Academics ~ Enrichment
|
| Dee Garrett | Appointed: 1995 |
| Matt Murphy | Appointed: 2009 |
Computer Curriculum
Pre-K
Beginning in Pre
K, students are taught the basics, computer care, the parts of the computer, how
to insert, start, and exit a CD program, how to navigate from one program to
another, and how to save. Several software programs are used that help to
promote fine motor skills and mouse control as well as reinforce what is being
taught in the classroom. The Internet is introduced as early as Pre K, by
accessing designated sites through the
“Links
for the Classroom” web page.
Kindergarten
Students are
taught the basics, computer care, the parts of the computer, how to insert,
start, and exit a CD program, how to navigate from one program to another, and
how to save. Several software programs are used that help to promote fine motor
skills and mouse control as well as reinforce what is being taught in the
classroom. The Internet is introduced as early as Pre K and Kindergarten, by
accessing designated sites through the “Links for the Classroom” web page.
Kindergarten’s special project is the Counting Book, which reinforces many of
the skills introduced in class.
First Grade
Students in first
grade attend class in rotating blocks of five days. First Class email is
introduced, and email buddies are established with members of the faculty.
First graders also learn the Accelerated Reader program. Formal keyboarding
work begins in first grade as word processing skills are introduced. Skills from
prior years are reviewed and reinforced. First Grade’s special project is an
illustrated biography done in KidPix3.
Second Grade
Students in
second grade attend class in rotating blocks of five days. Beginning in second
grade basic Internet navigational skills are taught and designated sites are
explored for simple research and document production. Social Studies and Science
curriculums are supported in computer class as Microsoft Word is introduced.
Skills from prior years are reviewed and reinforced. Keyboarding practice
continues.
Third Grade
By third grade,
email is used for communication with peers, family, and teachers. Designated
Internet sites are used for research of curriculum based projects, and word
processing is expanded to include graphics. Students learn how to save
information to their permanent networked folders so work can be initiated in the
room and continued in the lab. Simple curriculum connected webquests are
introduced. Graphics are imported from storage devices into KidPix3 documents.
Skills from prior years are reviewed and reinforced and Powerpoint is
introduced. Keyboarding practice continues.
Fourth Grade
Web research
continues in fourth grade. Expanded use of Microsoft Word tools and functions enable students to
produce more polished products. Microsoft Publisher is introduced. More
emphasis is placed on reports and papers assigned in homeroom, and continued in
the lab. Skills from prior years are reviewed, expanded, refined, and
reinforced. New problem solving and logical thinking software is introduced.
Keyboarding practice continues.
Fifth Grade
Students have computer during first quarter. The fifth grade curriculum places heavy emphasis on
increasing practical technical skills, and on the expanded use of Microsoft
Word, Publisher, and PowerPoint. A computer reference folder is completed by the
end of the quarter. Keyboarding skills continue to be strengthened and self
discovery and individual problem solving is stressed.
Sixth Grade
Curriculum is exclusively project-based. Students have computer class four times
a week for forty-five minutes during third quarter. In sixth grade, students are asked to design
a ten day “Trip Across America” which includes an itinerary with hotel and
attraction details, a budget, and a map for a family of four. Software used
includes Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, and the Internet is used for
researching. The project is presented to the class at the end of the quarter on
Prezi.com. Click
here to see a few of the Prezis created in 2011. Students continue working on keyboarding skills, with emphasis
placed on appropriate hand placement and body posture.
Seventh Grade
Curriculum is exclusively project-based. Students have computer class four times
a week for forty-five minutes during second quarter. Seventh graders are required to create a
fictitious business that includes a mission statement, a logo, business cards, a
budget of income and expenses, 2 pie graphs, an advertisement, and a
presentation on Prezi.com. Microsoft Word, Publisher, and Excel are all used in
this project. The last few days of class the students share their business using
a visual presentation with the class. Keyboarding is stressed and periodic
typing assessments are given.
During the
second part of the quarter, the students create their own website on Google
based on a disease that they are studying in their Cass 2020 class.
In 2009, seventh graders researched and
published
websites on malaria. In 2010, seventh graders
researched
and published
websites on tuberculosis. In 2011, seventh
graders researched and published
websites on
typhoid fever. In 2012, seventh graders researched and published
websites on
West Nile virus.
Eighth Grade
Curriculum is exclusively project-based. The eighth grade meets
four times a week for forty-five minutes during fourth quarter. Students begin
the quarter creating a movie on Windows Movie Maker bases on their favorite
hobby. They have to find 10 pictures on Google that display their hobby. Then,
they record a song and their own voice as a narrator on a software called
Audacity. On Audacity, students learn the terminology behind recording, and they
practice the skill of producing professional sound. Click
here to see the
hobby videos created in 2010 and 2011. The students complete the
year researching and discussing well-designed
websites and then creating their own personal travel websites on Google. They
must pick their 5 favorite places, research them, and use the information to
create their own web pages for their travel website. Click
here to see the
travel websites created in 2011.
Mr. Murphy's Computer Class Blog
Upper School Computer Class Website
St. Mary's Episcopal Day School
2101 South Hubert Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33629
(813) 258-5508
Fax: (813) 258-5603