April 13 Inter./Advance Lessons

Leave a reply

This Week we will …

  • Read about good ways to shop for this or any emergency and get your children involved in meal planning.
  • Learn how to construct conditional sentences – “If you do that, this will happen.”
  • Write and practice new vocabulary and phrases.
  • Listen and memorize phrases about nutrition, shopping and daily life.
  • You will speak to me when we have a ZOOM meeting on your phone or computer on Thursday, April 16 at 9:00 am.
  • If you don’t have a computer, please read the article at the bottom of the page about how to get one.
  1. Read this article from Nutrition.org, then answer the questions below. https://nutrition.org/making-health-and-nutrition-a-priority-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic/

2. This article is friendly and informal. Much of the advice from NUTRITION.ORG uses incomplete sentences and informal words. Practice pronouncing the vocabulary below. Look up the phrases you don’t know.

  • working from home
  • Get involved
  • keep (dietary fats) in check
  • tempting
  • unavailable
  • contribute
  • stock up
  • contactless payment
  • knuckles
  • right away
  • a family affair
  • reconnect
  • overeat
  • management strategies
  • scavenger hunt
  • don’t hesitate
  • impulse items

4. Answer these questions about the article. Send me the answers below, or write the answers.

[wpforms id=”610″ title=”false” description=”false”]

3. Watch this video about conditional sentences. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-iKY6Jk5YA

5. DO YOU NEED A COMPUTER? READ THIS

A MODERN NECESSITY: A Computer and the Internet

In today’s world, you really should own a computer, you should have access to the internet and you should learn to type. Quite a few factory and office jobs require you to operate a computer. Many companies offer well-paid work online, and more and more businesses are putting their job applications online as well.  In other words, you may or may work on a computer at your next job, but you most probably will have to work on a computer to get your next job. The government offers services you may need online, such as unemployment forms, immigration information and applications for food or housing assistance.  When you have a problem with something you have bought or that you own you can get accurate information and answers to your problem more quickly from the seller’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) or chat page than waiting on the phone for a person to talk to you.  You and your children need computers for school. Our Los Angeles schools are committed to offering more work online in part because we know that it’s the best way to keep teaching you during a disaster like Covid 19 or other school building shutdowns.

The internet is expensive, but you need it for the disaster now and to help you find work, education and even entertainment in the future.  At the end of this document, please read about ways to get free or low-cost internet for your home.

If you own a smartphone (or pad), you already have a tiny, powerful computer in your pocket or purse.  But it is hard to fill in forms or write long answers to questions using the little buttons on your phone.  In the notes below in section 2 “KEYBOARD ONLY,” I will tell you about some ways to get a keyboard and begin typing documents and filling forms online with they keyboard hooked up to your phone or pad.  Typing will make writing easier and faster.  So, at the end of this document you will also find places to get free typing lessons at home online. It’s easy to learn if you practice for a few minutes a day. You can practice typing and study English spelling at the same time!

ASSISTANCE NOT ANSWERS

In the following document, I will reveal some ways you might get a computer or internet services.  But please understand, I am not recommending any of these companies and organizations.  I only recommend that you investigate these companies and organizations.  You should never agree to a contract, loan, payment or accept help for anything until you have asked many questions by phone or internet and have done your own research about the product or service. 

AFFORDABILITY

I have written this document in the order of cheapest to most expensive solutions.  You might start out with a cheap or free solution, but later, when you have more experience and understanding about technology, you could invest in a better computer or internet service.

NO MONEY AT ALL FOR A COMPUTER?

  • CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS: What can you do to find a computer and internet you can afford? First of all, if you have no money to spare at all, you shouldn’t be ashamed.  Many great, famous people went through hard times just like you are going through right now.[1]  Take advantage all the best free services you can find for yourself and for your family. You may have to make some phone calls or visit some websites. You will have to prove you don’t have enough money to pay for a computer.  Do not give your social security number or passport/work visa to anybody.   

TONI P.’S STUDENTS

Send me a remind email with the words “I need a computer.” The school is trying to find a way to get you a free computer to use or borrow.  I will send a list to my bosses.

 IF YOU ARE A PARENT WITH A CHILD IN LAUSD SCHOOLS

  • Call this phone number and ask for a computer and internet help.  LAUSD is trying to get a computer into every home.  Your family can probably share your child’s computer.

