The Holidays are approaching and …

Happy Thanksgiving!

Let us pause and give THANKS for all we have been blessed with.

First Grade Students
The students have been successful in logging on and off the computers using the control, alt, and delete keys. They know how to access the start menu and log-off button. They have just completed the Common Sense Media Internet safety course. They will begin working in the Microsoft Paint Program. They will be introduced to the line, oval, rectangle, triangle and shift key. The shift key is held down when drawing a straight line, circle and square. They are encouraged to practice the skills accomplished in their computer class at home.

Second Grade Students

The students will be introduced to the KidWorks Deluxe Program.  This program is used in Second Grade Computer class.  It is a great program for building creative writing and reading skills. The students will be writing a journal of their Second Grade Memories. Each month will consist of three good sentences about what happened at school during that particular month. They will be creating their own sentences. The program has kid-friendly design tools, which students will be able to illustrate their stories with free-hand drawings and more. Students can hear their stories read aloud by the computer. The Journal will be printed and sent home at the end of the school year.

 

Third Grade Students
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, send images behind text, and change the brightness of their image. They will be able to manipulate their images by using the sizing handles, clicking and dragging or by clicking on the size tab on the picture tool bar.

Fourth and Fifth Grade Students

Fourth and fifth grade students have just completed the Common Sense Media/Internet safety program. They covered the areas of copyright, creating strong passwords, social networks, cyber bullying, Internet safety and digital citizenship. They will be working in Ultra Key Typing. They will be ready to review the keyboard. They will watch a video on Introduction to Ultra Key, Correct Posture, and Introduction to Fingers. The students will take the typing challenge. This score will indicate their words per minute and accuracy. They will be able to set goals for themselves. All scores will be recorded for grades.

Catholic GEM (Going the Extra Mile) – Faithful

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might.  He increases strength.  ~ Isaiah 40:29
 
This month's Christian quality is FAITHFUL, which means relying on God and having a daily relationship with Him in prayer and thankfulness. Please talk with your children about what it means to be faithful.

You can be FAITHFUL by:

 ·     Starting your day every day your wake up with a morning prayer

·      Participating actively in the Mass

·      Participating actively in school prayer assemblies

·      Trusting God’s plan is the best plan, especially when you don’t get “your way”

·      Reading scripture, and asking God to help you understand and apply it to your life

·      Viewing and reading movies and books that are moral and appropriate for your age

·      Remembering to ask God for help when times are difficult

·      Remembering to thank God for your blessings every day

                                
                          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. 

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 and sign –up for their weekly communication.

                                  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.

                                   
                                              Kindergarten Shadow Day

                                      

    Have a great and SAFE month!