Mrs Ramo's US History Online Classroom: 2020

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

CH 32 Alternate Videos

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Need more info in Ch 26? Here you go!

Need more information to go with your notes? Curious or interested in one of the topics covred & want more details? Watch these!

Cold War:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkpkAnUOYfY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gpYsK90aio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AVhDK1mqh4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVqziNV7dGY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Snc4g8yAURo

Korean War:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okQzZhL81tE

Friday, May 15, 2020

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Ch 28 Videos

http://mrsramoushistory.blogspot.com/2018/05/chapter-28-videos.html

AND ALSO:
The Presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJzoZta9dFw&t=41s

Ch 27 Videos

http://mrsramoushistory.blogspot.com/2018/05/chapter-27-videos.html

Ch 26 Videos

http://mrsramoushistory.blogspot.com/2018/05/chapter-26-videos.html

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Pass on to Class of 2020 Grads:

Please share this info with any Seniors you know, it came from Mr. Gessek & Mrs. Crawdford to us this morning:

Please share with your seniors and graduating juniors.

Due to multiple requests we are running a second opportunity for seniors and graduating juniors to order a cap and gown. Anyone interested in ordering a cap and gown can do so this Thursday (5/14), from 9 - 2. Order forms will be available at the front of the Sonderling building and money collection will be completed at that time. The cost is $27.00 cash only. No students will be permitted in the building. We will come to your car for all transactions. Students who have already paid for a cap and gown do not need to come up.

Please email Mr Gesseck (Jgesseck@bufsd.org) or Ms Crawford (Jcrawford@bufsd.org) with any questions.

Friday, May 8, 2020

Chs 24 & 25 Videos

http://mrsramoushistory.blogspot.com/2018/04/chapter-24-videos.html

Can't hear the Ch 24 PPTs? Watch these..

What was the Lend-Lease Act?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljDyho6AZ6A

American Neutrality
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4fOABV33CM

WWII in HD: America Enters WWII
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yQyCTTPGuQ

The Atlantic Conference
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr-nxQEf2Ng

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Can't Hear the Ch 23 PPTs? Watch these videos...

The Great Depression: Crash Course #33
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCQfMWAikyU

The Great Depression: 5 Minute History
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62DxELjuRec

The New Deal: Video #49 (don't worry that it's APUSH...history is history, so the content is the same)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht7tOZkXSn0

APUSH Review: The New Deal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLHDwsPV_S4

The New Deal: Crash Course #34
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bMq9Ek6jnA

Interviews with Survivors f the Great Depression:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=polnEBTnQ6g

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Ch 23 Videos

http://mrsramoushistory.blogspot.com/2018/04/chapter-23-videos.html

Friday, April 24, 2020

May 1-15 Due Dates List

This may make things more organized for you. I also posted this in Files in Office 365 Teams.

I have put listed your assignments in Teams for the May 1-15, but not necessarily the PPTs, documents, etc. May 1st is also listed on the April Calendar.

I'll make another for May 15-31 if we are still closed.

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Last Call for Missing Work!!

Just a reminder, if you have not done this week's assignments I am required to submit your name to Administration tomorrow. Get your missing work handed in to me to avoid being on that list!! See Teams for details & Thinkwave for what you're missing!!

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Reminders!

1. Work will only be accepted for credit via email, as established several weeks ago. It's a pain for me, to, but is the best way I have found to get your written work & record it. Remember, none of us were trained n doing school from home so work with here!

2. READ the assignment description so you complete it correctly.

3. Turning in work early for extra credit is useless if you do not turn in other assignments on time!

4. Missing assignments F-Th forces me to put you on the required "not doing assignments" weekly list to Administration.

5. Thinkwave is updated daily (anytime between 9 & 2 pm) - anything blank was not turned in...GET IT TO ME ASAP!

6. Don't forget about participation...and the easiest way to do that is post a question regarding that day.s PPT. It's OK to participate only on PPT Days or "B Days" - but be sure you do it on at least those days!! Post in the "General Posts" in Teams for this.

7. Follow the procedure from last week in Posts if you have a blank in Thinkwave but believe you sent me the work.

8. I am online 7:30 am - 2 pm. If you experience any issues, email or Teams Chat me so I can get back to you right away. As always, if you contact me outside of this time frame I will likely not get back to you until the next school day.

