Dear Carmody Middle School 7th Grade Elective Computer Class Parents:

This newsletter can only be read at: <http://www.kuzmich.com/parent_newsletters.html>.

    1. Current Grade for 3rd Grading Period is Now Posted on Dr. Data's Web Site at: <http://www.kuzmich.com/carmody/Grades.html> because there are more missing assignments this week than usual!!!! Why? Spring fever? Beginning of a new grading period? Actually 7th grade students in general don't do well with changes curriculum. Knowing we just finished 2.5 weeks of database instruction and now going to spreadsheets which is quite a contrast, especially since many students don't use formulas naturally. But we are making progress with formulas every day now. Be aware, I don't accept the spreadsheet assignments without formulas actually being printed out. Note: spreadsheet assignments can also be made up at home if you have Microsoft Office or have just about any spreadsheet application such a Lotus 123, Excel, Quattro, etc.. Just be sure the formulas are displayed when printed and have a parent signature and date to verify the completion of the spreadsheet assignment at home. In other words, there are few excuses for not completing the spreadsheet assignments in school since I use Fridays generally as a makeup day and because most parents have a spreadsheet application at home for the student to make it up that night or on the weekends.

      1. Many students also have not finished their 500 point database assignment that was due this past Monday.. In order to be fair about the database final project because of recent field trips, they were graded on Monday, April 18, 2005 as part of the third grading period instead of the second grading period last week which would have meant no more makeup opportunities as the third grading period began this week. How does your child's grade compare to the first two grading periods thus far? On-line progress reports are also available for your convenience which not only reports the status of every assignment/test for your child, but also the class ranking of your child for that class. Grades are available 24/7 at: <http://www.kuzmich.com/carmody/Grades.html>. Ask your child for their special Dr. Data user ID and pin number or password. Then go to their appropriate class period and enter that data and you will know "The Rest of the Story." Here are the grades for the third grading period which represents only one week of classes.

        .
        1st Period: 84.4% = 78.8% or a B-
        3rd Period: 88.9% = 78.7% or a B-
        5th Period: 89.6% = 83.9% or a B
        6th Period: 87.9% = 79.6% or a B-

      These grades represent the median which is the middle of the class with half of the class earning a lower grade and half of the class earning a higher grade. It will not be until next week when I will post the grades for the entire first and second grading period so you will be able to view a composite grade for the entire semester thus far. I'm more concerned about a better start with the third grading period now so that is why 3rd period grades are being posted this week. But next week, you can start to estimate what your child's final grade might be in the 7th grade elective class. Important note: if you see your child losing points for class participation and yet they are not absent from school, they probably are losing the points via chewing gum in class on a regular basis or actually not staying in their seats! Yes, there is a lot of gum chewing these days! Perhaps, the supply of chewing gum is rather plentiful.

    2. What's coming next in Dr. Data's classes: Spreadsheets for more more week. For more insight, go to: <http://www.kuzmich.com/carmody/Curriculum_Preview.html> or view it below or view it below

      3. 7th Grade Explorer Spreadsheet Assignments!

      (6 assignments in 9 days!)

      By Dr. Data

      November for first semester and April for second semester classes

      We will now concentrate on spreadsheets as the next instructional segment of the Elective 7th Grade Computer Class. Please be aware of the number of assignments and specific skills that need to be mastered and completed as part of your grade. You are responsible for all assignments. Individual handouts are available for each assignment. All completed assignments need to be kept in your class notebook after they are graded. Fridays will be set up for all typing tests with additional options of making up incomplete assignments, extra-credit work and computer games.

      Note: many of the following required spreadsheet and extra-credit assignments ca be done at home if you have a computer with a spreadsheet, such as Microsoft Excel, Corel Quatro Pro, Clarisworks, etc.

      Required Spreadsheet Assignments

      Demonstration Sheet - Assignment #1


      First Spreadsheet - Assignment #2


      Clarisworks Spreadsheet: Parts 1 through 6 - Assignment #3


      Class Party

      Clothing Purchase

      Baseball batting averages

      Math roots/squaring

      Bowling

      Magic numbers

      Family Budget Spreadsheet - Assignment #4


      Food Storage Spreadsheet - Assignment #5

      Final Spreadsheet Project - Assignment #6


      Makeup Day - available on to be announced Fridays


      Extra-Credit Assignments

      See Dr. Data for the extra-credit assignments, such as Y2K Food Storage Spreadsheet. They can be done at home or in class for extra-credit at 25 points per assignment.

    3. For more insight about spreadsheets, please go to: http://www.kuzmich.com/carmody/spreadsheet_syllabus.html and electronic spreadsheets began on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 about 1.5 weeks. Here is what follows next in the sequence of upcoming instruction. Internet Search Engines: 1 week, PowerPoint Multimedia Slideshow Presentations: 2 to 4 days, Newsletters and Web Pages: 3 to 5 days, Drawing and Painting: 1 week, Computer Music: 4 days, Designing Computer Games with Animations & Sound Effects: Individual Unit Final Projects! (nine of them) for the remainder of the semester with option Final Two Weeks Syllabus by Creativity With Graphics! Choose various projects with Microsoft Publisher, Band In-A-Box, Clarisworks, and Klik & Play.

    4. Perhaps, you might want to coach your child in getting ready for their final project in spreadsheets. Students will need to bring some information to class on Wednesday and Thursday, April 27-28, 2005. Here's the project.

      5. Final Spreadsheet Project

      (200 to 300 Points: Depending On Quantity and Quality of Work)

      by Dr. Data

      April 27-28, 2005

      Create two spreadsheets that utilize the following ingredients:

    5. Dr. Data is interested in having his student's parents rate him in terms of what their observations are with reference to his teaching. Here is the information you have been waiting for about parents rating Dr. Data as a teacher based on your observations. This web site is entitled: "Rate Your Teachers" that allows parents and students to rate their teachers anonymously.

    The process is quite simple,

    Please do not just rate Dr. Data with numeric ratings, but please provide some specific comments as well. Dr. Data feels it is important for parents to be apart of the learning environment, especially since you know your child best and have observed the class in many ways since January. While anonymous surveys may have questionable values, Dr. Data is always willing to read and study your comments from parents and hopefully, he will learn some informative things about what may or may not be working with your child in his class. It is never too late to improve!!

    Hope of this information is helpful.

    Till next time,

    Dr. Data
    7th Grade Computer Class Teacher