Digital Stories

Science Investigations Club Presentations

2010-12-24T14:08:00.000-08:00

The Phoenix Preparatory Academy’s Science Investigations Club recently took part in the state wide Arizona Science and Engineering Fair. A total of 22 Prep Academy students made up the 9 groups that received awards for their research project presentations that resulted in 3 gold, 2 silver, 2 copper and 2 nickel medals.

In the spring, students developed their own research projects, design experiments to collect data, and created posters to present at this year’s Arizona Science and Engineering Fair. At the state-wide science fair students were interviewed by 3 to 5 independent judges where they gave an abstract of their research project and answered various questions.

The following videos are examples of the student presentations.

Human Interaction: Why We Watch Zoo Animals by Kitzia, Karely and Narce

Daddy-Less Legs: Importance of Leg Usage in Spider Web Building and Prey Wrapping by Catalina and Kimberly

GERMS . . . appropriate precautions when greeting fiends!

2009-05-03T04:38:00.000-07:00

View this video to learn about simple steps in preventing the spread of germs.

Please wash your hands and take appropriate precautions when greeting fiends!

Created by classroom teacher Mr. Montoya and crew.

The Basketball Jumpshot - Following Written Directions

2009-04-25T14:52:00.000-07:00

Back in '03, I was part of a summer school enrichment program at Capitol School in the Phoenix Elementary School District. The intent of the summer program was to bring reading skills and video together using books from the school Media Center Library. This video was our first video production.... The Basketball Jumpshot - Following Written Directions.

Blogging Through History

2009-03-29T12:17:00.000-07:00

CBS' Sunday Morning, Fast Draw, presents a video comparing blogs to newpapers...interesting!

They write...

"With newspapers down and online blogs up, it is hard to know what is credible and what is not. As Josh Landis and Mitch Butler show, this format is old hat."

Watch CBS Videos Online

What is the Length of the Missing Side? ...a student created mathcast

2009-03-27T05:13:00.000-07:00

Again under the guidance of math teacher Mr. Anderson, students have taken problems and created video tutorials (mathcasts) on how to resolve problems that most students previously got wrong.

Here is another video created by one of Mr. Anderson's students.

These mathcasts have been shared on our morning announcements, Coyote Tracks. Mathcasts are screencasts (screen movies of writing with voice) that focus on mathematics.

What is the Value? ... student created mathcast

2009-03-25T18:36:00.000-07:00

Under the guidance of math teacher Mr. Anderson, students are taking problems from web based assesment tool and creating video tutorials on how to resolve problems that most students got wrong. Here is one of the first videos created by one of Mr. Anderson's students.

Health & Wellness Activities

2009-03-21T06:27:00.000-07:00

As part of the PESD Health and Wellness effort, Phoenix Preparatory Academy counselor, Kim Carter, has met with several students over the last few months to focus on the development of healthy lifestyles. Activities included participation in a range of energetic physical activities and nutrition education.

Video Book Commercials

2009-03-21T06:16:00.001-07:00

In order to promote books in our Media Center, Media Center student assistants and students from the broadcast class created or are in the process of creating video book commercials that can be played during our morning announcements, Coyote Tracks.

Below are some examples of our students' efforts.

Junior Law Students visit U.S. District Courthouse

2008-11-11T07:36:00.000-08:00

A.S.U.'s Court Works, organized by the Office of the Vice President for Education Partnerships; Michael Zimmerman and the Honorable Mary Murguia of the U. S. District Courthouse, hosted our Phoenix Prep Junior Law Students during a recent visit to the Sandra Day O’Connor U.S. Courthouse.

For more information read ASU News article ASU teaches teens legal lessons.

Word of the Day....Election Day Verison

2008-11-04T04:08:00.000-08:00

This video is an example of the Word of the Day, election verison, broadcast during morning announcements.

Vampire!

2008-10-22T06:10:00.000-07:00

As a result of writing "I am..." poems with twisted, dreadful, dark, creepy, or sinister characters or themes, Prep student, Iris, wrote, "Vampire."

