How can you change the world?

What problems are out there?  What is happening in your community that makes you mad?  What problems do you notice within the world?  Now, how can you solve that problem? How can you change the world?

The video above is a clip from a 1995 interview with Steve Jobs.  If you don't know Steve Jobs, he helped create the iPhone, iPad, and iPod.  Take a look at his life on this image timeline.  How can you create your own "best version" of life?

Do you have to create and sell something to make "tons of money?"  No.  But, what can you do even now?  You are young, but you have so much time to change the world.  How will you do it?

Happy Birthday Indiana!

Indiana become the nineteenth state on December 11, 1816.  Our capital, Corydon, was on the Ohio river where a majority of the population was located.  Our school's eponym, Jane H. Ball, didn't arrive in Indiana until 1837.   

I wanted to post the digital projects I received from students. The first project came in the form of a Prezi presentation.   This is just a cool way to present information.  It's like a Power Point but it is something completely different.

• Prezi Presentation on Indiana's Statehood 

The next project located online was made on Facebook.  Yes, you heard correct.  Facebook!  This student created a community page for Indiana, which describes basic information on our state.

• Indiana's Statehood Facebook page

The last one located on the web was created using Glogster.  This site allows you, the students, to create an visually appealing poster to present information.

• Indiana's Statehood Glogster 

 I was extremely proud of all the student projects I received, and I wanted share them with the digital classroom.  Here are the Power Point presentations I received. 

Brett D. Indiana Statehood Project

View more presentations from Dan Gibson.

C.S.'s State Project

View more presentations from Dan Gibson.

F.K.'s Happy Birthday Indiana Slide Show

View more presentations from Dan Gibson.

A.B's Indiana project

View more presentations from Dan Gibson.

L.S.'s Happy Birthday Indiana 2

View more presentations from Dan Gibson.

A.V.'s Indiana Project

View more presentations from Dan Gibson.

Lunar Eclipse

Where did the moon go? California will get to see this, but we, in Indiana, won't be able to view the lunar eclipse.  Western United States gets to see it, but we won't.

This Saturday, after the sun sets in our western sky, the moon will disappear behind the shadow of the Earth.  The picture below displays a model of what happens during a lunar eclipse. 

A lunar eclipse is safe to view, but don't stare at a solar eclipse.  A solar eclipse can cause permanent damage to your vision.  The last time a full solar eclipse was visible from our area was when I was in middle school.  So, when these come around, don't miss the chance to view one safely.  Here is an extremely cool NASA video about the lunar eclipse and more.



Check out the Who Knew video on a brief description of this upcoming eclipse and on the dates for future lunar/solar eclipses.


Source: SPACE.com: All about our solar system, outer space and exploration

Infamy

A little before 8:00 A.M. and on December 7, 1941, America was attacked by Japanese air forces. President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed Congress, and gave a famous speech entitled "Day of Infamy." Soon after the bombing on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, President Roosevelt signed a declaration of war against Japan, which led America into the second great war--World War II.

INFAMOUS-(adjective) having an evil or horrible reputation
INFAMY-(noun) evil reputation brought on by the worst kind of event.

To help discuss this date in history, I used Digital Vaults to display primary sources from WWII.  On  the Digital Vault website there is a poster creation tool that I shared with the students.  Check out the awesome poster my student created after being inspired from the National Archives records.  Great poster for our veterans G.H!

What day will live in infamy for the rest of your life?  Who? What? When? Where? Why is it infamous?

Book Reviews

Did you really like a book you just read? It might have been so good that you want to read it again. A “Book Talk” is shared or written with other students in mind. You are trying to “sell” this book to your classmates. The purpose is to grab the interest of other readers, and tell them why you liked this book so much. But, don’t give away too much. Otherwise, nobody will want to read it.

With this post, you can review your favorite books and share them below.  By sharing them, you will be ceating a "buzz" about this book.  Other students will want to read your favorite books, which is awesome. 

1. First, you need an email address.
2. Then, type within the comment area below.  
3. Next, you will follow the guidelines on the S'More to post information about the book you are reading.  (If it is difficult to read, click the picture
4. Try to "sell" the idea of reading the book to us.
5. Last, click "Post Comment" when finished

Take a look at the form below and follow the organization of this S'More book review.  Get it?  S'More books!  What books have you liked?  Why have you liked them?  What made them so readable?

Coffee Shop

One of my favorite shop simulation games is Coffee Shop.  Maybe it's because I enjoy coffee myself or maybe because you have to become a virtual business owner.  This game provides students with a virtual coffee shop to earn as much money as possible in 14 days.  Game Players have control over the ingredients, their inventory, and the final price of a cup of coffee.  It's just cool.  There are several ways to get people to buy coffee and it isn't easy to sell and please people with $10.00 coffee.  Try it out and learn how to attact customers to your business. 

Here is a screen shot of my final score.  My total after 14 days was $355.45. 

Looking at the chart, my reputation dropped a lot on the last day.  That is the blue line.  My earnings stayed about even throughout.  Why do you think my reputation dropped on the last day? 

Now, here is an additional challenge.  Can you beat my score? How can you prove it?