Elementary Computers

There is always lots in store for the elementary computer classes . Here are a few highlights:

• Typing Pal - Yes, you'll be typing for apples again! I am starting the 4th and 5th graders based on where they finished last year. Third graders will be expanding beyond the home row they learned during second semester of second grade.
  • Other keyboarding sites -
    • Big Brown Bear - This site has a number of excellent keyboarding activities. However, the one that I probably use the most is the Keyboarding Game. It is an excellent activity to help kindergarten students become familiar with the keyboard.
• Class Projects - There will be class projects throughout the year - old and new ones! Projects will be introduced as "basic" and "beyond the basics". Everyone will complete the "basic", but those students who like a challenge can complete the "beyond the basics". Here is a sample of the projects that students complete during year:
  • Circle project - Insert a circle, label the parts.
  • Acrostic holidays - At Thanksgiving and Christmas different classes make an acrostic of the holiday and add appropriate clip art.
  • Bookmarks - Using Microsoft Word students learn about columns and then add their favorite verse and clip art to make 4 bookmarks.
  • Weather safety sign - After a unit on weather the 4th graders choose a weather disaster (tornado, flood, heat wave, etc.), research what to do during that disaster using www.weatherwizkids.com, and then make a safety sign in Microsoft Word with the safety steps.