Monday, August 15 - Friday, August 19

Week 2!  We all made it through the first week - finding classes, getting mountains of papers signed, getting lunch, logging on to our domain (or not in some instances), and trying to remember each teacher's specific rules and requirements. It's downhill from here ... and only 3 more weeks until our first holiday!

A Days (Monday and Thursday)

Honors (Pre-AP) Biology: Students made good progress last week - homework was completed in a timely manner, tardies were almost non-existent and mostly due to finding your way around the first couple of days, and class participation was good. Objectives for this week: 1) Describe and implement correct uses for lab equipment; 2) Design a data table and graph results; 3) Demonstrate knowledge of scientific method (dependent and independent variables, constants, control)

• Mon, 8/15: Signed safety contracts are due. Discuss correct lab write-up procedure. Begin "Penny Lab" experiment and write-up. HW: Study notes on scientific method and design, vocabulary and prepare for a quiz on Thurs covering notes on scientific method, lab safety and equipment.
• Thurs., 8/18: Complete "Penny Lab". Quiz on notes. Activity: Determine measurement, volume, mass of various objects.

Tech Essentials:  A pretty bumpy road last week - not enough computers (19) for students (27), incorrect passwords, email signup problems.  However, you coped (better than I did) and by the end of the week all but a few had been able to login to our domain. It appears that most of the problem with your email was due to mis-typing of the security letters, NOT with your login and password. This week we will begin working with Google Docs as well as setting up your personal calendar. 

• Mon., 8/15: Notes: vocab - cloud computing, blog, browser, search engine, url,  Review internet usage agreement. Review collaboration and google docs.  Sign up to follow teacher blogs. Complete google docs presentation on Internet Usage Agreement and share with me (jljones@ncths.net)
• Thurs., 8/18: Notes: Effective ways to search the internet. Set up google calendar. Continue working with google docs.  Students will work together to produce a collaborative document on Internet Safety.

Principles of Engineering:  Last week was spent reviewing how to use the Engineering Design Process. Students showed lots of creativity and "thinking outside the box" as they worked on their "Tall Tower" activity.  Students were given two sheets of paper and told to make the tallest tower they could.

• Mon., 8/15: Notes - Engineering Notebook setup; Activity: "Build a Better Bag" (from IEEE lesson plan).  Students will work in pairs to design a candy bag and predict the volume and strength of their design. Students will then build a model of their design, redesign it, build an improved bag, retest using weight, discuss findings, and share results. HW: Bring in toothbrush (used is OK, flat bottom). Work on write-up if bag is completed.
• Thurs., 8/18: Complete candy bag presentation and present findings to the class.  HW: Write up reflection questions (if not completed 8/15).

B Days (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday)

Multimedia:  Students were able to logon and practice using some of the vector tools in Fireworks.  This week we will review how to save in different formats, where to save work, as well as complete projects using vector tools. 

• 8/15: Review moodle login and uploading. Complete or update iGoogle page. Review vector graphics tools, as well as fill and text tools. Complete spongebob drawing or original graphic and upload to moodle.
• 8/17: Notes - designing logos.  Project: Design logo for NCTHS and Firefighters. Upload to Moodle.
• 8/18: Complete logo designs.

Tech Essentials:  Same as A days (Thurs [previous week], Mon, Thurs)

Honors Biology:  Same as A days (Thurs [previous week], Mon., Thurs):