Teachers Love Technology {Infographic}

Like many computer education teachers out there, I myself am responsible for the technology in-services provided to the teachers and staff within my school building. Being an Educational Technologist has taught me a lot about how technology works across the curriculum, in individual classrooms and how my lesson and unit plans can aid in the success of classroom teacher's integration of technology. Below is a very interesting infographic about how teachers are more apt to using technology (yay!) and how their students are very receptive to it- and how technology is even raising test scores!
 Please Include Attribution to OnlineUniversities.com With This Graphic

Digital Citizenship for 3-5th Grade

Digital Citizenship is an important lesson to teach, especially at a young age. I typically begin teaching this concept around the third grade so it is embedded in their minds when they become young adults. 

I provided you with this PowerPoint to assist you in teaching your class about Digital Citizenship. Please note that it is created as a .pptx file and the directions for the PowerPoint are provided for you in the notes section under each slide.

Included in The Digital Citizenship and You PowerPoint is an interactive quiz that works very well as a whole-class lesson. I have also created a "I pledge to be a good digital citizenship" for you and your students to sign and display with pride.

To go along with the lesson on Digital Citizenship, I recommend the PBS.org interactive online game called Webonauts. My third graders loved playing this game as it beautifully illustrates how to be a good citizen- on and offline! And hey- it's fun too!

Download the Digital Citizenship and You PowerPoint  and enjoy teaching this lesson to your class!

Teaching about the Internet: an Activity for 6th Grade

One of my most favorite topics to teach is the Internet. Many, including adults, think that the Internet and the World Wide Web are two of the same. I typically begin discriminating between the two as young as Kindergarten when they begin to slowly navigate around the World Wide Web via the Internet. It is rather a hard concept for younger students to learn and I love teaching the analogy that the Internet is like the shopping mall, and inside this shopping mall you would find stores like the World Wide Web, email, Instant Messaging, FTP and Newsgroups (amongst others.)

In 6th grade we get “connected” to and learn how many users connect to the Internet around the world. This activity is really fun and I would love to share it with you!

What you need: 

• Yarn 
• Popsicle sticks 
• These flags here- Please note that this is a Word Document that you can go back and edit when new stats are @ http://www.internetworldstats.com/top20.htm 
• Glue, tape and laminate to protect those flags! 
• Optional: See props in photo below. 

What you do:

Props for teaching 6th Graders the Internet

• Prep: Cut out each flag, laminate and attach them to the popsicle stick for durability. 
• Introduce the Internet and its definitions. I typically use a PowerPoint to do this, or you can find many resources online (such as http://www.internet101.org/). 
• If your computer lab permits, have your students disperse themselves throughout the room. I started with the states within the U.S. with the students closest together in the center of the room. Hand the first student a state flag (I did smallest amount of users to largest) and ask him/her to read aloud the state and number of Internet users. Then give that student the end of the yarn. 
• Go to the next student and hand them the next state flag. Have them read aloud the state and the number of people connected to the Internet. “Connect” this student to the first user (string the piece of yarn to them with the first person still holding on). If you need to, please request that students are careful not to tangle themselves within the yarn as it can be a strangling matter! 
• Continue this process until all the state flags are distributed. Make sure to “connect” the students to each other with the yarn. The yarn helps them understand how everyone is connected to one another. 
• Then move onto the countries, making the same connections. Once everyone is connected, I made props (shown in the photo above) and tossed them onto the ‘connected’ Internet to illustrate how these elements (World Wide Web, FTP, Newsgroups, Instant Messaging and email) are a part of the Internet. 
• Collect all materials and discuss. 

I would love to know how your lesson goes!

Free Typing Website- TypingWeb

If you are like me, and have a very limited budget, you may be finding yourself searching for resources that are free or real cheap to enhance your students' learning experience. I have mentioned several typing Web sites on KCL now and want to introduce you to yet another fantastic resource for your technology toolbox!

