See the ISS Tonight & the Lunar Eclipse

The International Space Station (ISS)

Will be visible tonight for 4 min.

Here is the info

Time: Fri Jun 05 8:26 PM

Visible: 4 min, Max Height: 66° 

Appears: 54° above N

Disappears: 11° above SE

Lunar Eclipse Tonight


Click here for all the info!

Congratulations from Space

Astronaut Chris Cassidy Say "Congratulations" from the International Space Station Cupola

Trick Shot Compilation Video

Here it is!  Thanks RV PE Department!

This is NOT our Trick Shot but...
The following video is AMAZING & goes to prove that humans are smart but nature has a way of outsmarting us regularly.  Enjoy & subscribe the this incredible maker, Mark Rober.

Distance Learning - Week 6 - 5/26 - 5/29

Good Day Folks, 

I truly hope you all had a good weekend.

As the counties "Stay Well at Home" policy changes and becomes the "Stay Well VC" policy, you will see restaurants and some businesses start to open in a MODIFIED way.  We still need to take care of each other through wearing masks and staying clear of large groups (over 10 people).

It's wonderful to think we may be seeing the other side of this pandemic!

This week for school & CS class, I'm really focused on the launch of the first American rocket with astronauts on board headed to the International Space Station on Wednesday at 1:30 pm.

I'm including all the info below and asking all of you to watch it live if you can!

New Launch Date - Saturday, May 30 @12:22 pm
Broadcast starts at 9:30.  Use links below to watch

If you can get someone else to watch it with you, have your own little Launch Party, and take a picture of it & post it on the Padlet, I will count that as your participation in CS for this week!

Be a Part of Launch America!

Start watching the event on Saturday, May 30 at 9:15 am & get ready for the launch at 12:22pm!  Click below to watch:
YouTube NASA Live
SpaceX Channel Live
Facebook Live


Here are some interesting things to do to get ready for the launch!

Activity: Check this out today for a visual walk-through of all the preparation, Play by Play!

360 degree Video: Commercial Crew Program VR 360 Tour: Launching from Kennedy Space Center

Play Sim: Dock Crew Dragon to the International Space Station with this online game

More updates coming later today.  Please check back and enjoy the launch!

8th graders:
Here are some reminders & updates for you.

• You will need to move your Google data (all your files) to a regular gmail account soon.  I'll have more info posted about Google Take-out next week.
• If you are interested in playing football next year at Rio Mesa, Click on the link below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdka0thONi4Gl7OtT8TWWIl8xVrbeTrnOo8yxXlAcG1yEYUng/viewform?usp=sf_link

Distance Learning - Week 5 - 5/18 - 5/22

Special Announcement - Trick Shot Challenge is On!



___________________________________________________________________________

Aloha people!

Welcome to another week of distance learning.  Thanks to all of you that are participating in the tasks, creating games and videos to share your work, and meeting together during our Tuesday & Friday Meets.

This week's tasks are posted.  Also, because of the Memorial Day Holiday on Monday, I included something extra.  Please check out the class hyperdoc located below and in our Google Classroom.

Have a great week & try to keep yourself and help your family stay safe.  Thanks for stepping up!






Memorial Day Book Reading

I found this and watched it.  It made me sad & proud.  I'm setting up a White Table on Monday after I show my family this reading.  It is a small gesture to make for the HUGE sacrifice many have made for our country.  Check it out.  Post a pick of YOUR white table if you can here.

Woody Williams Reads "America's White Table" from Medal of Honor Society on Vimeo.

Remote Learning Computer Science - 4/27 - 5/2/2020

Welcome to Computer Science Class!
The video below is a Welcome to CS Class for my new Period 5 & 6 students.

If you are in my Period 2 & 4 classes and don't know what to do to get a passing grade in CS Class, please watch this video to get the scoop on what to do!

Happy Astronomy Week! 

Howdy Folks,
I hope this week finds you healthy and together with family.  Our families, schools, cities, states & the nation have come together and worked together to slow the spread of COVID19.   Thank you for taking care of yourself and helping your family.

