Touch Cast

TouchCast Tutorial in PDF format.

A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words

Use Google Search by Image to help you begin your mini research project.  The three images below can be connected in many different ways.  Use your searching capabilities and discover the concept of Globalization.

Keep track of the sites you use and your notes in your Google Classroom assignment.

Cite This For Me: Web Citer

https://www.citethisforme.com/

This is an easy-to-use online citation generator for students.  You can use it for free without signing up.  Not only will it automatically generate the bibliographic citation, but it will also show you how to cite your work with an in-text citation.

"Areas of Bangladesh Still Flooded After Cyclone Sidr." UPI Photo Collection. 2008.General OneFile. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.

"GMO Crops Worldwide." MCT Graphics Service. 2014. General OneFile. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.

Maine Farmer's Market. 2015. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.

Pixlr App

Pixlr Editor is a robust browser photo editor, for all your editing needs. Have full control over your images, including layers and effects.  We are going to use Pixlr to create some unique images for our 8th grade slideshow and this year's yearbook.

1. Please download the FREE app, Pixlr Express, for your device.  It works on both IOS devices and Androids.  
2. Make a collage with at least 3 images of classmates.  Feel free to use the same subject for all images
3. Be tasteful with the design so it is complimentary to its subjects.  
4. Email it to robyn.ferrazzani@reading.k12.ma.us with a descriptive subject heading that helps identify your image.
5. Repeat as time allows.

Google Search App

Today We Will:
Explore a new app that is simply incredible!!  There is a link on the right hand side called Google Inside Search that gives you a nice overview of what this powerful app can do for you on your device.  Go to the site and read about all the neat features of this and check it out on your own device!

Directories

Do Now

1. Collect tissues and BYOD forms.  They are due by the next class if you forgot.
2. Under the "Links to Important Sites" on the right hand side of the blog, open Search Engines vs. Directories and read it.  Your exit ticket will be to understand the main differences between these.

Today's Objectives

1. Today you will be searching for directories that have already been created by someone else.  You can look for any content that is taught in 8th grade: science, social studies, foreign language or math.  These may become actual resources for your teacher or your peers so select directories that would be easy to navigate and appropriate for middle school students.  
2. Collect the URLs and put them in the Google Classroom assignment, "8th Grade Directories".

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Recap

One directory that many students found was http://www.dmoz.org/.  This is a link to MANY different subject areas and looks to be very useful for students.

Let's talk about these student comments on directories.  How accurate are they?

What I have learned about directories is that they filter websites so that you know you have reliable sources of information. with search engines, it is much more broad and you do not always know if you are using a reliable site. Directories limit you to certain websites that are credible sources of information. I think it would be a good idea to use directories in schoolwork because it saves a lot of time in searching and gives you links right away that you know you can trust.

What I have learned about directories is that although they can be broad, they can also be vast and filled with information. They can cover a vast number of categories, and really help point you in a clear direction. It’s also really useful to not have to check every website, the fact that someone has already certified a page make this a quick and painless process. Overall I found directories to be very useful in a search.   

What do you think about these directories?

Science

http://www.middleschool.net/curlink/science/gees_oc.htm

http://earth2class.org/er/teachers/links.php

http://external.oneonta.edu/mentor/NYGEOTCHR.html

Adding Student Email to IOS device

How to add an email account to an IOS device

Settings

Mail/Contacts/Calendar

Add account

Exchange

Email: Libby.powers@rdgstudent.com

Pswd: XXXX (This is your school computer password.)

Server: mail.readingschools.net

Domain: students

Username:  Libby.powers

Pswd: XXXX

Done

Power Searching- class 1

Do Now

1. Google Challenge

Today's Objectives

1. Set up your school email on your device individually with Mrs. Powers' assistance.  
2. Under the "Links to Important Sites", open Google Search Education.  You will be do Class 1 of Power Searching today.  There are videos and activities for you to try today.