TypingWeb, located at http://www.typingweb.com/, “ is a free online typing tutor & keyboarding tutorial for typists of all skill levels. TypingWeb includes entertaining typing games, typing tests, and free official typing certification” {Verbiage taken from the Website itself!}

I have been using TypingWeb now for three months to teach my 4th graders how to type and instantly feel in love with this program. Aside from being completely free, it houses a teacher portal where you can easily upload classes to help you assess your student’s typing needs. At the end of each lesson, your student’s also have an option to print out a certificate and play games that enhance the lesson that they have learned.

A paid option is also available that encompasses more typing drills, more control over the lessons displayed and does away with the minimal ads. I haven’t tried the paid version, and quite honestly am very satisfied with the free one!

Enjoy!

---

Please note that I was not in no way paid for my opinions on this Website or approached by the company to do so. ALL opinions are my own and done by my own doing because I feel that this is something great to share- thank you!

An Apology

Hello. I just wanted to drop in quickly to apologize for being on a hiatus over the past few months. I recently went back into teaching after taking a break to raise my three children and had to take them time to re-adjust a lot of my teaching material. I truly look forward to bringing you more lesson ideas, free resources and great Websites that you can incorporate into your computer lab/classroom.

I would also love to take this time to announce that I have opened a store on Teachers Pay Teachers. While a lot of my resources on here will be free and available to you, I will be placing some of my more in-depth work on Teachers Pay Teachers for a very fair rate. I hope you do understand! I love to create (it's a passion of mine) and you will notice that there will be more in my store than computer lessons.

Anyway, I do look forward to sharing a lot of ideas with you. And since I will actively be writing lesson plans each week, I hopefully will be updating this more for you.

Thank you for being loyal,
Aimee
Kids Computer Lessons

2nd Grade- Introduction to Microsoft Word

Lesson Name: Microsoft Word

Grade: 2

Major Topic: Word Processing

Week/Weeks: 5

NETS for Students:

1. Technology Operations and Concepts

• Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations.

Materials:

• Microsoft Word- any version
• Electronic White Board
• Computer
• Projector (if needed)

Activity:

• Week 1- Introduce Microsoft Word:
• Show how to open/close the program from their desktop
• Depending on the version of Word you are using, give your students the grand tour of the menu or ribbon.
• Demonstrate how to type words, change font, and indent. For this intro they need not to worry about spelling or grammatical errors.

This week’s Intro Lesson:

1. With Microsoft Word open at each student’s computer, have them type in his or her first and last name. You may have to remind students at this grade to use the shift key to make the first letter in their first and last name capital.
2. Have them highlight their name by clicking and dragging the cursor over what they have typed.  In the menu/ribbon, instruct the students to change the font size to 20, the style to Arial, make it bold and select a color of his or her choice.
3. If time permits, have them hit the enter key twice and type and finish this sentence “My favorite color is      .”.
4. Show your students how to save this document in the location that you desire. Save it as 1LessonWord.

• Week 2- Demonstrate inserting word art, drawing and clip art to the class.

This  week’s lesson:

1. Have your students open up a NEW Microsoft Word Document. See how many remember how to do this independently. After a few moments give help if needed.
2.  Instruct your students to create a Word Art of their choice and type his or her name. Helpful Note: Remind students to click off the word art before they go onto the following step.
3. Work together to insert a clipart image. For this step have them search for an apple and insert it into their document. Helpful Note:  teach your students how to select the appropriate media type (i.e Clip art, photographs, movies and sound.) It is also helpful to show them that they can narrow the search down by selecting which collection they would like to search in. It does not matter what apple they choose.
4.  Have them click off the clip art image of an apple then have them draw a circle.
5. If time permits allow them to add more clip art, word art or drawings.
6. Show your students how to save this document in the location that you desire. Save it as 2LessonWord.

• Week 3-5- 

1. Have your students enter your computer lab and instruct them to open Microsoft Word. Great chance to sneak in a grade! Explain to them that they will be Typing  a paragraph about their second grade year (about 3-5 sentences.) Change the font size to 18. Insert a clipart and create the title “2^nd Grade News” using word art. 
2. When they are all complete, work together to spell check the lesson. Show your students how to save this document in the location that you desire. 
3. Save it as 3LessonWordFinal.

