Elementary Computer Curriculum
| Topic |
1st Grade |
2nd Grade |
3rd Grade |
4th Grade |
5th Grade |
6th Grade |
|
Web Curriculum
|
• Browser Basics (open, close, back, home)
• Navigate web pages (click links) |
• Using URLs
• Using kid-friendly search sites |
• Using Internet resources |
• How the Web Works
• Mastering the Browser |
• Downloads and Plugins
• Online safety and virus protection
• Assessing Reliability
|
• Advance searches
• The hidden Web
|
|
Presentations Curriculum |
-- |
• Basic slide show
•
Text and pictures |
• Slide show with animations |
• Adding music and sound to slide shows |
• Customization and auto-timing |
• Interactive presentations |
|
Spreadsheets Curriculum |
-- |
• Creating graphs |
• Basic calculations
•
Customized graphs |
• Simple database
•
Complex calculations (checkbook?) |
• Formulas and functions |
• Multi-page workbooks
•
Stock tracking project |
|
Word Processor |
• Write text |
• Format text
•
Pictures in text |
• Cut / Copy / Paste
•
Drag and Drop
•
Pictures from Web
•
Drawing Tools
|
• Paragraph formats
•
Lists
•
User-defined styles |
• Tables
•
Page formatting
•
Footnotes
|
-- |
|
Database
|
-- |
-- |
-- |
• Simple Queries
•
Reports |
• Table Design
•
Forms |
• Advanced Queries |
|
Graphics Curriculum |
-- |
-- |
• Built-in Filters
•
Drawing tools |
• Layers
•
Text
•
Gradients |
• Animated gifs |
• Masks
•
Color correction |
| PC Basics |
• General UI and Special Keys |
• Personalizing the Desktop / GUI |
• Files and Folders |
• How a PC Works |
• Using Help Files |
• Troubleshooting Common Problems |
| Programming |
-- |
-- |
-- |
String, math, variables, built-in modules |
Conditionals |
Iterations |
| Special Studies |
• Keyboarding |
• Keyboarding |
• Hebrew Word Processing |
• Microsoft Publisher Wizards |
• Dia (Diagramming Program) |
• Advanced Publisher |
Background:
This curriculum is a complete revision of
one used previously. The previous curriculum introduced a new software package each year. The theory was that in one year students would become experts in a particular technology (such as word processing) and the next year would learn a new technology. This plan has basically flopped. Students learn a lot one year, but the next year have forgotten all but the basics about that technology. Essentially, they were not retaining what they had learned.
So, here is version two. In this version, students are exposed to a broad range of technologies each year. The same technologies are visited each year, with the studies and projects growing increasingly complex as students move from one grade to the next. My hope is that this curriculum will allow students to become more proficient in their computer skills overall.
This curriculum also includes some unique special studies for each grade, such as using the Dia program to create diagrams and learning basic keyboarding skills. I regret moving the web page design out of the sixth grade, but may offer that as an after school club.
Software:
We have Microsoft Office installed on all our machines, but I am interested in introducing students to open source software, such as Open Office. Since these software packages are free, students can take them home and work with them on their own computers. So we will be using both Microsoft Office and Open Office for the assignments, allowing the students to decide which they like best.
The open source programs we will be using are available by following the links below:
Restricted access | 
