As we have been discussing for several weeks now, your final project will be a portfolio.  I recommend a nice 3-hole binder with several sheet protectors to hold documents.  A solid-color binder (i.e. black) can also be used.

You will keep résumés, references, job search tips, typing certificates, awards, etc. in your portfolio.  Portfolios will be something you can use to assist you in filling out applications, provide you with a place to keep extra résumés, and help you prepare for interviews.

Some of the things I will be looking for in your portfolio include:

• Résumé
• Cover Letter
• Sample Application
• Typing Certificate
• Letter of Recommendation
• (More coming in the next few weeks)

If you have questions or concerns, please let me know ASAP.

• Begin practicing MicroType Pro (Lesson R -- Measurement Writing) for 10 minutes. 
• I will then have everybody get set to begin the official Typing Exam.  When I say "Begin" you will begin the exam.  Everybody will wait as I check each score.  Then we will begin again.  We will take this test three times.  I will take your best of three.

Obviously today is our Typing Test which will determine the speed printed on your typing certificate.  If you are not satisfied with your typing score today, just let me know that you aren't ready to receive your certificate and you can take the test again when you are ready.  Remember, I will only issue one certificate for each student.

• Spend this period practicing MicroType Pro (Lesson R -- Measurement Writing).  Show me your score (when you have a score with 2 errors or less) and I will enter it into the gradebook for today's assignment.

We will have our Typing Test tomorrow which will determine the speed printed on your typing certificate.  If you are not satisfied with your typing score on Friday, just let me know that you aren't ready to receive your certificate and you can take the test again when you are ready.

• Take 10 minutes to practice MicroType Pro (Lesson R -- Measurement Writing).
• Complete the price comparison project from yesterday and add the following:
• Just considering formula and diapers, what is the approximate daily cost of a newborn?  A 2 month old?  A 4 month old?  A 6 month old?  An 8 month old?  A 10 month old?
• What would be the approximate monthly cost for each group?
• What other costs might there be for caring for a baby?  Give specific examples.

We will have our Typing Test on Friday which will determine the speed printed on your typing certificate.  If you are not satisfied with your typing score on Friday, just let me know that you aren't ready to receive your certificate and you can take the test again when you are ready.

• Take 5 minutes to practice MicroType Pro (Lesson R -- Measurement Writing).
• Open Microsoft Word and do some price comparisons:
• Disposable Diapers (Kmart, Walmart).  Compare the same sizes from both stores and make a note of how many diapers are in each package.  Calculate how much each diaper costs.
• Figure out how many diapers per day a baby uses (BabyStory, KidsGrowth, Babblesoft) -- Newborn, 1-3 Months, 4-6 Months, 7-9 Months, 10-12 Months.  Calculate how much it costs per day (for each section) to diaper a baby.
• Figure out approximately how much baby formula a baby should use per day (BabyCenter) for a 6 pound baby, a 10 pound baby, a 15 pound baby, a 20 pound baby, and a 24 pound baby.  Compare that to the estimates for a newborn, 2 month, 4 month, and 6 month baby (KidsHealth).  On average, how many ounces (approximately) does a baby need each day?
• To prepare formula, you will mix one ounce of powdered formula with two ounces of water (to make 3 ounces of formula).  You will need to divide the total formula needed per day by 3 so you know how much powdered formula you need to buy.  Check out Amazon.com and find a good price for baby formula -- you might want to figure out the price per ounce to find the best bargain.  How much does each ounce of powdered formula cost?  Go back and add the daily cost of formula to the previous step (6 pound, 10 pound, 15 pound, 20 pound, 24 pound, newborn, 2 month, 4 month, and 6 month).

We will have our Typing Test on Friday which will determine the speed printed on your typing certificate.  If you are not satisfied with your typing score on Friday, just let me know that you aren't ready to receive your certificate and you can take the test again when you are ready.

• First, work on MicroType Pro (Lesson N Measurement Writing). When you have a score (with 2 errors or less) show it to me and I will write it down for todays typing grade.  If you increase your speed and/or accuracy, show me your updated score.  
• Next, we need to do your final "Well Baby Checkup".  I will sign your paper as I check your typing score.
• You will also need to update your "Baby Blog" [or Baby Book if you aren't doing the blog] as follows:
• Add pictures of your baby's Spring Break with a description of the picture.
• Discuss you experience with the baby project over Spring Break.
• What [if anything] have you learned from the project?
• Did you have any "close calls" (dropping the baby, forgetting it somewhere, etc.)?
• What could we have done to make the experience better -- or more useful?
• Check your 3rd Quarter grade on PowerSchool and let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

We will have our Typing Test on Friday which will determine the speed printed on your typing certificate.  If you are not satisfied with your typing score on Friday, just let me know that you aren't ready to receive your certificate and you can take the test again when you are ready.