Phoenix Preparatory Academy Spirit Song

2008-09-27T12:49:00.000-07:00

Under the direction of the Prep's music teacher, Ms Izuno, Prep students wrote the lyrics and then recorded the Spirit Song. Sing along by viewing the video below. First used Audacity to merge music and student voices. Aftewareds used Move maker to create the following video.

Test Taking Strategies....

2008-08-30T05:50:00.000-07:00

In preparation for student assessments a series of videos will be created to present during our Coyote Tracks school announcements. The first of the series, Test Taking Strategies; Just to Prove You Do Know What You’re Doing is posted below.

What is Hope?

2008-08-23T07:15:00.000-07:00

Academic Leadership students explored the campus looking for “signs of hope” to photograph. They looked for classes where groups were working together, helping each other, the positive around campus, for things that make them laugh or make them happy. They looked for recognition of the future, college signs, high school information, and role models. After writing essays about what gives them hope, the students created posters about having hope at the PPA to be displayed around campus. The video is the one result of their effort.

Moved over to the "Prep"

2008-07-03T14:08:00.001-07:00

Digital Stories postings will continue even though I have now moved on to the Phoenix Preparatory Academy. Subscribe to this blog or visit us again to see what is new.

The School Crosswalk

2008-04-02T18:20:00.000-07:00

Because there was a need to remind students about using the school crosswalk, the Smart Notebook and Smart Recorder was utilized to tell the story and posted on our Bethune News.

Adding Fractions...A Student Explanation

2008-03-24T08:02:00.000-07:00

Take a look at the video example of how the Smart Recorder, Screen Capture (from the Floating Tool Bar), and attached Flash file within a Smart Notebook are used to demonstrate students' understanding of addition of fractions. Excellent way for students to demonstrate their understanding! You can also click on the screen shot to view the same video .

Congruence, Similar Figures, and Line of Symmetry

2008-03-21T05:23:00.000-07:00

Using the Smart Notebook File and the Smart Recorder the video was created by students from Mrs. Alba's hearing impaired classroom.

Dividing

2008-03-18T08:16:00.000-07:00

With the infusion of technologies in the classroom, how practical would it be to create videos as artifacts for student portfolios? Once students are trained to record and demonstrate their understanding maybe a center would be suitable? The video was created using the Smart Notebook File and the Smart Recorder.

Adding Simple Fractions

2008-03-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

Moving to integrate classroom learning with technologies, third grade students created videos like this one to organize their thinking by applying their understanding of concepts to videos while developing verbal skills. The video was created using the Smart Notebook File and the Smart Recorder.

Solid Figure, Face, Edge, Vertex, and Base

2008-03-17T13:47:00.000-07:00

As a reinforcing math and technology activity, students from Ms Romaine's classrooms were to create a video like the one below. The video was created using the Smart Notebook File and the Smart Recorder.

Using the Smart Video Player to Create Smart Notebook Files

2008-03-15T09:33:00.000-07:00

Find more videos like this on SMART Board Revolution

Take a look at Matt Granger's video showing how to play an instructional video with the Smart Video Player, capturing particular video segments with your annotations and dumping the selected segments on a Smart Notebook file. Great example how to use the Smart Video Player to create reinforcing instructional notes for students.

Click on the image or link below to view the video.

The video, Using Smart Video Player Episode 1, is orginaly posted at SMART Board Revolution.

Are You Ready for the AIMS Test?

2008-02-24T19:12:00.000-08:00

In preparation for the AIMS test, KPNX Channel 12 Sports News anchor, Bruce Cooper, and KPHO Channel 5 Sports News anchor, Gary Cruz, delivered a motivational message to our Bethune students as a February 25 Bethune News segment.

