Quizlet

One of the most useful tools you can use to study is Quizlet. For this class you'll need to complete the following steps.

1. Log in to Quizlet using your Google account.
2. Join Mr. Maners Applications Class (http://quizlet.com/join/x8gsK27YQ). I'll need to grant you permission.
3. Create 10 slides to study. You may pick any class that you like. Quizlet lends itself to classes where you have lists of terms life Science, English and History. Make sure you label your sets. Do not mix classes with each other.
4. Study the flash cards, learn the terms, take the practice test and play the games. If you can play the Space Race game, you will know your list pretty well.

Use this tool to study for your mid-term exams this week!

*Also, if you have a smart phone, try downloading the Quizlet app so you can study anywhere.

Jeopardy!

One of the fun things you can do with Slides is to set up games. One of the more popular games to set up is Jeopardy. Here is a 5 category Jeopardy board. You'll need to make a copy of this to your own Google Drive in order to customize it. Your assignment is to set up real answers for an actual game. Test your board out on a classmate before the end of class. Use this game as a fun way to study for upcoming tests. Place thie customized game board in your Slides folder.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1BT0RDLX8hBaZEGt_QiexMyecTdDRdUywKprosYJFk-k/edit?usp=sharing

If you need to familiarize yourself with how the game is played, take a look at this video.

Using Slides to Make a Decision Guide

Decision guides are used for many different types of applications. Doctors use them to create treatment plans for cancer patients. Writes can use them for creating stories with many different endings. Today, we'll be creating a decision guide for selecting shoes.

Think about the types of shoes that you have. You may have several pair to choose from depending on the type of event that you'll be attending. Today, we'll be creating a selection guide for 4 different events: athletic, school, party, and church. Each event will have 2 choices:

Athletic: Basketball or Running
School: Fun or Serious
Party: Dancing or Not Dancing
Church: Black or Brown

To create your decision guide, you'll first need to map out your slide presentation. Start with an introduction slide, then start mapping out your choices. You should have approximately 16 slides. To get your shoe pictures, go to Zappos.com and make your selections or you can use my choices here. Make sure an link your navigation buttons and create a back button. When you're done, your guide should look something like this.

Making Pizza Dough with Google Slides

Use Google Slides to create an interactive recipe. Make a slide for each step. Use the following instructions:

1. Mix 1 cup lukewarm water with 1 tsp. of honey in a liquid measuring cup until the honey dissolves. Sprinkle with 2 1/4 tsp. of active dry yeast and let the mixture stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, using a food processor, pulse 3 cups flour and 1 3/4 tsp. coarse salt to mix.

2. Pour the yeast mixture and 2 tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil over the flour mixture. Process until the dough comes together in a sticky ball, about 20 to 30 seconds.

3. Turn out the dough onto a floured work surface and knead, using the heel of your hand, until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes

4. Oil a large bowl; add the dough, turning to coat. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Let the dough stand in a warm, draft-free area until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

5. Punch the dough down, then turn out onto a floured work surface like a cutting board.

6. Using a knife, quarter the dough.

7. Shape 1 dough wedge roughly into a ball. Place the dough ball on the work surface and cup your hand lightly over it. Rotate your hand counterclockwise, letting the dough roll on the work surface. Continue until the surface of the dough is smooth. Repeat with the remaining dough wedges.
Place each dough ball in a large resealable plastic bag or plastic container with a lid. Refrigerate for 10 to 48 hours (the dough will continue to rise). Let the dough sit at room temperature for 1 hour before shaping, or freeze for up to 2 weeks. Let the frozen dough sit at room temperature for 2 hours before shaping.

8. Turn out 1 ball of dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Press it out on the work surface into a 9-inch round, a long rectangle or an oval. Repeat with the remaining dough balls. To make 3- to 4-inch mini pizzas, cut each dough ball into 4 pieces, then press or stretch into shape.

You can find the corresponding pictures here.

Creating dynamic links with Google Slides

One of the more creative things you can do with Slides is to create dynamic links with other slides in a presentation. This gives you the opportunity to create a sort of presentation program. It also lets users navigate to where they want to go in your presentation. Here's a video on how it's done.

Now, try creating arrows to guide users through your resume. Create a forward, backward and home button.

Investment Analysis

Today we'll be using some of the tools we've learned to analyze an investment portfolio. Here is your scenario:

You are a investment analyst. You have a friend who is a successful businessperson. Over lunch one day, she confides in you that she has become unhappy with her current investments. She says that her returns have been consistently lagging the market. While her account has not lost much in value, it has not gained much either. You ask her if she knows what she's invested in she gives you a list of mutual funds listed by their trading symbol along with the total amont she has invested in each fund.

BND - $100,000
ARTIX - $100,000
BNDX - $100,000
VFIAX - $200,000

Total Account Value - $500,000

You know from training and experience that a good portfolio is composed of a diversified group of stock mutual funds, 20% large companies (large cap), 20% mid-sized companies (mid cap), 20% small companies (small cap), 20% foreign companies, and 20% bonds. You decide to recommend the following list of 5 mutual funds equally funded.

