Summer Learning (and Fun) Starts Now

I'm back blogging. We are ready for a fun learning summer program. The group is small, but this gives me the confidence that all of you will be able to complete some terrific projects and you will have an outstanding portfolio by the end of the summer. We do MULTIMEDIA. For those of you who are new to the clubhouse, I encourage you to read the earlier post, make sure you read the clubhouse rules, and know that you must do projects everyday.

Congratulations James and Patricia!

C2C means Clubhouse-to-College/Clubhouse-to-Career. It is an important part of the clubhouse learning. C2C supports Clubhouse members in planning for the future and realizing their potential. Every year, Clubhouse members, who are high school seniors, have the opportunity to compete for college scholarship funds. This school-year two of our Clubhouse members applied for the scholarship. I am pleased to report that James Brown and Patricia Smith have each been selected to receive a $5,000 scholarship to the school they choose to attend. This is the first time any of our Clubhouse members have been able to apply for the scholarship, so it is very exciting to know that our first effort has resulted in both applicants being awarded. Please take the time to congratulate James and Patricia.

A lot has happened since I last posted. As many of you know, my husband was hospitalized over the past few weeks. This caused me to miss some days and my focus was not on clubhouse activities. I can happily say that Mr. Blue was discharged on Friday, 2/13, so it wasn't a bad day for me. He is still sick, but he is doing much better, and I am very happy to have him home. So now I can concentrate on Clubhouse activities. We have two new mentors, Miles and Jewel. They both have strong interests in graphic design. Jewel is multitalented with a background in modeling and jewelry making. She is working on designing her website, Jewel's Jewels and learning more about Photoshop and Dreamweaver. Miles is an artist who has created his own anime character, Gangstar. I see this character in the genre of Spongebob. Somebody may soon be rich and famous -- Miles! They both are in the Clubhouse on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so be sure to see what they are doing and see if they can help you with any of your ideas.

We are getting closer to getting the supplies from the Youth Development Commission mini-grant. I know that we have been waiting since September to upgrade our digital photography and videography activities. It has been several months since many of you signed up to participate in the News Team; since some members have gone and new members have joined I think that we will have to redo the signup sheet. This week, think about the role you would like to play as part of the news team: reporter, camera person, writer, editor. If you want to participate in the News Team, I have a new signup sheet available, so please see me to have your name put on it.

Be a Designer, Creator, Inventor and Explorer

I feel like I got an "A" from my teacher. Some of you may know what that feels like. I recently received an email from an old acquaintance named Stina. Stina is one of the workers from the first computer clubhouse located in Boston. She was there when the first computer clubhouse opened in 1993. She knows the clubhouse mission like she knows her name. She stated that she was glad to read about our computer clubhouse. It made me happy that she would take the time to tell me to keep up the good work.

So, now it is time for me to tell some of you how glad I am to have you as a clubhouse member. It appears that several of you really get what designing, creating, inventing and exploring is all about. While others will soon find themselves sitting at the green table trying to still figure it out. I don't want to document the names of you who did not do any project last week, but you know who you are. If you are spending time on the computer simply listening to music, watching videos and/or playing games, you have stepped into the wrong computer clubhouse. You can choose to leave, sit at the green table, or use the computers to design and create something. Since I don't want to dwell on those who did nothing productive, I will focus on those who are supporting the clubhouse mission. But remember, I expect you to work on a specific project every time you come to the clubhouse.

We have three new members, Alexis, Makayla and Jalan. They have each designed their portfolio cover sheet. Alexis has also created this photo manipulation, where she depicts herself blowing kisses of hearts. Great job, Alexis! You mastered the skill of using the lasso to capture exactly what you wanted and made a design I would be proud to frame on my wall!
I am also proud of the work Charissa did on her recent homework assignment. Charissa was instructed to create a presentation of the city of Paris. She found pictures of Paris landmarks, like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and more. Charissa's teacher said to have at least 5 pictures; Charissa had 11. Wow! She definitely went above expectation! She was the only student to get an "A" on the assignment. Way to go, Charissa!

I observed quite a few good acts in the clubhouse last week. Almost everyone is doing typing practice; Donovan has created several beautiful Bryce designs; Reggie is interested in learning, everything; Adrienne finished and printed her anime stickers project; Hailey is making outstanding picture frames; Emil is swimming like a fish and has won a couple of swim meets; and several members are learning to crochet. Keep up the good work, Alethia. And thank you, Alexis. (Alexis already knows how to crochet so she is helping to teach.)

I must also thank others that I saw helping in the clubhouse last week. Like Adrienne helping Makayla get pictures of Keisha Cole; Makayla went on to use the picture on her portfolio cover design. Bryan helped Jalan find a game on the Internet. (Of course, I would have preferred that Bryan help Jalan design his portfolio cover.) Adrienne also helped take pictures. She was the photographer of Alexis' picture.

