Mentors in action 
Technology Class Update
Interim Report on
Information and Communications Technology Class
Middle Scholars (6th 7th & 8th grade)
These grades, while receiving separate instruction, are following similar course outlines. Consistent with Diocesan and State standards, these grades are concentrating on information literacy. Toward that end, the first 20 minutes of each class (we meet twice a week) are dedicated to “The Daily Report.” Monday’s report is a news day. Students seek, acquire, analyze, report, save and send via email, a Word document containing their evaluation of a news story that they were interested in. They cite their source and briefly discuss the story in their own words including a value or reflection statement. On Wednesday the report is curriculum oriented and must relate to a classroom topic or activity. Those who had a chance to visit during Catholic Schools Week saw the student’s reports on past and present poet laureates of the United States. Our newest project is an examination of laws enacted to maintain the majority culture and thwart the integration of minority cultures into our society in the post civil war era. The balance of the period is divided over the introduction of new skills, practicing established skills (keyboarding) and the exploration and development of resource sites on the Internet. So far we have explored the Library of Congress, NASA, NOAA (weather) and student tools for practicing math, logic and critical reading. If there is time remaining students in the 7th & 8th grades use a PSAT practice site to upgrade their grammar and writing skills in preparation for high school.
5th Grade and Kindergarten
5th grade has every period divided in half. The first half is spent on enhancing skills through project work selected to support their classroom activities and curriculum. Our first project was a visit to space. The students selected outer space (Mars missions), inner space (deep ocean) or remote space (Arctic or Antarctic). Students formed into teams or worked independently to research and report using PowerPoint to compose a presentation, which was shown to all students during lunch in the gym. Now we are beginning an exploration and research of social diversity and the concepts of majority, minority and social inclusion. This is designed to complement their social studies exploration of the 1950’s and the Civil Rights movement. Later this year we will build upon this foundation to examine peace and justice issues on a global basis.
The second half of each class period is spent mentoring the Kindergarten students. They assist the little hands in navigating the keyboard, mouse and programs being explored. We have practiced letters, name typing, sight math (one apple plus 2 apples =?) games and Paint just for fun. We also enjoy a little pinball to help two-handed coordination. The fifth graders also took their younger students to the National Zoo in Washington during feeding time for the Giant Pandas. This was by way of the Panda Cam. The 5th graders read to Kindergartners about each exhibit they visited and watched. The penguins were very popular as they were not only being fed but were being observed by scientists, all of which we could watch on our computers here in school.
Mentors in action
4th grade
This grade is dividing their time between keyboarding in Word and navigating the Web to math, word and logic puzzle sites. Students have utilized international resources to expand on their classroom geography projects and knowledge of global climate. We will soon launch a project using PowerPoint and are just beginning to discuss what would be fun.
3rd grade
This grade is composing letters in Word, practicing two hand keyboarding, importation of pictures and clip art into documents. Later this year we will begin working with PowerPoint and developing Internet management skills. Following instructions and document management skills are big right now.
1st and 2nd grade
These students are developing the fine motor skills necessary to comfortably use a computer. We are using Word to learn two hand typing, key location and basic document management. With limited reading skills, we focus on object-oriented math games and puzzles. FUNdamentals!
In the Information and Communications Technology curriculum, we focus less on how to manipulate the hardware and more on literacy and the application of information acquired through technology. Students apply technological skills to demonstrate their understanding of curriculum in the context of real world issues.
I must also thank you for your support in equipping students (3-8) with flash drives, facilitating email accounts for students and providing a computer-friendly home and attitude. As you can see, these skills will have a direct benefit on life- long learning while enriching our everyday school tasks. Please send me you email address so I may update you regularly.
My email address is walsh-computer@ckslombard.org and I welcome all parent and parishioner communications. Please stop by and visit our class anytime!
Mr. Walsh
Information and Communications Technology