Stay safe, stay healthy, cover your face if you go out, practice social distancing, pick up meals at the location closest to you if your family is in need (bring a larger bag to make it easier to carry them home, and be sure to log it for yourself if you walk there...maybe you can get some Gym class credit?), check the BUFSD hoe page for tech issues or other updates, and if you experience symptoms of Covid-19, call the number on the BUFSD Home Page regarding getting tested.

Friday, April 17, 2020

Not doing your work? I must now report you...

Head's up!!

Starting Monday, teachers will be required to submit a weekly list to Mr. Callan of any student who does not complete the online work for the week. The names are submitted Friday mornings. This will continue until we are back in school.

We just got an email about it, so I'm letting you know in advance so you can stay off that list!!

Enjoy your weekend, stay safe!

Online Grading Policy starting Monday, 4/20

Starting with work due Monday & will continue until we are back in school...

Any work* I receive at least 1 day prior to the due date (providing all the directions are met & the work is complete) will earn extra credit.

Any work* received on the due date (providing all directions are met & the work is complete) will receive full credit.

Any work* received after the due date (providing all directions are met & the work is complete) will receive partial credit.

As always, please be sure your emailed work has your full name & assignment in the subject field. to avoid it ending up in the spam folder.

*"Work" is defined as Video WS, KA Handouts, Notes, Documents. Extra credit does not apply to Castle Learning or Quizlet Exams.

Thursday, April 16, 2020

Ch 22 Videos

The Dust Bowl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guTek7ipD4U

The Great Depression: Causes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND0UndNXM8E

The Great Depression: Hoover Responds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xauzOmzIZDs

The Great Depression: Human Impact

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K-aiuxeh5A

The Great Depression: President Roosevelt Responds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTODvG-_ID0

Ch 32 Notes, all

IGNORE THE DATES WHEN YOU

COPY & PASTE THE LINK.

YOU ARE ONLY USING THE LINK FOR THE NOTES!!

THE DATES YOU MUST FOLLOW ARE ON

THIS PAGE!!!

HAND COPY all notes into your binder. You will have a quiz USING THESE NOTES at the start of class on or after the due date. If you are late, you cannot make it up. If you are illegally absent or cut, you cannot make it up. MAKE UPS WILL BE DETERMINED AT A LATER DATE & POSTED. If you fail to make up the work by that deadline, you will earn a 0.

Click (or copy & paste) the link for the notes. Remember, you can print them at school if you don't have internet access at home, but you CANNOT BRING PRINTED WORK TO CLASS.

LINK (copy & paste):
Sec 1:
http://mrsramo.blogspot.com/2016/05/us-history-chapter-32-section-1-notes.html
Sec 2:
http://mrsramo.blogspot.com/2016/05/us-history-chapter-32-section-2-notes.html

Ch 31 Notes, all

IGNORE THE DATES WHEN YOU

COPY & PASTE THE LINK.

YOU ARE ONLY USING THE LINK FOR THE NOTES!!

THE DATES YOU MUST FOLLOW ARE ON

THIS PAGE!!!

Ch 30 Notes, all

IGNORE THE DATES WHEN YOU

COPY & PASTE THE LINK.

YOU ARE ONLY USING THE LINK FOR THE NOTES!!

THE DATES YOU MUST FOLLOW ARE ON

THIS PAGE!!!

Click (or copy & paste) the link for the notes. Remember, you can print them at school if you don't have internet access at home, but you CANNOT BRING PRINTED WORK TO CLASS.

LINK (copy & paste):
Sec 1 & 2:
http://mrsramo.blogspot.com/2015/05/us-history-ch-30-secs-1-2-notes.html
Sec 3:
http://mrsramo.blogspot.com/2015/05/us-history-ch-30-sec-3-notes.html
Sec 4:
http://mrsramo.blogspot.com/2015/05/us-history-ch-30-sec-4-notes.html
Sec 5:
http://mrsramo.blogspot.com/2015/05/us-history-ch-30-sec-5-notes.html

Ch 29 Notes, all

IGNORE THE DATES WHEN YOU

COPY & PASTE THE LINK.

YOU ARE ONLY USING THE LINK FOR THE NOTES!!

THE DATES YOU MUST FOLLOW ARE ON

THIS PAGE!!!

Click (or copy & paste) the link for the notes. Remember, you can print them at school if you don't have internet access at home, but you CANNOT BRING PRINTED WORK TO CLASS.

