Welcome to the Computer Lab

Hope everyone has had a fun and relaxing summer. I am looking forward to my 6th year at Summitt as Technology Facilitator. Students will begin coming to the lab around mid Sept. for lessons every other week. 

In Kinder, we will talk about how to use a mouse and keyboard (not everyone has used these). We will explore some great internet resources, StarFall (http://www.starfall.com/) and the Literacy Center (http://www.literacycenter.net/). In October, we will start learning about all the tools in TuxPaint, our wonderful drawing program. If you are interested in downloading this program, which is free, go  to http://www.tuxpaint.org/ . 

In First grade, we will revisit our favorite drawing program, Tux Paint. Students will access some great activities on the web to practice math, read along withTumbleBooks and work on technology lessons with Learning.com, which requires a student login. Please check with your teacher for information about student logins. First graders will   learn about typing papers and adding pictures to their writing. First grade students will also be learning about robotics in their classrooms. Check out our Robotics blog @ http://rockinrobotics.blogspot.com/.

Second grade will enjoyed learning about maps with GeoSkills. They will start using Learning.com for some technology lessons, and later in the year will use if for keyboarding lessons. We will also be working on typing stories and adding pictures. Later in the year will will do activities with Comic Life. Second grade will also spend the first half of the year with a continuation of the WeBotics (robotics) from 1st grade. Students will build bigger & more complicated machines.

3rd, 4th and 5th grade will be using Learning.com to improve their typing skills. Students may bring home their login card to access their account to continue practicing. Keyboarding is a very important skill that students need to practice regularly, just like playing a musical instrument. The upper grades with use Word, Excel, Power Point and Comic Life for many projects during the year. 5th grade will also be participating in robotics classes with Ms. Fleming and Ms. Coppola. 

We use ikeepbookmarks to store all our links for the kids. You are welcome to access this at : www.ikeepbookmarks.com/summitt    Stop by the lab if you have any questions about our lessons.

Hope everyone has a great year!
Thanks for supporting Technology at Summit!
Mrs. Neill