Finally, Keyona was scheduled to perform in "Always and Forever" in the Wayne State Community Art Auditorium on Saturday. I know the weather was really bad on Saturday. I hope the event was not cancelled. I look forward to hearing about it and seeing any pictures. Congratulations Keyona, on getting your part!

Happy New Year! Now Let's Make Something Happen!

It is great to be in a new year and have things going great! The year started out with my computer being down, which wasn't great, but after fighting (upgrading) with it over the past few weeks, I'm am good-to-go and glad-to-go. And it is better than it was before I foug..., ugh upgraded it.
So it has been a while since my last post, but, trust me, you will be reading a new post each week from now going forward (if not more often). I am working on several projects that will improve the NWAC Intel Computer Clubhouse. Probably the most important project is the Northwest Activities Center website. I know that the NWAC website is going to provide space for the clubhouse to showcase what we do. Our clubhouse will be creating the content for the site, so all teams should prepare to be kept busy, because we want http://www.nwac-detroit.org/ to be one of the best sites on the net. The site is schedule to open on January 16, 2009, so next Monday, prepare to go to work at providing input on how to make it better.

The clubhouse often gets new members, so it is important that I repeat information. I want every member to be responsible and know the rules. It is important that every member:

1. Sign in when you enter the clubhouse
2. Select a computer and do typing practice (Use Quick and Easy Typing)
3. Log the results of your 3 - 5 minute typing test
4. Check your email for information about your Team(s)
5. Send an email to Mrs. Blue (mrs.blue1@gmail.com) telling me about your team and project you are working on
6. Select and do one (or more) project(s):
   

Remember, sometimes I will require you to do a specific project, but most of the time you will be able do the projects you choose. When picking a project, think about MULTIMEDIA

• Text: Do you want to write?
• Graphics: Do you want to draw or take pictures?
• Audio: Do you want to record sound?
• Video: Do you want to make a movie?
• Animation: Do you want to make a game?

Robotics can also be built - try using the legos to build something and make it move (see Patricia's video). Patricia Smith holds the clubhouse record for building the most Lego robots. She made a video using Microsoft Movie Maker of herself demonstrating how several of her robots worked.

Multimedia overlaps, so you may write a story that includes pictures (text and graphics) or you might create a Talking Book Using PowerPoint (text, graphics and audio, - and possibly even video and animation). Use your creative juices. We have a lot to cover this year. You must have a 3-ring binder. You should get your parent to buy you a clear-view 3-ring binder. We will create your cover for it. If you are able to also get some sheet-protectors and a set of 5 tabs, these will help you organize your printouts . You can get all of these items from the dollar store or any office supply store. If you have trouble getting any of these items, see Mrs. Blue.

You have the opportunity to sign up to participate with several teams:

1. Arts and Crafts - help to create frames for members' artwork; create sales items for clubhouse fundraising
2. Photography - Take pictures in the clubhouse and around the NWAC. Remember, your pictures may be used on the clubhouse website or in the clubhouse magazine or framed for our fundraising.
3. Videography -Record video programming for clubhouse viewing and website; you will be responsible for taking care of the clubhouse video cameras
4. News Team - Every Week the Northwest AC News is video recorded

If you have not signed up for a team, please see Mrs. Blue. It is possible to sign up for more than one team. Teams usually have only four members, but there are more than one of the same team. For example: a Photography Team may take pictures in the NWAC Health Club and another Photography Team may take pictures at an event hosted by NWAC, perhaps in the DeRoy/Young Ballroom or in the Paul Robeson Theatre.

There are several goals we want to achieve before June 1st:

• We want to have a link off of the NWAC website at http://www.nwac-detroit.org/
• We want to have our magazine CompClub Detroit available each month at issuu.com
• We want to have an Arts and Crafts fundraiser sale on May 2, 2009

I know that I have a lot of smart, creative and energetic members, so we will achieve these goals. Let's Make Our Goals Happen!

Lights On! Afterschool

The Lights On Afterschool event, hosted by Youth Development Commission, was a great success. I wish that more of you would have been able to attend. Lights on Afterschool is a national event that puts the focus on the need for afterschool programs. Our clubhouse was invited to participate in an Art Show and Sale, in which all proceeds would go to our program. I, along with Mrs. Pope, the Girls Day volunteer mentor, Bryan, Kelly, Keyona, and Jessica attended. We sold craft items created in the clubhouse. We made $17.25. Plans are to use these funds for the Halloween party on Friday, October 31. Now $17.25 will not buy very much, so if you plan to attend, you need to plan to bring something. (See me to sign up for what you will bring). Costumes are optional.

