St. Louis WizKids

2006-2007 WizKids start up!

This Thursday, the 2006-2007 STL WizKids program started with an introduction to the Microsoft Windows XP operating system. Far from being dull, the session taught them how to change the look of their desktop, search through their hard drive for files, resize windows, and change the look and behavior of their mouse pointer. Towards the end of the session, they explored and developed keyboarding skills with Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. Thanks to the families for participating and having fun, and thanks to Nicole Williams for teaching the session!

Nothing But Net Education and Tech Fair- GIS Day Activities

On Saturday, July 8, 2006, St. Louis WizKids held an Education and Tech Fair to inform the COVAM neighborhood about the diferent ways in which technology can benefit their families. One of the components of that event was a "GIS Day" booth.

What is GIS, you ask?

GIS stands for geographic information system; it's basically a high-tech map that can show all kinds of information about an area. If you've ever used a service like MapQuest, Yahoo!Maps, or Google Maps, that's an example. The uses of such technology don't stop there, though; this rapidly expanding technology is also used to analyze environmental issues, enhance economic development planning, and improve emergency response during disasters.

At the event, we engaged participants in individual and small-group discussions about this technology and demonstrated a free software program, Google Earth, that is to the planet what a web browser is to the Internet. It is a 3-D browser that allows you to find locations on Earth by name, plot routes between different locations, and find points of interest (restaurants, shops, parks, etc.) near a given location. We also gave a demonstration of GPS (Global Positioning System) where participants had a chance to find out exactly where they were on Earth and go out to find some hidden "treasure".

Thanks to Bob Coulter, Katie Harris, and Virginia Winters for helping to make our GIS day a success!

Final points!

Congratulations to all the St. Louis WizKids who have completed the year long program! The final point tallies are in! We didn't give any points on the last day - that's why they are all zeros for the last week. Congratulations to Langston with the most points and LaRon, who came in second place. Everyone, of course is a winner and will get prizes on Tuesday.

We are looking forward to our ending celebration on Tuesday, May 23 at 6pm at The Youth and Family Center. We'll have pizza and prizes!

Week of May 10-16

Words for this week ....

copyright
consensus
scholars
critique

Remember that you get 1 point for each CORRECT definition and 2 points for each CORRECT sentence.

Week of May 4 - 9

Happy birthday to Langston on May 9!

Words for this week are:

responsibility
capable
numerous
enthusiasm
RAM (this is an acronym)

Email your definitions and sentences to Shirley at newtonshirley1@yahoo.com

Week of April 26 - May 2

The words for this week will be posted on Monday, May 1.

For 2 extra points this week, name the National Monument located in southwestern Missouri near the city of Joplin and describe what it is. 

For 1 extra point, tell us if you think this is an important National Monument and why.

Words for the Week of April 20-26

Responsibility

Participate

Cooperation

Director

Week of April 12-18

1. Words for the week:

    behavior

    expensive

    attention

    monitor (you can choose if you want to define as a noun or verb)

    Remember that you get 1 point for each CORRECT definition and 2 points for each CORRECT sentence.

2.  Complete your narrative for your movie.  Remember your movie is about Wizkids, so be sure to include what you think about WizKids.  If you need another movie planning worksheet, you can download it here. Download movie planning worksheet.

Points so far

Here is a test of a posting of the points St. Louis WizKids have accumulated so far this Spring.
Sue stills needs to work on the format.  It's still a little rough.
Points Tracking Sheet

Week of April 5-11

Hey WizKids!  I hope your movie work is going well.  Let us know if you need any help.  You know who to call!  you can call Sue or see Ms. Shirley at school.  If you need extra Media Release Forms, click on the following words and the form should open in Word on your computer.  Then you can print it!

Download Media Release Form

Words for this week are:
detach, multitasking, fairness, honest.

Remember you get one point for defining each word and two points for correctly using each word in a sentence.