Jan 03 2007
Lesson Plan Ideas
OK I’ve got ideas for my wheel classes (the 6th and 7th grade computer classes that change each quarter). The new quarter starts next Tuesday when we go back so it’s a perfect time for a new plan.
I start each quarter with Online Safety lesson from Netmartz. They have characters called The Wizzywigs who represent online dangers. I usually have the kids kids make posters about the Wizzywigs, but this quarter I’m going to have them make movies using Windows Movie Maker about online safety rules and the Wizzywigs. I’m toying with the idea of making a wiki with the rules and safety tips. If I do that, I will probably start it and the kids edit and add to my work, but then maybe after that I can have them create one from scratch about using Word and Excel. I really do still have to teach the kids how to use those products – I’m just looking for a more interesting way to do it.
We are in the final push for our state tests, so I will incorporate a lot of those skills into using the Office products. I think I’ll have the kids create booklets with definitions and examples of the areas we study for the state tests (Main Idea, Author’s Purpose, Compare/Contrast, Fact & Opinion, etc). The 8th grade Computer class is making a booklet exemplifying how the Parts of the Computer relate to those areas.
Another idea I had was for the 8th Graders to use Gliffy to draw the parts of the computer, but I think I’ve drawn out that unit enough, especially since we started it before vacation. I usually do a unit on Effective Searching and Evaluating Websites with the 8th graders, but I need new ideas.
