Welcome to the PK-3 Grade Technology Program!  I’m once again looking forward to teaching your children and working with parents to make our technology program exciting and productive.

We’re off to a great start!  This first quarter will be dedicated to reviewing computer terminology and improving keyboarding skills.  Proper hand placement and computer posture will be emphasized.  PK and Kinder students will investigate the keyboard and recognize the letters of their names.  1^st grade will practice basic keyboard recognition and improve mouse techniques.  Grades 2^nd and 3^rd will begin an original story, incorporate pictures using PAINT, and print their stories.

This is a reminder that Grades PK-3 are expected to follow the computer lab rules as well as general school rules in the downstairs lab.

Thank you to those who help keep our school’s technology program going.  Your continued support is greatly appreciated.

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Fourth Grade
4th grade is diligently practicing touch typing and doing well. It is a slow process at first and that is when many just quit. If they persevere at typing slowly, but correctly from home row, their speed will pick up dramatically. They have begun Mathscore, a math drill program, and seem to enjoy it.

Fifth Grade
5th grade is also practicing touch typing, but concentrating on using the various toolbars in Microsoft’s Suite of programs. They are creating a publishable Word document about the Prayer to St. Isidore. This class did so well last year with Mathscore, and they are continuing the program in 5th grade.

Sixth Grade
6th grade is concentrating on spreadsheet charts and formulas for the next two weeks or so, and will begin computer history and create a timeline as their next project.

Seventh Grade
7th grade is using Microsoft Access to study some of the influential people in the history of computing.

Eighth Grade
8th grade is finishing their autobiographical, “High Profile” project and will begin building a computer – virtually.

All Middle School classes are also using Mathscore to improve their basic math skills, as well as learning about Internet Safety.

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Did you know…

If your child types PIR or POS in an instant message, they may be telling their friend that there is a “parent in the room” or there is a “parent over their shoulder.” Do you know how to take care of your child online? You may want to tell them to follow the 4R’s:

Recognize, Refuse, Respond, Report
According to iSafe online, there are six stages that you need to recognize.

• “In Stage 1 of the grooming process, Internet predators typically collect information from your profile or chat, disguise their own identity, and pretend to have common interests with you.
• In Stage 2, they typically support your point of view in online conflicts or offline arguments that you tell them about, pretend to be the only person who understands you, and become your IM or chat buddy.
• In Stage 3, they typically ask you to keep the friendship a secret, exchange email addresses and phone numbers with you, and use more adult-oriented language and materials.”

If you want to know all six stages visit iSafe, an Internet Safety Project endorsed by the Diocese of Dallas, or read our next, “Did You Know…”

Just reading some of this can send chills up our spines, I know. Be aware and know what your child is doing online and on their cell phone, but also have faith. Sometimes PIR just means “pizza in the refrigerator.”

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