VFIAX  - Large Cap Mutual Fund
VIMAX - Mid Cap Mutual Fund
VSIAX - Small Cap Mutual Fund
ARTIX - International Stock Mutual Fund
BND - Bond Market Fund

Some of these mutual funds she already owns, others, she will need to buy. 

Here is what you'l have to do to prepare your proposal:

• Research each of her current holdings on YahooFinance so you can describe what mutual funds she owns. 
• Create a Google Docs file describing each of the mutual funds you are recommending
• Create a pie chart showing her current investments
• Create a pie chart showing her what investments you are recommending
• Create a Google Slides file to present your recommendations

Here's how to complete the assignment:

1. Create a new folder on your Google Drive. Name your folder Portfolio Analysis.

2. Create a Google Docs file named Recommendation. In this document, describe each of her current mutual fund holdings along with a complete description of the mutual funds you are recommending for her. You can find thhis information on the Yahoo Finance Web site. I have provided links for your convenience.  Format your paper in 12 point Times New Roman, double spaced text. Describe the sales and purchases that she will have to make in order to re-balance her portfolio

3. Create 2 pie charts using Google Sheets, one showing her current holdings and one showing the mutual funds you are recommending. Name the files Current and Future.

4. Create a Google Slides file. Make sure it looks professional! Use 4 slides to make your presentation: Introduction, Current Portfolio with imported pie chart, Future Portfolio with imported pie chart, and Closing slide showing the sales and purchases that she will have to make.

This project is worth 20 points total and it is due at the end of class.

Rubric:

There are 3 parts to this assignment.

Google Docs File - 5 points
2 Pie Charts created using Google Sheets - 5 points each (10 points total)
Google Slides presentation -  5 points

Total 20 points

Extending your Knowlege

Now that you have a basic understanding of Google Slides, you can now practice using additional procedures like adding pictures and links. You can also experiment with transitions, and animations.

Assignment:

Your assignment is to make 2 slide presentations using the following materials. Make sure you use transitions and animations on your slides. You will use the same information on both slide presentations but use 2 different styles. Title the presentations Sexting 1 and Sexting 2. Place these in your Slides folder when you're done.

Use these photos

 
Use these links

Sexting Definition - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexting
TBI - http://www.tbi.state.tn.us/
Sex Offender Registry - http://www.tbi.state.tn.us/sex_ofender_reg/sex_ofender_reg.shtml


Use this text

Laws Pertaining to Sexting in the State of Tennessee

Currently, in Tennessee anyone - regardless of age - who creates, distributes or possesses an image of a minor engaged in a sexually explicit act may be prosecuted under the State’s child pornography laws and if convicted, will generally be required to register as a sex offender.

Legislative Summary

Tennessee has not created a separate statute for sexting crimes. Therefore, a minor who is caught creating, distributing, or possessing a sexually explicit image of another minor could be charged under the State’s child pornography statutes. If the minor is convicted of a felony they will generally be required to register as a sex offender.

Law and Punishment

In general, under Tennessee law it is a felony to either:

Knowingly possess any material of a minor engaged in a sexual act.

Anyone caught can be charged separately for each item found that contains a minor engaged in a sexual activity.

If convicted, an individual could face up to 12 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000. The penalty increases if a person is caught with more than 50 items and increases again if caught with more than 100 items.

Knowingly promote, sell, distribute, transport, purchase or exchange material, or possess with the intent to promote, sell or distribute any material that contains a minor engaged in a sexually explicit activity.

Anyone caught can be charged separately for each item found that contains a minor engaged in a sexual activity.

If convicted, an individual could face up to 15 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000. The penalty increases to a possible 30 years in prison and/or $25,000 fine, if a person is caught with more than 25 items.

Knowingly use a minor in creating or participate in material that contains a minor engaged in a sexually explicit activity.

Anyone caught can be charged separately for each item found that contains a minor engaged in a sexual activity.

If convicted, an individual could face up to 30 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $25,000.

If convicted of a felony an individual would generally be required to register as a sex offender.

 

 

Intro to Google Slides

Review the video above. Your assignment is to create a Google Slides presentation of your resume.

Making an Impact with Graphics

Distracted driving has become a major problem with teenage drivers in the United States. With the proliferation of cell phones, teenage drivers have become susceptible to numerous distractions from text messaging and phone calls. Last year over 400,000 people were injured in accidents involving distracted drivers.

Now that you know how to create bar charts, histograms and pie charts, it's time to put your skills to good use. In this project, we're going to create two related items, an informational poster and a brochure on texting and driving. On this site, you'll find some useful information on the problem of distracted drivers. You can also find more information on the FCC web site here. You'll also notice that several statistics are cited on both sites. You'll use these statistics to create meaningful charts that support the point of your poster and brochure. Here's another great site for resources you might use.

