Happy New Year

2017  

First Grade Students

The Paint Program will continue through mid-January. The students have learned how to select and draw some of the different shapes in the Paint Program. They have also learned how to copy and paste some of the shapes. They know how to change line thicknesses, find a new piece of paper, save their work, edit colors and use the text tool. They will be reviewing the tools this month and will end the Paint program by creating a winter wonderland scene with a snowman and text. They are encouraged to go home and practice what they have learned in their computer class.

 Second Grade

The students have been working in the Kid Works Program. They know the components of the writing portion of the program and know to how to access the Edit Menu and use the Copy and Paste buttons. They know where the Home, End, and Arrow Keys are on the keyboard. They will be starting their Grade School Memories Journal. The journal will consist of three typed sentences and a drawing to go along with the sentences. The sentences are created by the students. They have to type about three current events that happened each month at school and a drawing to go along with the sentences using both drawing and sticker book tools. The journals will be printed in booklet form and they will take them home at the end of the school year.

 Third Grade

The students will begin working in Microsoft Word 2010. They will learn how to retrieve documents from one drive and save them in another drive. The students will know where to find Spelling and Grammar or Spell Check and how to use it when editing a document. The students will learn that spell check is not 100% accurate and that they have to reread documents to see what spell checked missed. They will also learn how to insert clipart, use the text wrap tool and send their images behind text and change the brightness of their image. They will be able to manipulate their images by using the sizing handles and clicking and dragging or by clicking on the size tab on the picture tool bar.

Fifth Grade

The students will start 2017 with continued practice in Ultra Key Typing. Ultra Key builds good typing skills, speed and accuracy through structured lessons. The students will learn about record keeping and will be recording their typing scores. I also have a free typing program listed on my blog that students can use at home for extra practice.

Catholic GEM (Going the Extra Mile)

This month's Christian quality is RESPECTFUL, which means to have reverence, honor, esteem and high regard for others.
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ~ Romans 12; 10

                                   Common Sense Media Bulletin Board

                             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 1.71 billion monthly active users on Facebook. 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. 

Common Sense Media
A great website - commonsensemedia.org
“Their mission is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology.” Please take a minute to look at their site.

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.

Have a great Have a Great Week!!!