Welcome to Mr. Nelson's Computer Lab

With an up-to-date and state of the art computer lab, it's no wonder Computer is a favorite class among our students.  The skills and concepts that our students learn not only help them become comfortable with using technology, but also give them valuable tools that they will use in other academic classes or at home.

Here are some highlights of the curriculum for each grade level:

Kindergarten

• Basic computer skills which include mouse and keyboarding skills.
• Learning the components of the computer.
• Log in with a user name and password.

First Grade

• KidPix multimedia software is introduced                            
• Internet safety and visits to educational websites
• Jumpstart First grade is used to practice educational skills
• Introduction to Microsoft Word

Second Grade

• Keyboarding software to practice skills.
• KidPix is used to create multimedia presentations and slideshows.
• Internet safety is reviewed and new educational websites are introduced.
• Further lessons into Microsoft Word.

Third Grade

• Using search engines.
• Introduction to PrintShop.
• Educational websites are used to practice educational skills.
• Microsoft Word is used with assignments from classroom teachers.

Fourth Grade

• Continued advancement using Microsoft Word and PrintShop.
• Students begin to learn about databases and create their own.
• Education websites and games are used to reinforce skills.

Fifth Grade

• Graphic Design elements of Microsoft Word are explored.
• Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint and create presentations in conjunction with their unit of study in Science about the planets.
• More extensive databases are created using ToolFactory.

Sixth Grade

• Outlining features of Microsoft Word are introduced and practiced in conjunction with classroom lessons.
• Students continue learning PowerPoint and create presentations in conjunction with a unit of study in one of their subject areas.
• Internet research is reviewed and information is gathered for these presentations.

Seventh Grade

• Advancement in Microsoft Word with attention to working with Columns. Students will create a newsletter using these skills.
• Internet safety and search engines are reviewed and used extensively throughout the year.
• PowerPoint is reviewed and used in conjunction with a class project.
• Microsoft Excel is introduced and students create spreadsheets and graphs.

Eighth Grade

• Using Microsoft Word to create a two column newsletter on a topic from science.
• Microsoft PowerPoint is used to present their use of the scientific method for their science fair project experiment.
• Excel graphs are reviewed for this same purpose. An Excel project is assigned in the Spring
• Students work on a memory book project that uses scanners and PrintShop software.