If you have been checking in with friends, please ask them to check in to their online classes usually a Google Classroom or other.  While grades are on hold for now, attendance is being taken.  Work is also being collected to show evidence of participation.  We hope that you or your parents are communicating with your teachers especially if there are any problems you are facing.  If I can't help you I will find someone who can.

Live Hangouts on Tuesdays & Fridays!  Check out the times and my office hours by clicking here.

This week, Remote Learning continues.  In Google Classroom, sign in every day, practice keyboarding for 50 minutes a week, complete ONE task from the topics below, & post your evidence here.  More details are on the Hyperdoc.

• Coding/Game Dev
• Maker Tech
• Multimedia Tech
• Space Tech

Choose a category, complete the task, & post your evidence.   You only have to choose one category per week.   If you are building a game, you'll need to post your game link here.   I'm interested to hear how you all are doing so if you are using tech or making something interesting at home, I might be able to give you credit for that.

Thank you to all who have signed into our Google Classroom.   If you haven't signed up on our classroom, RVMS CS Remote Tech Classroom, please use this code - gadop6e

This Week's Tasks


In a nutshell description:

1. Sign into our google classroom (Skip this if you have already done it)
2. Every day, sign into the Daily Check-In (This is our attendance)
3. Keyboarding Practice - 10 minutes daily or 50 per week
4. Choose one of the projects on the bottom of the hyperdoc (coding/game design, maker tech, multimedia tech, or space tech)
5. You need to complete only one of these assignments per week.
6. If you want to do more, go for it!  You can also find some interesting things to do in the Just For Fun link.
7. Contact me if you have any questions.

Mr. Garcia's Office Hours

Remote Learning Computer Science - Week 4 - 4/20 - 24/2020

Hello out there,
It feels like forever since I have seen you all!  I hope you had a restful spring break.  Mine was spent watching a lot of The Flash, playing outside, playing board games, & and working around the house.

This week, I will be giving all of you some options for you to choose from.  A deeper explanation will be found on the Remote Learning (RL) Computer Science (CS) Hyperdoc below.

I am embedding the hyperdoc in this post but you need to make sure to sign into our Google Classroom.   If you haven't signed up on our classroom, RVMS CS Remote Tech Classroom, please use this code - gadop6e

This Week's Tasks


In a nutshell description:

1. Sign into our google classroom (Skip this if you have already done it)
2. Every day, sign into the Daily Check-In (This is our attendance)
3. Keyboarding Practice - 10 minutes daily
4. Choose one of the projects on the bottom of the hyperdoc (coding/game design, maker tech, multimedia tech, or space tech)
5. You need to complete only one of these assignments per week.
6. If you want to do more, go for it!  You can also find some interesting things to do in the Just For Fun link.
7. Contact me if you have any questions.

Mr. Garcia's Office Hours

School Closure Week 3 - 3/30/2020

Good Day People,

Happy Spring Break!
I wish you all a peaceful 2 weeks with hopefully some healthy adventures at home.  I know it is a challenge to not go out but it is important to protect yourself and your family at this time.  I hope you don't watch too much news but instead, focus on the positive things around you.  Your family & your friends (online).   

Your teacher are trying hard to give you challenges that you can accomplish at home.  I hope you understand that you need to take responsibility for your learning in this very unique place we find ourselves.  I will keep posting links that have things to do to keep you active and thinking.  Build your structure at home, your routine and follow it.  Keep your brain active as well as your body.   

Remember that eventhough we are living in a world with COVID19, This Too Shall Pass!  We'll get past this and start our new normal.  Best of luck, keep emailing me, we can Hangout if you let me know, and if you need help, reach out.  Please ask.

Mr. G

_____________________________________

I'll be posting this week's challenges on Our Google Classroom.  If you haven't signed up on our classroom, RVMS CS Remote Tech Classroom, please use this code - gadop6e

School Closure Update
California schools will now be closed for the remainder of the 2019/2020 school year.  There will be lots of questions but not a lot of answers at the moment.  Please be patient.  

Laptop Pick-Up
If you need your school-issued laptop, please contact the Rio Vista Office at (805) 981-1507.  You can also email me and we will make arrangements to pick it up.

