Puzzles Activity

I worked on Puzzles 1, 3, and 9.  My strategy for solving the puzzles was watching the given tutorials and using blocks that I am familiar with to solve the puzzles.  Puzzle 3 helped me think about my game project.

Name Project

Scenes Activity

Both the stage and sprites can be chosen or drawn.  You initialize sprites in a scene by using blocks to tell them what to do.  Some other types of projects that you would use scene changes are plays and skits.  My classmates used backdrops in their projects by changing the backgrounds three or four times and having the script walk through them.

Penguin Joke Project

Broadcast is using the broadcast blocks to make the scripts respond to what other scripts are saying to them when they receive the broadcast.  You would use timing and broadcasting in a project when you are creating a project that involves two or more scripts talking to each other.

Make A Block

"Make A Block" is when you use previous blocks to make a script, and then to shorten the script, you can define it as one block.  You might use "Make A Block" when you are making a complex project and you are using  a lot of different blocks.  By defining several blocks as one would, you would make your project's scripts less complicated.

Reflect

After completing all of these debug it activities, I have come up with some strategies.  I first play the program to see the problem to see if I can find an immediate and easy fix.  If I can't then I look through the scripts and try to find logical blocks that could fix the problem.  I also sometimes rearrange the order of the blocks to see if that fixes the problem.  I would help someone else learn how to debug a project by telling them these strategies.  However, if these strategies don't help, then I could also help them myself.

Debug It! 5

To solve the fifth and final debug it problem, I set the "say" block to say "Meow, Meow, Meow!" and put the "sound" block to make the meow sound inside the "repeat" block.  I set the repeat block to repeat 3 times.

Debug it! 4

To solve this debug it problem, I added the "set rotation style" block to left-right.

Debug it! 3

For the third debug it problem, I added the "wait" block between each turn 90 degrees block.

Debug It!2

For the second debug problem, I repeated the first steps so that the Scratch cat would go to the left side, say something about it, go the right side (until he is touching the other script) and say something about the right side.

Debug It! 1

For the first debug it problem, I only had to add the "when" block to allow Gobo to also dance.

10 Blocks Challenge

I really liked completing the 10 blocks challenge.  This activity really helped me learn Scratch because I learned more blocks that I could use and got more comfortable using previous blocks.  The 10 block restraint impacted my ideas by making me think of more creative ideas.

Ways to Move

For our second creation in scratch, we used three different techniques to make our sprites move.

Watch Me Dance!

For our first creation in Scratch we learned how to make sprites dance.  One thing that was surprising about this activity was how easy it was to figure out.  It felt good to be led by the step-by-step through the activity because that way I knew what I was doing.  I like having more structure at the beginning when we start something new so I have a foundation.  I like having more freedom towards the end (in the final project).  I feel most creative when I can choose the background, sprites, and costumes for my game in Scratch.

Hour of Code

Hour of Code #2

Webpage

The tinyurl for my webpage is not working, but this is the url to my webpage.

http://tinyurl.com/dreamingbecomingaballerina

Introduction to HTML

After using the HTML Tutorial, there are three things I want to learn more about. One thing I want to learn more about is how to use the "Doctype."  I also want to learn what the tags or symbols mean and when to use them.  The third thing that I want to learn more about is how to add in different  media besides words into my webpage.  There are also two things that I have learned from this tutorial.  One thing I learned is HTML stands for Hyper, Text, Markup Language.  I also learned that there are different HTML tags that correspond to different aspects of your webpage.  One thing that I am concerned about when we start making our webpages, is how to save what we have done each day so that we don't have to start over.

Using a New Code #2

1. ?!???
2. ?!??!
3. ?????
4. ?!!?!
5. !!??!
6. ?????
7. ?!!!?
8. ????1
9. ?!!?!
10. ??!?!
11. ?????
12. ?!??!
13. !??!!
14. ?????
15. ??!?!
16. ?!!??
17. !!?!?
18. ????!
19. ???!?
20. ??!?!
21. !?!??
22. ?!???

(Hi.  My name is Elizabeth).
This code uses ! to represent on and ? to represent off.

