October 26

Year 9 - Hang in there - it's almost time . . .

But first let's make lots of progress on our projects.

We are now ready to focus on the DESIGN portion of the project.

1. 
   Produce 3 possible 1-page newsletter layouts (using Publisher 2007 produce 3 different bulletin layouts). Save each layout as a JPEG image. (Click on Save As. When the Save As box opens, click on the Save As Type (directly under the File Name) - save as a JPEG image.) *Remember that the newsletter has to be functional as well as attractive.
2. 
   Choose one and justify your choice (Why did you choose this particular design for your final project? Was it a better layout? Was it more attractive? Was it easier to read?)

October 25 - Well done Year 9

Well done Year 9!

You deserve Whole Class Merit Points! You worked really hard today. I'm very proud of you and each of you should be proud of yourselves.

Also, thank you to Vera Dias and Megan for sharing information about changing the cursor.

Vera explained: 1) Click on Start, 2) Click on Control Panel, 3) Click on Mouse, 4) Click on Pointers (a tab at the top of the box), 5) Click on browse . . . There are so many to choose from

And if you STILL cannot find one that you love, Megan suggested that you go to the site: Cursor Mania (http://cursormania.smileycentral.com/download/index.jhtml).

Thanks girls. We are always learning

October 25

Year 9

I've just been reminded that you will continue on your carousel on December 1 - so we have lots to do!

Today we will begin building a Design Folder and complete the Investigation

1) Open a document in Word 2007. Click on the Insert tab (situated between Home and Page Layout). On the left of the ribbon click on Cover Page. (Word 2007 has this great feature built into it. You can create a professional looking document very easily:-) You can personalize your page.

Type your Name and Year 9 Unit of Work. You may also include the date (if you like).

2)Next, on page 2 type the word INVESTIGATION at the top of page

3) During class time today, please complete the following Investigation. Answer each of the questions completely and give examples.
1) What is a newsletter? Give an example of a newletter.
2) Name (at least) 2 programs that can be used to easily create a newsletter.
3) Why are we using Microsoft Publisher? Justify your answer.

October 19

Year 9

Have a good time on your field trip touring the ship!

See you next Thursday!

October 18

We had several people off last week due to the Eco Forum. So today to recap we will:

1. explain to them what we accomplished last week,
2. look at the link: http://www.online.tusc.k12.al.us/shortc/newsltrs/introduction.htm which we will be using to help us learn how to successfully create a newsletter

October 12

Year 9

Let's begin today where we left off yesterday - key word search. . .

1)Do a search using the keywords "newsletter design". Can you find a website that will help us produce a first-rate newsletter? We need an introduction to newsletters and information to become experts on: planning, writing, layouts, graphics, and production. What can you come up with? Let's try to find online information to help us be successful. (Look for material that is geared toward high school students).

2) Let's look at a couple of good sites, choose one, and get started!

Another sample newsletter, http://www.microsoft.com/education/PersuasionNewsletter.mspx

Oct 11 Reflection

Year 9

Today we took a "quiz" differentiating between fact and opinion. You all did quite well. It's great to see that you can recognize opinions.

We also took a small detour from our planned route today by going to St. Dominic's website and looking at the Signadou online. We learned a lot from that experience. We also learned that our Newsletter will be housed under the category of "Publications" as well.

We started our keyword search - but the bell rang so we will continue that tomorrow.

October 11

Good morning Year 9

We have lots to do today after that long weekend.

1) Fact or Opinion? The first thing we are going to do today is take a quiz!!! We are going to do an exercise designed to help us distinguish between fact and opinion. As newsletter writers it will be important for us to have this skill so let's go.
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/resources/educational/classroom_exercises/broadcast_news/wolves_facts_or_opinion.cfm

Now, let's continue. We need to investigate (explore) newsletter design and language.
2) Let's open Publisher and look at predefined newsletter templates.

3) Then, do a search using the keywords "newsletter design". Can you find a website that will help us produce a first-rate newsletter? We need an introduction to newsletters and information to become experts on: planning, writing, layouts, graphics, and production.

4) Next, let's view a sample newsletter
http://www.microsoft.com/education/PersuasionNewsletter.mspx

5) Finally, summarize all that we did and talked about today in your process journal (your blog)

October 4

Year 9

Creating a Community and Service newsletter helps you organize text and graphics. You can use a newsletter to communicate information and ideas to members of St Dominic's Community. You will develop skills in acquiring information, organizing it, and communicating it to others.

Investigation: Define the different features of a newsletter: feature story, news story, advertisement, comic strip, letter to the editor, and editorial

Discussion: What kind of newsletter will we produce? What is it's purpose? Who is our audience?