(213) 443-1300

Everyone on. Org

  • Go to this website on your phone or a friend’s computer and enter your zip code. Answer the questions about your financial life.  https://www.everyoneon.org/find-offers Look under DEVICE OFFERS for a computer that is low cost or free. Then press the button to find out how to get it.
  • Look under INTERNET OFFERS for internet service that is low cost or free. Then press the button to find out how to get it.

The On It Foundation

  •  http://theonitfoundation.org/faqs/ gives families with children kindergarten to high school senior a free computer if they qualify for free school lunches. You have to fill out a lot of paperwork and get a note from your child’s school, so it could take some time to get a computer.  Read about the process “How do I apply for a free computer” at the website. 

PCs for People

Computers With Causes

YOU HAVE A PHONE OR TABLET, BUT YOU CAN’T TYPE WITH IT

A phone is a little computer, but it’s too small to write very much on.  Here is a cheap, short-term answer.

BUY A LITTLE BLUETOOTH KEYBOARD that you can connect to your computer with a BLUETOOTH connection. (Bluetooth means you can connect it without wires to a phone or tablet that also has Bluetooth.) These keyboards are very cheap.  They work very well with pads, iPads and tablets because the pad screens are large and easy to see.  You can also get keyboards for your phone, which is not are not as good because phone screens are small, but better than nothing.

  • Things to remember about keyboards for phones or computers
  • The keyboard may need batteries
  • You must be sure the keyboard works with your kind of phone or computer
  • They should be cheap – pay between $15 and $40
  • You have to turn on you pad/phone and tablet and “pair” them before you use them together.  Read the instructions. You might have to push a button on the keyboard to pair.  You might have to put “pairing on” in your phone or pad at the same time. Look under Settings and Bluetooth and pairing.
  • You will need a program to type words into. Get an app like Microsoft® word or adobe acrobat (PDF EXPERT) so you can read and fill in forms. 
  • Logitech is a kind of tablet keyboard I have used, and it is very good.  This keyboard for tablets is very inexpensive. https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Bluetooth-Multi-Device-Keyboard-K480/dp/B00MUTWLW4/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=keyboard+for+tablets&qid=1585630520&s=electronics&sr=1-3
  • To find a keyboard search for “tablet keyboards” or “phone keyboards” in Google, Safari, Edge, Yahoo, Firefox or any other web browser on your phone.

YOU WANT TO BUY YOUR FIRST COMPUTER FOR THE LOWEST POSSIBLE COST

There are several ways to buy a computer for between $100 and $300 dollars.  But first, what should you look for?

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR?

When you search for computers, or go to a store to buy a computer under specifications you will encounter a lot of numbers and letters that look very technical and scary.  Don’t worry!  Buying your first computer isn’t difficult!  You don’t have to understand what every number or letter means.  Look for the following information:

  1. RAM is speed and efficiency of doing work.   This might also be called DRAM or SDRAM in the computer description. GB (gigabytes) are how we measure RAM.  More GBs are better than fewer.  You can live with as low as 2GBs of Ram but 4GBs is the very least you should start with. 8GB is good.  16GB is very good.[2]
  2. Memory or Storage is how much space you have to save documents, pictures and work. This is also measured in GB or TB (terabytes) which are much, much bigger than GBs.  You can do school work with as low as 32GB of storage, but you may have to take stuff off your computer and save it on a different storage device very often.  Try to find more GBs or TBs.
  3. Graphics card or GPU processor is the technology for making good-looking video, pictures and games.  Better GPUs are more expensive, and some of them are built into the heart (core, or CPU) of the computer itself. If you want to buy an expensive computer for art or gaming, research the graphics card of the computer you want.  Nvidia, Intel and other graphic card makers have different model numbers for their many GPUs, and people write reviews about the best ones.  If this is important to you, read about it.
  4. Confusing numbers.  Some of the other numbers are confusing and not important unless you’re shopping for a very expensive computer for a special purpose.  For a low price, you aren’t going to get much choice in these, and most big name computers provide good enough quality for your needs, but here’s a little more information for you to consider. CPU or central processing unit is the brain of the computer, so to speak.  It might have many Cores as part of its build, and that will make it “smarter.” You might see names of famous brands like Intel and Pentium in the computer description.  Again, don’t worry too much about these, but some examples of good, cheap cores are Intel Core i3-8100, AMD Ryzen 3 1300X, Intel Pentium Gold G5600, AMD Athlon 240GE, AMD Ryzen 3 2200G, AMD Athlon 200GE, Pentium G4560 and AMD Ryzen 3 1200.  You might also see a number of GHz.  This tells you how fast the picture on the screen can change.  14” or another number with the “sign means how many inches wide the screen is or how big the computer is.
  5. Your computer should have an OPERATING SYSTEM installed on it when you buy it. An operating system is an important program that lets you talk to all the others programs and apps on your computer and tell them what to do and how to share your computer’s “brain.”  Microsoft Windows is on most affordable computers. (Older computers have windows 7 or Vista which you should avoid. They are terrible for working with your school.) Mac computers most recent operating system is called macOS 10.15. Other devices use Apple iOS, Google’s Android OS, Linux operating.  If you don’t see any of these on the computer you want to buy ask, “What is the operating system on this computer?”  You should not have to pay extra for this.
  6. If you buy a desktop computer (NOT A LAPTOP OR NOTEBOOK) be sure it comes with a MONITOR (the TV) a keyboard, a mouse, speakers and a WEBCAM.  Sometimes they sell just the “tower” which is only the brain with no way for you to talk to the computer.
  7. You also need some computer apps and programs for writing and doing work.  Many computers come with Microsoft® Office.  Some companies sell you copies of Microsoft office for a few dollars a month.  One part of Microsoft office is Microsoft Word® which is the most important program for your English homework.  Ask, “Is Microsoft office included?”  When you sign up for Schoology from our school, you get a free version of Microsoft® word!

