I am a new K-9 computer teacher, and I need help developing an
elementary computer curriculum for grades K - 9. Textbooks, workbooks,
or any resource showing a set progression of computer activities would
be extremely helpful. I am overwhelmed with websites offering computer
activities & would like something to help me *organize* these
activities into a logical progressive order for the upcoming school
year. Any resources to help me do this would be much appreciated. |
Request for Question Clarification by
journalist-ga
on
09 Jul 2003 12:36 PDT
Greetings Lizzardq:
Are these the types of plans you are seeking? I did K-6 as a test search:
MicroSoft supplied lesson plans
http://www.microsoft.com/education/?ID=InnovativeTeachers
Computer Skills Lesson Plans K-6
http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/Curriculum/Computer.skills/lssnplns/CompCurr.LP.html
Best regards,
journalist-ga
|
Request for Question Clarification by
journalist-ga
on
09 Jul 2003 12:36 PDT
See also this page:
http://www.microsoft.com/education/default.asp?ID=LessonPlans
|
Clarification of Question by
lizzardq-ga
on
09 Jul 2003 14:20 PDT
Thanks so much for your quick response! The 2nd link "Computer Skills
Lesson plans K-6" is close to what I am looking for. I liked how it
showed a series of lesson plans that went in order & built upon
previous skills. Although the other links had good activities, I'm
looking for something more comprehensive & more sequentially organized
(e.g. Intro to keyboarding activity leads to harder keyboarding
activity which leads to intro to word processing....etc.)
I'm basically looking for some sort of textbook-type resource or
teaching manual specifically geared towards teaching computers. (I
know this might be easier said than done, I've looked and although
there are a plethera of English or Social Studies textbooks/teaching
manuals, I can't find any specific to teaching computers.)
Let me know if you need any further clarification. Thanks so much for
your help! Have a great day!!
|
Request for Question Clarification by
tox-ga
on
15 Jul 2003 08:34 PDT
Hi there,
I've checked various different school's computer curriculum and this
site seems to be the most complete one available so far.
http://bembry.org/curriculum/curriculum_map.php
This is another elementary computer curriculum. Created by Bryce
Embry, it is actually a complete revision made after the first attempt
( http://bembry.org/mha/old_curriculum.shtml ). Here is what Bryce
Embry said about this:
“The previous curriculum introduced a new software package each year.
The theory was that in one year students would become experts in a
particular technology (such as word processing) and the next year
would learn a new technology. This plan has basically flopped.
Students learn a lot one year, but the next year have forgotten all
but the basics about that technology. Essentially, they were not
retaining what they had learned.
So, here is version two. In this version, students are exposed to a
broad range of technologies each year. The same technologies are
visited each year, with the studies and projects growing increasingly
complex as students move from one grade to the next. My hope is that
this curriculum will allow students to become more proficient in their
computer skills overall.”
The full text is available on the same page as the curriculum map (on
the bottom, under Background)
The required files for the curriculum is available under the folders
listed on the left section of the page.
Some other sites include:
http://www.vineland.org/schools/CurriculumWebPages/K-4/Elementary%20Computer%20Curriculum%20K-4.htm
Computer curriculum for grades K-4, with the expectations formally
laid out.
http://www.hpedsb.on.ca/ec/est/compcur/previousindex.htm
A draft curriculum for grades K-8. You can view each expectation by
clicking on the appropriate grade at the bottom of the page.
The first link is the most recommended since it is built upon
trial/error, and includes files requird for the activities.
If your budget allows, however, you may also want to check the
following pages:
http://www.velsoft.com/pages2/elementary.html
http://www.velsoft.com/pages2/junior.html
If any of the sites I've mentioned is satisfactory please let me know.
If they are not (or is only partially satisfactory) I will continue
the research.
Best regards,
Tox-ga
|
Clarification of Question by
lizzardq-ga
on
15 Jul 2003 17:54 PDT
Hi Tox!