1st Grade Lesson- Using Paint Program to Illustrate Sentence

Lesson Name:Using Paint Program to Illustrate Sentence

Grade: 1

Major Topic: Fine motor skills, typing, Drawing, Saving, Printing

Week/Weeks: 2 Classes

 This is a great review of typing and Windows Paint for your first grade computer class.

1st Grade Lesson- Using Paint Program to Illustrate Sentence {sample}

NETS for Students:

1. Basic operations and concepts

• Students demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operation of technology systems.

Materials:

• Whiteboard and projector 
• Computer
• Microsoft Paint

Motivation:

• Have this sentence displayed for all to see: "This is what I learned in school…."

Activity:

• Have students open up Windows Paint Program. Show them how to use the typing feature. Have them type the above sentence by stressing the importance of using capital letters. Demonstrate the shift key.
• Have the students draw a picture on the same page of what they learned in school.
• Teach them how to send to the printer if this is an option. 
• Save to their folder on your server.

Free Online December Holiday Games for Kids

 Enjoy these free online December Holiday Game sites for kids! December is a very cultural rich month covering Kwanzaa, Christmas and Hanukkah. Take time with your class and explore these different traditions by playing online games.

Hanukkah Web sites

Primary Games

The Kidz Page

Christmas Web sites

Kaboose

Northpole.com

Primary Games Christmas

Billy Bear 4 Kids

Kwanzaa Web sites

Primary Games- Kwanzaa 

The Kidz Page- Kwanzaa

3rd Grade- Learning the Internet with Worksheets and PowerPoint

Grade:  3

Major Topic: Typing- Parts of the Internet

Week/Weeks: 3-4 classes

NETS for Students:

3. Research and Information Fluency

• Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. 

5. Digital Citizenship

• Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior.

6. Technology Operations and Concepts  

• Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations. 

Materials:

Learning the Internet Worksheet

• Intro to the Internet PowerPoint includes link to the Internet for Kids Class at end of ppt!
• Parts of the Internet Work Sheet
• Learning the Internet Worksheet
• Internet (preferably Internet Explorer) 
• Whiteboard and projector 
• Computer

Activity:

1. Introduction to the Internet PowerPoint on Day 1. Go through the terms- have the students take notes if deemed worthy. Make sure to have the students type in the link http://www.bcls.lib.nj.us/Classes/Intforkids/ located at the end of the PowerPoint and take the class Internet for Kids.

2. Day 2- demonstrate the different parts of the Internet (Forward button, back button, reload button, address bar, etc.) and have the students complete the Parts of the Internet Work Sheet.

3. Day 3- to have your students practice typing in URL's and to learn how to look for answers, complete  the Learning the Internet Worksheet.

Optional: Have them study and create an online quiz using one of these sites:

http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/

http://quizstar.4teachers.org/

http://www.classmarker.com/

How to implement Study Island when you are just the Computer Teacher

Being a computer teacher has its rewards- one of which is working collaboratively with your coworkers. Study Island can provide just that.

Pre-planning to use Study Island (well, the pre-planning on behalf of the classroom teachers that is) in the computer lab can make implementation run more smoothly and build a stronger connection between the classroom lesson and the computer lab. Have the classroom teacher create a test based on what they have been learning about and post it to their class page. The teacher log-in also provides resources for teachers, such as; lesson plans, printables and videos! All of this is available under My Assignments. Please note: that Study Island Provides State Standards for the core within the program. Goal: Develop a strong classroom teacher- computer teacher relationship to make Study Island in the computer lab a success!


How and when to implement Study Island in the computer lab?

• First and foremost,  spend a computer lab class or two introducing Study Island to your students. Are they new to Study Island? Have them take the pre-test for each core subject for your state.
• Use Study Island as bell work before your daily lesson begins in the computer lab. This can also help you prepare for the class period- especially if you have one class after another with no break in-between.
• Need a filler for in-between lessons? Assign a test that you want your class to accomplish as they wait for others to catch up.
• Talk to the classroom teacher, and don't hesitate to utilize full lab time near state testing!

