Computer Classes

Begin learning Fireworks CS3

Juniors and Seniors interested in attending the Edison Lecture at UT next week need to let me know as soon as possible. Permission slips need to be turned in to Ms. Taylor by Friday afternoon if you want to attend this event.

Career & Technical Education students (that's you!) can apply for a $1000 scholarship and possibly another $500 scholarship. Read more about it here.

Fireworks CS3 -- making selections and using blending modes. Open the file butterfly orange.jpg from the X:/Assignments folder. Save as lastname_select.png and paste a copy in the X:/Turnin/Select -- Butterfly folder

Fireworks CS3 -- options for text, text on a path

Save as lastname_text.png and paste a copy in the X:/Turnin/Text folder

Find a landscape, a vehicle and a building photo you like from the ones in the X:/Assignments/Photos folder. Open the landscape in Fireworks.

Select:

• a vehicle (car or pickup) from a photograph
• building from a second photograph

Copy the selections and paste into the landscape.

Resize the vehicle and building as needed to be in proportion. Save as lastname_parts to your X:/ folder, then copy and paste file to X:/Turnin/Parts folder.

Open the filters.png file from the X:/Assignment folder.  Follow instructions that you find in the file.  Delete the textbox containing the instructions before saving.  Save as lastname_filters.png.

Get headphones and watch these short videos about Fireworks on AtomicLearning.com:

1. Basic Techniques and Tools:
   4. Creating basic shapes
   5. Creating advanced shapes
   6. Using the Paint Bucket and Gradient tools
      
      
2. Working with Images
   1. Importing an image
   2. Using the Crop tool
   3. Using the Selection tool
   4. Using the Lasso tool
   5. Using the Magic Wand tool
   6. Adjusting hue saturation
   7. Adjusting levels
   8. Adjusting brightness and contrast
   9. Exporting your image

Continue working on the Fireworks lessons. You should have these files to turn in today:

Finish monogram logo. Save as lastname_monogram and paste a copy in the X:/Turnin/Monogram folder.

Read this article about creating a logo, Before and After Graphics for Business: Creating a Successful Logo.

Answer these questions (copy and paste the questions into a Word document), save as lastname_logo1 and paste a copy into the X:/Turnin folder.

Get a book (Web Collection Revealed) and start on Lesson 3 in the Fireworks section of the book on page 1-14.

Read the information on pages 1-14 and 15. Next, save this image file to your X:/ folder and open it in Fireworks. Follow the steps that begin on page 1-16 to work with this photograph.

Do the Skills Review on pages 2-30 and 2-31. Use fw2_2.png for this assignment. Save as lastname_confection and paste a copy in the X:/Turnin/Confection folder.

Go on to Page 2-33 and do the Project Builder 2. Your finished product does not have to look like the example, but should include the name of the company, Impact Potions, on the drink container. Save as lastname_impact_potions.

FEBRUARY

Dreamweaver is the first section in the textbook. Start with Chapter 1, Lesson 1 on page 1-2. We covered much of this yesterday, but look through the information shown.

Go on to Lesson 2 on page 1-10. All files you will need are in the X:/Assignments/Dreamweaver folder.

Remember to turn in any Fireworks assignments you haven't turned in yet.

Continue in the book with Lesson 3 on page 1-14. When told to create a root folder, make a new folder in your X:/ drive folder and name it striped_umbrella. This is where Dreamweaver will look for files, so make sure you follow the instructions carefully.

Lesson 4 on page 1-22 continues working with the root folder and site you defined in Ch. 3.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT -- STUDENT HOLIDAY

PRESIDENT'S DAY HOLIDAY

Check list of missing work for Fireworks assignments you are missing.

Do Lesson 5 from the book, starting on page 1-30.

Start on the Project Builder 1 on page 1-36. You will create a new site definition for a website named "TripSmart".

End of Six Weeks

Do writing sample.

Begin Chapter 2 in textbook. You will be working with the same "Striped Umbrella" website you started in Chapter 1.

Continue working on Chapter 2. You should finish most of the chapter by Friday.

Ask for help if there is something you don't understand -- don't just skip steps in the instructions.

TAKS Test

Seniors who are not taking the TAKS test need to arrive at school at 12:10. All seniors must enter the front doors and report to the cafeteria.

Continue working on Chapter 3. If you finish with everything through the end of Lesson 6, start on Project Builder 1 on pages 3-40 and 3-41.

Finish Chapter 4. Copy your Striped Umbrella and TripSmart folders and paste in the X:/Turnin folder.

All work needs to be turned in for Progress Report grades deadline!

SPRING BREAK

Go over what each page from the Striped Umbrella and TripSmart website should look like. Make any corrections needed.

Continue working from the book. You will need to work through Chapter 6 for both the Striped Umbrella and TripSmart websites.

School Holiday

What is eCommerce? Go online and find 3 definitions for e-commerce from 3 different web sites. Copy and paste these definitions into a Word Document.

