Access Denied - *WAIT - LAST SECOND EDIT - ACCESS GRANTED!*

For those of you who have been reading these posts and receiving the extra credit: good work.  I'm sorry about yesterday's post.  (Yesterday, I posted instructions on how to access files from home.  Unfortunately, there is some sort of glitch that prevented this from happening.  The good news is I contacted our technology coordinator and they're working through the issue.  Thank you to the family that sent in the screen shot of the problem.  -You know who you are.)

Today, I want you to access something else.  Look up your grades on STI.  See what you're missing.  Students know how to do this, we've done it from school before.

We only have 12 more days in this marking period.  Right now is the time to make up missing assignments, or turn in extra credit.  If you put it off any longer, it will be too late.

Granted, most of you will have good grades.  If you have good grades, I suggest you get a pat on the back right now from the person you're reading this with.

*My word people, you'll never believe what just happened.  I just got a call from Mrs. Paulus.  She told me that Stoneware was down last night (corporation-wide), which is why files couldn't be accessed.  But it's working again.  I told you she's good.  Also, be aware that Stoneware has some issues if you're using it with Firefox 8 or 9.  So, for the second part of the homework - after checking grades - read yesterday's blog entry.  If you can't access your files, try using a different web browser - such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Google Chrome.  Open up the graded copy of your Hammurabi presentation and discuss it as per yesterday's instructions.

To get the points today, after you've finished the above, write the following quote on a piece of paper: "All three monotheistic religions trace their roots back to Abraham."  Then have the adult that went over your grades saw your powerpoint sign the piece of paper.

(Don't forget to cover those books too.)

*If you're kid says 7th hour didn't get them yet... tis true... Lucky kids getting out of more homework.*

Access Granted

I think most people know this, but students can access their digital school work from home.  In case you're wondering how to do this, here's how:

Student File Access From Home

1.  Type in         https://stoneware.concord.k12.in.us   

2. Type in your user name   (entire first and last name no spaces.)

3. The password is your lunch code number

4. Click on My Files

5. Click on the little + sign by the yellow folder. This should give you access to all your                              

      folders.

For the sake of speed and the security of your file, when modifying existing files on our network, it’s a good idea to save the file to your local hard drive first. To do this, right click on the file name, choose Save Target As and put it on the desktop of your home computer. You can continue to save to this location throughout the time you work on your file.

 6.  When you are ready to put your work back on our network, use the Upload Files button near the top right of the screen to browse to the modified file. Highlight the file and click Open. It will then display the path to the modified file in the File Upload Utility window. Click Upload to put it back on our network in the folder being displayed when you clicked on Upload Files.

7.  It is very important to Sign Out of the portal when finished to avoid problems logging into the network when back at school.  

So there you have it... piece of cake, right?  I'm am continually amazed at the level of technology utilized by this school district.  They really have it together around here.  I'll have to email Mrs. Paulus (our school's technology coordinator) and let her know she's doing a good job.

Yesterday we discussed 'restating the question' and 'pronouns.'  Today I had the students respond to the comments I left on their finished projects.  After that we discussed citing sources and the outcome of the assignment.

A lot of student wrote "www.google.com" as their source.  When citing sources, you have to be specific.  www.google.com doesn't cut it, even if that's where you got the picture.

We also discussed whether or not it's fair to judge Hammurabi's code based on the laws we have today.  Many, MANY students said, "We shouldn't judge him, because it's the past."  It made me think of this:  

We watched the clip in class and then discussed it.


Extra credit:  In order to get the extra credit today read and discuss the post.  Then, students, access your graded powerpoint and show it to your parents.  Ask if you parents agree with the conclusions you came to regarding judging Hammurabi according to today.  In order to get the extra credit for today's blog have the adult that looked at your powerpoint write a two sentence response to your presentation, then have them sign the paper.