Introduction to Computers, Middle School (Period 1) Assignments

Directions:

• Save your work to your folder.
• Email a copy to Mr. Merriman as an attachment when complete
• Use proper subject
• include proper message
• Cc yourself

NOTES: ELEMENTS & PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

In this assignment, you will combine your skills with Word Processing, Tables and Graphics.

To begin, read and explore this website about the:  Elements and Principles of Design

Your job is to use a table in MS Word to record your notes from your reading and exploration of the site.

SAMPLE WORK
Take a look at this image to help you with the page layout and table design.

The links below should help you better understand the Elements and Principles of Design discussed on the website:

THE ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

• LINE
• SHAPE
• DIRECTION
• SIZE
• TEXTURE
• COLOR
  
• VALUE

THE PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

• BALANCE - EX1; EX2
• GRADATION - EX1; EX2
• REPETITION - EX1; EX2; EX3
• CONTRAST - EX1; EX2; EX3
• HARMONY - EX1
• DOMINANCE - EX1
  
• UNITY - EX1; EX2; EX3; EX4

Take a look at these famous works of art. How do these examples demonstrate the use of the Elements and Principles of Design outlined above?

Picasso's 'Guernica'   Van Gogh's 'Starry Night'  Monet's 'Poppy Field'

• Save your work to your folder.
• Print one copy using the default printer when complete.
• Email a copy to Mr. Merriman as an attachment when complete
• Use proper subject
• Include proper message
• Cc yourself

GRAPHICS ASSIGNMENT: GEOMETRIC DESIGN WITH SYMMETRY

SAMPLE WORK

For design ideas take a look at: The Mandala Coloring Page or this Google Image Search

Directions:

• Save your work to your folder.
• Print one copy using the default printer when complete.
• Email a copy to Mr. Merriman as an attachment when complete
• Use proper subject
• Include proper message
• Cc yourself
  

• Symmetrical Designs
  
• Order of objects (Layering)
• Fill Effects
  
• Aligning objects
• Grouping objects
  
• Overlapping objects

And Introduces: WordArt

• Symmetry in shapes
  
• Fill color and shape outline
  
• Page border
  
• Diagonal Alignment
  
• Distributing objects
  

• Different fill effects (Gradient, Texture, Pattern & Picture)
• Aligning objects
• Grouping objects
  
• Rotating objects
• Order of objects
  
• Overlapping objects
• Nudging (arrow keys)
  

Graphics: Demonstrating Symmetry & Alignment (click for directions)

The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate an understanding of the concept of line symmetry in shapes and proficiency in aligning graphic objects, relative to the page, margins and each other.

Here are some examples of shapes that have line symmetry:

Horizontal Symmetry  Vertical Symmetry  Vertical & Horizontal Symmetry


This picture demonstrates the how objects should align.

Sample Assignment

Print & Email when complete

Graphics Practice - Symmetry & Alignment (Shapes)

• Line Symmetry in geometric shapes
• Page Borders (position)
  
• Drawing shapes
• Shape fill & outline
  
• Drawing Text Boxes
  
• Aligning objects relative to each other and margins
  
• Grouping objects

Table Test Click here for directions

• This must be done in class on the day it is assigned.
  
• Save your work to your folder.
• Print one copy using the default printer when complete.
• Email a copy to Mr. Merriman as an attachment when complete.

• Insert a table into a word processing document
• Format the design and layout of the table
• Position the table on the page

Take a look at:

• Understanding Tables - Guide (what you will learn)
  
• Understanding Tables - Sample (what you will do)
  

Email Review

Download and read the directions 'Email_Review.pdf'

Follow all directions carefully.

Create a Typing Racer Account

Typing Racer

• Use your first name only, not your last name
• Use your email username and password (just like QuizStar)
  

Word Processing Test

This test is designed to demonstrate your proficiency with basic word processing skills..

Directions:

• Download and open the Word Processing Test - Directions
• You may save this file to your folder, but it is not required
• Read the directions over carefully, then
  
• Download and save the Word Processing Test file below
• You should save the file to your folder
• Format the Word Processing Test document according to the directions

When Complete:

• Save your work
• Print your work using your default printer (1 copy only)
• Send your completed assignment to me via email, with proper subject and message

Final Word Processing Test - QuizStar

This is a multiple choice test designed to test your knowledge of Word Processing skills using MS Word.

Log on to your QuizStar account to take the test.

Final Typing Test for Fall Semester - UltraKey

This will be a 3-Minute test

Nightly Typing Practice (15 minutes)

Online Typing Tutor Sites, click to view (choose appropriate level)

Beginning Typists   Intermediate Typists (use QWERTY lessons)   Advanced Typists  Remember Good Posture - 9 Tips

See attached for practice guide and additional online typing sites.:

• To: Mr. Merriman
• Cc: Yourself
• Subject: All About Me
• Message:

Mr. Merriman,

Please find my All About Me assignment attached.

Word Processing Review

This assignment is designed to allow students to review their word processing skills.

Directions:

• Download and open the Word Processing Review - Directions
• You may save this file to your folder, but it is not required
• Read the directions over carefully, then
  
• Download and save the WP Review-Practice file below
• You should save the file to your folder
• Format the WP Review-Practice document according to the directions
• Take a look at "A Little Poem Regarding Computer Spell Checkers"
• What point is the poem making about Spell Checkers?
  

Extra Credit Items, 1 Point Each:
(All regular tasks must be completed correctly to receive extra credit points)

• Add a page border to your document.
• Add a piece of clipart that relates to the story, change text-wrapping to 'tight', size to 2" wide, add a border and align to bottom/left margins.

When Complete:

• Save your work
• Print your work using your default printer (1 copy only)
• Send your completed assignment to me via email, with proper subject and message

View the WP Review-Key file below to see how your document should look when complete.

Word Processing Assignment: Understanding Font

This project will cover:

• Different font styles and sizes
• Standard font sizes for academic work
• Page margins
  
• Using textboxes
• Automatic numbering
• Default settings
• The ruler
• Indent controls
• Text/formatting markers (return, tab, space)
  

Email: Sending Attachments

• Send Mr. Merriman an email
• Cc yourself
• Attach your Understanding Font file to the email

Subject: Understanding Font

Message:

Mr. Merriman,

Please find my Understanding Font assignment attached.

Pop Quiz #2 - QuizStar

Questions on Word Processing with MS Word & Font..

Absentees will need to make-up this quiz if missed.

Begin Word Processing Assignment - All About Me

This will be a guided exercise. Students will word process their three paragraphs from earlier email assignments using MS Word 2007.

File Name: All About Me

Save Location: Your Folder in My Network Places

As you do so:

• Practice touch typing skills
• Pay attention to default settings in MS Word
• Learn to type from copy, look at your clipboard
• Learn to save and open work properly
  

See attached file for word processing topics to be  covered.

Pop Quiz #1 - QuizStar

Questions on computer basics and email basics.

Absentees will need to make-up this quiz if missed.

10-Week Progress Reports

Return with parent signature. 1 point deducted for each day late.

Copy to students via email.

Print Email Assignments

Print your three email assignments:

1. Reply
2. Forward
3. Reply All

Before printing, you must do the following:

• Delete emails received from your group members
• Delete my original email with the subject "Please Reply - All About You"
• Turn Conversation View ON

Now, you should see your three emails grouped together in a conversation. Open the conversation. To the right is a button called "Print All". Use this to print your emails.

Select Appropriate Typing Challenge Level

Use the attached chart to help you decide.

Carefully review and consider your performance to date based on your UltraKey Progress Report and the results of your Typing Test.

First UltraKey Typing Test

We will have our first typing test in UltraKey this week.

The purpose of this test will be to determine your current typing level. We will use the results to set our Challenge Levels.

First, make sure you have completed previous email assignments:

1. Email - Using Reply
2. Email - Using Forward

Open the  email you Forwarded to your Group.

The subject should read: Fwd: Please Reply: All About You
Use the Reply to all feature to automatically send the email to your group members, since they received the message you are replying to.
Cc the Reply All message to me. (don’t forget this, or I will not receive your work)
Discussion Question: Who will NOT receive this message?
YOUR REPLY ALL MESSAGE:

• Your school name
  
• Classes you take
• Favorite subjects/teachers
• Best friends
• School activities (ex. clubs, sports)
  
• What you like/don’t like about school
• etc
  

---

Find and open the email in your inbox with the subject: Please Reply: All About You

• Who are you?
• Your age
• Any brothers/sisters
• Your Mom and Dad
• Pets
  
• Where you live
• etc.

Pay attention to English writing standards in all emails:
(you will loose points for poorly written emails)

• Main idea/Topic Sentence
• Spelling
• Punctuation
• Capitalization
• Grammar
  

---

Email Account Setup: Labels & Understanding Reply and Forwarding  in Email

Download and study the following files, which will teach you about using email.

• Understanding Reply and Forwarding
  
• Using Labels and Stars  (assignment)
  

Complete Labels Assignment - see file for directions

Email Account Setup: Contacts & Understanding Cc and Bcc in Email

Download and study the following files, which will teach you about using email.

• Understanding Cc & Bcc in email
• Creating and Using Contacts (assignment)
  

Complete Contacts Assignments - see file for directions

Quiz: Posture & Fingers

We will QuizStar to take the quiz online.

The quiz must be taken in class, not at home.

Absentees will make-up the quiz upon return to class.

Create Your QuizStar Account

Username: Use your email username
ex. [email protected] (username is "student")

Use Master Password

Go to QuizStar and click on "Sign Up"

Complete the form and click on "Register"

See attached file for detailed directions

Email Signature & Initial Email

Guided Exercise: Creating a Contact, you will add Mr. Merriman to your Contacts

My email: [email protected]

Sending an email: Using the compose window

See the attached file for directions

Safety Pledge & Photo Release Forms

These items must be signed and returned promptly for full credit. 1 point is deducted for each day late.

Photo Release permits me to add your photo to my online photo albums.

Merriman's Online Photo Albums

File may be downloaded below.

5-Week Progress Reports

Reports must be signed and returned promptly for full credit.

1 point deducted for each day late.

1 Extra Credit Point for prompt return.

• Read online article: How To Keep Good Posture When In Front Of A Computer
• List and summarize the 9 tips for good posture while keyboarding
• Summary should be in your own words
  
• Click the link above to view the article *
• Below is a sample of the assignment

PART 2: Add UltraKey Posture Notes - 9 Facts

• UltraKey Word file with posture facts available below.
• Add the 9  posture facts from UltraKey to your 9 tips from Part 1
• See work sample below
  

Parent Letter

Sign and Return promptly
1 Point deducted for each day late

See attached file.

Review Questions: To be answered in complete sentences

1. According to the article, what is the best feature of the MeeGenius application?
2. What does the article say older kids want to read about?
3. How does Swaptree.com allow you to recycle stuff?
4. According to the article, what are some problems high school students face because of technology?
5. How does the GoGoSTAT application help parents?
6. Why do the authors think technology is a double-edged sword?
7. How do you feel about things that allow parents to monitor their child’s use of technologies, like cell phones and the Internet?

LINK: How technology enhances the back-to-school experience

Complete Vocabulary Definitions define using online dictionaries or Google search

First Email:

Using the LACES website, send Mr. Merriman an email.

You can click here

Directions Attached