Computer Science

 Curriculum Overview:
Computer Technology Curriculum Overview:
 
 
Sudents engage in curriculum-related computer activities designed by their classroom teacher, computer teacher, and/or library media specialist.  Students become engaged in a number of developmentally appropriate computer projects. Computers are used for problem-solving activities, creating simple publishing projects, painting and drawing, and slideshow presentations. Third grade students develop storytelling and research skills through multimedia projects using tools such as PowerPoint or Keynote. As students move into higher  grades , they continue to develop their storytelling craft, but will incorporate other software to produce animated videos (Frames), musical compositions (Garageband), or videos that reflect their understanding of curriculum concepts or social issues (iMovie, WeVideo). They also use programming resources such as Scratch and Tynker to enhance their abilities to identify creative solutions to problems, while demonstrating both their computer expertise and their knowledge of mathematical concepts. 5th-8th grade students also participate in an inquiry research Capstone project which brings together many of the strategies and skills they've learned in their elementary careers.
Elementary students learn how to create multimedia presentations and how to use the Internet as a tool for basic research. They engage in a variety of interesting computer projects, including databases, computer animation, movies, audio and music compositions, and other technology topics. Students also have access to subscription-based online reference materials and software simulations.
 
Elementary students engage in curriculum-related computer activities designed by their classroom teacher, computer teacher, and/or library media specialist. During the primary grades, students become engaged in a number of developmentally appropriate computer projects. Computers are used for problem-solving activities, creating simple publishing projects, painting and drawing, and slideshow presentations. Third grade students develop storytelling and research skills through multimedia projects using tools such as PowerPoint or Keynote. As students move into grades four and five, they continue to develop their storytelling craft, but will incorporate other software to produce animated videos (Frames), musical compositions (Garageband), or videos that reflect their understanding of curriculum concepts or social issues (iMovie, WeVideo). They also use programming resources such as Scratch and Tynker to enhance their abilities to identify creative solutions to problems, while demonstrating both their computer expertise and their knowledge of mathematical concepts. Fifth grade students also participate in an inquiry research Capstone project which brings together many of the strategies and skills they've learned in their elementary careers.
Elementary students learn how to create multimedia presentations and how to use the Internet as a tool for basic research. They engage in a variety of interesting computer projects, including databases, computer animation, movies, audio and music compositions, and other technology topics. Students also have access to subscription-based online reference materials and software simulations.
The following chart presents computer expectations for each of the  grades. The expectations are based on the latest draft of the revised ISTE National Educational Technology Standards:
 

• Creativity and Innovation: Students think creatively, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products using technology
• Communication and Collaboration: Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others
• Research and Information Retrieval: Students access, retrieve, manage, and evaluate information using digital tools.
• Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving and Decision-Making: Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems and make informed decisions using appropriate technology tools.
• Digital Citizenship: Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior.
• Technology Operations and Concepts: Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations.

 
Student Technology Expectations
 
1st-8th grades
 
Creativity and Innovation

• Use computers to combine media such as text and graphics (with assistance) to communicate ideas
• Use basic computer drawing tools, colors, and shapes to illustrate or communicate ideas
• Explore the tool palette
• Communication and Collaboration
• Use computers to facilitate letter recognition and vocabulary development
• Use computers to facilitate reading, writing, listening, and speaking
• Use pictures to support emergent writing and to communicate concepts or information learned

 
Research and Information Retrieval

• Use teacher-selected Web sites to enhance and support curriculum

 
Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving and Decision-Making

• Use computers to complete projects
• Use computers to explore and demonstrate number sense
• Use computers to explore spatial relations and shape recognition
• Use computers to practice sequencing, patterns, and symmetry

 
Digital Citizenship

• Respect each other's work
• Use resources as directed

 
Technology Operations and Concepts

• Login to network account using name and password (with assistance)
• Identify the basic components of the computer: monitor, keyboard, mouse, headphones, microphones, and printers
• Use the mouse appropriately in programs
• Identify and find letters/numbers on the keyboard
• Be able to use and navigate the Dock
• Locate, open, and save files with assistance
• Ask for assistance when needed; assist peers when appropriate

 
First Grade
 
Creativity and Innovation

• Use computers to express ideas learned through curriculum studies using different media elements that include text, graphics, and sound (with moderate assistance)
• Use more advanced drawing tools, colors, and shapes
• Make appropriate choices from the tool palette

 
Communication and Collaboration

• Use computers to publish a short story, poem, or expository writing involving the use of text and graphics with appropriate spacing and punctuation
• Collaborate and interact with peers to create a team multimedia project communicating curriculum ideas

 
Research and Information Retrieval

• Within teacher-selected Web sites, explore information on various curriculum
• Use computers to practice sequencing, patterns, and symmetry

 
Digital Citizenship

• Respect each other's work
• Use resources as directed

 
Technology Operations and Concepts

• Login to network account using name and password (with assistance)
• Identify the basic components of the computer: monitor, keyboard, mouse, headphones, microphones, and printers
• Use the mouse appropriately in programs
• Identify and find letters/numbers on the keyboard
• Be able to use and navigate the Dock
• Locate, open, and save files with assistance
• Ask for assistance when needed; assist peers when appropriate

 
 
 
Second Grade
 
Creativity and Innovation

• Use technology to express ideas using different media elements such as text, images, sound, and voice to express knowledge and to entertain
• Begin to locate, select and use appropriate images to enhance curriculum projects
• Introduce image-editing techniques such as selecting and resizing