Assignment: Your objective is to create two items, (1) a 11" x 17" poster and (2) a 8.5"x11" tri-fold brochure to inform teenagers of the dangers of texting and driving. You may use any of the images below. You must also create at least two charts or graphs from the statistics provided. You may use any sort of chart that you like as long as it is persuasive and illustrates the problem. You may use any headline that you like as long as it effectively communicates the dangers of texting and driving. You must also write your own text to the poster and brochure. Create your own unique design using Google Draw or Google Docs, then create your own charts and import them into the two designs. Create a shared folder and name it Texting and place your files in it. You'll have two full  class periods to complete this project. This project is worth 50 points so do your very best work. Also, keep in mind that plagiarism is unacceptable. Using other students' work in your assignment will result in a zero for your grade and you will not be allowed to make this up.

Rubric:

• Effective headline - 0-5 points
• Meaningful text that relates to the headline - 0-5 points
• Photos which illustrates the issue - 0-5 points
• Two charts or graphs - 0-15 points
• Completed poster - 0-10 Points
• Completed tri-fold brochure - 0-10 Points

Total maximum points 50

State Standards: 13) Complete a comprehensive word-processing project with instructor approval that applies the skills acquired in this section. (TN CCSS Writing 4, 6, 7)

Google Calendar

Keeping up with your schedule can get quite hectic during school. Not only do you have to keep up with homework assignments and test dates, you also have club schedules, sporting events, practices and special occasions like birthdays. One of the best tools to use both at your computer and on your cell phone is Google Calendar. Here is a quick tutorial:

You can also embed a Google Calendar on your personal web site. Here's how you do it.

Assignment: Create your own Google Calendar. Add your birthday, and at least one high school sports or club schedule. There should be at least 10 events on your personal calendar. Share your calendar with your instructor before you leave class today. Also, try sharing your calendar with a classmate. Add weather or a sports schedule to your calendar.

Rubric: This assignment is worth 10 points total. You will receive a point for each item on your calendar. You calendar must be shared with your instructor before the end of class.

Creating Pie Charts

Pie charts are used when we have a finite number of the population that we are wanting to examine (IE, a fixed amount of pie). Consequently, a variation in one variable directly affects the other variables. If you eat a portion of the pie, you can't get any more without making a while new pie. Get it?

Today we will be looking at cell phone usage, specifically, which cell phones students use. First, we'll need to take a poll of our sample set. In this case, it will be our class. For the purposes of this exercise, we'll use this set of hypothetical polling data from a class of 23 students. If you have real polling data, use that instead.

Android 10
iPhone 7
Windows 3
Other 3

Now, to create a pie chart, we'll have to use Google Sheets. Follow the following steps:

1. First, open your Google Drive and create a new Google Sheets file. Rename the file Cell Phone, and place the file in your charts folder. 
2. Next, enter the phone type in the first column (A). In column B, enter the number of phones.
3. Now, click on A1 and then click on B4 while holding down the shift key.
4. With the data selected, click on the Insert menu and click on charts and select Pie Chart.
5. Select customize and change the chart title to  Cell Phone Market Share.
6. To save the chart as a .png file, click on the small down arrow in the upper right hand corner and click Save Image. Save the chart to a local Downloads folder and then upload it to your Google Drive.
7. Congratulations! You're done!

Make sure your work is turned in by the end of class. If you have time, try changing the colors by clicking on each section. You can also change the chart to a bar chart by selecting a different type. Try it!

Your classwork will be graded on the following rubric.

Accuracy of the data. 0-4
Proper chart labeling 0-4
Proper spelling 0-2

Total 10 points

Histograms

Histograms are another way of visualizing data. Watch this video to get a better understanding of when and how they are used.

So now that you know what a histogram is, its time to create one for yourself. Take a look at the following table. This is a breakdown of the number of Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors in a series of Applications classes.

Class 1
Freshmen 5
Sophomores 7
Juniors 3
Seniors 2

Class 2
Freshmen 13
Sophomores 8
Juniors 2
Seniors 1

Class 3
Freshmen 4
Sophomores 11
Juniors 2
Seniors 2

Class 4
Freshmen 8
Sophomores 3
Juniors 4
Seniors 0

Assignment:

Create a histogram for each class using Google Draw. You may put all four histograms on a single 8.5x11" page. Use color to differentiate the classifications. Remember that one of the primary differences between is bar chart and a histogram is that there are no spaces between the bars on histograms.

Open up a Google Docs file. Write an analysis of the data answering the following questions:

1. What seems to be a similar trait of all of the classes. What would you say is true of all the classes in general?

2. Do any of the classes stand out for any reason? Explain your answer using the data provided.

3. How does the histogram help you understand the data?

Creating Bar Charts

One of the difficulties in presenting the results of research is explaining the numbers. Many people understand data visually so it helps to show numeric data visually. One of the best ways to show data is though a bar chart. You can read more about bar chars here:

http://www.mathsisfun.com/data/bar-graphs.html

Recently the Commonwealth Fund released some interesting data comparing the relative quality of care in 11 industrialized countries. Examine the chart below.

Take a look at the chart, particularly the section that shows the "expenditure per capita." How could a bar chart better show the expenditure per capita?