LINK (copy & paste):
Sec 1:
http://mrsramo.blogspot.com/2015/04/us-history-ch-29-sec-1-notes.html
Sec 2:
http://mrsramo.blogspot.com/2015/05/us-history-ch-29-sec-2-notes.html
Sec 3:
http://mrsramo.blogspot.com/2015/05/us-history-ch-29-sec-3-notes.html

Ch 28 Notes, all

IGNORE THE DATES WHEN YOU

COPY & PASTE THE LINK.

YOU ARE ONLY USING THE LINK FOR THE NOTES!!

THE DATES YOU MUST FOLLOW ARE ON

THIS PAGE!!!

Click (or copy & paste) the link for the notes. Remember, you can print them at school if you don't have internet access at home, but you CANNOT BRING PRINTED WORK TO CLASS.

LINK (copy & paste):

Section 1:
http://mrsramo.blogspot.com/2015/04/us-history-ch-28-sec-1-notes.html

Section 2 & Part 1 of 3:
http://mrsramo.blogspot.com/2015/04/us-history-ch-28-sec-2-and-part-1-of.html

Section 3 Part 2:
http://mrsramo.blogspot.com/2015/04/us-history-ch-28-sec-3-part-2-notes.html

Ch 27 Notes, Sec 2,3,4

IGNORE THE DATES WHEN YOU

COPY & PASTE THE LINK.

YOU ARE ONLY USING THE LINK FOR THE NOTES!!

THE DATES YOU MUST FOLLOW ARE ON

THIS PAGE!!!

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

April Due Dates List

This may make things more organized for you. I also posted this in Files in Office 365 Teams.

I have put listed your assignments in Teams for the rest of April, but not necessarily the PPTs, documents, etc.

I'll make another for May if we are still closed.

ADD Ch 20 Video WS to 4/21.

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Class Work Files are Moving Here...

From now on, all of my handouts & PPTs will be posted in "Class Materials." This "allegedly" makes it a read-only" file for you. Let me know if there are any issues!

Saturday, April 11, 2020

Deleting & Changing Files & PPTs Continues Despite Many Warnings

Several classes have lost both make-up credit & regular credit because classmates continue to erase, delete, or type directly onto Files (handouts, video packets etc.), as well as delete PPT slides & audio from PPT slides.

I warned you against this for 2 weeks (more, in some cases), and now am keeping a list of offenders to turn into Admin if it becomes necessary. Once a file has been "vandalized" it will no longer be accepted for credit, over-due or not. If a page is deleted, no one will get full credit as the entire assignment cannot be turned on. Don't blame me, blame your classmates that continue to do this. Same goes for the PPTs.

Chapter 21 Videos

http://mrsramoushistory.blogspot.com/2018/04/chapter-21-videos.html

Scopes Trial if the embedded video doesn't work:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9IO4dj_BqQ

Friday, April 10, 2020

New Assignments

New assignments have been posted in Teams, Be sure you are checking there daily & submitting work per the instructions!

Thursday, April 9, 2020

Make Up Work Grades

If you do any make up work, you will receive an email back that I got our work, same as when you turn it in on time. However, all make up work will be entered at once on Friday, 4/17. Be sure you do enough to improve your 3rd MP average. Remember, we don;t know how the 4th MP will go so you want to get the highest average you can now!

Parents Notified if Currently Failing

If your Thinkave average is below 70, an email or text was sent to your parent/guardian today to let them know you are failing or near failing the 3rd MP. The only chance you have to pass at this point was explained to you in the 2 audio messages I posted for you this morning.

I will not be addressing any more "what do I have to do?' "how am I failing?" "what am I missing?" emails. Look at Thinkwave, listen to the audios, your answers are there..

If you are going to claim you sent something that you have a blank for in TW & I missed it (which, of course, is possible) them you must send me a picture or screen shot of your original email that shows the subject or work, my email address, the date & time your email was sent. I will look for it if that is received. That is the only proof that you sent that work by the deadline.

Remember, there is no more sending work in Teams, and turning it in through Teams was ever an option. It is email only, 1 assignment per email. Your name & assignment must be in the subject field or it will go to spam.

Remember your deadlines to get make up work in. They are firm. 3rd MP grades will be entered right after the deadline expires.

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Chapter 20 Videos

http://mrsramoushistory.blogspot.com/2018/04/chapter-20-videos.html

Can't Hear the PPT Audio?

