twit+2011_2012

__TWiT: This Week in Techclass __ NOTE: Students have TechClass every fourth school day. For this reason, the following weekly agendas do not always begin on Mondays.)

REQUEST from Mr. Bentley: All K-5 students would GREATLY benefit from having their own ear-buds /headphones for TechClass. These can be old Walkman or mp3 player headphones or any other audio headphones. Ear-buds from phones will NOT fit our computers. The cheapest I've seen ear-buds and headphones are at Dollar Daze next to Walmart in Owosso (cost= $1).

Also...for SAFE INTERNET SEARCH, don't use Google, use Google's Safe Search for Kids at www.safesearchkids.com/

__**Weeks beginning Wednesday, May 15 through May 31, 2012:**__ During these weeks in Tech Class...
 * 3rd, 4th and 5th grade:
 * Students continued to work on their projects. Their project resources can be found at our district's website here: These projects are listed and described on our PE TechClass page, which is a part of our school district's website at www.GoPerry.org. If for any reason they they felt they couldn't work on it, they are to spend class time trying out one of the other project ideas that do not require an account (Sketchup, Scratch, etc.). These projects are listed and described on our PE TechClass page at GoPerry.org. COMPUTERS ARE TO BE USED ONLY FOR PROJECTS!
 * Mr. Bentley began the process of uploading, embedding and linking student projects to the PE TechClass page at GoPerry.org.
 * 2nd grade:
 * Students (again) played Spelling Bee online found at abcya.com. In addition to challenging the students with spelling words, this activity challenged students to compete with each other directly online. Students were divided up into groups of 3 or 4. For each group, the teacher assigned who would create a private game, and the others in each group would then join the private group of the creator. The creator chose a simple password and gave it to the members of his/her group. This activity required these 7 year-olds to work together to make games happen where all were participating.
 * The website,abcya.com have over 100 games/activities/exercises that inform, create, exercise, review, remediate content and skills in all curricular areas (not to mention fine motor skills). This week and the weeks to come, we are exploring the entire site and students are choosing activities that promote their learning style and interests.
 * Kindergarten and 1st grade:
 * The website,abcya.com have over 100 games/activities/exercises that inform, create, exercise, review, remediate content and skills in all curricular areas (not to mention fine motor skills). This week and the weeks to come, we are exploring the entire site and students are choosing activities that promote their learning style and interests.

__**Week beginning Wednesday, May 9, 2012:**__ During these weeks in Tech Class...
 * 3rd, 4th and 5th grade:
 * Students worked on their projects. Their project resources can be found at our district's website here: These projects are listed and described on our PE TechClass page, which is a part of our school district's website at www.GoPerry.org. If for any reason they they felt they couldn't work on it, they are to spend class time trying out one of the other project ideas that do not require an account (Sketchup, Scratch, etc.). These projects are listed and described on our PE TechClass page at GoPerry.org. COMPUTERS ARE TO BE USED ONLY FOR PROJECTS!
 * 2nd grade:
 * Students played Spelling Bee online found at abcya.com. In addition to challenging the students with spelling words, this activity challenged students to compete with each other directly online. Students were divided up into groups of 3 or 4. For each group, the teacher assigned who would create a private game, and the others in each group would then join the private group of the creator. The creator chose a simple password and gave it to the members of his/her group.
 * Kindergarten and 1st grade:
 * Students practiced number theory and fine motor skills using connect the dots activities found on the 2nd Grade section 2nd Grade abcya.com.

__**Weeks beginning Monday, April 23th and Friday, April 27th, 2012:**__ Note: A number of these classes were cancelled due to class field trips, ACES, middle school orientation, etc.
 * 3rd, 4th and 5th grade:
 * Students worked on their projects. Their project resources can be found at our district's website here: These projects are listed and described on our PE TechClass page, which is a part of our school district's website at www.GoPerry.org.
 * If for any reason they they felt they couldn't work on it, they are to spend class time trying out one of the other project ideas that do not require an account (Sketchup, Scratch, etc.). These projects are listed and described on our PE TechClass page at GoPerry.org.
 * 2nd grade:
 * Students used an activity called Shape Construction to build spatial visualization and geometry. Students also sought out patterns with Moon Rock Patterns at the same website. After reaching the end of each of the challenges, students had choice time on abcya.com. To Guest Teacher: Ask class which activity hasn't been done. Then, instruct them to complete all levels of that activity before moving on to abcya.com choice time.
 * Kindergarten and 1st grade:
 * Students used an activity called Shape Construction to build spatial visualization and geometry. Students also sought out patterns with Moon Rock Patterns at the same website. After reaching the end of each of the challenges, students had choice time on abcya.com.Then, instruct them to complete all levels of that activity before moving on to abcya.com choice time. If both have been done, choose an activity from either the numbers or letters panel from abcya.com.