Assignment:

Create a bar chart in Google Draw showing the per capita expenditure for health care in each of the 11 nations shown in the graph above. Use various colors to differentiate the nations. Here is an example of what you will produce.

https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1tn1-4LyHCGAqoNeQJuIxos17QmmUEmgpyLL3fTCzP7s/edit?usp=sharing

You should be able to re-create this bar chart with the skills you already have.

1. Create a new folder on your Google Drive, label it Charts.
2. Create a new Google Draw file and label it Bar Chart.
3. Use the sample I have provided as an example.
4. Share your Charts folder so I can inspect your work.


Rubric:

Nations are listed correctly 0-3 points
Data is entered accurately 0-3 points
Bars are set correctly 0-4 points

Total points available 10

Now, Check this out when you're done.

Brochure Basics

Three panel brochures are a very easy way to get your message into the hands of customers. Creating them can be a little tricky though.

 The easiest way to lay one out is to create a blank brochure using a plain piece of paper. make the overleaf panel slightly smaller than the front and back. The overleaf should measure approximately 3 5/8". To finish the other fold, simply fold the folded edge to the opposite side. 

After you finish the blank prototype, label each panel so you can keep up with the inside and outside. Create your page in Google draw or Google Docs and you're ready to start designing.

Assignment: Put your school map into the form of a three panel brochure. Create a cover and back with the school name. On the overleaf, put a welcome message. Save the finished file to your maps project folder.

If you like, you can copy a template to your Google Drive using this link:

https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1-kpFHdEU9HPNr-Va92zNeldygVQ9optUedFd2oPI0kA/edit?usp=sharing

Directional Signs

It takes more than just a good map to navigate an unfamiliar space, you need landmarks in order to orient yourself  to the space on the map. Directional signs can help visitors navigate an unfamiliar space. Study the directional maps below.

How does the use of color help visitors understand landmarks and directions?
How could you use these signs if you could not read or didn't understand the language?
How can symbols be used to help communicate?

Assignment: Create a system of directional signs that you could use in your school. Use color, symbol, or alternative languages to help visitors navigate the space. Show the system of colors, symbols and sign design that you would use and match them up to the map you created earlier. Make sure that you could use the system to create any sort of sign needed. Show how your signs would look at 5 intersections. Indicate where and how they will be mounted.

Finding your way with maps

Have you ever been to an airport or mall that you are unfamiliar with? If you're like most people, you found your way around with a simple map. Many public buildings and transportation centers use simple maps to help people navigate complex buildings and cities. Study he maps below. Notice the use of simple shapes and colors to organize large and complex spaces.

Memphis International Airport

Wolfchase Mall - Memphis, TN

Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit

Washington Metro 

FedEx Forum - Memphis, TN

Naga City School

Assignment: Think about your school. How could you create a simple map to organize the space to help people orient themselves and find their way? Use Google Drawings to create a simple map using lines, shapes and colors to help visitors find their way. Organize the classrooms by subject using color. Assign specific colors to the administrative and recreational portions of the building. Mark places of interest such as restrooms, and entry/exit doors. Place the map on an 8.5x11" page. Title the file School Map and place the map in a shared folder titled Map Project. Turn in this project by the end of class.

Extend your knowledge

Try creating a totally new soccer schedule poster for Haywood High School. You may use the resources below:

Soccer Schedule:

http://www.haywoodschools.com/page.php?pageid=94

Use any fonts you like as long as you make it effective. Size it at 8.5x11 portrait or landscape. Drop your finished poster in your Posters folder by the end of class.

Using Google Drawings for Flyers, Posters and Handouts

Assignment:

Build your own basketball schedule poster using the resources below. Make the poster 8.5 x11"

Basketball Schedule:

Novmber
7 Tomcat Madness (Home) 6:00
11 (HOF) Middleton (Home) 6:00
15 (HOF) 
Cumberland County (Away)
10:00PM Ladies/ 11:00 Men
York (Away) Ladies 1:00
Walker Valley (Away) Men 4:00
Stone Mtn. (Away) Men 4:00
17 Munford (Home) 6:00
18 Boliver (Away) 6:00
25 Westview (Home) 6:00
28-29 Thanksgiving Classic (Away)

December
5 Bolivar (Home) 6:00
9 Munford (Away) 6:00

Use the background art here.

Building a Works Cited Page

Why must you cite your sources? Read the following page from the Yale College Writing Center.

http://writing.yalecollege.yale.edu/advice-students/using-sources

Watch the following video from Ohio University:

Discuss the following:

• What reason does Yale give for citing a source?
• Is it ok to paraphrase a source without citing it? Why or why not?
• Does citing a work make your work appear more credible or less? 
• How does citing works lead to further research? 

Read the following Entry on the Purdue OWL Web site.