Video Hangout
I'm having to postpone our Hangout till Wednesday at 11:30 am.  I have to run some errands at the district & be at Vista to give out student laptops.  I'll post the link here tomorrow.  See you then.

Week 2 Challenges - details & links available in our classroom
Last week, the challenge was to build a Rube Goldberg, capture a video of your machine, and post the video in Flipgrid.  You can accomplish this at any time!

Week 3 Challenges - This week, our challenge will be to make several very unique paper airplanes.  Go to our Google Classroom to get the links.

1. The Boomerang 1
2. The Boomerang 2
3. The Bat Plane
4. The Tumbling Wing
5. The World Record

In our classroom, there will be a set of videos to watch that describe the forces of flight & unique airplanes to build.  Also, please record you flying your airplane on our flipgrid.

On the same link, there are several very cool things to watch and do including making the Roomerang!  In the classroom, you will find links to help you build this very interesting flyer.

Space Out Friday

Monday, 23 of March, 2020 - RVMS Computer Science Class Information

Tuesday @ 11 am
Class Video Meeting With Garcia - 
Good day folks, 

Welcome to week 2 of our School Closure.  I hope you are all doing well and keeping busy.   For us, last week was about getting set for staying at home for at least a few weeks.  We visited stores, saw some friends, contacted family, helped some neighbors, & visited some more stores (mostly looking for toilet paper).  Crazy times, but I saw a lot of good people out there trying to help and not build fear or panic.  I hope your families are set up.

Here are a couple of things to catch up on if you were not on the site last week.

1. Please join our Google Classroom - Class code - gadop6e
2. Look at last weeks post for more info & my video

I am trying to contact most of your parents either by phone or email.  I would like all parents and students to know that the Rio School district is:

1. Providing  Free Meals: 10:30-12:30 in all Rio School cafeterias (anyone under the age of 18 can get free meals). All Rio school sites are participating. Click here for more information.
2. Contacting all families to find out if they need learning supplies, laptops for students, and free hotspot wireless data service for students to complete school assignments.
3. updating contact information with all parents in the Rio School District

All of your teachers are currently learning how to conduct classes online.  It is a challenge for us to create online content.  It will be your challenge to set a schedule at home and work on what tasks you are given from your classroom teachers.  It will not be easy, but WE humans do well at adapting to new situations! 

Computer Science Tasks - Week 2

1. Please join and go to our Google Classroom - CS Remote Tech Class
2. Complete this Survey about Learning From Home
3. Watch a video and try to build a Rube Goldberg machine at home using what you ever you have
4. Post 2 times this week on your blog.  The titles will be "Working from Home #1 & #2".  The subject can be anything you want related to what you are doing at home to stay busy.

Other work:  

• Look at My Blog Homework - Make sure 3 adults have viewed and commented on a post in your blog.  Screenshot their comments and create a post showing who commented.
• CSP - Do what you can.  Some of you can work from home.  You all will be given credit for this project even if not completed.  I will be asking for your slide show later in May.
• Game Development - Build your game as best as you can.  This is a good thing to keep you busy.  Let me know if you run into any problems coding. 

Lastly

I'll be setting up a video meeting on Tuesday at 11 am.  The link will be on this post tomorrow so please join the meeting if you can.  You will need a computer, but the camera is optional.

Hope to see your faces on Tuesday at 11:30 am.  Stay safe all!

Mr. G

Stocking up for Staying Home!  YES, that is TP!

Monday, 16 of March, 2020 RVMS Computer Science Class Information

Good morning all, 

Hi all. 
Please go to Google Classroom and enter this code to join our class at 11:10 am, right now.  I'm on email if you have a question

Tech class code -   gadop6e

As many of you have heard, the school closure will continue till May 1 with students due to return to school on May 4.  The school district has put new information on the district website.  Please go check it out!   

I am holding a class meeting online using youtube tomorrow at 11 am.  More of your teachers will be or have been reaching out to you via email, online, or phone.  All teachers will be reaching out to your parents to make sure they know that there is classwork available for you to work on.

I look forward to meeting with you tomorrow.

