skills and mouse skills while using [] and [|www.primarygames.com]
 * Grades 3-5:
 * Students were given time to finish typing their first letter to their ePal.
 * Students then used a username and password to logon to the ePals website.
 * Students sent and received emails from each other in class.
 * Students were given the email address to an ePal from either Spain or Australia.
 * Students were taught how to copy and paste their first ePal letter from a Word document to the message area of an email. They were given time to do this and send it off to their new ePal.
 * Students reviewed procedures and routines regarding using an email system.

During the ninth week of Tech Class, we spent time...
 * Week of November 16, 2009**:
 * Grades K-2:
 * Students used the ctrl+alt+delete keystroke to access our login screen and to log out at the end of our class.
 * Students typed our username and password to log into our school network.
 * Students were challenged with their mouse skills while using [] or []
 * At home or at our local library, students could practice further by clicking on digital bubblewrap.
 * Students also may use www.internet4classrooms.com to find more online activities that improve mouse/keyboard skills.
 * Grades 3-5:
 * Students were given time to logon to the ePals website. Students were told that their username is the part of their email BEFORE the @ symbol.
 * Students were given instruction on how to change their password. They were told to tell NO ONE! (except their parents).
 * Students were given instruction on how to send email. Students were told that their entire email address (which includes both the part before and the part after the @ symbol) was needed to send an email.
 * Students were again informed that only Perry kids with an epal email address and participating international epals are allowed to send/receive email. Moreover, students were reminded that Mr. Bentley reads EVERY incoming and outgoing email for safety and appropriateness before it reaches its destination.

During the eighth week of Tech Class, we spent time...
 * Week of November 6, 2009:**
 * Grades K-2:
 * Students again attempted to log in to our network. To access the log-in screen, students needed to simultaneously hold down the ctrl & alt keys while typing the delete key. This is not an easy motor skill for early elementary children.
 * They then logged on to our network by typing our class username (pwk2class) and password (swat7d.). We are using this password because of what we learned during week two. Our password is short for: snow white and the seven dwarfs period
 * They then played interactive games that developed their ability to use the computer mouse. We used the Drag & Drop online puzzles at [|www.primarygames.com] and educational games like Word Munchers and Kid Pix.
 * Grades 3-5:
 * Students were given time to complete the typing of their personalized ePal form letter. When finished, the letter will be interesting and shows interest in learning about the person receiving the letter. The form letter can be seen here. Students did this by personalizing all highlighted text.
 * Many students were given their ePal email address and temporary password. If you have any questions regarding ePals or any other Tech Class activity, please email Mr. Bentley at bentleye@goperry.org or bentlee@perry.k12.mi.us. Due to school network difficulties, many students were unable to activate their email from school. Mr. Bentley encouraged them to try activating them from home or local library. Once activated, students should be able to access their ePal account from school.

During the seventh week of Tech Class, we spent time...
 * Week of October 29, 2009:**
 * Grades K-2: Students attempted to log in to our network using a username and password. They then played interactive games that developed their ability to use the computer mouse. We used the Drag & Drop online puzzles at [|www.primarygames.com] and educational games like Word Munchers, Math Munchers and Kid Pix.
 * Grades 3-5: Students were given a form letter to aid in writing a personalized ePal letter that is easily read, understood, interesting and interested in learning about the person receiving the letter. The form letter can be seen here. Students began personalizing all highlighted text. They will continue this next week.

During the sixth week of Tech Class, we spent time... Note: Most of these classes were impeded by numerous student absences and MEAP retakes.
 * Week of October 20, 2009:**
 * Grades K-2: We learned about the basic parts of a computer by watching and talking about the video, The Magic School Bus Gets Programmed.
 * Grades 3-5: Students continued working on their first ePal letter.

During the fifth week of Tech Class, we spent time...
 * Week of October 12, 2009:**
 * Grades K-2: practicing using the mouse and keyboard. We practiced logging on to our network and logging off, by using the ctrl-alt-delete buttons at the same time. We continued to use [|www.abcya.com] as a means of practicing our motor skills. Grade 2 students were given a new website choice to practice with ([] ).
 * Grade 3-5: Students began writing a letter, using Microsoft Word, to an ePal using these and other ideas. Students are to introduce themselves. Students ask their ePals questions about themselves. Students then saved the letter in their personal folder on our school network, naming it email1FN. (The last two letters are their initials.) Once their letter is complete, they were to //**go play**// at either one of the links listed above in the Grades K-2 description.

Today, every third, fourth and fifth grade student received a note regarding ePals along with an ePal permission slip. The permission slip will need to be completed and returned to participate. Email me with any questions you may have at bentlee@perry.k12.mi.us
 * Friday, October 9, 2009:**

During the fourth week of Tech Class, we spent time...
 * Week of October 2, 2009:**
 * Grades K-2: Using the i-SAFE program, kids learned about how to be safe in a cyber community as well as how to be a good cyber citizen.
 * The letters stand for I (Internet)-S(Safety) A(Adult assistance) F(Fun) E (Everybody).
 * Kindergarten: We made crowns that shows the i-SAFE logo.
 * Grades 1 & 2: We read and colored i-SAFEbooks.
 * Grades 3-5 only:
 * We completed typing a Word document about ourselves.
 * We practiced minimizing, maximizing and resizing windows.
 * We learned how to save a file in a particular folder.
 * We practiced using the mouse through gameplay at []
 * We completed creating student folders on our network.

During the third week of Tech Class, we spent time...
 * Week of September 24, 2009:**
 * Kdg only: Practicing our mouse skills by playing one or more of the games at []
 * Grades 1-5: Reviewing the beginning-of-class procedure, including using our new login and **strong** password
 * Grades 3-5 only:
 * Answer the question: "How do I (or did I) get locked out?"
 * Vocabulary: desktop, quick-launch bar, task bar, title bar
 * Selecting and opening a folder
 * Choosing a type of view to view a folder's contents
 * Creating a (personal) folder on our network

During the second week of Tech Class, we spent time...
 * Week of September 15, 2009:**
 * Reviewing the beginning-of-class procedure
 * Practicing our skills of using the mouse and keyboard by playing one or more of the games found at...
 * K-2: []
 * 3-5: []
 * Grades 3-5 only: Learning how to create a strong password. Strong passwords have upper and lower case letters, numbers, punctuation and the password does NOT make a word. Here are some good examples:
 * Gat3b. (Goldilocks and the three bears.)
 * Mvemjsu9p! (My very educated mother just served us nine pizzas! This actually was taken from a memory device to remember the order of planets in our solar system.)
 * Hmwcawciawcw? (How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?)

During the first week of Tech Class, we are learning things like...
 * Week of September 8, 2009:**
 * Who is Mr. Bentley and what is he like
 * Who are the students and what are they like
 * The beginning-of-class procedure
 * Using the mouse and keyboard
 * K-2 filled in ABCya's keyboard []
 * 3-5 students played Battleship []
 * Opening and closing windows, folders and files
 * Using Word and Internet Explorer
 * Saving a Word document to a particular folder
 * What types of activities we will be doing in class this year

In the weeks to come, you will find snapshots of our students involved in learning skills and creating projects and products. Kindergarten First Grade Second Grade Third Grade Fourth Grade Fifth Grade