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/05/

Assignment:

Create a document titled Works Cited in your MLA Folder. Create a works cited page with the following materials:

http://www.apartmentratings.com/rate/TN-Jackson-Jackson-Walk-Apartments-Pricing.html

http://writing.yalecollege.yale.edu/advice-students/using-sources 

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/education/dropout-nation/by-the-numbers-dropping-out-of-high-school/

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

Use the instructions provided here: http://academictips.org/mla-format/mla-format-works-cited/


 Useful Links:

North Carolina State University has a citation builder that you may find helpful:
http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/citationbuilder/

Calvin College has a very good citation generator here:
http://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/

EasyBib is one of the best tools for citing sources. Try it out here:
http://easybib.com

Model Writing Papers:
http://writing.yalecollege.yale.edu/advice-students/model-papers-disciplines

MLA Style Report Page

Your report page must be set up correctly before you begin writing your paper. There are several elements to a properly set up report page. Follow the instructions in the assignment below:


Assignment:  Open a blank Google Docs document and follow along with these instructions:

Margins - Make sure your margins are set up to 1" all the way around the page. Go to File>Page Setup and check the margins, they should all be set to 1" all the way around. This is the default setting in Google Docs so this should not be a problem.

Header - Next, we'll need to set up the header. So, with your insert bar at the top of the page, go to Insert>Header. Next click on the right justified button, them type your last name. Don't forget to capitalize it.

Page Number - Next, with the insert bar next to your name on the right side, go to Insert>Page Number and place the page number next to your name.

Title - Finally, on the first page, you'll need to place the title of your paper centered on the top line.


Use this text:

For every one hundred freshmen in your school, sixty-seven will actually graduate in four years.  Hopefully, by the time your graduation date is scheduled, you will have earned the right to walk across the stage and receive a diploma with the other sixty-six students in your class. What are your plans after high school?  Do you plan to immediately join the workforce? Do you plan to earn an associate’s degree at a community college? Do you plan to earn a bachelor’s degree?  Of those sixty-seven freshmen who graduate from high school, forty-one will attend a four-year postsecondary institution.  Of those forty-one, only nineteen will actually earn a college degree.  This report will compare the purchasing power of individuals as related to their level of academic attainment.

If you haven’t already done so, one of your first major purchases will be a car.  Are you looking for a new or a used car?  Do you want a car that has all of the bells and whistles and the newest technology or one that is at least not held together by duct tape?  A top-of-the-line model will surely cost more on the front end and depending on the make and model, may require some pretty hefty maintenance fees.  On the other hand, you can be your tail pipe that the duct tape model will require more of your time and money in the long run.  The next question to consider is how much time do you plan on driving.  You may look really hot in a new car, but without money for gas and insurance, you won’t be able to cruise around town.  You’ll have to invite your friends over so they can see how good you look behind the wheel while you sit in your driveway listening to the radio!  This is no joke.  With gas prices in 2008 reaching an all time high, a car that averages thirty-five miles per gallon will cost about $107 per month just for gas. What about maintenance costs and insurance?  According to Automobile Magazine, a 2003 Jeep Wrangler with a purchase price of $10,349 will cost, on average, $4,500 per year to operate.  This cost includes depreciation, financing and interest rates, insurance cost, state fees (taxes), fuel, maintenance, and repairs.  A 2006 Mazda 3 will cost about $5,000 per year to operate. Are your eyes bigger than your wallet?  Be realistic when selecting your first car and be aware of the consequences of buying more than you can afford.  Banks and finance companies will gladly provide a loan to purchase a vehicle and will just as gladly wave and smile at you as they drive away with you repossessed car.  Car expenses, rent or mortgage payments, and utility bills are referred to  as fixed expenses.  Fixed expenses that are not paid when they are due can result in severe consequences.  For example, suppose you had to juggle your finances this month and paid rent instead of your car payment.  What do you think will happen?  You run the risk of losing your car, destroying your credit rating, and losing any money you paid toward the car.  In order to be successful financially, you must plan your budget with realistic expectations and goals.

Of course, to plan a budget successfully, you must have income.  Do you have a job?  What does your résumé look like?  According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median weekly earnings in 2006 for someone with less than a high school diploma were $419 (“Education Pays”).  Do the math.  If your car costs $4,500 per year to operate and you make $21,788 per year, that means that you have approximately $17,000 left after food, rent, medical expenses, and most importantly at your age, entertainment.  A high school graduate who earned $595 weekly will have $26,440 per year left over after car expenses. Let’s say you were really focused and earned an associate’s degree while in high school.  You’ll have a whopping $32,992 left over after your $4,500 car expense. In addition to budgeting for car expenses, you must also determine where and how you will live.  Most probably, your independent dwelling will be in an apartment community.

An apartment community can be a great experience for a young adult.  You will not have to worry about maintenance costs associated with a broken dishwasher or faulty plumbing.  You will meet a variety of people and possible business contacts.  You may also feel safer in an apartment setting than if you lived alone in the isolation of a private home.  Most apartment communities provide amenities such as pools, exercise rooms, and social gatherings.  Of course, apartments come in many sizes and are offered at a wide range of prices.  The average two bedroom apartment rented for about $774 in 2008 while a one bedroom rented for $632 (Apartment Ratings).  As in the previous example of budgeting for a car as a high school dropout, you’ll have $159.66 per week after car and rental expenses for a one bedroom apartment, including cable, phone, and power bills.  If you at least graduate from high school, you’ll have about $355.00 per week for food and entertainment.

