IP 10 blog video assignment

Hi IP 10 (those in the classroom today and those reading this post from a remote location!) :o)

So far your blog should be updated with one introductory post, an edited template with your choice of backgrounds, fonts, colours, etc. and at least one countdown ticker from www.mycountdown.org.

Your next blog assignment is to find a video on YouTube (it MUST be school appropriate - not of a bullying nature, no inappropriate language, suggestive actions, skimpy dress, etc.). Once you have found the video you wish to embed on your blog, click on "Share" underneath the video. Click on "Embed" and uncheck the box underneath that says "Show suggested videos when the video finishes." Once you have done that, copy the HTML code that pops up in the box (using Apple (Command) + C on your keyboard, if you remember your keyboard shortcuts unit from a couple years ago!). Once you have copied the HTML code, you can go back to your blog to insert it.

Your blog posting box has two tabs on the top right corner. One says "Edit Html" and the other one, which you default to when you create a new post, says "Compose." Click "Edit Html" and paste the code that you just copied from YouTube. Once you have copied the code, click back to the "Compose" tab and you should see your video, or at least the box that it will play in once it loads.

Write a post describing why you chose this particular video, or highlighting some interesting information about the content of the video. For example:

This video highlights the experience of Equinox at Chichen Itza in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico. The Mayans who built the ancient city of Chichen Itza were brilliant architects, astronomers, and mathematicians. Those who have studied the great pyramid of Kukulcan ("El Castillo") have discovered many interesting formulas in the number of steps on all sides of the pyramid, the shapes of the steps, and most interestingly, the way the shadows fall on the Equinox. As the sun sets on the Equinox, shadows are cast on the steps of El Castillo, forming the image of the serpent Kukulcan.

I was able to see the pyramid of Kukulcan when I went to Mexico at Easter of 2011, and while of course I wasn't able to see the shadows cast on El Castillo, I found the experience absolutely fascinating. There was also a lot of neat shopping at Chichen Itza as well. As you walked down a long dusty path to the palapa that sold water (which we needed often!) there were many tables set up and Mexican people selling clothing, jewelry, carvings, and other items.

I am planning to go back to Mexico at Easter of 2013, and another visit to Chichen Itza is on my itinerary!