Word of the Week 2: Hardware & Software

This week's words are the week are HARDWARE and SOFTWARE.

HARDWARE:  Parts of the computer that you can touch
Examples: monitor, keyboard, mouse, headphones

SOFTWARE:  provides instructions for telling a computer what to do and how to do it
Examples:  Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google, Email Programs, Games

TEST YOUR SKILLS:  Can you test your computer skills by labeling the parts of the computer below?  Check your skills with the answers below.

Week 2: Technology Enhances Reading

BIG IDEA:  How can technology enhance one's reading skills?

SNAPSHOT:  This week's technology class will be an extension of the reading skills taught in the classroom to introduce SMOY's reading program, Accelerated Reader.  All students will take a pre-test to determine one's reading level.  Students will also learn the difference between SOFTWARE and HARDWARE and be able to identify and describe the parts of the computer.

WHAT'S THE POINT?
Being able to identify the parts of the computer will help increase one's knowledge of the computer in order to help build effective computer skills.  Hardware and Software are two different components, but they work with one another to make one's computer work properly.  It is important for all students to learn the correct computer vocabulary as we begin the school year.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Check out BRAIN POP: The components of a computer

EXTENSIONS:

*Encourage your students to explore the software on your home computer with your parental permission. Once students finished exploring the Accelerated Software program on our lab computers, we explored Google Earth this week.  Want to download Google Earth for free to use on your home computer?  Click here.

*See if your child can identify the parts of your home computer and determine if each part is hardware or software.

Word of the Week 1: Technology

This week's word of the week is TECHNOLOGY.

Technology is:
-something that makes your life easier
-helps us solve problems
-extends our abilities to do things

Think of life around you: what are examples of technology?  What technology do you use everyday?

• at HOME: microwave, refrigerator, computer, cell phone, alarm clock, electric toothbrush
• at SCHOOL:  SmartBoards, laptops, printers, scanners
• DON'T FORGET:  Technology doesn't have to be electronic!  Papers, pens, pencils, binders, and notebooks are examples of technology too!!
• on the FOOTBALL FIELD:  shoelaces, helmets, scoreboards

The list of technologies in your life is endless!  

TRY IT AT HOME:  Try to see how much technology you use in your life.  Do you think you could life without it?  Do you depend on technology too much in your life?  What technologies do you use that your grandparents did not use when they were your age?

Lesson 1: What is Technology?

WEEK 1:

BIG IDEA:  What is Technology?   Discover what technology is available in students’ lives and in their classrooms and how technology can help them in their daily world.

SNAPSHOT:  This week students discovered what technology is and why it is important in their lives inside the classroom and outside of the classroom walls.  We also learned the history of computers and how technology changes over time.  We were able to identify specific technologies around while comparing and contrasting technology uses to the past, present, and future.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?:
Check out:  BRAIN POP:  History of Computers

DISCUSS:  Discuss how technology is ever changing / how computers looked completely different / how technology is now much smaller and mass produced compared to what it was in their grandparents’ lifetimes

WHAT'S THE POINT?:
The point of having a technology class at school is to provide an extension of learning from what you study in the classroom to connect to student lives in the “real world” – every day you use technology! 

EXTENSIONS:

• Think of a piece of technology that you use at home.  Now picture that technology 100 years from now.  What would it look like?  Draw a picture and explain how this would work.
• How can people take advantage of technology to, in turn, hurt their lifestyles?  Think back to the Wall-E clip viewed in class. 

8th graders:  Think of good classroom rules / presentation of classroom rules in the form of using technology next week!  START BRAINSTORMING and being CREATIVE!  Eighth grades need to strive to be an example.  We will work on a digital story of the classroom technology rules to present to the younger grades.

Practice for the High School Placement Test (HSPT)

In eighth grade, Mrs. Budde is working with her students to practice for the High School Placement Test online via InfOhio.  This website is a great resource for students.

Want to try it at home?  Follow these steps:

1. Go to www.infohio.org
2. Enter your username : USERNAME: learn
3. Enter your password : PASSWORD:  infohio
4. Click on "Resources for 6-8"
5. Click on "Learning Express Library"
6. Click on "Learning Express Library" again
7. Choose "Middle School" on the left and click it.
8. Click "High School Entrance Exam Preparation"
9. Under "High School Entrance Exam Preparation" click on HSPT Preparation.
10. Click on "Catholic High School Placement Exam COOP/HSPT4th Edition
11. Click on "Add to Center" at right

Remembering 9-11

Some of the sixth graders have been working on a video to showcase what they will be doing to remember September 11th.

Check it out:  Koetter 9-11 Video

2011-2012 Technology Schedule

Curious to see when your student is coming to Computer Class?  Here is the Computer Lab schedule:

Double click to enlarge and print

LAB: 21st Century Make-Over

The lab has had a make-over!!  Bright colors now welcome students into a learner-centered environment.  All computer supplies and resources are organized and easy to find.  No need to try to maneuver around boxes or cords!  The lab is now set up to model a teacher-driven classroom.  Welcome to our newly designed computer lab!

Welcome!

Hello!  My name is Miss Wilmes, and I am your child's new Technology teacher here at SMOY.  I am very excited to embark on a new school year with your students.  We have an exciting year ahead!

PERFECT FIT:  EDUCATION + TECHNOLOGY
This job is a perfect fit for me, for it combines two my favorite passions:  education and technology!  I love working with children, as teaching is my God-given gift.  I have my bachelors in Middle Childhood Education from Northern Kentucky University in both Mathematics and Language Arts.  I also hold my master's degree from Miami University in Curriculum and Teacher Leadership with an emphasis in Educational Technology.  I believe that to teach is to touch a life forever, and I cannot think of anything I would rather do than impact our future generation by educating our youth.  I look forward to working with you and your children!

TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN SOCIETY:
Technology has infused our world!  Students and families are part of a technology-driven society in which technology education exists inside and outside of SMOY's classroom walls!  One of my goals as a technology educator is to integrate a knowledge of technology into students lives.  I want to take what is happening in the world around them and the resources they use daily to make each student a 21st Century learner.  Learning technology does not happen in a vacuum; a true educator must see that technology is an extension of a students' normal routine in a society permeated with technology.

COOL ENOUGH TO HAVE A BLOG:

I have created this blog in order to create a open line of communication to keep students and parents up-to-date on all things technology happening here at St. Margaret of York.  Please free free to check out this blog a few times a week, as I will be updating this weekly with information of what your students are learning in the classroom, extensions to lessons, technology advice, and even resources!  

I look forward to working with you and your family!  Please feel free to stop by the lab and introduce yourselves!


Miss Cindy Wilmes