What types of recreational activities do you enjoy? Suppose you go to the movies on a Friday night and purchase one ticket, popcorn, and a soda.  That will cost $20.  Want to buy a CD?  There goes another $20.  Do you see a trip to the hair salon or tickets to the hockey game in your future?  If so, cough up another $50.  You now have $68.66 left for the week based on a weekly balance of $158.66.  A week’s worth of basic groceries will run at least $40.  That’s the cost of a bowl of cereal, a glass of orange juice, and a banana for breakfast, followed by a delicious bologna sandwich and a coke for lunch, and mouth-watering spaghetti and salad for dinner.  Add another $10 if you want a bar of soap and some toilet paper (Lowes Foods). There goes the rest of your money.  A high school graduate, on the other hand, can actually afford a couple of steaks for the grill and invite a friend over for dinner.  Which option do you choose?

The choice is yours. Based on the above information, you will be able to live independently without a high school diploma, but you will live from paycheck to paycheck with only the barest of life’s creature comforts.  Living on this type of a budget requires careful planning, home cooking, and good health because there is no money to cover eating out or doctor bills. If you want to see a movie, you will have to wait until it airs on television.  Earning a high school diploma will make your life much more comfortable and manageable. You may even be able to save some money for an emergency or a vacation.  Finally, make the choices that are right for you and in alignment with your life’s goals.

Reports - The Title Page

A major portion of your academic career will involve writing reports. Most colleges adhere to the MLA Style of writing nd works citation. While it may seem a bit difficult at first, it will become easier as you gain experience.

Today, we'll focus on one of the easier aspects of a MLA style paper, the title page. A title page is not a necessary part of an MLA paper but many professor require them. While some professors are very specific in their requirements, others are not. You will want to check with them before beginning your paper. Here are some of the basic elements of the title page.

• Centering and Spacing - All elements of a title page are centered and double spaced
• Fonts - You'll want to stick with a good basic reading font like Times New Roman or Calibri. Sans serif fonts are fine but they wont be as readable as serif. Keep the font size on the title page between 12 and 14 points.
• Your School Name - At the top of the page, place the name of your school, college or university.
• Title - Skip down about 1/3 of the page and place the title of your paper. Include the subtitle if you have one. Use capital letters for your paper title.
• Name and Course info - Skip down another 1/3 of the page and place your name, your course name and/or number, your instructor's name and the due date. Place these on separate lines, centered, and double spaced.

Assignment: 

Create a folder titled MLA Report, share it with your instructor, and place a document called "title page" inside the shared folder. Remember, once you share a folder, all the documents inside it will be shared automatically.Set up a title page using the following information:

Haywood High School
Life After Graduation: Getting Yourself Prepared
Your Name
Business Applications
Mr. Maners
Today's Date

For more information, check out the OWL writing lab web site here:

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/675/01/

Quotable

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

― Theodore Roosevelt

The Business Letter

Building an effective business letter requires using he correct form, making sure you aren't misspelling words an using correct grammar. To be taken seriously, you must present yourself as a competent person with a command of the written language. But getting the result you want requires something else entirely. Listen to this story about Anthony Matthews. He's been called the master of the complaint letter.

Answer the following questions:

1. Why do you think Matthews is so effective in his letter writing?
2. Why do you think Matthews chooses to write letters rather than e-mails?
3. Matthews mentions the importance if using the company representative's name. Why do you think this is important?

Listen to the following exchange between a Comcast service representative and Ryan Block, one of Comcast's customers customers.

Read this story about a 7 year old girl who complained about LEGO toys.

Think: How do you think you would have reacted if you were in Ryan's situation? After this recording went viral on the Internet, Comcast was extremely embarrassed.  Do you think writing a letter would have made a difference in the way this situation played out?

Do you think Charlotte's letter to LEGO was effective? Why or why not? 

Assignment 1:

Select one of the following situations:

1. You buy a video game console at Game Stop. After playing the console for 15 days, it will not load the games anymore. You take it back to the store only to be told that the console is only guaranteed for 2 weeks. They refuse to exchange or replace the defective console.

2. You buy a new pair of Nike Air Jordan basketball shoes at a Footlocker at a mall in Memphis. You wear your shoes in your first game and during the game your shoe falls completely apart. You find out that this is not an uncommon occurrence. You take the remains of the shoe back to the store and they refuse to replace them.

3. You just bought a Louis Vuitton handbag at your favorite store. After two weeks of use, the strap comes apart rendering the purse useless. You try to take it back to the store but they refuse to give you a replacement or a refund.

Write a business letter to the company to try to get your issue resolved. Do not simply write to complain but try to state your predicament and how you would like the company to respond. Write the letter in Google Docs and place the letter in a folder labeled Business Letters. Share the folder with me before you leave.

I will be grading your letter based on (1) correct form, (2) spelling and grammar, and (3) overall effectiveness. Use block format for your letter. Your letter is due by the end of class today.

