Do Something - Free Rice

One 7th Grade group has found a way to help people by using Free Rice.com!

Click here to go to our group page

You must follow these directions so our group gets credit for the grains of rice we raise:

1. Then click on "Login" to join this group on the right hand side.

2. Login: mruttech
Password: castro

3. Then toward the bottom, there is a "Top Groups" menu with Castro Middle School listed. Click on Castro Middle School.

4. Click "Play" on the right hand side.

5. Choose any category you want. You can switch categories.

Try different categories and try to earn as much rice as you can. The more answers you get right, the more rice is given to people who need food.

We will be trying to win "Class of the Week!" on Free Rice.com

Give it a try and DO SOMETHING!

Are you following?

You should be:

1. Working on your Do Something.org project

OR

2. Finishing your PSA

OR

3. Writing a news article for the Castro Cougar Courier or editing others' work. Remember to write the WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, and WHY of an event. Remember to write the TRUTH and write with correct grammar and spelling.

OR

4. Go to Channel One News and create your own project. Find something fun and discuss it with Mr. Uttech to be a separate assignment.

Now Do It, For Real

The dosomething.org website allows students like you to actually plan out your ideas. Take some time to think out your idea further.

And continue to explore the website for ideas and examples of other students your age making a change to make this world a better place.

CLICK here to continue to think out your idea before we post your idea.

Then start searching for websites that relate to your topic. For example, if you chose:

Animal Welfare, just type 'animal welfare' into google or check out http://www.azhumane.org/

Violence and Bullying, just type 'bullying' into google or check out Olweus

Discrimination, check out http://www.tolerance.org/

Be sure to bookmark sites you find or take notes in WORD

Do Something

Recently, you were asked "if you could change the world, what would you do?"

Today, let's explore our responses a little deeper.

You will be searching for information on dosomething.org. There are questions to answer, but the main purpose is to get you familiar with the website. Once you are familiar with the website, if you are inspired to do something, then let's do it!

1. Go to DOSOMETHING.ORG

2. Answer these questions.

Flex Friday

You have several different options today:

1. Finish your PSA

2. Answer these current events questions.

3. Write an article for the Castro Cougar Courier.

PSA Questions

Please work on these questions as a group.

Answering these questions will help you focus your thoughts to help edit your PSA or create a more focused PSA for next time.

Click here to answer these questions.

Public Service Announcement (PSA)

What is a PSA?
PSAs are intended to let people know about specific issues. The most common topics of PSAs are health and safety.

What do PSAs do?

• Gets the viewer's attention
• Convinces the viewer that they can make a difference
• Makes every word and image count
• Uses emotions to compel your viewer
• Clearly calls the viewer to action

What are some examples of PSAs?

• Drug Abuse Prevention
  
• Nutrition
• High School Dropout Prevention
• Stop Bullying
• Hearing Loss
• Wearing your seat belt

Source: http://www.ivieawards.org/categories/psa/psa.html

Guidelines for your PSA:

• be serious
• have a clear message
• be no longer than 30-45 seconds
• have important information
• have accurate information
• use someone who looks believable
• use someone famous (but does not have to be)
• use someone who is likeable and respected
• use someone who can act ( is credible)
• use someone who is dressed appropriately for the part he is playing
• give statistics (when appropriate, e.g. number of people that die because they were not wearing seatbelts)

Source: TeacherNet

Assignment:
Create your own PSA. It could be about one of the topics listed above or you could make it about something here at school.

• What do you want people to know?

Things you will need:

• Research from the internet (remember where you found it)
  
• Photos that you take or from the internet
  
• You will need to write out what you are going to say and how you are going to say it.
• Video
• Use iMovie to produce your PSA

Objectives:
Students will be able to discuss topics that affect them and others and give information through the use of PSAs and iMovie. Students will be able to analyze topics and create ways to get a specific message out to others through the use of PSAs and the iMovie editing process.

Current Events

Hello!

Please answer these current events questions.

Your answers will be sent to me. I will be able to see who did and did not do their work.

On the right, you will see who finished their work. If your name is not on the list, please finish this today.

If you are done today, please go to:

http://domo.goanimate.com/create

We will be using this to create stories again. This time we will be saving and sharing our stories. Please use the same log in as the Castro Cougar Courier.

Remember, you must tell a story using:

characters
setting
plot
rising action
climax
falling action
problem, solution

Turn in yesterday's work

Click here to turn in your work.

Continue working if you did not finish yesterday.

Journalism (and life) Principles

OPEN A WORD DOCUMENT TO TYPE YOUR ANSWERS

Click here to read: Journalism 101 - 16 Things You Learn in J-School

Pick 5 of the 16 things.

Answer these questions:

1. What does this mean to you?
2. Why do you think it is important?
3. How does it relate to writing stories about Castro?
4. How does it relate to life?

For example:

If I pick number 1: "Name Your Sources"

I would answer the questions like this:

1. This means I need to give credit to people I get information from. I am writing a story, but other people have information I need.

2. This is important because I did not find everything on my own. I had help and I need to acknowledge that I had help. This will show that I am an honest writer and reporter.

3. When writing stories about Castro I need to remember who I interviewed and give credit for what they say and what information they give me.

4. In life, it is important to remember who helps me and to give credit to them. In other words, I'm giving "props" to the people who help me do well.

Castro Cougar Courier

Write a new story for the Castro Cougar Courier.

Remember, the Courier is the Castro News: The Who, What, Where, When, Why and How of Castro.

Think of some events that have occurred here at Castro since we last wrote for the Courier.

• Last Friday's speaker Calvin Terrell

• Sports and Cheer tryouts

• The Dance

• Anything that is going on here at Castro!

Remember to use proper grammar and full sentences.

Remember to be fair, cause no harm and discuss the main idea from multiple sides (student ideas, teacher ideas, community ideas)

Current Events

Search for the answers on credible news websites.
List your source. (Where did you find the answer)

CLICK HERE TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS

Word of the Day

Go to http://www.merriam-webster.com/word/archive.php

Select five words.

In PAGES,

1. Write the word.
2. Write the definition.
3. Use the word in a sentence.
4. Using photo booth or google, create or find a photo that helps describe the word.
5. Place the photo in PAGES.