Using a New Code #1

1. _ - _ _ -
2. _ _ _ _ _
3. _ _ _ _ -
4. _ - _ - -
5. _ _ _ _ _
6. - _ - _ _
7. _ - _ _ -
8. - _ _ - _
9. _ _ - _ _
10. _ _ _ _ _
11. _ - _ _ -
12. _ _ _ _ _
13. - _ - - -
14. _ _ _ _ -

15._- - - _

16. - _ - _ _
17. _ _ _ _ _
18. - _ - _ _
19. _ - - _ -
20. _ _ _ _ _
21. - _ _ - -
22. _ - - _ _
23. _ _ - _ -
24. _ _ - _ -
25. - _ _ _ _

 (I am tired.  I want to sleep.)
This code uses - to represent on and _ to represent off.

New Binary Code

My new binary code still uses the base two number system, but instead of using ones and zeros, you now use x's and o's; x=1 and o=0.  In my new code numbers (up to thirty-one) represent short phrases or entire words.  With this new code you can now have a simple conversations with someone!

Here is the coding system:
1=Hi
2=Hey
3=Hello
4=How are you?
5=good
6=bad
7=tired
8=What's your favorite color?
9=red
10=orange
11=yellow
12=green
13=blue
14=purple
15=pink
16=Do you live in Reading?
17=Yes
18=No
19=Are you in High School?
20=If so, what grade level?
21=9th grade
22=10th grade
23=11th grade
24=12th grade
25=Do you have any siblings?
26=No, I am an only child.
27=Do you play any sports?
28=Do you play any instruments?
29= Do you like to travel?
30=Bye!
31=It was nice talking to you.

Why Do Computers use Binary, Anyway?

There are three new things that I learned after watching the video, Why do computer's use binary, anyway?.  One thing that I learned is that an analog signal is a signal that's proportional to the value it represents.  I also learned that a computer's ultimate job is to do math and come up with a result and or information.  The last thing that I learned was that binary is a two base number system; base two is composed of 0 and 1, base 5 is composed of 0 and 4, and base 10 is compose of 0 and 9.  One question I have is how does 0 and 1 equal base 2 and so on?  Another question I have is why he chose to select nine sections for the adder to encode first?  On thing that I would like to learn more about is how computers use binary numbers when I am completing daily activities on the computer; for example checking my email or typing on Word.

A New Kind of Number System

I think the highest level that I have reached while playing the Binary Game is Level 4.  The hardest part of the Binary Game, in my opinion, is adding up numbers fast.  I like to use the binary numbers to count with.  You could use your five fingers to count with binary numbers by assigning each finger a number;1, 2, 4, 8, or 16.  I think Binary numbers are used to make matrices that are used to tell the computer information on how to do certain things.

Eliza and Elizabeth

I do not find Eliza to be "human-like."  I would try to make her more human like by changing the software of the program, so that she could process what I told her and not repeat the same thing over and over again.  One thing that I would expect from a computer as far as having it express any emotion or emotion like words is that the computer doesn't really understand true emotions.  I think that in the future there is a possibility that computers could be a good "human-like" substitute.

The Google Boys

Google was created by do college students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin.  This two men company eventually broadened into a company with thirty-nine employees, and then the company grew so much that a CEO was required.  Two challenges that Google face as they move forward is separating the reliable links to the non reliable links and selecting links, to put into their index, that people want and will use.  Their key to staying ahead and keeping ahead of their competition is to continue to improve and advance their company.  Google finds all their information by using page rank to sort out the most used, and reliable links.  Then, they bring these links back and organize these links into their index.  They also worked to make their searches extremely fast.  They did this by reducing the the time you click “Google search” to when you receive a result to be less than a second.

My Own Creation #2

A Different Kind of Art Form

When I saw graffiti on the inside of tunnels or in the subway, I always thought it was unappealing, but after reading about the history of graffiti I see it as a unique art form.  Graffiti has existed in our culture for several decades, the concept of writing on walls can even be traced back to ancient Rome.  However, the graffiti we know of today came about in New York City in the late 1960s.  The first official graffiti artist was Taki 183, who would write his name on subway cars.  This inspired other people to start writing their own names on subway cars in hopes of becoming famous.  Spray-cans are most commonly used when creating graffiti.  Soon graffiti was viewed as an art form.