If you can't hear the audio in the PPTs, you are to log into Khan Academy, go to our course, & then topics of the PPT. Watch each of the videos that correspond to the PPT or Chapter. There are no questions that go with it, just the video to replace your missing the audio PPT lecture. It will show me you did this, so please be sure you are getting it done by the deadlines to watch the PPTs. If you CAN hear the audio in the PPT, you are not required to do this, but you can certainly do it if you have some free time & want to know more about any topic we've covered.

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Regents Update - Read ALL of This!

If I am reading what the Board of Regents released correctly,

you will be exempt from a Regents exam

IF you pass the class.

If you fail the class, you will have to take it again & pass the Regents.

If you are graduating in June and fail a class such as mine,

you will not graduate or be exempt from the exam, since you will have to take the class again.

Be VERY motivated to pass my class, look at Thinkwave & make good decisions!

Tuesday, 4/7

Hi all ~ I can't manage to stay in Office 365 for 5 minutes without it kicking me out or it locking up. I recorded the work in Chats or send a message about it to you. I have been unable to check email so will record that & reply to you once I can get in. Until then, work on your Khan Academy assignments, Castle Learning Exam, & notes with your extra time today. I'll post a PPT once I get in. I DID leave you a written message for today as I was kicked out of the 1st audio message I tried to leave.

I'll keep trying Office 365, just like I tell you to do.

Monday, April 6, 2020

ALSO DUE 4/13: Khan Academy

I have assigned 5 things in Khan Academy, they are due by 4 pm on Monday, 4/13.

Can't hear the PPT audio?

If you can't hear the audio in the PPTs, you are to log into Khan Academy, so a basic search for your course & then topic of the PPT. It will show me you did this, so please be sure you are getting it done. I can give you participation points for this.

DUE 4/7: Sign up for Khan Academy (free)

You must sign up for Khan Academy, and your user name must be your first & last name or your assignments will not be given credit.

https://www.khanacademy.org/join/9UU83E9M

DUE 4/10: Ch 18 Exam

Your Chapter 18 old-style content question test is now open in Castle Learning. It will close at 10 pm on Friday, 4/10. Remember, all previous chapters are fair game to show up on your exam so be sure to review those topics in Quizlet, too!

If you fail to start or compete the exam by the deadline, at which time the exam will lock, you will get the score reported by CL.

As we are in a unique situation with online learning, I will allow the second-chance credit grade for this exam.

DUE 4/6: Ch 18 Quiz

Closes 4/6, see Assignments in Teams for details.

DUE: 4/6: Ch 17 Video Packet

Print out the questions OR on separate paper if you don;t have the packet from class. You must either scan & email your work to me as an attachment to that email, or you can take screen shots to attach to an email. Please do not post on Teams as I will be unable to enlarge it enough to give you credit. and if I can't read it, I cant give you credit. If you are taking screen shots, please be sure they are close up. You will need to take several to get all the answers to me, that's fine. Be sure your email has your 1st & last name & assignment name as the subject. No, you do not need to write out the questions or use complete sentences. Answer as you would on a video worksheet. Due no later than 10 pm on Monday, 4/6.

DUE 4/7: Ch 18 Video Packet

Friday, April 3, 2020

Chapter 19 Videos

https://mrsramoushistory.blogspot.com/2019/03/chapter-19-videos.html

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Reminder about Posts

Don't forget!!

As a reminder, your work due in April was posted in March, so it will still be listed in March. It will NOT show up under the April menu. Please keep this in mind as you look for what's due if you don't start it in advance. I always post early to give you plenty of time to get the work done at your own pace, but this means that you may need to click on the previous month to see the posting.

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Request from APs & Deans

Hey Guys!

The Sondo & Ross APs & Deans have asked that all of you text them - I am posting the info in the pictures here. Just do your home building, not both. It is just to help keep you as updated as possible as things change. Be sure you send to your friends to have them do it, too! Thanks!! When you do it, send me a screen shot & I will give you extra credit until 2 pm on 4/3..

Sunday, March 29, 2020

Brentwood is in this article

I want you to read this article. Brentwood is specifically mentioned about half way down.

https://www.newsday.com/news/health/coronavirus/testing-coronavirus-social-distancing-1.43509325

THIS, my young friends, is why you MUST practice social distancing. These numbers are only going to go up as more people are tested, and you never know who is infected until they get sick 2 weeks after you've been with them.