__**Weeks following Spring Break (Monday, April 9, 2012):**__ During these weeks in Tech Class...
 * 3rd, 4th and 5th grade:
 * Students decided what project they would be doing (first). They went to the PE Tech Class fusionpage found at [|www.goperry.org] There they used the directions and resources to begin their projects.
 * 2nd grade:
 * Blabberize proved too complicated for most 2nd graders at this time. Therefore, we paused on that activity.
 * Students were given choices to exercise use of the mouse and the keyboard. The choices are...
 * Keyseeker
 * Arachnid Falls
 * Students practiced their typing skills here. Then explored other typing challenge activities elsewhere on this webpage.
 * Kindergarten and 1st grade:
 * Students used an activity called Shape Construction to build spatial visualization and geometry skills at abcya.com. They are to complete this activity. Once they reach the black happy face, they may have choice time on abcya.com only.

__**Weeks beginning Wednesday, March 13 and following through the end of March, 2012:**__ During these weeks in Tech Class... (Note: Network services were down for "Day 1" classes and the school delay due to fog cancelled classes on for "Day 4" classes.)
 * 3rd, 4th and 5th grade:
 * All students were asked to fill out a survey for school improvement.
 * Students decided what project they would be doing (first). They used the online form found on [|www.goperry.org]
 * 2nd graders:
 * All students were asked to fill out a survey for school improvement.
 * Students continued working on their Blabberizeproject creating speech for their blabbers.
 * Kindergarten and 1st grade
 * All students were asked to fill out a survey for school improvement. (Classes from Day 3 and 4 took the survey this week. Classes from Day 1 and 2 will take it next week.)
 * Students were back using Ipads this week focusing on individual interests. Once activity students used was Screenchomp. 6 year old Cassie shows and tells us how to draw a flower. Click here: www.screenchomp.com/t/kzsnM3sVKAp9

__**Week beginning Wednesday, March 7, 2012:**__ During this week in Tech Class... Mr. Bentley was away during this week at a techie teacher conference learning more about educational technology. While he was away...
 * 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade:
 * Upper El students were given a rare opportunity for choice time. This means that they may use any website that is linked to from this page. Additional choices are at the discretion of the guest teacher.
 * Kindergarten and 1st grade students
 * Students were given choices to exercise use of the mouse and the keyboard. The choices are...
 * Keyseeker
 * Arachnid Falls
 * @http://www.headsprout.com/code/launchMA.cfm
 * @http://www.earobics.com/gamegoo/games/tina2/tina2lo.html
 * @http://www.tvokids.com/games/beesandhoney

__**Week beginning Wednesday, February 29, 2012:**__ During this week in Tech Class...
 * 3rd, 4th and 5th grade:
 * Students continued to blog about what they wanted to do with the remaining 12 weeks of Tech Class using our district's website: [|www.goperry.org]
 * 2nd graders chose a picture to use in their Blabberizeproject.
 * started exploring Blabberize. Students were invited to have a parent email a photo to Mr Bentley so that the student could make the photo "talk".
 * Kindergarten and 1st grade students practiced keyboarding using the following websites/activities:
 * Keyseeker
 * Arachnid Falls

__**Week beginning Wednesday, February 22, 2012:**__ During this week in Tech Class...
 * 3rd, 4th and 5th grade:
 * Students blogged about what they wanted to do with the remaining 12 weeks of Tech Class using our district's website: [|www.goperry.org]
 * 2nd graders started exploring Blabberize. Students were invited to have a parent email a photo to Mr Bentley so that the student could make the photo "talk".
 * Here is an example:
 * Kindergarten and 1st grade students practiced mouseskills using the following websites/activities:
 * []
 * []
 * []

__**Week beginning Wednesday, February 15, 2012:**__ During this week in Tech Class (Guest Teacher this week)... >> Second through fifth grade students like KerPoof, Abcya and Primarygames.com If the internet is down, students are welcome to play any game / application that is on the computer desktop or in the program list (Sketchup, Open Office Word, etc)
 * All grades:
 * CHOICE TIME: If you are unable to follow my lesson plans, you may invite students who you find to be respectful, responsible and safe to play their choice of any game that is linked off the TWiT page (This week in Tech) ONLY! Students who you find NOT to be respectful, responsible and/or safe are to take a break from using a computer. They are welcome to watch classmates play. ;-) Kindergarten and first grade students like Oochy and Abcya and KerPoof and Fraboom.