Resources:

Owl Writing Lab - Purdue Unversity

Assignment 2:

Write a business letter to three of the following officials. Send a letter thanking them for their service to our community or country. Be specific with your praise or it will seem like flattery. Use the block format that you used in the first assignment. Place the three letters in your Google Drive folder titled Business Letters.

President Barak Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Governor Bill Haslam

1st Floor, State Capitol

Nashville,  TN   37243   

Rep. Stephen Fincher

1118 Longworth HOB

Washington, DC 20515

Senator Bob Corker
425 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C., 20510 

Senator Lamar Alexander

455 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510 

Brownsville Mayor Bill Rawls

1 N. Washington
Brownsville, TN 38012 

Haywood County Mayor A. Franklin Smith
1 N. Washington
Brownsville, TN 38012 

Teresa Russell, Superintendent - Haywood County Schools
900 E. Main Street
Brownsville, TN 38012 

State Rep. Craig Fitzhugh
301 6th Avenue North Suite 33 Legislative Plaza
Nashville, TN 37243  

State Senator Dolores R. Gresham
308 War Memorial Building
Nashville, TN 37243  

Working with QR Codes

So what is a QR code?

QR codes are one of the best ways to create dynamic links between your digital data and your resume or other printed document. Here are some ideas you might want to try.

You can try out your ideas at this web site.

Think, how you might use this technology to create a link between your resume and your web site? Try using the Google URL shortener.( goo.gl ) to create a QR code for your web site. Place the QR code on your resume and test it out with your phone. You can learn how to create QR codes with Google here.

You can download a QR reader for your iPhone here or your Android device here.

Building a basic Web site with Google Sites.

For this exercise, you'll be using the template titled "HHS Student Template." Use the information from your outline to fill in the tabs.

The Reference

Ever been in the situation where teams were being picked and the team captain didn't know you? Perhaps someone had to speak up for you. There's no better gift (or risk) than when someone lends you their good name. They are essentially putting their name on the line for you and they expect you to live up to their reputation. If you don't come through, you sully their name.

One of the most important parts of job-seeking is the reference list. A good reference can make our reputation and a bad one can break it. The power of a good reference is that someone with nothing to gain is willing to give an honest assessment of your skills or work quality. That's why you'll want to start building your reputation now for when you need a good reference. While you probably don't have a work history to draw from yet, think of some people who know you well. Think of a relative or neighbor that you've done work for. Teachers can be great references as well. But you have to be careful. If you have a reputation for cutting corners, being lazy, or not paying attention to detail, it will follow you as well.

Here are a few tips of creating a resume list:

1. First, don't just put someone as a reference. Talk to them first and ask if they would'nt mind being a reference for you. Discuss what positions you are seeking and how they might be able to help.

2. Ask your refernces how they would prefer to be contacted. Try to make sure you get a phone and e-mail if possible. Some employers prefer to follow up e-mails with a phone call.

3. Use a separate page for references. Don't include this on the resume itself.

4. Make sure you include your name and contact info on your reference list in case it gets separated from your resume.

5. Use the person's name, title and organization. A work address is optional. Most refernces will be contacted by phone or e-mail.

6. Try to match your references to your field of work. Don't use a reference unless they have some expertise in the line f work that you'll be working in. 

Assignment:

Create a reference list consisting of three to 4 references. Make sure you follow the 6 tips above. If you have no work history, use relatives or family friends who will speak for you. Also, don't be afraid to ask teachers or coaches. Make sure you get a phone number and e-mail address for each. This assignment is worth 10 points and is due at the end of class. You can find a template reference list here.

Your First Resume

Interviewing for a job can be a scary proposition. You don't know what to expect. Are you going to get some crazy questions? Will you be interrogated with bright lights? It can get a little nuts.

You don't have control of how you interview will go but you do have control over how you present yourself. Part of presenting a professional image is creating a resume. In your resume, you want to tell a story, your story. You want to craft your story to show how your life and your choices have prepared you specifically for the position to which you are applying. Think about the choices you've made, the classes you take, the sports you participate in. What do those choices say about you, your judgement, your drive, and your work ethic? Consider how you want to present yourself before you begin crafting a resume. Also, consider what a potential employer might want in an employee. Do some research. What positions have they had trouble filling. What skills do they need in an applicant. Is it a good "fit" for both of you? Once you have the answers to those questions, you'll be ready to create a quality resume.

Web Resources:

Forbes Article

Elements of a resume

What makes a good resume great?


Day 1: For the first day, we'll go over some general questions you might have about the job application process. Write a question on the board. We'll work together to research the answers. Next we'll select 5 qualities or characteristics that describe who we are.

Assignment: Create and share a folder on your Google Drive called "Resume Project." Write a new document called Personal Characteristics listing five characteristics of your life or personality. Write a summary sentence or two providing evidence for each characteristic. Evidence can include work experience, school studies, extracurricular activities such as clubs or sports, or church activities. Submit the document via your shared folder by the end of class.

