Class Information
Welcome to the website of Mt. Clemens Montessori Academy's Computer Lab!
Students in 2nd through 5th grade are scheduled to attend computer lab once each week for an hour. For grade 2, a half hour block will be spent in computers and the next half hour block will be spent in music. Therefore, I will be meeting second graders twice a week but for the total of one hour.
In these grade levels my overall focus in the lab is on these key areas:
*Using proper keyboarding techniques and proper handling of computer hardware
*Using various computer and web resources to enhance their learning
*Developing the necessary skills to use productivity tools like Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Excel, and other internet programs
*Developing internet researching skills by exploring websites to learn more information about different topics
My goal is to provide the students at Mt. Clemens Montessori Academy,
the technology and computer skills they will need to succeed in school
and throughout their lives.
Here are a few attachments that you might find useful.
Homework or Assignments
Brief Overview
Assignments will be done mostly in class. Every week students will be working on something different.
*The first three weeks of school, the computer lab was in use for scantron testing only.
First through fifth grade participated in these scantron testings that targeted both reading and mathematics.
Weekly Lesson Plans
Week 1 - September 29 - October 3
2nd graders: Learned about computer lab rules and discussed names of computer parts. Students pulled up an "All About Me!" graphic organizer that I had saved onto each computer. Students typed in text boxes things they liked, some of their friends, fun facts about me, and things they like to do. Then they learned how to save these into their folders.
3rd-5th graders: Students read aloud the computer lab rules. They demonstrated proper care of computer hardware by visually handling flash drives, floppy disks, cd's, and other computer parts. This tied into a discussion about technologies from the past, present, and what the future looks like on this never ending road of technology. Students opened up an "All About Me!" graphic organizer where they typed in text boxes about things they like, some quick facts about themselves, some of their friend's names, and 5 cool things not many people know about them. Students learned how to correctly save their document into their folders.
Week 2 - October 6-10
2nd graders: We discussed appropriate and inappropriate uses of technology, the Michigan Cyber Safety Initiative's three rules (Keep Safe, Keep Away, Keep Telling, and about how not to give out any personal information on the Internet. The students after went on http://www.netsmartzkids.org where the students watched videos and played games about online safety. We also went onto a website where they created their own identification. Pictures should not be shared online so this website was a way to be creative and to think outside of the box. The website is http://www.reasonablyclever.com/mini/flash/minifig.swf. They all loved this and had a great time making their own Lego person!
3rd-5th graders: We identified types of personal information that should not be given out on the internet (name, address, phone number, picture, school name) and precautions surrounding personal safety that should be taken when online. A story was read to these students which lead into a discussion about personal identity. Students logged onto http://www.reasonablyclever.com/mini/flash/minifig.swf where they created their own Lego person! Then students learned how to take a screen shot of their creation and paste it onto word. They then saved this picture into their folders!
*All classes received a Safety Contract or Kids' Pledge discussion online safety to take home and read it with their parent/guardian.
A downloaded copy can be found here http://www.safekids.com/safekidscontract.pdf
It was then signed by parent/guardian and child and was given back to me.
Week 3 - October 13-17
2nd graders: Students discussed how technology is a source information, learning and entertainment. We identified places in the community where one can access technology. Students were each given a 2nd grade word chart to type in Microsoft Word. They had 5 minutes to type as many words as they could. We then saved these in their files. Each month, I will have second graders practice this for them to see their progress in their typing skills or (wpm). Afterwards, students went onto Netsmartz website to recap on internet safety.
3rd-5th graders: We learned about exploring various resources that could assist them in pursuing their personal goals and students identified technology resources and described how these resources improve the ability to communicate, increase productivity, or help them achieve personal goals. Students each received a word chart list of their grade level. Everyone received 5 minutes to type on Microsoft Word as many words as they could. Afterwards, students navigated onto the school's webpage and their teacher's website pages.
Week 4 - October 20-24
2nd graders: Today's lesson was on discussing advantages and disadvantages of using technology, how to use appropriate and accurate terminology, and demonstrating the ability to navigate in virtual environments. We reviewed posters with terminology and their meanings. Students got to surf the web correctly and navigate to the school's website. There, students got to freely press buttons and see what would happen. They also pressed the "links" tab which brought them to teacher's website.
3rd-5th graders: Student's discussed scenarios describing acceptable and unacceptable uses of technology and describe consequences in inappropriate use. We also learned learned proper keyboarding positions and touch-typing techniques. Students learned what home row keys were. They were given a copied keyboard to write the home row keys on. I collected them when they were done to use them for next time. I created log in and passwords for each students. Everyone logged onto www.typingweb.com. This is a free website that students can practice typing. It also has games that helps with this concentration.
Week 5 - October 27-31
2nd graders: We used a digital tool to learn, create, and convey original ideas or illustrate concepts. We also used basic menu commands and the ability to navigate in virtual environments. Since Halloween is approaching, I wanted students to create something for this holiday. I found a website called www.tagxedo.com which worked perfect for this activity. On this website, students created word clouds with Halloween words. Students got to change the shape and color of the word clouds as well. They all enjoyed this and wanted to do this again!
3rd-5th graders: Today's lesson focused on menu options in applications to print, format, add multimedia features and use various grammar tools. 3rd graders wrote four sentences or more on Microsoft Word on why they like or do not like Halloween. 4th graders wrote five sentences or more on the same topic or made up a fiction story about Halloween. 5th graders wrote six or more sentences about the same topic. They learned how to use thesaurus, dictionary, and spell-checker to check their work. Students then saved their sentences or stories into their folders. We then copied it and opened up www.tagxedo.com where we posted it in the "load" tab. Here students go to see their sentences or storied in a world cloud where they then got to change the font, theme, and shape. Students enjoyed creating their own masterpiece.
Week 6 - November 3-7
2nd graders: Students discussed basic care for computer hardware and various media types. We also discussed consequences of irresponsible uses of technology resources at home or at school. We continued to use proper keyboarding positions (home row keys and now started top row keys). Students finished up their lesson on Typingweb on home row keys and started the top row keys lesson.
3rd-5th graders: We demonstrated proper care in the use of hardware, software, peripherals, and storage media. Students continued proper keyboarding positions and touch-typing techniques. They received their copied keyboards and wrote the top row keys. They were then collected and students logged onto Typingweb to finished their home row keys lesson and start their top row keys lesson. When they were done with the lesson, students took the test that is presented. Students got trophies online for their success.