Graffiti artists, or “writers” as they like to be called, sometimes collaborated on designs and gave feedback on other writers designs.  A common misconception is that graffiti is gang-related, but this assumption is false.  Graffiti allowed kids to creatively express themselves through graffiti.  Graffiti was said to be the visual that went along with hip hop.  The 70s were the golden age of subway graffiti, but since then subway graffiti as almost completely died out.  However, on a positive note, graffiti has been included in art shows and galleries.  Graffiti is considered a major part of the urban environment.  I now see graffiti as a powerful and creative art form and look forward to my next trip to New York City to see some classic graffiti designs.

My Own Creation #1

Rug Design Creation #3

Basket Weave Creation #2

Virtual Bead Loom Creation 1

The Virtual Bead Loom

Native American Beadwork is known to be very beautiful, but it is also mathematical.  This is because the elaborate beadwork is made by using the coordinate plane.  The key concept that we will be using in this lesson is using software to create a design by using the “Cartesian coordinate system.”  The type of symmetry that these Native American designs are based on is called “four-fold symmetry.”  Some characteristics that these four images have in common are that they have shapes, are symmetrical, are bright and use dark colors, as well, and could be divided into four sections; each section being symmetrical (four-fold symmetry).  The four images in the website are called “Embroidery, Plain Indians”, “Shoshone Beadwork”, “Pawnee Buffalo Hide Drum”, and “Navajo rug.”  Another symmetry used in this beadwork is called reflection symmetry.  Reflection symmetry is when one half of an image is the mirror image of the other half of the image.  One example of base four counting in Native American culture that is common is that in many native languages, base four counting is used.  In the Navajo culture, reflection symmetry is used.  An example is that sand paintings often use reflection symmetry to show the paired forces that is part of the Navajo religion.  Another example of how four-fold symmetry is shown and used is in Yupika parka decoration.  The parkas need to be symmetric so they developed a coordinate system that involved measuring vertical and horizontal distance on the parka.  A bead loom is machine that can create a four-fold system.  The bead loom utilizes a Cartesian coordinate system.  The beads are in rows and columns, like the x-axis and the y-axis.  Native American beadwork was developed before the Europeans arrived.  Two examples of where these designs were used are seen in wampum belts and beadwork.  Beadwork was also used to record messages and historic events.

Communication

From the texting/emailing log that I kept for a day, I can conclude that I use texting to communicate with my friends and parents.  Also, I don't use my email for communication that much, where as my mom uses her email to communicate with friends, family, and coworkers.  Since we only kept this log for a day, I can't draw that many conclusions, but I wouldn't say I am absolutely reliable on technology.

Scavenger Hunt Reflection

One area of strength that I am good at when conducting searches is using Google to quickly find the answers to my questions.  Two areas in which I could improve in is not using Wikipedia to find my answers and using "Advanced Google Search" to find more accurate answers.

Computer Buying Project Reflection

One thing that I learned from this project was how to insert a table into a Google doc presentation.  I also learned a lot about Mac laptops, which was interesting because I might buy a Mac laptop in the future.  One challenge I had while completing this project was finding what the processor and operating system was for both the Dell and Mac laptops.  I thought that it was fun working with someone in a different grade than me.

Partners Make Projects Easy

Working with both my partners has been working very well.  We have divided up the work equally and we have shared our power point on Google docs so we can all work on the project.  I think we will all complete our designated work and do well on this project.

My Life in Words

A Little About Me

Hi, my name is Elizabeth Berry and I am 15 years old.  I live in Reading, Massachusetts, even though I would much rather be living in an apartment in New York City.  I live with both my parents and our two cats, Madison and Mojo.  I am an only child, which most people think is awesome, but I don’t always agree.  I play tennis at the Woburn Racket Club throughout the year and I am on the RMHS Girls JV Tennis Team.  I also take dance classes at LaPierre School of Dance.  I take ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and modern.  My favorite class is ballet.  My fantasy is to focus on ballet and maybe become a ballerina.  Besides tennis and dance, I also play the piano.  As for activities in school, I am involved with the Yearbook Staff and I can’t wait to start working on this year’s yearbook!  My favorite subject is English.  I love to read and write.  Over the years I have read many, many books, but I think my top three favorite books would the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak.  All of these books have all helped open the door for me to become a passionate reader and have inspired me to become a writer or journalist when I am older.  This year I am taking an elective called, Computer Applications, which I will write about on my blog. I hope to learn a lot more about computers which will help me in my everyday life and in school.