Word Processing and Spreadsheets

Wow!  Our students have been busy, busy, busy!!

In October and November, they have been learning about word processing using Microsoft Word.  They have learned how to change fonts, font sizes, and font color.  They have learned how to copy and paste text and how to change the orientation of the paper.  They learned how to insert a picture and how to resize it.

They put all of those skills together to create an infographic about a topic that interests them. The 4th and 5th graders made their infographic in Google Docs, and the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders made their infographic in Microsoft Word.

The 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders then moved on to learning about spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel.  Columns, rows, cells, graphs, charts, and formulas were discussed and practiced.  The final project in spreadsheets was to count, graph, predict, and add M&Ms - and then eat them!

Word Processing and Keyboarding

The students have been learning keyboarding for the past few weeks, using Dance Mat Typing as a learning tool.  A friendly goat, an octopus, and a rooster have started teaching them where to find letters on the keyboard, and how to keep their fingers on the home row :)

We are also starting to explore word processing, using Microsoft Word.  The students are discovering that Word's tools are very similar to Google Documents tools.

Privacy, Passwords, and Cyberbullies

Google's Interland website has fun games that the students play to reinforce what they have learned about digital citizenship.  The students learned about cyberbullies this week.

Private vs Public Information

This past week, our 2 - 5 th graders discussed the difference between what information should be posted online and what information should be kept offline.   Phone numbers, addresses, email addresses, and passwords should be shared carefully with trusted family and friends.  Never put that information out on the internet.

Be Smart! Think before you post!

Our 1st grade friends worked on STAR Assessments, and our Kindergarten friends practiced using a mouse :)

New Friends!

Our kindergarten friends have joined us at Shepard!  They are so busy learning how to use the mouse when they come to the computer lab. 

We are Digital Citizens!

After a week of getting to know each other again and finding out how to use CPS Portal, our students are ready to talk about being good digital citizens. An important part of being safe on computers is creating a good password that will protect our information.  We talked about the elements of a powerful password, and we used the Interland game Tower of Treasure to reinforce what we learned.

2018-2019 School Year

The computer lab is ready for the 2018-19 school year!

And That's a Wrap!

Another school year has wound down.  We will see you next year!

Maker Space Days

 

Our computer lab is very busy these days with MAP testing, so the Maker Space is where you will find us!  The students are using OSMO games on iPads to learn coding, tangrams, and spelling.

Whew! We Have Been Busy!

February and March flew past!  The students have been learning research skills these past two months:  how to do keyword searching, how to determine the trustworthiness of a website; and how to cite sources.  The younger students have been creating Word documents that show the research they have done.  The older students will begin to create PowerPoint and Google Slides to show their research efforts.

Right before spring break, we celebrated Grandparents Day.  The students were able to show their grandparents and special adults the things that they have been working on in the computer lab this year.

Day 100!

We have had 100 days of school so far!  Our kindergarten friends made special hats to celebrate all of the learning and friendship :)

Here is what we have been doing in computer lab since January 4:

Kdg:  We learned how to log into the computers AND log into ST Math.  It is a lot of work, but the students have been doing a great job.  They work on ST Math for part of class, and then work on educational games for the rest of class time.

First grade:  We worked on STAR Assessments and Dance Mat Typing (keyboarding).  We are also reading the Show Me Readers nominee books.

Second grade:  We are working on ST Math and Dance Mat Typing (keyboarding). We are also reading the Show Me Readers nominee books.

Third grade:  We are practicing using the shift key in keyboarding, and we are learning how to use a spreadsheet.  We are also reading the Show Me Readers nominee books.

Fourth grade:  We are learning about good email etiquette and how to use a spreadsheet.

Fifth grade:  We are learning about good email etiquette and how to use a spreadsheet.

On to February!

Happy New Year 2018!

                      Looking forward to great work going on in the computer lab this year!