Visit Gary Cruz's blog telling about his visit to Bethune School

George Washington Carver: Highlights of African-Americans

2008-02-24T19:06:00.000-08:00

"I Have a Dream" Essay Challenge

2008-02-22T09:41:00.000-08:00

This video shows the winners of Bethune School’s “I Have a Dream” essay challenge. This video was presented as part of our Black History Month assembly.

Rosa Parks: Highlights of African-Americans

2008-02-20T19:19:00.000-08:00

Harriet Tubman: Highlights of African-Americans

2008-02-16T08:00:00.000-08:00

James Harris: Highlights of African-Americans

2008-02-12T09:13:00.000-08:00

Oprah Winfrey: Highlights of African-Americans

2008-02-12T04:35:00.000-08:00

Chinese Cultural Center Visit

2008-02-10T07:49:00.000-08:00

The video shows highlights of the Kinder and 1st grade students' visit to the Chinese Cultural Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Chinese Phrases

2008-02-08T10:34:00.000-08:00

Chinese New Year Firecrackers

2008-02-07T12:50:00.000-08:00

Counting to 10 in Chinese

2008-02-07T12:38:00.000-08:00

Five Days of the Chinese New Year

2008-02-06T20:15:00.000-08:00

Mary McLeod Bethune: Highlights of African-Americans

2008-02-05T20:30:00.000-08:00

For Black History Month, this is another of several videos used as a Bethune News segment.

Using Prefixes...

2008-02-05T07:31:00.000-08:00

Scott Joplin: Highlights of African-Americans

2008-02-04T20:06:00.000-08:00

For Black History Month, this is the first of several videos used as a Bethune News segment.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

2008-01-18T06:45:00.000-08:00

This video was used as a Bethune News segment for a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. The music file, Let Freedom Ring - feat. Trajik and Martin Luther King's Most Famous Speech, can be found at Focabualry Hip-Hop In the Classroom. Lyrics are also posted on this same page.

Once again, "Say NO to Tobacco!"

2008-01-02T13:15:00.000-08:00

Once again, in support of the "Say No to Tobacco!" campaign students will present this piece during our Bethune News upon return from winter break on January 7th.

Reasons to Quit by the the American Cancer Society

Solving an Equation Using Inverse Operation

2007-12-18T21:44:00.000-08:00

Say NO to Tobacco!

2007-12-18T21:27:00.000-08:00

In support of the "Say No to Tobacco" campaign students presented this piece.

Addition & Subtraction of Fractions / Distributive Properties

2007-11-15T08:44:00.000-08:00

The video presentation by the Math Honors Program was used to demonstrate the basic concepts of adding and subtracting fractions during a Parent Literacy evening. The video was created using both Powerpoint and the Smart Recorder.

The following video shows students using distributive properties, an algebra property which is used to multiply a single term and two or more terms inside a set of parentheses.

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations

2007-11-02T06:10:00.000-07:00

Ms Ordonez's 1st grade students tell about Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations.

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

2007-11-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

In the following video Karina explains some of the elements for the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations. In the video you will see various Día de los Muertos artifacts including alters created by Mrs. Alba's students.

Recycling Promotion Video

2007-10-06T09:56:00.000-07:00

Students from the Bethune School Recycling Team presented information about the recycling contest that runs till March of 2008. This promotional video segment was also shown during one of the school's News broadcasts.

Signing the Colors

2007-09-28T05:57:00.000-07:00

For Deaf Awareness Week, students from Mrs. Alba's classroom signed the colors.

Barbara Dodd

2007-09-28T05:49:00.000-07:00

This video report was created by a Bethune School hearing impared student profiling a hearing impaired personality for Deaf Awareness Week, September 24th - 28th.

Greg Gunderson

2007-09-26T22:18:00.000-07:00

This video report was created by a Bethune School hearing impared student profiling a hearing impaired personality for Deaf Awareness Week, September 24th - 28th.

