A Message from Mrs. Daniel
Welcome to the Computer Lab!
I would like to acquaint you with what your students will be doing when they come to computer class every week.
Once again this year, we will be using the Accelerated Reader program as a key component of the independent portion of our Reading program. Students will be taking the initial Star Reading Assessment in computer lab the week of August 18. The midyear and final assessments will also be done here. Students may come to either the library or computer lab to take an AR quiz throughout the year as long as there is not a class in session.
Developing keyboarding skills is an important goal for our students. To that end, we will be using the programs Type To Learn and Mavis Beacon to learn, improve and track those skills. The cowboy arcade will display our progress as we move toward a grade appropriate goal. Students are encouraged to practice these skills at home by typing using the correct finger positioning and by watching the document or the screen instead of their fingers!
Kidspiration is a wonderful program we will be using to reinforce and expand on what is being taught in the students’ home classrooms. By using its many tools, understanding can be developed in various subject areas. For example, following a lesson in characterization, a character web can be built and illustrated by the student. Or visuals can be manipulated by the student to cement fraction concepts. When it is appropriate, printouts of your child’s work in the computer lab will be sent home in his homework pack Super, amazing, marvelous work will also be displayed on each grade level’s bulletin board in the lab.
Pixie and Power Point are two more programs that will be used by students to produce special projects throughout the year. In addition, certain secure websites will be accessed to compliment classroom learning. For example students might take a virtual tour of an historic location, such as a California mission, or our nation’s capitol. While doing a state project, they might survey key locations and observe important characteristics first hand by using Google Earth. These are a few of the possibilities for learning in our computer lab.
A wonderful year awaits us for, as you know, we have a wonderful God!
If I can be of service to you, please stop by or visit on the web at cdaniel@ccmurrieta.com.
Blessings to you and your family this school year! |