I am so super impressed about what you've found so far. The first link
is almost exactly what I had in mind and is sure to give me a fabulous
start. The Velsoft software looks awesome - exactly what I wanted -
but unfortunately is a little too pricey for my school. If you can
find something along those lines, but for much cheaper (or, of course,
ideally for free!) I would be thrilled.
The links were awesome, but I need curriculum for Kindergarten all the
way to Ninth grade. The upper grades (5-9) are especially important.
Again, I was very excited about the first link. If it helps, what I
liked specifically about that link was the way it not only clearly
stated the objectives for each grade, but also gave specific
activities to do to meet those objectives. The combination of
objectives *AND* corresponding activities was wonderful! I actually
wish they had more activities to go along with their objectives, but
what they did have was great!
If you could continue looking for curriculum for the upper grades, or
if you find any other resources that look as good as the first link
(or like Velsoft but cheaper!), I would really, really appreciate it.
Thanks for everything you've done so far. It really gives me a
wonderful starting place. Again, thanks so much, and have a fabulous
day!!
|
Request for Question Clarification by
tox-ga
on
16 Jul 2003 09:27 PDT
Hi there!
Glad to see the information was useful to you.
Here’s an update so far.
Amongst the sites that cover the grades K-9/12, this is the most
complete one I’ve found.
“K-12 Computer/Technology Skills Standard Course of Study was approved
by the North Carolina State Board of Education May, 1998.”
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/computer.skills/index.html
You can click on the individual buttons that represent each grade
level for goals and objectives.
For lesson plans and such, you can refer to this page:
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/computer.skills/resources.html
This is the computer curriculum for the Madison City School system.
This link does contain both objectives and a list of suggested
activities. However, the website only contains information for grades
k-5. If this is what you are looking for, I can call/email the school
to see if they have anything written for grades 6-9.
http://www.madisoncity.k12.al.us/Technology.htm
The rest of the sites I’ve seen doesn’t seem to be too promising; most
of them just list out their objectives in no particular order.
From here, I will broaden the research to look for inexpensive
softwares. At a glance, Velsoft seems to be the dominating presence
in this market. The one other promising software I did see is
actually intended FOR K-12 teachers (to teach the teachers
themselves). I will continue searching and let you know what I find.
Also, if it turns out that you feel you need more activities or
organized objectives and they aren’t available online, I’d be happy to
help you come up with some (if that is what you want).
Best regards,
Tox-ga
|
Clarification of Question by
lizzardq-ga
on
16 Jul 2003 10:34 PDT
Hi Tox,
Wow! Everyday you've been impressing me more and more. The Madison
City link was great - if you could see if they have anything written
for 6-9 I'd be really grateful. The NYC links were also helpful.
Thanks for giving me the update on what you've found so far. You're
doing such a terrific job so far - I *really* appreciate it. I'm
leaving for an out-of-town wedding tomorrow, but be back on Monday so
I'll check in then & see what else you've found. Thanks again for all
your hard work & have a great day!
Liz
|
Request for Question Clarification by
tox-ga
on
21 Jul 2003 10:04 PDT
Hi there,
After searching over and over since your last message, I've found one
document that seems to be of quality content and decent length (1mb
file)
ftp://ftp.alsde.edu/documents/61/Technology%20Ed%20COS.doc
This is the official Course of Study adopted by the State Board of
Education on February 14, 2002, for implementation in the 2002-2003
school year.
The same site also has a powerpoint presentation (mostly graphic) with
brief information on the course of study mentioned above (warning,
file size is 7 mb)
ftp://ftp.alsde.edu/documents/61/TechnologyCOS.ppt
I've contacted the madison city school and they are in the process of
completely revamping their grades 6 and above curriculum so they do
not have anything written yet..but they plan to.
At this point, if you are satisfied with the answer, I will post my
previous links and information as the official answer. Whatever your
decision is, I will continue researching for you, through this
question or a follow up, so that you are satisfied. As well, I'd be
more than happy to provide advice/ideas on any grade or area that
seems to lack from the websites.