Days of the Week Signed

2007-09-26T22:13:00.000-07:00

In honor of Deaf Awareness Week Mrs. Alba's Hearing Impaired students sign the days of the week, fall vacation, mother & father

More Signing...by MariCruz & Karina

2007-09-25T07:40:00.000-07:00

Deaf Awareness Week: September 24th - 28th

Linda Bove

2007-09-24T05:45:00.000-07:00

This video report was created by a Bethune School hearing impared student profiling a hearing impaired personality for Deaf Awareness Week, September 24th - 28th.

Signed Pledge of Allegiance

2007-09-24T05:40:00.000-07:00

As part of Deaf Awareness week, Bethune School students from Mrs. Alba's hearing impaired class signed the Pledge for the Bethune News.

Ludwig van Beethoven

2007-09-24T05:01:00.000-07:00

This video report was created by a Bethune School hearing impared student profiling a hearing impaired personality for Deaf Awareness Week, September 24th - 28th.

Signing by Maricruz

2007-09-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

Bethune School student, Maricruz, demonstrated signing as an example for the Bethune News Deaf Awareness Week segment...the week of September 24, 2007

Math Problem of the Week: 9.10.07

2007-09-18T18:07:00.000-07:00

6th Grade Science Report

2007-09-15T07:03:00.000-07:00

Keyboard Vocabaulary

2007-09-14T07:09:00.000-07:00

Excel Video Tutorials

2007-09-03T11:47:00.000-07:00

Dangerously Irrelevant blog post information from Leader Talk showing some excellent Exel video tutorials as it relates to examining student data. See entry below...

School data tutorials
Even when principals and teachers have access to data, they often aren't sure what to do with it. That’s why CASTLE (okay, it was me!) created School Data Tutorials,
a web site intended to help K-12 educators work with raw student and school data.
The tutorials on the web site highlight many of the Excel skills that are helpful when working with building- and district-level data. The tutorials are targeted at data managers, principals, guidance counselors, teachers, and other school personnel who have the responsibility for collecting, analyzing, and reporting K-12 performance data (which is just about everyone these days!). You will see that the tutorials are much like the ones created by Atomic Learning (they trained us!) but are focused on data-driven decision-making needs of educators rather than being generic.
Below are the four sets of tutorials we recommend for every teacher and administrator. If every educator knew how to do these four things, schools’ capacity to do some basic monitoring of student progress would be greatly enhanced. They take just over half an hour to watch once, and of course they can be viewed as many times as necessary to accomplish mastery.
Many more tutorials are available on the site, including instructions on how to make your own data collection templates. Let me know if you feel empowered after watching
these!
Freeze panes
Freezing rows to remain visible (1:11)
Freezing columns to remain visible (0:40)
Freezing both rows and columns to remain visible (0:49)
Sort
Sorting data using a single criterion (3:04)
Sorting data using multiple criteria (2:29)
Sorting data with multiple header rows (1:27)
Filter
Filtering data with AutoFilter (1:13)
Analyzing data with AutoFilter (1:45)
Using Custom AutoFilter to filter numerical values less or greater than a specified value (1:41)
Turning filters off (0:34)
Printing datasets from AutoFilter (1:39)
Copying just the dataset obtained from AutoFilter (2:23)
Using the Esc (Escape) key to clear selections and copy another dataset (1:16)
Conditional formatting
Changing a numerical cell's color with single conditional formatting conditions (2:17)
Changing a numerical cell's color with multiple conditional formatting conditions (1:50)
Changing a text cell's color with single conditional formatting conditions (0:55)
Changing a text cell's color with multiple conditional formatting conditions (2:53)
Changing a cell's color with calculated value conditions (3:58)
Note that you may need to turn off your browser's pop-up blocker or install the latest Flash plug-in to view these tutorials. Happy viewing!

Technology Tip: Setting Up Nettrekker

2007-09-03T11:26:00.000-07:00

Technology Tip: Powering Off the Laptop

2007-09-01T08:09:00.000-07:00

Math Problem of the Week: 8.20.07

2007-08-20T07:20:00.000-07:00

Parts of a Book

2007-08-18T18:46:00.000-07:00