3^rd Grade Computer Curriculum

Third graders take computers for a 6-week period during the first semester. During this time the children are introduced to the basic concepts of keyboarding. They learn the proper keyboarding and keystroking techniques for the alphanumeric characters on the keyboard. They learn how to format and change font and font style, and also how to format spacing, change the justification of text within a document and some basic editing techniques. They do a great job of improving their typing skills during this 6-week period. The 3^rd graders are also taught how to format and create multimedia presentations using Hyperstudio. These new presentation program skills are a big help as they create several multimedia presentations throughout the year in 3^rd grade.

Computer Skills

¨ Open/close program window on desktop

¨ Choose program in window and open program

¨ Log on by picking name out of a list

¨ Load and run software from the CD-Rom drive

¨ Learn proper software care and maintenance

¨ How to put away and care for CD’s and floppies.

¨ Resize and move window on the desktop

¨ Find and access programs from the start menu

¨ Use and recognize how to access programs using a mouse

¨ Manipulate and move objects in a program using the mouse

¨ Learn how to access and log on to a program

¨ Recognize and learn how to open and close a window and access programs inside of a window.

¨ Create, save, load and retrieve a file created in an application program. (Word and Hyperstudio)

¨ Log on program by typing in the correct password

¨ Perform a simple web search

¨ Recognize the different hardware that makes up a computer system – monitor, keyboard, disk drive, CD-ROM drive, CPU, mouse, printer, scanner.

Educational Skills

¨ Learn the proper keystroking techniques for the alphanumeric keys of the keyboard

¨ Learn how to change font, font size, cut, copy, and paste

¨ Learn how to format justification of text

¨ Learn how to manipulate the font, font size, color, etc. of text from the font dialog.

¨ Learn how to format text from the format menu on the menu bar and from the formatting toolbar.

¨ Understands the difference between the title bar, the menu bar, the standard toolbar and the formatting toolbar.

¨ Learn how to log on a program by typing in a password

¨ Learn how to use spellchecker.

Programs used:

Type to Learn, Type to Learn, Jr!, New Keys for Kids, Microtype Multimedia, Microsoft Word, Hyperstudio

Hardware Used: PC’s in classroom, PC’s in lower school tech center, Printers in classroom and tech center.