__**Week beginning Thursday, February 9, 2012:**__ During this week in Tech Class...
 * 3rd, 4th and 5th grade:
 * Students copied their Sketchup house screenshot cropped resized jpeg file from their school network account to a thumb drive. Mr. Bentley will be posting these on our website in a slideshow format.
 * Students who had created something remarkable and/or unusual and offered to publish their work also copied these files to a thumb drive. Mr. Bentley will be posting these as well.
 * Students who had any remaining class time were offered choice time (freetime w/ limits).
 * 2nd grade:
 * Students continued reviewing their knowledge about good nutrition through exploration and game play at Nutrition Explorations.
 * Kindergarten and 1st grade:
 * Students were back on the computers this week. Students created an image using a choice of activities from abcya.com. Students then saved the file to our network.

__**Weeks beginning Monday, January 30 and Friday, February 3, 2012:**__ During these weeks in Tech Class...
 * 3rd, 4th and 5th grade:
 * Students worked toward completing their Sketchup projects. Students used the tutorials found listed under Week beginning January 11th.
 * Students who were finished creating a picture file of their Sketchup house used this tutorial to learn how to upload their file to our class pageon the PPS district website: www.goperry.org.
 * 2nd grade:
 * Students reviewed the end-of-class procedure (closing programs, logging off computers, pushing in chairs)
 * Students finished their Sketchup projects and saved them to their folder on our network.
 * Students learned about and reviewed their knowledge about good nutrition through exploration and game play at Nutrition Explorations.
 * Kindergarten and 1st grade:
 * Students spent more time using the educational programs and games on the Ipads.

__**Weeks beginning Wednesday, January 18 and Tuesday, January 24th, 2012:**__ During these weeks in Tech Class...
 * 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade:
 * Students finished tasks Sketchup tasks (see below - Week beginning January 11)
 * Students who were finished creating a picture file of their Sketchup house used this tutorial to learn how to upload their file to our class pageon the PPS district website: www.goperry.org.
 * Kindergarten and 1st grade:
 * Students spent time using the educational programs and games on Ipads.

__**Week beginning Wednesday, January 11, 2012:**__ During this week in Tech Class...
 * 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade:
 * Students used their finished Sketchup projects to follow the directions in the following tutorial:
 * **How to take a screenshot of your sketchup house, crop and resize it in Paint, then save it as a jpeg file in your sketchup folder.**
 * Students who had not finished their houses used the following tutorials:
 * Students this in-class-created tutorial to create a house and chimney.
 * Students used this tutorial to make steps, a door and windows.
 * Students used this tutorial to decorate their house.
 * Kindergarten and 1st grade:
 * Students used OpenOffice Writer (similar to Microsoft Word) to type their name. They used the mouse and keyboard to capitalize letters. Students used various options to change the look of their name, including size, font style and color.

__**Weeks beginning the new year:**__ Note: Due to the holiday season, there were many events that either interrupted, delayed or distracted students. This affected the progress of many classes. During these weeks in Tech Class... __**Happy New Year**__
 * 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade:
 * As our new year begins, we would like to finish our Sketchup houses before we move into new challenges.
 * Students first completed their Sketchup house using the tutorials below.
 * Students then continued to create and explore the program creating and saving their work in their virtual folders.
 * Kindergarten and 1st grade:
 * Students continue to work on motor skills (using the mouse) and navigating the Windows operating system and internet browsers. Students are using the following websites for this:
 * Buildyourwildself.com
 * KerPoof
 * FRABOOM!
 * Oochy
 * abcya.com

__**Weeks beginning Monday, December 12, 2011 and continuing through December:**__ Note: Due to the holiday season, there were many events that either interrupted, delayed or distracted students. This affected the progress of many classes. During these weeks in Tech Class...
 * 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade:
 * Students opened the program Sketchup(found at school under Programs => Student Applications => Google Sketchup ) and explored the program learning to use the three controls: orbit, pan and zoom.
 * Note: Sketchup is an architectural program where CAD (computer-aided design) becomes child's play. Sketchup is a free program that can be downloaded from the link above or from cnet's www.download.com.
 * Students opened their SketchUp files that were created during the previous class. Students used this in-class-created tutorial to create a house and chimney. Students used this tutorial to make steps, a door and windows. Students used this tutorial to decorate their house.
 * Students personalized and saved their projects by clicking File => Save.
 * Kindergarten and 1st grade:
 * Students continue to work on motor skills (using the mouse) and navigating the Windows operating system and internet browsers. Students are using the following websites for this:
 * Buildyourwildself.com
 * KerPoof
 * FRABOOM!
 * Oochy
 * abcya.com

__**Week beginning Tuesday, December 6, 2011:**__ During this week in Tech Class...
 * 3rd, 4th and 5th grade:
 * Students opened the program Sketchup(found at school under Programs => Student Applications => Google Sketchup ) and explored the program learning to use the three controls: orbit, pan and zoom.
 * Note: Sketchup is an architectural program where CAD (computer-aided design) becomes child's play. Sketchup is a free program that can be downloaded from the link above or from cnet's www.download.com.
 * Students opened their SketchUp files that were created during the previous class. Students used this in-class-created tutorial to create a house. Students used this tutorial to make steps, a door and windows.
 * Students watched Getting Started with Sketchup Part 1 again from Sketchup's Youtube page.
 * 2nd grade:
 * Students continued their exploration and creative opportunities with Sketchup. Students created the basic structure of a house.
 * Kindergarten and 1st grade:
 * Students tried out an IPad app called ScreenChomp. This program allows kids to narrate and illustrate a tutorial. These tutorials have the option of being published to the internet. In future classes, we may be doing just that. This will depend on the feasibility of the process and interest of the kids.

__**Week beginning Tuesday, November 29, 2011:**__ During this week in Tech Class...
 * 3rd, 4th and 5th grade:
 * Students used this in-class-created tutorial.
 * Students began our exploration of Sketchup an architectural program where CAD (computer-aided design) becomes child's play. Sketchup is a free program that can be downloaded from the link above or from cnet's www.download.com.
 * Students used tutorials found at Sketchup's Youtube page .. Students watched Getting Started with Sketchup Part 1 again.
 * Students opened the program Sketchup(found at school under Programs => Student Applications => Google Sketchup ) and explored the program learning to use the three controls: orbit, pan and zoom.
 * Students began making a house. During the class, students created a folder and saved the project in that folder. Students will open up the file next class and pick up where they left off.
 * 2nd grade:
 * Students continued their exploration and creative opportunities with Sketchup. Students created the basic structure of a house.
 * Kindergarten and 1st grade:
 * Students continue to work on motor skills (using the mouse) and navigating the Windows operating system and internet browsers. Students are using the following websites for this:
 * @http://www.buildyourwildself.com/

__**Week beginning Thursday, November 17, 2011:**__ During this week in Tech Class... >> Students continued their exploration and creative opportunities with Sketchup
 * 3rd, 4th and 5th grade:
 * Students completed an online form.
 * Students began our exploration of Sketchup an architectural program where CAD (computer-aided design) becomes child's play.
 * Sketchup is a free program that can be downloaded from the link above or from cnet's www.download.com.
 * Students used tutorials found at Sketchup's Youtube page . Students watched Getting Started with Sketchup Part 1 again.
 * Students opened the program Sketchup(found at school under Programs => Student Applications => Google Sketchup ) and explored the program learning to use the three controls: orbit, pan and zoom.
 * Students where challenged to make a house with a peaked roof. They were given opportunity to create using the program
 * 2nd grade:
 * Students completed an online form.
 * Kindergarten and 1st grade:
 * Students continue to work on motor skills (using the mouse) and navigating the Windows operating system and internet browsers. Students are using the following websites for this:
 * KerPoof
 * FRABOOM!
 * Oochy
 * abcya.com