Day 2: Believe it or not, Human Resources Directors (HRs) are real people just like you. And just like you, they have a job to do. They are approached by company managers who need qualified workers to fill positions within their companies. Why do they have positions to fill? There could be many reasons, perhaps the last worker was fired for not doing a good job or being chronically late or absent. Perhaps the company is growing and the company needs to expand their capabilities. Perhaps they are looking for someone with a particular skill (like being bi-lingual).

Assigment: Below are five job descriptions for entry evel jobs. Select one of them and write a list of five characteristics that would be needed in a job applicant. Be specific with what qualifications would be needed for the job. Consider other characteristics as well. Create a Google Doc, title it Job Description, enter the 5 characteristics for one of the jobs and submit it via you Resume Project folder that you have already shared.

1. Sales Clerk - Sporting Goods Store

2. Doctor's Office Receptionist

3. Assistant Chef - Local Restaurant

4. Assistant Computer Technician

5. Child Care Worker - Local Daycare Center


Day 3: Today is the day that we put everything together. Select one of the five opening positions posted from the previous day. I'll list five characteristics or qualifications the HR director is looking for in each applicant. Craft your resume to show that you are the best applicant for that particular job. I'll provide you a template but you'll have to fill in the resume with your own unique data. You can find the template in a folder here

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1I2fqmb8DGg63nRiI4bMvWG_XS7QAG8SXPZdov4x4Ox8/edit?usp=sharing.

 Place your resume into the Resume Project folder. You'll be graded on the completeness and effectiveness of your resume. Watch for grammatical or spelling errors which could derail your resume. Good luck!

Using Hyperlinks

One of the most useful aspects of a document is being able to create links to other more in-depth information. The links, called hyperlinks allow you to turn words into clickable links to web sites.

Here's a quick tutorial on how to create hyperlinks.


Assignment:

Create hyperlinks in your information sheet on sexting. Here are the links that you'll create:

Sexting Definition - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexting
TBI - http://www.tbi.state.tn.us/
Sex Offender Registry - http://www.tbi.state.tn.us/sex_ofender_reg/sex_ofender_reg.shtml

1. Create a new folder on your Google Drive called Hyperlinks.

2. Open the Droid Serif file in your Type Test folder, make a copy and place it in the Hyperlinks folder you just created.

3. Place the links in the following locations in the document:

• Sexting Definition -  Place this link in the word "Sexting" in the header of the first paragraph.
• TBI - Place this link in the word "crimes" in the first line of the second paragraph.
• Sex Offender Registry - Place this link in the words "sex offender" at the end of the second paragraph.

After placing these links, save the file and share the folder (manersj@k12tn.net.).

This project is worth 10 points and will be graded on technical accuracy. All the links must work properly.  All work must e completed by the end of class! Please make sure that your link arrives at the instructor's computer before you leave.

Translating Documents

Here is a map of the most commonly spoken languages spoken in the United States. Do any of these surprise you?How would you feel if you lived in a country where your native language was not spoken?

So now that you know that not everyone speaks English fluently, how can you translate your documents into another language? Google Docs has an easy solution.

Now you're ready to try it yourself.

Assignment:

For this assignment, your translate your three sexting information sheets into three different languages: Spanish, French and German. Follow these steps carefully:

1. Create a new folder on your Google Drive called "Translation."

2. Open each of your Picture Test documents, make a copy and save each into the Translation folder you just created.

3. Next, you'll highlight the text of each document and translate the each document, one into French, one into Spanish, and one into German.

4. After you're done, share your folder with your instructor by right clicking on the folder, select Share and type your instructor's e-mail in the window at the bottom.

Make sure you have 3 completely translated documents when you're done. All work must be submitted by the end of class. This project is worth 10 points. You will be graded on completeness, and neatness. (You may have to reduce the type size a bit if the document goes over a page.)

Using Photos

Photos can enhance your presentation by giving the reader a visual representation of what you are writing. Below are three pictures that will work with your information paper on sexting laws in the state of Tennessee. We will use these pictures to enhance the documents we created in the last lesson. This lesson must be completed in class.

Assignment: 

1. Create a new folder on your Google Drive. Label the folder Picture Test.

2. Copy each of the three documents into the folder. To do this, open each of the three Type Test files, make a copy (File> Make a Copy), Then move the copy to the Picture test folder (File>Move> Select folder).

3. Download the three pictures to your hard drive by right clicking each one (Save Image As> Save to your Downloads folder). Place one picture in each of the three documents (Insert>Image> Upload). You must use a different picture for each document.

4. Click on the picture, select Wrap Text. Use 1/8" setting. and place the image in the document so that the text is readable. Also, do not make the picture so large as to flow the text into a second page. The document must be one page in length. The picture should not be more than 3" x 4".

5. Save all three documents in the folder and share the folder with your instructor via e-mail (manersj@k12tn.net). To do this right click on the folder and select Share, then enter the e-mail address at the bottom of the window. Don't forget to select Share and Send (the blue button) when you send.

This entire project is worth 10 points. You'll receive 3 points for each completed document plus a bonus point for completing all three documents.  Make sure that your e-mail arrives before you leave class! Late work will not be accepted.