Grade 4 Units

Unit 1 - Using Commercial Software

• Students will use drill and practice to extend other curriculum areas. (III.B,C)
• Students will demonstrate mastery of computer care and handling. (II.D)

Comments

At this age level this unit is used sparingly. It is not intended to be a stand alone unit or video game babysitter, but rather an extension unit. The teacher should choose the drill and practice for the student which will benefit his particular needs.

Unit 2 - Computers in Society

• Students will be able to list specific occupations that use computers. (I.G)
• Students will be able to list specific areas that computers directly affect them. (I.F)

Comments

This is a good activity for groups to participate in. Hands-on activities could include calculators, geo safaris, or any other video game. Don't hesitate to allow video games for short periods of time. This reinforces the concept of computers being everywhere. This unit should be taught in conjunction with other curricular areas (social studies, science, etc.).

Unit 3 - Keyboarding

• Students will learn proper keyboarding skills during the year. (II.B)

Comments

Much of the year will be dedicated to the students learning to type. If space is available it is suggested that teaching be taught in a class(lab). Teacher should monitor the students when they are at the keyboard. Encourage them to type without looking at the keys. Opaque keyboard skins may be purchased which do not allow students to see the keys. Stress accuracy and technique over speed. (PAWS(lab), Typing Tutor IV, or Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing)

Unit 4 - Macintosh Finder

• Students will continue to use Finder menus. (III.A)

Comments

Teacher should demonstrate these skills to the students first. Students will use these skills in the following word processor unit.

Unit 5 - Word Processing (III.D)

• Students will be able to input text into a word processing document.
• Students will be able to set printer options and print their documents.
• Students will become acquainted with common terms used in word processing.
• Students will be able to run the spell checker (if applicable) and make the necessary corrections.
• Students will begin to edit their work by inserting and deleting text selections.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to add clip-art to their writing using the graphics available. (III.G)

Comments

This unit may be used as the culmination of the third and fourth quarter keyboarding units. After six weeks of keyboarding, give the students a written assignment that must be completed using the word processor. Make sure the students are saving their work as they go. Don't make the written assignment so intimidating that they won't complete it in the three week period. The students will need to have a good background with using the mouse. Make sure that the students are able to recognize and apply the common terms with using the mouse.

Unit 6 - Using the Internet

• Students will extend their skills in other curriculum areas by using the web to browse related subjects. (III.I)
• Students will be introduced to E-mail and will send and receive E-mail. (III.J)
• The students will be encouraged to use E-mail to correspond with another person outside of school (teacher guided). (III.J)
• The students will exchange E-mail with fellow classmates. (III.J)

Comments

As the teacher attempts to make regular use of the internet, you should add bookmarks that the students will be able to access on their own. During their computer time they will be told which site to browse and the information to be gathered in the site (set a purpose). They should not be doing searches during their independent computer time. The students should have the ability to contact another person using E-mail. This will include finding a pen-pal over the internet. You can do this with other WELS schools who are on the net, or other person. The children should be guided by the teacher when locating a pen pal. Remember not to give out names, addresses, or phone numbers to an unknown person.