FRIDAY! FRIDAY! FRIDAY!!

Woohoo!!!  It's Friday!!!!  Who's excited??  Incredibly, today is also the last SCHOOL day in January!  I'm telling you, while June is still 4 months away, it's going to be here before we know it!!  Okay, I am off topic!

Yesterday you got to spend about an hour taking a look at your future after high school.  You looked at 3 different colleges (a community college -2yr, a 4 year California Public School - CSU/UC, a California Private, Out - of - State Private, or other 4 year school of your choice).  Ideally, these schools would represent a safety school (you can all go to community college) but the other 2 should represent schools that you might imagine yourself attending after M-A!

For your blog today please respond to the following questions:

1. What 3 schools did you choose?
2. For each of the 3 schools, explain 2 reasons why you chose that school!
3. How likely is it that you COULD/WOULD be able to get into that school? (look at the GPA requirement and give me the likelihood you could accomplish that on a scale of 1:10)
4. How likely are you to ACTUALLY apply to these universities - specifically the 4 year school - when you are a senior at M-A?  Again, give me your response on a scale of 1:10!

Thanks ... did I mention it's Friday???!?!?!  Woohoo!!

It's a Block Day ... and the LAST ONE in January!

Good Morning and Happy Thursday Block Day!!

The past two days have been dedicated to you taking care of some things that you feel will benefit you!!  For me this is always a great feeling - what about for you?  Did you get a lot done the past two days?  How exactly did you spend your time?  Do you feel like you were productive?  What is one concrete thing you accomplished - if you accomplished more than one thing, what were they?

Today we are going to take some time to think about a college education.  I know this is a discussion we have had before, but certainly not one I get tired of.  Looking at the chart below, what does it make you think about a college education.  Be sure to discuss a minimum of 3 things you have learned from looking at the chart below and discuss why this demonstrates either the importance of a college education or the opposite.

Thanks and I will look forward to reading your response!

Click this link to go to Naviance: https://connection.naviance.com/family-connection/auth/login/?hsid=mahs

Today and Tomorrow are For You!!

Good Morning -

Today and Tomorrow are for YOU!  It's an opportunity to make sure your City PowerPoint is done (it better be), to make up any work you missed from your classes while we were gone at Univision, a chance to follow-through on some of the things you discussed with your mentor on Friday and/or a chance to take care of some business for yourself!  Before I give you a dedicated work period, please respond to the following quote:

As you can see from the image I posted, the quote above is from Wayne Gretzky.  Who is Wayne Gretzky?  What do you think he meant by this quote and how can you relate it to yourself and your academic goals?  Can you think of any shots you could have taken but didn't and you now regret it?  Any shots you took and it paid off? Any shots you should be taking right now?  Remember, we're not just talking about sports here!

Thanks for your thoughtful response.  We'll take a second to discuss before getting started with our task for today!  If you're stuck and not sure what you can work on, consider familiarizing yourself with Naviance.  You can access it at mabears.org and click on the link at the bottom that says Naviance.  Your @seq.org and password should get you onto the site without a problem!

A Block Day Post!

Good Morning and Happy Thursday!

Today, as promised, our class period will be dedicated to you working on your City PowerPoint project.  Before you begin, please respond to the following:

Tomorrow we have our 3rd mentor breakfast of the 2014-2015 school year.  Most importantly, I need you to be ON TIME to school and report to Mr. Olsson's class at the very beginning of 1st period.  Please don't be late.  For today's blog, I would like you to think of three things that you could use help with from your mentor.  Ideally these three things would have something to do with you doing well in high school, being prepared for college, looking for a summer job or internship, etc!  Again, three things you would like to work on or need support from your mentor with.  For each thing you list, explain what they can do for you and how it would help you!!

After completing your blog post, please complete one lesson on edutyping.  After that, the rest of the time is yours to work on your city powerpoint project.  We are aiming to be done with the powerpoint presentation at the end of class today!  Remember to double check the requirements on Schoology and if there is anything you are unsure of how to do, check the attached document on schoology or login to Lynda and get some ideas from the poster video!

Thanks and looking forward to going to Univsion at 9:00AM with the other 1/2 of you today!!! Tuesday, in my opinion, was a great experience!

Blog Post for Tuesday 1/20

Good Morning and Happy Tuesday!  I hope you had a great 3 day weekend and are rejuvenated and ready to focus on school for a couple of weeks!  The amazing thing is that we have 18 days of school until another long weekend - 4 days next month!  The goal should be to stay focused, work hard and be in great shape as you enter the final stretch of the semester!