CHEAPEST OPTION 2 AND 1s

One good alternative is something called a 2-1. This is basically a tablet with a keyboard already attached. If you buy this, you don’t automatically get the ability to go to the internet.  You need to pay for internet service separately.  Or you can type and save stuff at home without the internet, then bring the 2 and 1 to the library to use the internet and print things.  To find a good 2 and 1, use your phone or a friend’s phone to search for 2 and 1 computer and look for deals under $500.  You will find quite a few for around $100.  These aren’t going to be the greatest, most powerful computers in the world, but you get a touch screen, webcam and a keyboard together, so that is very nice.

ANTOHER CHEAP OPTION: BUY A LAPTOP

A laptop is useful because your camera and screen and speakers are all together in the device. The screen will not be a touch screen.  With a laptop, you will have to get the internet to it in your home separately. 

You don’t have to buy from either of these companies, but should try to buy from a well-known company that will guarantee to take the computer back if it doesn’t work correctly.  You will find that computers from Mac are great, but usually more expensive than other brands like Dell, Lenovo, Acer and Asus.

SAFE PLACES TO BUY A COMPUTER

A REPUTABLE is one that you can trust.  It is not a good idea to buy a cheap used computer online from Ebay or Craig’s list or an unknown source unless you know all about computers and have a guarantee that you can get a full refund if the computer malfunctions.

A REFURBISHED computer is one that has been used, was broken and then was fixed.  Below are two refurbishes trusted by computer makers.

You could call them and ask if there are any free or low cost computers that you could buy.


e WASTE US  7341 FULTON AVE., Unit 7, North Hollywood California 91605
United States
1 800 928-1806
http://www.ewasteus.comam@ewasteus.com

LEARN TO TYPE FOR FREE

https://www.typingclub.com/    or          https://www.typing.com/

  • GET THE INTERNET
  • Charter Spectrum is providing free internet service to families of K-12 students. No income or other eligibility required. Call 844-488-8395 to learn more.
  • Comcast is off­ering similar services to households as an expansion of its Internet Essentials program. Learn more by calling 855-846-8376.
  • The non-pro‑t human-I-T helps connect families and community-based organizations with internet connectivity and a­ffordable computing devices. Learn more at hitconnect.org or send a text message to (562) 372-6925.
  • The City of Los Angeles is partnering with the California Emerging Technology Fund and EveryoneOn to help residents find options for low-cost internet services, access to computers, and digital literacy services. Call (877) 947-4321 to learn more.
  • AT&T is off­ering two months free for new customers and lifting data caps on existing customers. Call 844-886-4258.
  • T Mobile is off­ering 20GB of hotspot data for existing customers for the next 60 days. Call 800-937-8997 to learn more.

[1] (J.K. Rowling, the author of “Harry Potter” books and one of the richest women in the world was a single working mother living on government checks for a number of years.)  

[2] (MBs are much smaller. Don’t buy anything with MBs of RAM.  But, if someone gives you a free computer with only MB, just say “Thank you” and save up to buy a better computer later.) 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *