Curious about what we are doing next trimester? We are starting off with the “Door Movie” Check out the past student projects and some resources here.

Students have been working hard on an animation project since the beginning of this trimester. They have planned a story, created characters, props and scenery. They have filmed hundreds of individual pictures using paper and clay. After winter break we began in the computer classroom with editing. Unfortunately, this is when a lot of students started experiencing problems. Due to the age of the computers in this lab, they are freezing and crashing with the work that students are demanding for this project. Having a flash drive has been helping some students, but not solving all of our issues. Because of this problem, I have decided to POSTPONE the animation unit until March. The good news is that our computer lab is being REVAMPED with all new computers over mid-winter break. When we return we will be able to finish our animations on computers that will cooperate!

District Technology Fair: Because we are not completing the animation unit at this time, students are no longer required to attend the District Technology Fair on January 26. This is now an optional extra credit opportunity. If a student attends they should get a printed program/map and have one of the teachers at the NORTH MS booth sign their program. The expectation is that they explore the booths for the other schools and write a paragraph summary of their favorite display.

We will now move into the Touch Typing Unit. Students will be using a program on the school computers called “Typing Master.” This is a self-paced program. Students work through the exercises that prepare them for a lesson Exam. They can not move on to the next lesson until they pass the Exam with 90% accuracy and above, plus a WPM speed. (This speed requirement varies by grade level.)  Students that fall behind may come after school on Thursdays, or make arrangements to come before school. Unfortunately, there is no way for students to catch up on this work at home if they miss school.

Remember because some of the projects we will be creating will be LARGE files, it is REQUIRED that students have some kind of digital storage device to save assignments. They must bring this to class and use it daily, beginning again in MARCH. These can be easily purchased for under $10 at many stores like Fred Meyers, Walgreens etc. 1 Gig is more than enough. I recommend a lanyard, keychain or other way for them to easily keep track of this device. The teacher will NOT collect these or be responsible for keeping track of these. Students must keep them with them and bring them to class daily to have for use when needed. It is also important to LABEL this with a student name and number. This will also allow students to take documents back and forth to work on them at home. If you can not afford a flash drive, please talk to Ms. Gaub about alternatives. A re-recordable CD disk is another option.

The last day of the trimester is March 18  but the last day to turn in work is March 14th.  Because this is a trimester class, no work carries over to the next class and all work must be graded and submitted for report cards before the end of the trimester, hence the earlier turn-in date.

Welcome to Computer Technology with Ms. Gaub.

In Second Trimester we will be focusing on basic computer skills using Microsoft Programs such as Word, Excel, Publisher and Power Point. We will also focus on proper typing technique using Typing Master program.

In Third Trimester we will be learning basic video and story-telling skills on programs such as PIVOT, Windows Movie Maker and Podcasting. 

beginning of tri letter 

•   Pivot Links Resource
•  Advanced Pivot Instructions Resource
•  Copyright Free Sound Links Resource

•  Animation Resources
•  Stop-motion animation Project checklist Resource
•  Rotoscoping Resources

WCBPA: City Street Drawing:

• Due Date: Nov 5, 2010 Value: 100 points 
• Definition: A drawing in 2-point perspective that shows a city street.
• Note: This is a TEST and should be worked on without assistance from classmates.  
• Resources: Drawing in perspective videos, Several step-by-step in class lessons on how to draw in 1-point perspective, worksheets and practice activities.
• Acceptable Media: Drawings in pencil or colored pencil
• Your City Perspective CPBA Drawing must include the following:  The student shows a thorough understanding of spatial devices in the perspective drawing by meeting all of the requirements listed below: 
  • 1 main city street
  • 1 or more sidewalk/ walk ways
  • 5 or more buildings drawn correctly using the vanishing point and rulers
  • 4 or more scenery objects (examples: people, cars, plants, park bench, bus stop, garbage cans, street lights) also drawn to SCALE based on the vanishing point.
  • Doors correctly drawn on all the FRONTS and SIDES of buildings
  • Windows correctly drawn on all the FRONTS and SIDES of buildings
  • Store signs on all the FRONTS and SIDES of buildings
  • A setting that enhances depth (including a skyline above the horizon line, mountains, clouds, trees, plants, or other buildings in the distance) 

Helpful Links: http://www.alifetimeofcolor.com/main.taf?p=1,29 

Handouts:

• perspective LINES Power Point explaining perspective lines
• cityscape assignment expectations worksheet
• street practice worksheet
• perspective building Power Point Examples and requirements
•  lp_citystreets worksheet

In our 8th grade classes, we are beginning our Portrait Assignment. A portrait is an artwork where the subject of the art is a person, primarily focusing on the person’s face and shoulder area.

To prepare for this assignment we are learning about the proportions of the human face. On 9/28 we watched some videos to help us understand how the face is structured and we practiced these measurements. One of the videos we watched is on the Drawing Coach website, you can watch it again, or watch more of his drawing videos to help you with this assignment. We will also have several handouts that can be used to assist with drawing.

By Thursday of this week, 9/30, students must complete 6 practice faces to turn-in before starting on their portrait art work.

Each practice face MUST include:

• all the facial features (eyes, nose, mouth, ears, hair, eye brows, neck and shoulders) with some detail.
• The facial features must be in the correct locations on the face.
• These practice faces do NOT need to be colored or have a lot of shading.
• But they should have enough detail to look like realistic features.

After students complete the practice drawings they can get approved for their subject and media. Students can draw ANY real person. It can be someone they know at home or at school, or a famous person. You WILL need a photo of them to use when you are doing your art work, so only pick someone that you have or can get a GOOD photo of their face. If it is someone in school, you will need their permission and get a photo of them.

 After you pick your subject you will need to pick your media. You can select from any drawing media, (chalk, pencil, colored pencil, marker, pastels, ink, etc.) collage, paint or computers. Special arrangements can be made for sculpture, but most students should work in a 2-D format. We will see a slide show of great examples in a variety of media on Friday 10/1.

Portraits Slide Show

 

Then you should begin a rough draft in the actual size you plan for your final draft. Rough drafts do NOT need to be colored, but should have complete details. Your subject does NEED to have a background so plan that part too.

• 6 Practice Faces DUE 9/30
• Rough Drafts are DUE 10/5.
• Final Drafts will be due 10/12.