Life cannot return to any kind of normal until we get a handle on this. Each and every one of you pays a role. You're bored? So am I. You're tired of doing school work? So am I. You're tired of not being with your fiends? Me too. Being locked up with your family all the time is making you insane? Same here.

But, there is no option. You are part of history now. Your kids will study this in a history class. Is what you're doing during this crisis going to be on the "great things people did" side of the chart? I hope so.

Stay well, be safe, & make sure your family does, too.

PS - Here are some of the things I've done at my house to try to not lose my mind. Try them or create your own list (but I'm telling you, cleaning anything or cooking a meal that isn't already one of your chores will score big points with your parents):
- I am doing school work until my eyes are blurry...and then I take a nap ;)
- Play more with my cats
- I do one of Mr. Ramo's chores every day so he has more time to relax
- Deep cleaning one of the rooms in the house (which can take 2 days because I give myself a nap after a few hours ;)
- Go for a walk around the block a few times (and stay at least 6 feet from anyone that isn't Mr. Ramo
- Cleaned out a closet
- Worked on my family tree (because genealogy is a hobby of mine)
- Read a few books I've been meaning to but never made the time
- Made cards to send to random friends I haven't seen in a while (which is everyone at this point, right!)
- Called some friends. Not text. Actually called them.
- Worked on some scrapbooking (another hobby)
- Created some homemade crafting gifts for when I see people again because now I have the time
- So much laundry...
- Played some games with Mr Ramo (old school on paper games like when we were kids because we don't have an board games, not even a deck of cards, go figure)

Be like them:

Weekly Parent Contact is Tomorrow

If you have not been in Teams, or have rarely been in Teams, your parents are getting a call/text/email tomorrow.

If you have not done your assignments in Teams (viewing PPTs, handouts, Quizzes) or have done very few of them, your parents are getting a call/text/email tomorrow.

I will view these items at 5 am tomorrow & make my list at that time. If you fall into this category, as I warned you on Friday, you have until that time to do all your missing work to date.

Fair warning.

Update from Mr. Loeschner, from the BUFSD Home Page

Please note the changes to breakfast & lunch pick up locations (there are now 6, not 10.)

https://brentwoodufsd.ss19.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_1176713/File/News/2020/Extended%20Closure-Final.pdf

HW, CW, & Grade Updates

I have posted your HW through 4/14 (we are currently schedule to return 4/15.) This is what you would have had for HW under normal circumstances, the difference is I have broken it down by day to make it easier for you to keep track.

All PPTs posted up to & including 4/3 are required to be viewed by this date as well. All work posted for collection such as handouts or quizzes with due dates, are due no later than the deadline stated in that assignment.

As another reminder, this blog will continue to be used for HW postings & general information. Teams will continue to be used as our "online classroom" with handouts & PPTs similar to what you would have in class on a daily basis. BOTH must be viewed daily for assignments, due date, & updates.

There will be o time for review for Regents or Final Exams (yes, ti is likely you will have a final exam this year based on Regents skills), so doing the work I am giving you during this time is critical for you to pass the course, final assessment, and moving on the 12th grade social studies next year.

Check Thinkwave. If I had to give you a grade for the year based on what's in there right now (all 3 MPs), would you pass or be repeating the course? If the answer is "repeating," get to work, This is one grading option I've heard from many districts. We have not made a district decision as of this post.

DUE 4/13: Ch 27 Sec 1 Notes

IGNORE THE DATES WHEN YOU

COPY & PASTE THE LINK.

YOU ARE ONLY USING THE LINK FOR THE NOTES!!

THE DATES YOU MUST FOLLOW ARE ON

THIS PAGE!!!

DUE 4/10: CH 26 Sec 2,3,4 Notes

IGNORE THE DATES WHEN YOU

COPY & PASTE THE LINK.

YOU ARE ONLY USING THE LINK FOR THE NOTES!!

THE DATES YOU MUST FOLLOW ARE ON

THIS PAGE!!!

DUE 4/9: Ch 26 Sec 1 Notes

IGNORE THE DATES WHEN YOU

COPY & PASTE THE LINK.

YOU ARE ONLY USING THE LINK FOR THE NOTES!!

THE DATES YOU MUST FOLLOW ARE ON

THIS PAGE!!!