 
Communication and Collaboration

• Use computers to type stories, poetry, or research reports related to curriculum using shift key to capitalize letters and using simple punctuation
• Use the computer to develop a multimedia presentation through a sequence or storyboard
• Contribute to team projects

 
Research and Information Retrieval

• Use teacher-selected Web sites to locate and access information related to curriculum
• Introduce basic keyword search techniques
• Introduce the concept of taking electronic notes to enhance research
• Introduce concept of citation of sources

 
Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving and Decision-Making

• Introduce strategies to collect information, solve problems and complete projects
• Use the computer to explore math concepts such as grouping, dividing, and understanding of geometry through a combination of shapes
• Introduce basic programming commands

 
Digital Citizenship

• Respect others' account privacy and work
• Practice safe and responsible use of online resources
• Technology Operations and Concepts
• Login to network and enter password independently
• Use two hands on the keyboard most of the time. Introduce "home row" position
• Locate, open, print, and save files (with appropriate filenames) with minimal assistance

Third Grade
 
Creativity and Innovation

• Use various graphics (such as scanned photographs and drawings and clip art), styles, and layouts to enhance expression and communicate information
• Locate, select and use appropriate images
• Develop image-editing techniques (selecting, resizing, copying and pasting)

 
Communication and Collaboration

• Use computers for creative and expressive writing using basic formatting techniques and tools (select text to delete, copy, paste; indent, spacing, alignment, alter font/style)
• Use computers to create multimedia presentations with text, graphics, sound, and animation
• Begin to use electronic spell check
• Research and Information Retrieval
• Develop strategies to locate information from appropriate Internet sources
• Navigate Websites with assistance
• Begin to download images from the Internet to support research
• Develop and practice note-taking strategies
• Begin to cite information and image sources

 
Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving and Decision-Making

• Continue to develop strategies to collect information, solve problems and complete projects
• Use basic commands to create procedures that demonstrate or illustrate an idea
• Use TIMS resources to develop and practice math concepts

 
Digital Citizenship

• Respect others' account privacy and work
• Practice safe, responsible and appropriate use of local and online resources
• Technology Operations and Concepts
• Continue to develop consistent "home row" position on the keyboard
• Continue to locate, open, save and print files independently
• Understand and effectively use the Group Shared / Hand-In/ Hand-Out folder

Fourth Grade
 
Creativity and Innovation

• Create interactive multimedia presentations using text, images, audio, and video to convey curriculum concepts
• Demonstrate sense of color, shape and space in designing a presentation to communicate information or express ideas
• Use technology resources for self-expression through original stories

 
Communication and Collaboration

• Continue to develop computer skills for a variety of writing tasks using tools to import graphics from various applications
• Insert/reposition graphics in documents
• Develop appropriate use of spell check
• Use a variety of media that may include text, graphics, scanned images, and sound
• Engage and collaborate with others via online discussion groups, cloud-based documents, and video chats

 
Research and Information Retrieval

• Continue to use appropriate search engines and directories to search for information
• Apply advanced search techniques such as Boolean operators to search for information
• Develop strategies for evaluating sources
• Continue to take notes and cite sources appropriately
• Use a digital microscope to enhance observation and gathering of research data

 
Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving and Decision-Making

• Plan and execute strategies to guide research and complete projects
• Gather and analyze data to identify solutions and make informed decisions
• Create multiple procedures using a programming language to highlight an action

 
Digital Citizenship

• Use resources in a manner that is safe, mindful of acceptable student conduct and respectful of the privacy of other users

 
Technology Operations and Concepts

• Type using all fingers in home row position; begin to incorporate other keys such as symbols and numbers
• Begin to use a variety of shortcut keystroke commands (i.e., to save, or to navigate between multiple programs simultaneously on the computer)
• Be aware of basic file management techniques (organize, rename, delete files)
• Learn to plug in and adjust the settings of external equipment such as headphones and microphones

Fifth Grade – Eight Grade
 
Creativity and Innovation

• Use a variety of media that may include text, graphics, digital images, videos, and sound to communicate and express ideas
• Master image-editing techniques to effectively present information
• Continue to use basic principles of design and typography (text formatting techniques) to enhance ideas or to persuade

 
Communication and Collaboration

• Use the computer for creative and expository writing using more complex publishing tools such as Pages and Keynote
• Use the computer to create a multimedia presentation that incorporates text, graphics, digital images, video, and sound
• Use the computer to publish fiction and nonfiction work to a wider audience

 
Research and Information Retrieval

• Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize and use information from a variety of sources and media.
• Follow proper citation guidelines
• Complete an inquiry based research project
• Use the Internet to converse with experts worldwide to research a topic or to collaborate with other students on research

 
Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving and Decision-Making

• Plan and execute strategies to effectively guide research and complete projects
• Introduce basic use of a spreadsheet to analyze, calculate, and store data
• Practice more advanced programming techniques

 
Digital Citizenship

• Use resources in a manner that is safe, mindful of acceptable student conduct and respectful of the privacy of other users

 
Technology Operations and Concepts

• Type regularly with all fingers
• Continue to use keyboard shortcuts and quick commands (Macro keys)
• Be comfortable with all aspects of file management (saving files, renaming and deleting files, copying files, etc.) including accessing and sharing files remotely
• Plug in and use external equipment such as headphones
• 
  

Scope and Sequences by Grade Level: 

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