Quick tip: Study Island provides teachers with many resources on how to make students engaged under their help section. But what can you do to tie it into a computer class? Why not have them make a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet as to how many Blue Ribbons they achieved and make a corresponding graph.

Quick Tip: The Preschool Computer Lab

Are you a daycare center, private in-home child care or preschool and are considering setting up a computer lab for children ages 3-4? You may be asking yourself- where do I start? What type of equipment will I need? My students look so little- what is the best computer hardware for their little hands? How long should a preschool computer class be?

Well, I am here to answer a few questions for you! First we will start with some suggested technology hardware for the preschool-aged child:

Suggested Keyboard to use- color coded. Try to find one that has vowels and constants in separate colors (helps with many lessons- of which you will find here) and that all the numbers are another color.





Suggested Mouse: Small and multi-color is key. I personally found it easier to tell the 3-4 year old child to press on the blue-left side of the mouse than to say "left click".

Suggested office furniture: Small- age appropriate desks like the one you see below that is best suited for ages 2-6. This ensures proper posture at the computer.





Some Suggested Educational Software include (but not limited to):


Suggested Classroom Management Tips:

1. A preschool computer lab time should be kept short and the class size small. From my personal experience a 20-minute session is a suitable amount of time for 4-8 children.
2. I would suggest sitting two children to one computer. Why? This situation encourages sharing and turn-taking; and allows your students to help one another at the computer. It is from my experience that when a younger child shares a computer with a peer- they are actually more focused in the task at hand. I found that for some who may lack an interest in the computer a 20-minute session may seem like eternity. Setting a timer so that they can "Switch Seats" every two-three minutes keeps the activity fresh and the 3-4 year old child engaged (and moving!). 
3. Not every lab session has to in front of the computer the entire time. Incorporate games and worksheets to keep the little ones moving.

Third Grade Typing Unit using PowerTyping.com

Unit Name: Intro to Typing

Grade:  3

Major Topic: Typing- Memorizing the Keyboard

Week/Weeks: 7-9 classes

NETS for Students:

6. Technology Operations and Concepts   Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations. Students:  

a.	understand and use technology systems.

Materials:

• Blank Computer Worksheet
• Blank Computer Test Printable
• WPM Worksheet
• Website:  http://www.powertyping.com/qwerty/lessonsq.html
• Typing PowerPoint
• Internet
• Whiteboard and projector
• Computer
• Word Processor
• Refer to  http://www.customtyping.com/tutorials/kb/Correct_fingering.htm for correct finger placements.

Motivation:

• Show Typing PowerPoint and discuss the basics of typing.

Activity:

1. Week 1- The main goal of this typing year is to have the students memorize the keyboard! After the introduction of the Typing PowerPoint, have them fill in the left hand home row keys: ASDF onto their blank keyboard.  Have them then open up any Word Processor and practice the following:

• AAA (space) AAA (space) AAA (space) AAA (space) AAA (space) AAA (space) AAA (space) AAA (space)
• SSS(space) SSS(space) SSS(space) SSS(space) SSS(space) SSS(space) SSS(space) SSS(space) SSS(space)
• DDD (space) DDD (space) DDD (space) DDD (space) DDD (space) DDD (space) DDD (space) DDD (space)
• FFF (space) FFF (space) FFF (space) FFF (space) FFF (space) FFF (space) FFF (space) FFF (space)

2. Go to Website:  http://www.powertyping.com/qwerty/lessonsq.html and practice lesson 1 taking down WPM and Grade for each student. Make sure they call you over when a lesson is complete to take down their WPM and grade. If the finish early- have them repeat the lesson: Practice makes perfect!