Today, as promised, our class period will be dedicated to you working on your City PowerPoint project.  Before you begin, working on your presentation, take a moment to think about the city you chose for your project.  What made you choose this city?  Who would you want to go to this city with and what would be the top 3 things you would want to do.  You can write this blog based on your knowledge of the city or based on some of the research you have done.  How likely do you think you are to visit this city you are researching someday in your life?

After completing your blog post, please complete one lesson on edutyping.  After that, the rest of the time is yours to work on your city powerpoint project.  Remember to double check the requirements on Schoology and if there is anything you are unsure of how to do, check the attached document on schoology or login to Lynda and get some ideas from the poster video!

Thanks and looking forward to going to Univsion at 9:00AM!!

Univision Continued! A Blog Post for 1/16

Good Morning and Happy Friday!!!  I don't know if you realize this, but Monday is a holiday!! Hey, enjoy the day off!!

Today we are going to continue our prep for our Univision trip.  I know sometimes it can be difficult to brainstorm questions without being on site but it's really important when we are there that everyone is engaged.  One way to make sure you are engaged is to think of questions you would be interested in learning the answers to when we are on our trip.

For your blog today, please simply brainstorm 3 things you would like to know about Univision.  These could include details about working there, their broadcast schedule, the various shows they have on the air, etc.  Take a look at the Univision website and it might trigger a few extra questions for you that you could ask!!

Thanks.  Agenda for the remainder of the day is below!

Agenda:

Blog Response
Edutyping 20.2
Continue w/City PowerPoint Project - Due next Thursday!

(no required Lynda.com videos today, however, don't be shy to watch one or two to learn how to accomplish certain techniques on your presentation!)

Block Day Thursday 1/15

Good Morning and Happy Thursday!  Today we are going to work on making some serious progress on our PowerPoint City Project.  Before doing so, I want to take a second to start thinking about our trip to Univision.  Visit the Univision website at http://www.univision.com/.  While we will be going there to learn about the various types of technology they use, we will also be going to learn about the various careers available to you when you get out of high school.  Please respond to the following questions as we prepare for the trip:

1. List some skills you have.  Both hard and soft skills.  Note hard skills are teachable abilities like you would find on a resume while soft skills are your "people" skills or more interpersonal skills.
2. Describe what Univision does?  Every company has to produce a good or service.  What does Univision produce or what service do they provide?
3. Describe as many career positions as you can think of that might be available at Univision.  After coming up with a list of your own, click HERE to see a few current job postings. How did your list match up?  Would this ever be a place you might consider working?  Why or why not?

Thanks for your response.  After responding to the blog please work on the following tasks today:

1. Respond to the blog
2. Complete Edutyping lesson 20.1
3. Ensure you have submitted your G# at http://goo.gl/ulno31- see our previous blog if you need the web address for the application still!
4. Go to Lynda.com and watch two short clips in the PowerPoint 2007 Essential Training Series. They are under section 4 and are entitles Using Background Styles and Using Color Schemes.  As you watch the video feel free to either have the sample ppt open used in the video or have your city powerpoint presentation open to make actual adjustments.  Remember, you can always pause the video to play with and pick your backgrounds, color schemes, etc.
5. Continue working on your City PowerPoint (instructions in Schoology)
6. Consider applying for the 2015 Facebook Summer Academy Program. You can learn more by checking out http://facebooksummeracademy.com

IT'S TUESDAY - 1/13!!

Good Morning and Happy Tuesday -

For your blog post today please respond to the following questions in paragraph format ...

• How will you be successful this Semester?
• Did you know that there is an Academy Homework Center today (and every Tuesday) after school?
• Have you ever been to the Academy Homework Center and, if so, what was your experience?
• Why would you go to the Academy Homework Center? Why would you not go?
• If you haven't been and don't plan to attend the Academy Homework Center, when do you complete school work outside of school?
• Do you have work that needs to be done outside of school?  Do you have any assignments right now that you are aware of that are due soon?

