Welcome Back to School

I hope everyone thoroughly enjoyed their summer. I look forward to catching up with all my students and meeting the many new faces at Sts. Simon & Jude School.  This is going to be a GEM (going the extra mile) of a year. KINDNESS is the keyword.

Computer classes start the week of August 31st

With the start of a new year and new students, the computer lab has an enjoyable Power Point Presentation of all the computer lab rules, expectations, and a review of fire, earthquake, and intruder drills when present in the lab.
The first nine weeks of school the students will be taking on many different tasks. New seat assignments, passwords, review of computer lab rules, Star Reading test, and the Star Math test.

Star Reading and Star Math tests for all students will begin 
the week of September 28th - October 9th 

Internet Safety Bulletin Board is outside the Computer Lab

Please take a minute and read what is going on in Cyberspace. There are so many things changing on a daily basis. Please talk to your children about Facebook. There are 500 million registered users. There are approximately 7.5 million kids under the age of 13 on Facebook. Facebook isn't supposed to be used by children under 13.

First Grade Students
They will be assigned their computer seats, user ID and password. Several weeks will be spent logging on and off the computers.  Once the students have mastered their log on procedure they will be introduced to the Microsoft Paint Program and many of its components.

Second, Third and Fifth Grade Students

Common Sense Media

The above grades will be introduced to the Common Sense Media Internet Safety Program. The students will develop an understanding of the concept of community, personal safety, and the need to make responsible choices. Students will be able to express their ideas and reinforce concepts through group discussions. They will also take an on-line field trip with the FBI to re-enforce the concepts covered on safety. There will be post tests administered at the end of each lesson challenging the students’ knowledge on Internet safety. Many packets completed in class will be sent home for the students to share with you. Please discuss the importance of Internet safety and what your family rules are in your home. Please think about the placement of your computer. They should never be put in a bedroom where you cannot see what is going on. This will be an exciting year for all the students with many new applications to learn.

Have a great week!

Why Do We Need A Technology Lab?

1. A technology teacher provides a structured curriculum with complete and specific instructions in computer skills that are taught in a lab environment. This enables the students to become more confident in their technology skills and it improves technology use in the classroom. It validates the importance of the subject being taught.
2. In a lab, students have the opportunity for hands on experience to learn about new applications and review past lessons. This is a great advantage to students so they can become more confident in their technology skills.
3. Technology labs free classroom teachers so they can focus on their goals and not loose valuable instruction time teaching computer skills.
4. Structure, consistency, and repetition build skills each year whether it is a new application, documents, presentations, or understanding and increasing their time and accuracy in mastering keyboarding.
5. The importance of the technology lab offers student support, skills, and the knowledge they need to use these skills beyond the classroom.