______________________________________________________________

I'll post several items this morning.

• classwork assignments & explanations
• optional online youtube meet - Sorry all.  I had to get supplies and missed the broadcast time.  I'll broadcast on Thursday at 11 am.  
• important links to find local and state-level health information

Classwork

You have only a couple of things to work on as we Trimester 2 comes to an end.  I will be looking at blogs & grading your work all week.  Please email me if you have any questions or to let me know you have posted something new.

Periods 2, 4, 5, & 6

• Look at My Blog - Homework - Due 3/18/2020
1. have 3 people view your blog and comment on one post
2. Screenshot the comments
3. Post all 3 screenshots in your blog with the title - Look at My Blog
• Post all missing work - Due by Friday 3/20/2020
• Click Here to look at Rio's Student Portal to find out what you are missing

How To:

How to Post a Scratch Project on your Blog Video

Periods 2 & 4

• Community Service Project - Due 5/22/2020
• CSP Syllabus - Do the best you can & make arrangements to chat with your team to make progress on your project
• Game Design - Due 4/25/2020
• Start designing your own video game. Here is a link to the Game Development Project syllabus
• The video links can be helpful to get started
• Communicate with your team as best as you can
• Use Scratch.mit.edu as your development software  

_____________________________________________________________________________

Extra Fun Stuff  - to experience when you are tired of TV

CREATE A COVID19 JOURNAL - you could be a primary source for the study of this outbreak!  Create a hand written or online journal of your experiences during this pandemic outbreak of the Coronavirus.  Record what you are doing to prepare, your experience at home, how you fight boardom, how you deal with staying home and keeping people safe, any illness, your worries & concerns, how you find peace.  Find a detailed description here - http://My Covid19 Journal

Museums Online - check out the art in these amazing museums

Gamestarmechanic - Think like a game designer games

NASA - lots of stuff to do & see here.  

• The Kids Club has lots of interactive games to play and activities to do at home
• Middle School level activities, games, & great stuff to check out

Click on this link to check out the job description for Artemis Generation Astronauts!  This could be you!

__________________________________________________

Health & School-Related Links:

Local

• Rio Schools - School closure information & Food Service 

"Beginning Monday, March 16, students can come to any site between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to pick up a snack and meal at the cafeteria. "

• Oxnard City Home Page - Information about local Oxnard issues & guidelines
• Ventura Co. Health Care Agency - Links to most up to date local information
• VC Emergency - YEAR-ROUND EMERGENCY INFORMATION

State

• California Department of Health - Statewide information

World

• World Health Organization - World-wide health information
• Worldometer - easy to read data

Homework! Yes, Homework!

Homework for all classes: Due 3/18/2020 - 30 pts

Homework is as follows for all classes -

1. Find and show your blog to at least 3 adults, 16 years of age & older.  Preferably, your family and especially your parents.
2. Have them comment on any post.  They should leave their name on their post so I know who they are.
3. You need to take a screenshot of their comments and post it on your blog in a post titled:  Checking Out My Blog
4. Put all 3 comments on the same post.

Friday's Lesson Plans

Hi all,

Here are your plans for Friday.   Please show respect to your teacher, Mrs. Polanco.  Use your time wisely. I’ll see you all next Tuesday.  Make it a great week! 

Special Note

There is no movement in class during ALL Periods.  

If you need to get up, please raise your hand to get approval from Mrs. Polanco.  If you get your name on the teacher notes, you get a lunch detention. If your behavior causes a problem, the consequence will be more severe. Please stay focused on the following assignments.

The assignments below need to be turned in TODAY or you get 1/2 credit.

