• talk and sing along with characters in a program
• point and click using a mouse
• explore onscreen environments and discover hot spots
• respond to Yes and No questions in a computer activity
• use the mouse and cursor to add stamps while using creativity software
• remember places in a program that they like and ask to return there

Six Year Old Computer Whizzes Can...

• start a program from the desktop
• find their way through simple programs
• click , drag, and drop  objects on the screen
• use readiness activities to learn numbers, letters, shapes, and colors
• place a cd in the computer and remove it 
•  respond to the question, "How did you do that?"

Seven Year Old Computer Whizzes Can...

• start up and shut down the computer
• use sign in options, like typing in their name
• play games that require problem solving and memory skills
• make cards, letters, and invitations using creativity software
• use the print function
• exit a program
• respond to the question, "What was the story about?"

Eight Year Old Computer Whizzes Can..

• use different parts of the keyboard such as arrows, enter, escape, and space bar
• play activites that develop reading, writing, math, science, and other subject skills
• make an illustrated story using a word processor or creativity program
• personalize the desktopp
• play a game that requires taking turns
• save a document
• explore advanced cd's such as an encyclopedia
• can answer the question, "What are the main parts of a computer?"

Nine Year Old Computer Whizzes Can...

• use the internet to look up a science term or historical figure with parent supervision
• play a game that requires solving math or logic puzzles
• scan a photograph, create a folder, and save it
• illustrate homework with pictures and photographs
• respond to the question,"What are some Internet Safety Rules?"

Ten Year Old Computer Whizzes Can...

• practice correct typing using keyboarding software
• use pull down menus to customize word processing documents
• use the internet to research and write a report
• use presentation software to illustrate a project

Eleven Year Old Computer Whizzes Can....

• use a digital camera
• can set up a laptop computer, plug in power, attach printer, connect internet cable
• e-mail a greeting to a relative with parent supervision
• can answer the question, "How can computers help you in everyday life?"

Our classroom laptop computers are connected to the HISD LAN for fast browsing and research. Browsing software includes Internet Explorer 6.0., KiddoNet 3.0, Windows Media  9, and Quicktime 6.  Research software includes Netrekker, World Book Encyclopedia online,AP Multimedia Archive, Pics 4 Learning, and Acuweather Productivity software includes Microsoft Word, Creative Writer, Excel,  Power Point and Print Shop. E-Mail Communication for   Middle School Students is provided by gaggle.net Educational Software includes Kidspiration, Classworks Gold, Inspiration, Orchard , Timeliner 5, Typing Master, and subscriptions to Digital Curriculum,Tumblebooks, Learning.com and Turnitin.com Creativity software includes Movieworks Deluxe 6, Drawing For Children,Windows MovieMaker 2.0,  Kidpix Studio,  PhotoJam3, and Image Blender 2.5. Our Multimedia Cart includes iMovie, iTunes, iPhoto, and iDVD. All students in grades 3-8 establish an e-folio of projects, assignments, and creative efforts.

Please get in touch with any questions or comments on my site.

NetSmartz for Parents