Computer Science:

Our Students Learn The Skills Needed For Success

In The 21st Century In Our State Of The Art Lab

Students K-8 attend computer lab once a week (45 minutes in split groups).  During this time, they learn internet safety, how to use the tools available in Microsoft Office 2007, how to conduct research over the Internet, web design, and typing.  The students also use programs to help reinforce concepts related to math, science, social studies, and language arts introduced in the classroom. 

Computer Science Program Guide

TEXTBOOK
    Middle school students use A Guide to Microsoft Office 2007 to introduce them to the basics of the Microsoft Office 2007 applications.

WORD 2007
    The students are introduced to the Microsoft Office Word 2007 interface.  They learn about the different tabs and how to use their accompanying menu commands.
    The students learn how to type essays and letters.
    The students learn how to generate a reference page using the references tab.

EXCEL 2007
    The students are introduced to the Microsoft Office Excel 2007 interface.  They learn about the different tabs and how to use their accompanying menu commands.
    The students learn how to create graphs from data they have complied.
    The students learn how to insert functions to manipulate a given set of data.

POWER POINT 2007
    The students are introduced to the Microsoft Office Power Point 2007 interface.  They learn about the different tabs and how to use their accompanying menu commands.
    The students learn how to create a slide presentation.
    The students learn how to insert sounds, pictures, animations, and slide transitions in order to enhance their presentations.

PUBLISHER 2007
    The students are introduced to the Microsoft Office Publisher 2007 interface.  They learn about the tool bars and how to use the accompanying menu commands.
    The students learn how to create greeting cards, calendars, picture books, and many other publications using the many templates included in this program.

TYPING

Grades 4-8 use follow the Mavis Beacon Teaching Typing curriculum to increase the students typing speed along with teaching them the proper hand position (home row keys).
   

Grades 1-3 use Dance Mat Typing to introduce them to the proper hand position when typing (home row).  This program also helps the students to recognize where the         keyboard keys are located.  (www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing)
   

Grades K-1 use Read, Write, & Type! This program helps the students to recognize where the keyboard keys are located and reinforces phonics skills.

BRAIN POP! and BRAIN POP JR.!
    Brain Pop, Jr.! is an instructional program that is designed for grades K-3 that includes videos introducing complex subject matter (math, science, social studies, reading, writing, and health).  The videos include interactive quizzes and accompanying activities.

    Brain Pop! is an instructional program that is designed for grades 3-8 that includes videos introducing complex subject matter (math, science, social studies, english, health, arts, and technology).  The videos include interactive quizzes and accompanying activities.

KIDSPIRATION and INSPIRATION
    Kidspiration is a concept mapping program that is designed for grades 2-4.  Students can use a variety of templates to organize their ideas related to a variety of subjects (science, math, social studies, and language arts).  After developing their concept maps, this program can then convert their work into outline format.
   

    Inspiration is a concept mapping program that is designed for grades 5-8.  Students can use a variety of templates to organize their ideas related to a variety of subjects (science, math, social studies, and language arts).  After developing their concept maps, this program can then convert their work into outline format.

WEBQUESTS
    Webquests are inquiry-oriented activity in which some or all of the information that students interact with comes from resources on the Internet.

WEBDESIGN
    Students in grades 6-8 are introduced to web design using Nvu web authoring software to design their own web pages.

PROGRAMMING
    Students are introduced to object oriented programming (ex: C++, Java, etc.) in a three dimensional environment using Storytelling Alice.
    Students drag and drop animation commands that correspond to object oriented programming statements.

INTERNET SAFETY
    A unit is dedicated to teaching students ways to protect themselves when using the internet.