Thank you.  Remember - this should be completed in paragraph format and all posts should include a picture.  Below is our agenda for today:

1. Arrive in class and Respond to the Blog
2. Complete Lesson 19.2 in Edutyping ** if you are not on lesson 19.2, only complete one lesson.  You can catch up outside of school **
3. Confirm that you have submitted your course articulation with G# on the following form: goo.gl/ulno31 - the application for those of you who have not completed it can be found at: http://home.cccapply.org/ 
4. Go to Lynda.com and watch PowerPoint 2007 Essential Training and select the video entitled Using Themes and Applying Effects to Themes under the "Designing Presentations" Section 4.
5. Go to Schoology and begin PowerPoint Assignment #1

** Also worth noting: 2015 Facebook Summer Academy Program - http://facebooksummeracademy.com/

Monday 1/12

Good Morning and welcome back.  Amazing that we are already in week of the 2nd semester.  I have a feeling this year is going to fly by and you guys will be juniors before you know it.  Today we are going to finish up the application we started Friday for Canada College and we're going to watch the lesson on Printing Presentations in Lynda.com - Lesson 3.  Remember that as you watch these videos it is smart to take a couple of notes so that you know how to navigate through Microsoft PowerPoint once we get going on some projects.  Last week you learned how to create a new presentation, add and remove slides, rearrange slides, etc.  You also learned how to use different layouts and even templates to make sure you are able to create a presentation that is uniquely yours!

For your blog post today I would like for you to reflect on the fact that you are able to earn college credit for the technology classes you are taking in the Academy?  What do you think of this?  Does it motivate you to want to do well?  Are you interested in attending Canada College after M-A?  How would getting college credit for courses taken in High School potentially help you if you choose to go to Canada College?

Thanks for your response.  Once complete, open up your application from Friday.

Friday, January 9th!!

Good Morning Everybody!!  Happy Friday!  Wow - that came really fast.

Today we are going to kick off the day with a quick reflection of your experience on Lynda.com yesterday.  Here are the questions I would love your feedback on.

1. What did you think of this method of learning some skills in PowerPoint?  What did you like about the ability to learn skills in PowerPoint through an online video?
2. Name 3 things that you learned from watching the video on Lynda.com pertaining to PowerPoint?
3. While yesterday we watched a focused video on PowerPoint and the essential tools you can use to create a dynamic presentation, what does something like Lynda.com have the power to do for you?  For me?  For others in our community?  What do you think is neat about this form of technology?

Thanks for your response.  As soon as you are done with this, stay tuned for instructions.  It's going to be a fast paced, important day to follow along!

Post for Thursday 1/8

Good Morning and Happy Thursday!

I sincerely apologize for not being here today.  I have been asked to attend an important meeting at the district office.  I will be back tomorrow!!

For your blog today, please take a moment to discuss what presentation software is.  What is it used for?  How can it benefit you?  What is PowerPoint specifically and what other programs exist that people could use as a presentation tool?  Feel free to do a quick web search but remember, time management is important and you need to complete this post in the first 10 or so minutes of class.

Once you have completed your post, please see the directions below for today!

1. Complete your Blog
2. Complete Edutyping lesson 18.2
3. Login in to Schoology and download the folder in the assignment titled PowerPoint 2007 Essential Training.  Many of you have already done this. You need to save the file to your home drive.
4. Login to Lynda.com.  Remember to Click on Log in through your organization (www.seq.org) and then input your username/password.
5. Find the video entitled PowerPoint 2007 Essential Training.  You may be able to use this link to get you there. http://www.lynda.com/Office-2007-tutorials/powerpoint-2007-essential-training/257-2.html?org=seq.org
6. Watch lessons 1 & 2 and follow along with the instructions using the files you downloaded.  I will look forward to hearing your feedback on this.  Regardless, this is a great opportunity to learn about the many tools in PowerPoint.

Thanks for your hard work in advance!

Mr. Rubin

Welcome to 2015!!

Good Morning and Welcome Back!!

It is hard to believe that it has been over two weeks since we have been together!  I bet you missed me :)  In any case, I wanted to start off the morning with a quick recap of your break!  How was it?What did you do?  What was the highlight?  What is one reason you are excited to be back at school?

As a second part to today's post, as you know around the world as the New Year kicks off, people take an opportunity to examine themselves, their lifestyle and goals and are able to focus on how they would like to make a difference starting with yourself in the new year!  Did you make a New Years Resolution?  What are you committed to doing in your life in 2014 and how will it help you be happier, more successful, a better person, etc.  On a secondary level perhaps, what are some goals that you have set for yourself for the second half of the 2014 school year?  Perhaps bad habits you want to break, things you want to do better, goals you want to achieve, etc!  It's a new year, be realistic but dream big :)

Lets kick off the year right with a thorough thoughtful response addressing all parts of the prompt! Thank you and Happy New Year! :)