Best regards,
Tox-ga
|
Clarification of Question by
lizzardq-ga
on
24 Jul 2003 06:56 PDT
Hi Tox,
I appreciate all your hard work! Everything you've found looks to be
very helpful. You can go ahead and post your previous links as an
answer, but I would appreciate a follow up if you happen to find
anything else. If you have any activities/suggestions, especially for
the older grades, I would love to hear them. (I need all the help I
can get!) ;-)
Again, thanks so much for all your time and hard work. I sincerely
appreciate it and feel much better about my situation now that I have
a solid foundation and starting point to build upon. You've been
great. Thanks again and best wishes!
Liz
|
Hi there!
Thank you for your kind comments and feedback.
I will definitely keep researching on this. Recently I have expanded
to researching on this offline (asking local computer teachers if they
have any guidelines, etc).
I have also sent out more emails...once I receive replies on them I
will continuously post them on this page..you should receive an email
from Google Answers when I do post.
Best of luck,
Tox-ga
http://bembry.org/curriculum/curriculum_map.php
This is another elementary computer curriculum. Created by Bryce
Embry, it is actually a complete revision made after the first attempt
( http://bembry.org/mha/old_curriculum.shtml ). Here is what Bryce
Embry said about this:
“The previous curriculum introduced a new software package each year.
The theory was that in one year students would become experts in a
particular technology (such as word processing) and the next year
would learn a new technology. This plan has basically flopped.
Students learn a lot one year, but the next year have forgotten all
but the basics about that technology. Essentially, they were not
retaining what they had learned.
So, here is version two. In this version, students are exposed to a
broad range of technologies each year. The same technologies are
visited each year, with the studies and projects growing increasingly
complex as students move from one grade to the next. My hope is that
this curriculum will allow students to become more proficient in their
computer skills overall.”
The full text is available on the same page as the curriculum map (on
the bottom, under Background)
The required files for the curriculum is available under the folders
listed on the left section of the page.
Some other sites include:
http://www.vineland.org/schools/CurriculumWebPages/K-4/Elementary%20Computer%20Curriculum%20K-4.htm
Computer curriculum for grades K-4, with the expectations formally
laid out.
http://www.hpedsb.on.ca/ec/est/compcur/previousindex.htm
A draft curriculum for grades K-8. You can view each expectation by
clicking on the appropriate grade at the bottom of the page.
The first link is the most recommended since it is built upon
trial/error, and includes files requird for the activities.
If your budget allows, however, you may also want to check the
following pages:
http://www.velsoft.com/pages2/elementary.html
http://www.velsoft.com/pages2/junior.html
Amongst the sites that cover the grades K-9/12, this is the most
complete one I’ve found.
“K-12 Computer/Technology Skills Standard Course of Study was approved
by the North Carolina State Board of Education May, 1998.”
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/computer.skills/index.html
You can click on the individual buttons that represent each grade
level for goals and objectives.
For lesson plans and such, you can refer to this page:
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/computer.skills/resources.html
This is the computer curriculum for the Madison City School system.
This link does contain both objectives and a list of suggested
activities. However, the website only contains information for grades
k-5. If this is what you are looking for, I can call/email the school
to see if they have anything written for grades 6-9.
http://www.madisoncity.k12.al.us/Technology.htm
After searching over and over since your last message, I've found one
document that seems to be of quality content and decent length (1mb
file)
ftp://ftp.alsde.edu/documents/61/Technology%20Ed%20COS.doc
This is the official Course of Study adopted by the State Board of
Education on February 14, 2002, for implementation in the 2002-2003
school year.
The same site also has a powerpoint presentation (mostly graphic) with
brief information on the course of study mentioned above (warning,
file size is 7 mb)
ftp://ftp.alsde.edu/documents/61/TechnologyCOS.ppt
I've contacted the madison city school and they are in the process of
completely revamping their grades 6 and above curriculum so they do
not have anything written yet..but they plan to.
Best regards,
Tox-ga |