Basic Plan all Periods

1. 10 min - Daily Touch typing on Typing.com (13 min on the clock) -  NitroType or other typing Games on Fri. 
2. 4 min - Check email and CHECK THE LESSON PLANS on Class Blog.
3. Tasks are listed below

Tasks P2 & 4 - You have 2 blog post to complete today:   Keyboard test #6 - 75 pts possible Warm-up using 1-minute practice test or regular lessons When ready, take a 3 minutes test.  You can redo this one if needed Post your test results on the class blog Also, post your words per minute (wpm) graph & the accuracy graph.  That is 3 separate images which should look like this. Click on this image for an example of what you post needs to have to be complete. Worth 75pts.  Unless you are absent, you will only be able to turn this in on Friday for full credit! Posts after Friday will only get 50% if complete. CSP Explanation Post - 40 Pts Post a brief but clear explanation, in paragraph form, of your CSP project.  Please include the following information. Use complete sentences and not a list.  Remember, your audience does not know anything about what you are doing so be clear. What is your project about? What community are you affecting? Who is in your group (no last names to protect the innocent) You can include any images, drawings, or design if you like Worth 40 pts.  Unless you are absent, you will only be able to turn this in on Friday for full credit! Posts after Friday will only get 50% if complete. When you finish both posts, You have some time to work on something you want to do at your station.  You may not get out of your seat, not even to help others.  If you need help, ask those around you or ask the teacher for help.   P5 & 6 -   You have one post to complete today Keyboard test #3 - 50 pts possible Warm-up using 1-minute practice test or regular lessons When ready, take a 3 minutes test.  You can redo this one if needed Post your test results on the class blog Also, post your words per minute (wpm) graph & the accuracy graph.  That is 3 separate images which should look like this. Click on this image for an example of what your post needs to have to be complete. Worth 50pts.  Unless you are absent, you will only be able to turn this in on Friday for full credit! Posts after Friday will only get 50% if complete. When you finish your post, You have some time to work on your Scratch Project or your Tynkercad design at your station.  You may not get out of your seat, not even to help others.  If you need help, ask those around you or ask the teacher for help.   NOISE Level *Noise level is between a 2 & 3 but should NEVER get so loud we disturb other classes *Walking around is not allowed today.  Stay your seat - ALL STUDENTS *Consequences for repeated (2) disruptions: *Students may be moved away from others & continue working if the behavior improves *Students may be moved to a 6th grade class or to office with a blue behavior referral - *Students will lose promotion points and will not be available to help their teams.  Stay calm: do your work:)

1. 35 min - Work on projects - detailed above
2. Guest teacher - Students may be collaborating which is encouraged.  Or, they may be just visiting so you will need to move around the classroom and listen to conversations.  THIS IS CRUCIAL FOR GOOD CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT!!!!!
3. Done with Project - Students can do these activities when complete with the project and posting on their blog.  Early finishers can go on DIY Projects - If you are here, go to Gamestarmechanic.  
4. DIY ACTIVITIES

Blogger	Modify your blogs themes, colors, and layout
Gamestarmechanic	Great game design website.  Sign in, use the year 2004 for registering, select “Get Started” until you get to the “Quest” and click on that.
Tinkercad	Create a new project or work on an old one
Finish Preparing 3D printed ID	Use tools carefully and clean up work table
Code.org	Work on another new task or finish one from last year
Scratch	Go play some games on Scratch!
Typing.com	Students can get some more keyboarding practice.

1. 1 min - Shutting down & logging out - I make all students wait at stations till all headphones, tables, and chairs are neatly arranged.  I excuse one row at a time.   Do not excuse students until workspaces are clean and there is no trash on tables.
1. P6 needs to put chairs up and shut down TV on FRIDAY!

Reminders:

• Write good, detailed, and readable reflections.  
• Email me if you have any questions.
• Collaboration is helpful, socializing is distracting - Know why you are out of your seat and it cannot be to socialize.

I wish you all a good day.  See you Monday.

Mr. Garcia

KB Test #6

My test for March showed little improvement but a relatively consistant speed & accuracy.  My fingers feel stiff if I haven't typed for a while.  Plus I'm sleepy.  I would like to see if my scores improved at a different time of day.  Probably not, I just need to practice more if I want to hit my goal of 55 wpm @ 96% accuracy.

My accuracy stayed consistent for the last 3 months.

My speed went down 2 words per minute.   This was definitely caused because I slowed down to be more accurate.  Nonetheless, the score is consistent with the past months. 

Story Maker Training

P6 - How did it go?

Please fill in this survey completely.