Everyone should know that they must have a three-ring binder. You should have completed the following projects or instructions:

1. You should have a cover page that you created using The Print Shop or MS Publisher.
2. You should be using the typing tutor program during every clubhouse visit and logging the results of the typing test on the Typing Test Log sheet (located on the front table). This sheet is to be kept in your binder.
3. You should have a folder on the network in the Members folder and know how to navigate to it. Remember: "public on Nwac-svr" (Example: p:\members\cblue)
4. You should have at least 10 pictures of you in your folder. You can be in a picture with other people. If you don't have at least 10 pictures, see me for a camera so you can get to shooting.
5. You should know how to manipulate a photo using Adobe Photoshop.
6. All teens should have started a resume. If you have not, see me for help. It is not hard to do. You should be preparing yourself to be ready to job hunt for a summer job (in the spring).
7. Lastly, You should have started a PowerPoint presentation that documents your experiences in the NWAC Intel Computer Clubhouse.

If you want to remain a member of the clubhouse, these things are required to be completed. If you need any help, just ask. There are several members, in addition to me, who can assist you to do these projects.

The purpose of today's blog is to tell you about the Lights On Afterschool event. I hope that you enjoy this reading. Please note that the photographs were taken by Bryan Lee and Keyona Lee.

Lights On Afterschool was held on October 16 at the International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit located in the "Cultural Center" across from the DIA. We were directed to our table to set up our crafts for sale. The room had several selling/display tables as well as a stage and chairs aligned auditorium style.Our table was sandwiched between a very creative clown and a gentleman who created puppets. The clown was busy making balloon characters for all the kids. There was a line of about 50 kids waiting patiently to get their choice of creation. Some kids had the clown make them hats, others chose to have a bracelet or a sword. No matter what the request, Mr. Clown responded with a balloon twisted to the desired request. I saw Bryan with a sword and a hat. Kelly also had a hat, while Keyona and Jessica each were made a lovely bracelet.

Of course the clown was not the only entertainment, there were several live performances, including singing, dancing, African drumming. There was even a young lady who did a dramatic dance as a mime.

The entire event was fun for all. We certainly would like to thank the Youth Development Commission for inviting our clubhouse to participate.

We Do Multimedia

I'm very pleased that so many members have set up and started using a gmail account. I informed several members that they are required to write at least two paragraphs. I'm hoping that this writing practice will help improve your writing skills, so pay attention to punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, etc. Try to write your best each time.

The Computer Clubhouse is a place where you learn to use the computer to design, create, invent and explore. We do this through multimedia - writing, drawing, photography, recording audio and video, making movies, and creating animation. We have spent September working with alot of text projects - typing practice and writing email/chat messages. October will have us adding graphic design projects. Our goals this month are to create at least two projects using Microsoft PowerPoint, The Print Shop, and Adobe Photoshop. We will be using the digital camera to get pictures for our projects. You may also bring in photos to scan into the computer for use in projects. These photos can be of you, your family members, or even from your favorite magazine. Remember that the projects that you create can be posted on the Clubhouse Village. If you do not have a Village username and password, you need to let me know so it can be set up.

Girls Day - Great Day!

Girls Day had the same number of girls as last week (4), but they weren't the same girls. This week there were: Destiny, Keyona, Kelly and Jessica. I hope that Liz, Keyah, Diamond and Domonek will return next week. It would be great to have 8 - 10 girls on Girls Day.

To Destiny, Keyona, Kelly and Jessica
Now that you have a Google account, you can provide a comment after reading this, just enter your username and password. How did you like this Girls Day? What did you learn? What do you want to learn or do in the clubhouse? I'm glad we were able to learn about gmail and chatting. We will be using our Google account for many other things (See below "Google Offers a Lot"). Remember to read every posting and write a comment by clicking on the comment link. Your comment must pertain to the specific post. You can tell me what you think of it and ask any questions you have regarding it.

I know that we have not had time to do any crafts on Girls Day, but it is important for you to learn the software and hardware that is in the clubhouse. You should know how to use the microscope, the blue video camera, the white digital camera, the microphone and the scanner. (If you have not been introduced to these devices, please tell me in your comment.) In the past two weeks, we have also learned about Typing Quick and Easy, KidPix, MS Word, The Print Shop, Photoshop, the Clubhouse Village, and navigating to and saving to your folder. Let me know if you have never used any of these programs. If you need any help on using these, let me know.

This week (and pretty much, every week) we will be taking pictures. We will be learning a lot of techniques by using Adobe Photoshop. Look on the bookshelf for a step-by-step training book for a Photoshop project. There are several to choose from, such as Creating a Personal Logo. You can also get an idea for a project by checking out some of the example on the wall. Send me an email (or put it in your comment) stating what project you want to do. Our plan for next Girls Day is to Upload a Picture or Project to Your Village Account (everyone should already have a username and password for the Village).