DUE 4/8: Ch 25 Sec 4 Notes

IGNORE THE DATES WHEN YOU

COPY & PASTE THE LINK.

YOU ARE ONLY USING THE LINK FOR THE NOTES!!

THE DATES YOU MUST FOLLOW ARE ON

THIS PAGE!!!

DUE 4/7: Ch 25 Sec 2 & 3 Notes

IGNORE THE DATES WHEN YOU

COPY & PASTE THE LINK.

YOU ARE ONLY USING THE LINK FOR THE NOTES!!

THE DATES YOU MUST FOLLOW ARE ON

THIS PAGE!!!

DUE 4/6: Ch 25 Sec 1 Notes

IGNORE THE DATES WHEN YOU

COPY & PASTE THE LINK.

YOU ARE ONLY USING THE LINK FOR THE NOTES!!

THE DATES YOU MUST FOLLOW ARE ON

THIS PAGE!!!

DUE 4/3: Ch 24 Notes (all)

IGNORE THE DATES WHEN YOU

COPY & PASTE THE LINK.

YOU ARE ONLY USING THE LINK FOR THE NOTES!!

THE DATES YOU MUST FOLLOW ARE ON

THIS PAGE!!!

Saturday, March 28, 2020

Grades starting this week

An email I received last night indicates we will start collecting work & grades this week. This includes HW posted on the blog as well as your class work in Teams. I will post more details when I have them, but your work that will be due immediately (once the policy is made public) is:

1. Ch 17 Video WS
2. Ch 17 Quiz grade
3. Proof of your viewing of all PPTS posted to date (I can see if you opened &/or finished them on my end.)
4. Any work assigned next week by the date posted. (You have handouts, PPTs, and quizzes coming up this week.)

HOW we will collect is has not yet been decided, but you will likely need to take close-up screen shots or scan/upload our work & email it. Your NOTES will not be dealt with at this time, we will take care of that either when we return to school (you will have HWQs for EVERYTHING due since 3/13, only 1 question per chapter section so 100 or 0) OR an alternate method if we are still closed long-term.

If you did not do these assignments, you have until "collection day" to get them done. I suggest you use your time this weekend to catch up on anything you haven't done ob the blog or Teams.

Keep in mind that when you are not active daily in Teams or doing your assignments I am texting your parents.

Friday, March 27, 2020

Internet issues? Share with a friend who needs it!

https://www.alticeusa.com/news/articles/feature/corporate/altice-usa-brings-free-broadband-k-12-and-college-students-during-coronavirus-pandemic

Here is the information about Altice/Optimum free services for the next 60 days.

Castle Learning Update

An email I just received, keep in mind this is true for Quizlet, Office 365, & most other online sites right now.

Dear Castle Learning Community,

We are seeing online learning picking up considerable momentum as reflected in the extremely high user volumes we are experiencing on Castle Learning. Unfortunately, at times, high usage is causing slow response times within the application, which can be very frustrating for teachers and students working to create and complete activities. We are seeing peak activity between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and faster response times outside of that window.

We apologize for the inconvenience and are working quickly to boost performance of the environment. This will be an ongoing effort over the next several days and we will provide updates on our progress.

We greatly appreciate your use of Castle Learning and your patience as we absorb the increase in volume.

Sincerely,

Ron Borowski
Director of Customer Support

Thursday, March 26, 2020

Ch 18 Videos

http://mrsramoushistory.blogspot.com/2018/03/chapter-18-videos.html

2 pm Deadline for all Ch 17 Work

Today's Quizlet quiz ends our review of Ch 17.

Remember, I can see who viewed the PPTs & who did not, and that is how I'm assigning attendance & participation grades.

Today is your last chance to finish them. 2 pm is the cut off time as that is the end of the school day.

At 2 pm, I will stop accepting grades for Ch 17, including today's quiz (except the video packet - make sure it is done because I'll be collecting it without warning at some point soon.)

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

"Office Hours"

I will be available online M-F, from roughly 7:30 am - 2 pm, not including taking a break to have some lunch & give my eyes a rest from the computer screen. If I don't get back to you right away, either I'm helping someone else or have stepped away for a bit. If you email or post after 2 pm, I may not get back to you until the next "school day." I will always be available online for you during your scheduled class period, so be sure to check in by then in case you have any questions. Questions from students during their normal class time will take priority over others since it would be your class period if we were in school. You can continue to reach me through Teams (post or chat) or email.