Again we have several things to get done:

• First, we need to do your "Well Baby Checkup".  
• Next, you need to work on MicroType Pro (Lesson M Measurement Writing -- see picture below). When you have a score (with 2 errors or less) show it to me and I will write it down for todays typing grade.  If you increase your speed and/or accuracy, show me your updated score.  You will have a typing grade for Monday, today, Thursday, and Friday.

• Check your grade on PowerSchool and let me know if you have any questions.

Again we have several things to get done:

• First, we need to do your "Well Baby Checkup".  Bring your baby to me with your paper for me to initial.
• Tomorrow is "Picture Day".  I will take a picture of you with your baby and then post them on a web page for you to include in your "baby blog" on Friday.

• Next, you need to work on MicroType Pro (Lesson E Measurement Writing -- see picture below).  When you have a score (with 2 errors or less) show it to me and I will write it down for todays typing grade.  If you increase your speed and/or accuracy, show me your updated score.  You will have a typing grade for Monday, today, Thursday, and Friday.

• Add a new post to your "baby blog" answering these questions: "What has been the reaction to your baby so far at home or school?"  "Have you taken your baby out in public (i.e. shopping, restaurant, etc.) -- if so, what was the reaction?"

Today we have several things to get done:

• First, we need to do your "Well Baby Checkup".  Today I will sign your baby, sign your "Well Baby" form, take your baby's picture, and give you any last-minute guidance for the project.
• Next, you need to work on MicroType Pro (Lesson A Measurement Writing -- see picture below).  When you have a score (with 2 errors or less) show it to me and I will write it down for todays typing grade.  If you increase your speed and/or accuracy, show me your updated score.  You will have a typing grade for today, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

• Add a new post to your "baby blog" answering the following questions: How do you feel about having to do the baby project?  What do you think you will learn with this project?  Were there any difficulties getting started?  If you were the teacher, what would you have done different before we started?

• We have a Guest Speaker from Academy of Art University coming tomorrow (Tuesday).  They have courses in Art, Architecture, Fashion, Game Design, Motion Pictures, Multimedia, Music, Photography, and Web Design.
• Finally, a brief word about "Guest Speaker Etiquette".  I am grateful when a guest speaker is willing to come all the way to Lake County to visit our school.  Although I am pretty easy-going on a regular day, I expect polite, respectful behavior when I have a guest speaker
• Keep computers off.
• Do not make random or off-topic comments.
• Do not ask random or off-topic questions.
• Be quiet when he/she is speaking or presenting material.
• Be interested -- or at least act like you are.
• Failure to follow these rules will result in a lower grade and a loss of privileges.

Hi Everybody! Unfortunately my illness finally got the better of me and I am home sick today. I expect my students to treat my substitutes with respect.  I don't want to hear a bad report from Ms. Pilqer.

What I would like you to do today is:

• Check your stocks at Virtual Stock Exchange.
• Complete your 1st months checking transactions.
• Compare your check register and balances with others.
• Work on your typing / practice for upcoming typing certification.

1. Spend 10 minutes practicing your typing.  Work on the Measurement Writing exercises so you can be ready for the Typing Test at the end of the quarter.
2. Complete your Personal Budget Research Project (House, Car, and Career).  Print your assignment and turn into the basket on my desk.  If you aren't able to print from your computer, email your assignment to me at askgriff@gmail.com or rgriffith@kusd.lake.k12.ca.us.

I received permission from Mr. Cockerton to offer KHS Typing Certificates when students have met the typing requirement.  For the next week, continue working on typing lessons from MicroType Pro.  There are twenty lessons (1, R1, 2, ... 20).  After we complete those lessons we will begin taking practice typing tests to prepare you for the actual typing test.  Once it looks like students are ready, I will begin offering the typing test.  Note:  I will only certify someone if they have a typing speed of at least 30 wpm with an accuracy of 97% or more.  If you prefer to continue working on your typing speed and take the typing test at a later date, I can certify you then -- but I will only certify each student once, so make it count.  :)

Have a great 3-day weekend!  :)

One of the most valuable skills that people need in todays workforce [and in college] is proper keyboarding.  In the business world nearly every job requires some sort of computer use -- and being able to do so more quickly makes you a more valuable employee.  In college if you have to write a 6000 word paper and you type 10 words per minute, you can expect to be typing for 600 minutes [or 10 hours]... but if you can type 60 words per minute you will type approximately 100 minutes... or about an hour and a half.  Obviously learning proper keyboarding techniques is important.

If our computers handle the typing program properly [if they save our daily typing scores in Thawspace], I am hoping to be able to certify your typing speed by the end of the year.  Entering the work force with a typing certificate greatly improves your odds of being hired for many jobs.

To begin with, go to:

• START > PROGRAMS > SOUTHWESTERN KEYBOARDING > MICROTYPE PRO
• Create a new account with your First and Last name
  (Check capitalization because it will print on your certificate)
• Begin working through the first section (the top-left corner)