One of the primary goals for kindergarten students is to develop an eagerness to use the computer. Any apprehensiveness that may exist early in the semester quickly dissolves. The kinder computer experience carefully reinforces classroom learning. Students receive additional exposure, using the computer, to concepts being discussed in the classroom including letter, number and color recognition. As the school year rolls by, the focus in the Computer Lab changes to develop more computer specific skills. These skills include: mastery of the mouse and keyboard, as well as activities that develop critical thinking skills.
Lower grade students, those in first, second and third grades, spend the early part of the school year reinforcing key skills that were learned the previous school year. Challenging computer software drills students in the 3 "r's." Classroom reinforcement is followed by an in depth look at the computer itself. The children learn that there is more to a computer than clicking on an icon or playing a game. An in depth, yet age specific, look at the Windows Environment is presented to the children. The "how's and why's" of computing is explored. Computer graphics and creative writing sessions are a fun experience for children of this age group.
Fourth, fifth and sixth grade students dive right into computer specific learning right at the beginning of the school year. Challenging computer software pushes the level of learning to the limit. Although children think they are playing a game, they are actually learning faster, more concrete concepts, in all areas of education. The more in depth look at the "how's and why's" of computing are also covered throughout the year, building upon the knowledge that the children have picked up with their years of using the computer. Children learn to create art, publish creative writing assignments, do research, find information, which is presented with due dates and deadlines, just as in the real world. They will also have quizzes, tests and homework to reinforce the concepts learned.
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