BUFSD Login Assistance

Remember!

Your class work is in Teams.

Your HW is on the blog, as always.

Refer to yesterday's post if you need more details.

Monday, March 23, 2020

"Cutting"

Per Mr. Loeschner's & Mr. Callan's messages, you are to be using Office 365 to check into your classes for assignments, etc. We are using the blog for your regular work & Office 365 Teams as classwork. We established this on 3/11 in class & I posted all last week about it. Not sure how to access Office 365? GO the the BUFSD home page for instructions.

Please know that I am required to contact your parents if you are not signing in daily to Teams, at the very least once a day during your class period. I can see who did or did not view the PPTs, etc there for you. Daily attendance & participation will be graded accordingly

Please be sure you are doing your part in your education until we physically return to school. Remember, you still have a course to pass and, as of this post, a Regents to pass as well.

Email me if you have any issues, but lease be sure you read all of the posts from last week to make sure your issue(s) wasn't already addressed there. My calls start later this morning.

Sunday, March 22, 2020

Audio & PPT Solution

It has been discovered that those of you who can;t hear the audio on your phone are probably not downloading the PowerPoints. The audio is not available in "preview" mode. That's probably why it is working on laptops & computers.

You can delete the PPT form your phone after your have gone through the slides & listened to the audio in conjunction with your notes.

Thank you to those of you who posted & emailed me about this!

Saturday, March 21, 2020

Answers to your chats & emails

Just to answer a few questions I keep getting:

Let me start out with the basic question:
yes you can still pass the course. It is up to you - you have to do the work, assignments, check in, attendance...whatever the process is once we're told. As of last Monday, that process is you keeping up with the posted HW, checking the blog 12 times a day and checking into TEAMS during your normal class time & responding to whatever is listed there. These are super simple grades that will really boost your average. So yes, passing may be easier than you think but no, not if you don't do anything!

No, I don't know how long we'll be closed for.
Yes, you still need to pass your course.
No, they have NOT canceled the Regents as of this posting.
Yes, you have to do your work.
Yes, you have to check the blog at least twice a day (morning & then afternoon or evening.)
Yes, you need to check into TEAMS & should twice a day especially during your regular class period time.
Yes, I'm grading that work.
Yes, you may still fail the course if you do nothing while we're home. A lot of that is based on decisions the school makes regarding online classrooms AND your average up to & including March 12th (from the beginning of the year.)
No, I have no other information about how the online classes will work. For now, I'm posting 1 PPT (or 2 short ones) per day for you to review with the notes you were already assigned.
No, no new work has been posted. At this time, you are not required to do anything in vocab.com except join the class.
Yes, you can review the stuff already open in Quizlet.
Yes, I will collect HW once we have details about online classes (details to follow when that happens.) And yes, that includes your notes that have been due daily since we left.

Stay healthy, stay at least 6 feet away from people you don't live with, wash your hands, & don't leave home. Everything is closed anyway. And don;t forget the assignments you have due Sunday!

See you on TEAMS Monday morning.

Friday, March 20, 2020

No Audio & Using a Phone?

TRY THIS IF YOU ARE USING A PHONE for TEAMS

& can't hear the sound or the PPT looks weird...

If is probably because you are using the TEAMS app.

It didn't work for me either.

Try this (which DID work for me):

Do a google search for office 365 login (with those spaces.) It should come up office.com. If it does, click on that one.
Sign in like you would at school.
On mine, I get a whole list of icons once I sign in - Outlook, Word, Excel, PPT, TEAMS. Not sure what you have access to as a student.
If you have this & a PPT icon, please click on that & see if you have access to either of the PPTs posted for your class. I did, but it's my file. I was able to view it normally & the audio worked.

Please try this & report back, because this is our last way until someone higher than me changes their mind about videos. If it doesn't work, you'll need something that isn't a mobile device to hear the lecture, sorry. Out of my control.

Please remember to post on TEAMS (see the TEST 3/22 post for the assignment details.)

DUE SUNDAY 3/22: TEST GRADE, Read Post

I absolutely, 100% have to know if you can see & hear the PPTs I posted for you (I posted 2 so far.) IT IS A TEST GRADE TO RESPOND IN TEAMS THAT YOU CAN OR CANNOT - I AM MAKING IT AN ASSIGNMENT THERE & WILL PUT IT IN THINKWAVE. You must COMMENT "I can hear the audio in each slide" or "I cannot hear the audio & tried the long way on my phone." Typing one of those 2 answers by 10 pm Sunday will earn you a test grade of 100. If you don't, you know what happens...