*include the URL address of your source
*type your name on the document
*create a folder in your X:/ folder named lastname_ecommerce
* Save definitions as ecommerce.doc
* Print (Daily Grade)

Open the eCommerce Scavenger Hunt Worksheet in the X:/Assignments/eCommerce folder. You will use the website of a eCommerce web design company to find the answers. (Daily Grade)

Finish eCommerce Scavenger sheet if needed and turn in.

What is eCommerce? worksheet - Visit online business sites for five different types of products and answer opinion questions.

Worksheets for eCommerce sites featuring Music, Sporting Goods, Computer Hardware, Toys, Books are in the X:/Assignments/eCommerce folder. (Daily Grade)

You will need to know your Social Security number Thursday to register for the tech prep credit (college credit that you will have waiting after graduation) you can get for this class.

Finish and turn in yesterday's assignment. Make sure your name is on each one, then print out the Music, Sporting Goods, Computer Hardware, Toys, Books worksheets to turn in.

Remember to bring (or memorize) your Social Security number for tomorrow.

eCommerce Project Description (A copy is in the X:/Assignments/eCommerce folder.)

Starting your Internet business with IdeaCafe

Step 1: First Get an idea with the IdeaCafe
The IDEA is what will keep you fired up, and give you pride. Plus, the IDEA is the most fun part of business. So go with an IDEA you can get excited about.

• Remember, it has to be an idea that you, as a teenager, could actually do at this time, such as: babysitting, teaching swimming (or other sports), computer skills or tutoring in other subjects, web or logo design, jewelry, etc., see below for more ideas.
• Check out the advice for the Baby Business Idea, Maid Service, Welding?
• More Ideas for a Business listed in Categories: Can you write poems or stories? Enjoy Balloon decorating, how about working with Pets?
• Read about Brandon and his DJ business
• YoungBiz.com (click on the YoungBiz Net link at the right for lots of good info about getting started in business)
• Small Business Administration Teen Business Link

Step 2: Name Your Business
You'll need a fitting name for your business -- one people will remember.

• Check out the CyberSchmooz forum to read advice to others who are stuck on the Name Game; maybe you'll find one you can use.

Step 3: Plan Your Business: 
If you don't know where your business is going, you sure won't get there.

• SBA Teen Link -- Put it in Writing , Sample Business Plan
• Idea Cafe Business Plans
• SBA - Starting Your Own Business

Fill out the Business Description worksheet. A copy of it is in the X:/Assignments/eCommerce folder.

TeenVestor -- business ideas, plans, mistakes
Young Money

Register for CATEMA system. Did you remember your Social Security number? I will take you through the process of registering.

Check to see if the domain name (URL) you want is available at GoDaddy.com. Be sure to try different extensions (.com, .net, .name, etc.) with the name you want to use.

Open the Company Slogan and Logo Worksheet (X:/Turnin/eCommerce folder). Write a brief attention-getting phrase used in advertising or promotion for your business. 

Design a logo for your business. Look at these websites for businesses started by young people to see some of their logos.

Take this survey about the school cafeteria. The school district with the highest participation will be given a $1000 scholarship. Right now, PISD is in third place behind Lewisville and Round Rock.

Who are your business' competitors?

Complete the competition_customer worksheet and fill in the competitor_info table. Both files are in the X:/Assign/eCommerce folder. Print and turn in.

Create a Storyboard for your business website. The storyboard must be in color (marker, crayon, colored pen) and must include page titles, file names, navigation structure, proposed use of images, and ALL information to be included.

The storyboard cannot be created until all decisions regarding location, products/services offered, unit pricing, ordering and delivering procedures, etc. have been made. Web pages will not be graded until you have an approved storyboard.
Storyboard Sheets are in X:/Assignment folder.

End of 5th 6 Weeks

Continue working on your storyboards. Make sure you have turned in all work assigned through Monday, April 12.

Begin working on eCommerce website pages if you have turned in your storyboard.

Before starting on your pages, remember to set up a folder (lastname_ecommerce) in your X:/fundinternet/ drive with an assets folder inside.

Also, make sure you define your site in Dreamweaver (Site > Manage Sites > New site)

I will take a group of students to the Art Institute of Austin on May 7 during 5th - 7th periods. The number of students they can have in a group is limited, and they requested that most of the students who visit be juniors or seniors with possibly a few sophomores.

If you are interested in seeing the Art Institute's facility and finding out more about their programs, write a paragraph or two about why you are interested and why you think you should be part of the group I take. Put your name at the top along with your grade level, print and give it to me. I will decide who will go based on these papers. Turn this paper in by Friday.

Continue working on your eCommerce website.

If you have not registered with the CATEMA system yet, you need to do that quickly!

Continue working on your eCommerce website.

Seniors take 1st, and 3rd period final exams.

Create a Flash website. Use this example as a guide.