3.     Week 2: Review the left hand home row keys and introduce the right hand: JKL;. Fill in the appropriate keys into the Blank Keyboard sheet. .  Have them then open up any Word Processor and practice the following:

• JJJ (space) JJJ (space) JJJ (space) JJJ (space) JJJ (space) JJJ (space) JJJ (space) JJJ (space)
• KKK(space) KKK(space) KKK(space) KKK(space) KKK(space) KKK(space) KKK(space) KKK(space)
• LLL (space) LLL (space) LLL (space) LLL (space) LLL (space) LLL (space) LLL (space) LLL (space)
• ;;; (space) ;;; (space) ;;; (space) ;;; (space) ;;; (space) ;;; (space) ;;; (space) ;;; (space)

4. Go to Website:  http://www.powertyping.com/qwerty/lessonsq.html and practice lesson 1 taking down WPM and Grade for each student. Make sure they call you over when a lesson is complete to take down their WPM and grade. If the finish early- have them repeat the lesson: Practice makes perfect!

5. Week 3: Review all the letters of the home row keys- asdfjkl;. Introduce RTYU and EIGH using the correct fingers. Have them write the corresponding letters onto the blank keyboard. Refer to  http://www.customtyping.com/tutorials/kb/Correct_fingering.htm for correct finger placements.
6. Go to Website:  http://www.powertyping.com/qwerty/lessonsq.html and practice lesson 2 and 3  taking down WPM and Grade for each student. Make sure they call you over when a lesson is complete to take down their WPM and grade. If the finish early- have them repeat the lesson: Practice makes perfect!

7. Week 4: Have the students review their keyboard worksheet and begin to memorize the keys on it.  Introduce CVB and MN,: using the correct fingers. Refer to  http://www.customtyping.com/tutorials/kb/Correct_fingering.htm for correct finger placements. Have them write the corresponding letters onto the blank keyboard.
8. Go to Website:  http://www.powertyping.com/qwerty/lessonsq.html and practice lesson 4 and 5 taking down WPM and Grade for each student. Make sure they call you over when a lesson is complete to take down their WPM and grade. If the finish early- have them repeat the lesson: Practice makes perfect!

9. Week 5: Have the students review their keyboard worksheet and begin to memorize the keys on it.  Introduce WXO. and QZP’” using the correct fingers. Refer to  http://www.customtyping.com/tutorials/kb/Correct_fingering.htm for correct finger placements. Have them write the corresponding letters onto the blank keyboard.
10. Go to Website:  http://www.powertyping.com/qwerty/lessonsq.html and practice lesson 6 and 7 taking down WPM and Grade for each student. Make sure they call you over when a lesson is complete to take down their WPM and grade. If the finish early- have them repeat the lesson: Practice makes perfect!

11. Week 6: Now the keyboard is complete, have them take it home to study. Give them time in class. Next week’s class there will be a test to see what they have memorized on the keyboard using a blank keyboard just like the one that they filled in. For this class you will use PowerTyping Words game: http://www.powertyping.com/trees.shtml

12. Week 7 (last Full Typing Class):  Print out and distribute Blank Computer Test Printable .  Cover all keyboards and typing resources with paper. Have students fill in and submit for a grade. Once done they may take an Orange Keyboard Skin
    and go to PowerTyping Words game: http://www.powertyping.com/trees.shtml.

First Grade- Practice Typing Sight Words

Grade: 1

Major Topic: Fine motor skills, typing

Week/Weeks: 1 Class

NETS for Students:

1. Basic operations and concepts

• Students demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operation of technology systems.

Materials:

• Word Processor such as Microsoft Word, or WordPad.
• Projector
• Electronic Whiteboard 
• First Grade Typing Sight Words PDF

Motivation:

• Display the First Grade Typing Sight Words PDF on a projector on the front of the room.

Activity:

• After you have introduced the keyboard to your first graders, now is the time to practice typing!
• Demonstrate to the class how to open the word processor of your choice. Teach them how to use the SPACEBAR and the ENTER key to make spaces and line breaks.
• Have your students type their first names and hit the enter key twice to start on a new line.
• The First Grade Typing Sight Words PDF has a list of 10 words. Show each one on the electronic whiteboard until every student typed it on to their computer. If they finish quickly, have them hit the space bar and type it again.
• Press enter between different words.

Example: Your students work may look like this:

	Joe after after aft where may may may m open op every just jus going from f thank round roun

 

• Have your students print or save them to their folder on the server.