Fall Fun in the Lab

We have been busy creating in the computer lab! Here is what we have been up to:

Kindergarten - We started the year by learning how to use our mouse and make things move on the screen. We can click and double click as well as click and drag. We have been using the Starfall Website and Up to Ten website to practice our mouse skills. In the lab, we also started to create masterpieces using Microsoft Paint. We drew self-portraits and will be drawing Thanksgiving pictures soon.

1st Grade - Earlier in the year we learned a new software program called Mighty Math Zoo Zillions. There are many math games we can play to practice our math skills. Currently, we are finishing an ABC Book using Kid Works Deluxe. We are practicing using the keyboard including the shift key, spacebar, enter key, backspace key and period. We are creating sentences that start with each letter of the alphabet and then finding stickers that start with the letter to complete a sentence. We are practicing our beginning letter sounds as well as our computer skills.

2nd Grade - For our first project of the year, we used Microsoft Word to create trading cards. We wrote sentences about ourselves and illustrated a picture. We traded our cards with our classmates when we finished. Right now we are working on a Butterfly Life Cycle project. We illustrated each of the stages in Microsoft Paint and then will create a PowerPoint presentation to show the entire cycle.

3-5th Grade - These students begin the year learning about and reviewing Homerow and the proper way to type. We focus on these skills for the first quarter and then work on various projects throughout the year to apply and practice our typing skills.

3rd Grade - For our first project we used Microsoft Word to write the steps to checking out a library book. But the steps were out of order so we learned how to cut and paste and then format our assignment. We just finished doing some research for our class Wax Museum project and are starting to create a poster in Microsoft Publisher to advertise the upcoming holiday program. We are having fun applying our creativity to our posters.

4th Grade - We just finished a 100% Me project. We created a poster in Microsoft Word that listed words to described who we are. We had to assign a percentage to each one so all of the descriptions equaled 100%. Then, we used Microsoft Excel to graph our information. Now we are using Microsoft Publisher to create a poster for our upcoming holiday program. We are enjoying using all the different tools to design it just the way we want.

5th Grade - Earlier in the year we started with a Microsoft Excel project. We gathered data about M&Ms. We created a chart to record the colors and amounts of M&Ms each student had in their bag. Then, we learned about formulas and used formulas to find totals, means, medians, and modes. To finish the project, we created a graph to represent some of the data. Soon, we will start a new project and create an invitation for our friends and family to attend our holiday program. We will be using Microsoft Publisher to create a very special invitation.

Spring is here!

As we get closer to the end of the year in the lab, students are busy finishing their final projects. Although we haven't updated our posts recently, we sure have been busy!

Kindergarten: Students recently explored software programs including Sammy's Science House and Bailey's Book House in order to support their classroom curriculum. They also continue to explore Microsoft Paint and the many tools available by completing various sentence prompts with illustrations. Recently, while celebrating Earth Day, students wrote about how they take care of the earth and illustrated a picture.

1st Grade: The first graders have been busy. Just before spring break, students created a classroom PowerPoint slideshow about their favorite thing in first grade. Recently, students created an ABC book about space following the study of space with Mrs. Sapinoro in the library. Currently, we are working on a special project for our wonderful mothers... we can't share the details!

3rd Grade: Students recently completed a research project in both the library and computer lab. Student pairs worked together to learn more about a particular person in history and then created a Bio Riddle. Currently, the students are working on creating an All About Me PowerPoint slideshow, which they will present to their classmates before the end of the year. The students are enjoying using the various tools to create their unique slideshow.

4th Grade: Fourth graders are also nearing the end of their research project completed in both the library and computer lab. To support the classroom social studies curriculum, students researched a state and are in the process of creating an informational PowerPoint slideshow to present their information to their classmates.

5th Grade: Currently, students are working on a research project in conjunction with their classroom and the library. Students have been learning about various United States conflicts during social studies in their classrooms. Each student is required to present information about a particular conflict in U.S. history. To prepare for their presentation, students began researching their conflicts in the library and computer lab, before and after spring break. Now students are working on creating a poster in Microsoft Word about the conflict as well as a presentation board in order to present what they have learned to their classmates during social studies.