My name is Heather Phan and I am delighted to be teaching computer skills to John Hydock Elementary students. I will meet each class once in a six-day cycle for a technology lesson.  We will use technology in order to communicate information and ideas, conduct research, organize data, solve problems, and create original work. Students will be taught how to navigate the internet, and how to safely address risks they may face in doing so. Students will also learn computer terminology, basic computer programming, or “coding,” and how to use design applications, such as Pixie 4, to create digital artwork.

     In Kindergarten, the students will improve beginning mouse and keyboarding skills using free educational online websites. The selected learning games will coordinate with the math and reading skills taught in the classroom. By the end of Kindergarten, students will be able to identify the parts of a computer and operate the mouse and keyboard in order to use the computer as a learning tool.     

     First and second grade technology lessons emphasize a strong focus on word processing, using Google applications. Students will create documents using Google Docs, spreadsheets and graphs using Google Sheets, and slide presentations using Google Slides. They will insert graphics into documents, and will type sentences, using proper capitalization, punctuation, and word spacing. All files will automatically be saved in their Google Drive: a free file storage service which enables users file sharing and collaborative editing. If you download Google Drive onto your home computer, students are welcome to use their accounts to create documents at home. Just have your child ask me for their username and password.

    If you have any questions, please use my email, hphan@mansfieldschool.com to contact me.