If you are using an iPhone ( don't know about other phones, people have only responded this issue with iPhones) AND you cannot hear the PPT audio & it looks like the slides are kind on on top of each other, do this:

For the PPTs - TRY THIS IF YOU ARE USING A PHONE... so a google search for office 365 login (with those spaces. It should come up office.com. If it does, click on that one. Sign in like you would at school. On mine, I get a whole list of icons - Outlook, Word, Excel, PPT, TEAMS. Not sure what you have access to as a student. If you have this & a PPT icon, lease click on that & see if you have access to Ch 17 Sec 1 PPT. I did, but it's my file. I was able to view it normally & the audio worked. Please try this & report back, because this is our last way until someone higher than me changes their mind. If it doesn't work, you'll need something that isn't a mobile device to hear the lecture, sorry. Out of my control. PLEASE REPORT BACK.

No one has had an issue using a laptop or desktop, and I think it's the app tat's causing the problem. The above is the long way but a work-around for you - I did it that way on my iPhone & it worked (it did not work when I used the app.)

I'm giving you easy grades to boost your average & get us set up because, as of now, you still have Regents Exams to take. And either way you still have a course to pass. Take advantage of these easy ones!

TEAMS PPTs & Word Docs

Please DO NOT write in or change any document in TEAMS. You can access them & use them, but is you change them in any way, you cause your classmates to not be able to do the assignment & I get a notification of who did what.

Please access them, use them, print them view them...but DO NOT CHANGE THEM OR WRITE DIRECTLY IN THEM! Thanks!

To be clear...

We have no idea what's going on, either, so we're just moving on because, as you know, that's what we do. That said, it is expected that you are keeping up with your homework since that is NOT new & you have been told all year to be checking the blog at least daily.

Add to that TEAMS...you should be checking into TEAMS at least twice daily - once in the late morning OR your class period time frame, and once "after school" for any updates or things posted since you checked in earlier that day.

TEAMS records the date & time of your comments, which is basically your attendance. Right no, checking in once a day at midnight is not sufficient, & I see a lot of you are doing that. It's like missing class.

So, be sure you are checking the blog for updates AND checking into TEAMS during your class period time (I posted them for you in the one about keeping a normal schedule) & once "after school." You re required to either ask a question, respond to a question, or coplete a task I may post daily to verify you are "in class" & get credit. Things may change moving forward, but this is the policy as of now.

If there are any issues with this, please email me.

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Moving forward with reviews...

I think we found a workable solution to all of the "you can't do this" instructions we're getting. If you are on an iPhone & can't hear the audio in the PPTs, please try the option I posted in TEAMS. Just about everything else can be done on your phone, though it may be a little trickier.

I can't solve every problem we're running into with distance learning, sorry about that. Do your best with what you have available. That's all any of us can do.

I also posted your Chapter 17 Video Packet in TEAMS in Files, you can print it out & answer hr questions or you can hand copy it which ever you need to do. Right now it's just sections 1-3, I think. Due dates for new work will be posted April 3rd-ish, since we'll have a better idea of how much longer we;ll be out by then, if we're still out past that date.

PLEASE NOTE: When we finally return to school, we will pick up where we leave off in TEAMS. So if on our last day hone we do Ch 22 Sec 2, the next day in school we;re doing Ch 22 Sec 3. Be sure you keep n top of your work at home!

"Step 2" - I need your help so I can help you!

I don't know what you see as students so I'm doing screen shots

of mine. They will look different, but this is the general idea.

Click on our class. In this case, I used Per 4 because the PPT uploaded to that class before the others.

Go to the top (or where ever the stuff shown on the top of this picture is on the student version.)

Click on "Files."

Click on the PPT (it's the only PPT there right now.)

Double or single click, it should open. Does it look like this? I mean with the slides on the side?

If so, go to the bottom right & click on the screen icon (I know you guys know this way better than me, but just in case.)

Then I need you to look in the middle of the slide. There is either an arrow or audio icon.

Click on it. I think it's a single click, it takes a minute t start working. I need to know f you can hear me & it's working. I need to know this for ALL of the sides. The slides with video, if any, will not have an audio icon.