__**Week beginning Friday, November 11, 2011 through Wed., November 16, 2011:**__ During these weeks in Tech Class...
 * 3rd, 4th and 5th grade:
 * Blogging! Part III:
 * In previous classes, students added posts and replied to others' posts.
 * Today, students spent the class rating others' (anonymous) comments.
 * 2nd grade:
 * Students began our exploration of Sketchup an architectural program where CAD (computer-aided design) becomes child's play.
 * Sketchup is a free program that can be downloaded from the link above or from cnet's www.download.com.
 * Students used tutorials found at Sketchup's Youtube page .Students watched Getting Started with Sketchup Part 1 again.
 * Students opened the program Sketchup(found at school under Programs => Student Applications => Google Sketchup ) and explored the program learning to use the three controls: orbit, pan and zoom.
 * Students where challenged to make a house with a peaked roof. They were given opportunity to create using the program.
 * 1st grade and Kindergarten:
 * Students continue to work on motor skills (using the mouse) and navigating the Windows operating system and internet browsers. Students are using the following websites for this:
 * KerPoof
 * FRABOOM!
 * Oochy
 * abcya.com

__**Week beginning Monday, November 7, 2011:**__ During these weeks in Tech Class... >> Sketchup is a free program that can be downloaded from the link above or from cnet's www.download.com. >> Today, we will first watch a video found at Sketchup's Youtube page.
 * 3rd, 4th and 5th grade:
 * Record Keeping: What's done? What's not? What now?
 * Blogging! Part II: Both last week and this week, students were introduced to our website's blogging feature.
 * Students were shown how to add comments to our online discussion.
 * Students added posts and replied to others' posts.
 * In the coming weeks, students will come to understand how to communicate in a safe, enjoyable and effective manner using our www.goperry.org website's communication features.
 * 2nd grade:
 * Finished the Four window challenge
 * Finished creating their own folder on our network
 * Finished the mousercise test
 * Finished Decorating and Carving a virtual pumpkin.
 * Today, we will begin our exploration of Sketchup an architectural program where CAD (computer-aided design) becomes child's play.
 * We will then open Sketchup (found under Programs => Student Applications => Google Sketchup ...and try it out. Students will explore this program using the three buttons (orbit, pan and zoom).
 * 1st grade and Kindergarten:
 * FRABOOM!

__**Week beginning Tuesday, November 1, 2011:**__ During these weeks in Tech Class...
 * 3rd, 4th and 5th grade:
 * Record Keeping: What's done? What's not? What now?
 * Blogging! Part II: Both last week and this week, students were introduced to our website's blogging feature.
 * Students were shown how to add comments to our online discussion.
 * Students added posts and replied to others' posts.
 * In the coming weeks, students will come to understand how to communicate in a safe, enjoyable and effective manner using our www.goperry.org website's communication features.
 * 2nd grade:
 * Finished the Four window challenge
 * Finished creating their own folder on our network
 * Finished the mousercise test
 * Finished Decorating and Carving a virtual pumpkin.
 * KerPoof
 * 1st grade and Kindergarten:
 * Students continue to improve motor skills using the mouse and keyboard. The activities at KerPoof encourage this growth. They're also a whole lot of fun!


 * Week beginning Wednesday, October 26, 2011:**
 * 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students:
 * Blogging! After being added to the PE TechClass class roster, students were shown how to add comments to our online discussion. In the coming weeks, students will come to understand how to communicate in a safe, enjoyable and effective manner using our www.goperry.org website's communication features.
 * 2nd grade students:
 * Finished the Four window challenge
 * Finished creating their own folder on our network
 * Finished the mousercise test
 * Finished Decorating and Carving a virtual pumpkin.
 * Kdg and 1st grade students:
 * Students continue to improve motor skills using the mouse and keyboard. The activities at KerPoof encourage this growth. They're also a whole lot of fun!

During this week in Tech Class...
 * Weeks beginning Friday, October 14, 2011 and Thursday, October 20, 2011:**
 * 3rd, 4th and 5th grade: 1st Trimester Assessment:
 * Log on to the network with your own username/password
 * Log on to the website, send a message to Mr. Bentley and tell him your code name. Feel free to change it before you tell him.
 * Show at least 3 bookmarks in a web browser (GoPerry.org, thetreehouseclassroom.com, other/your choice)
 * Create the four window challenge and make a screen shot of your Window, paste this in a document and save it as //4windows// in your "My Documents" folder
 * 2nd grade: 1st Trimester Assessment:
 * Mousercise Certificate earned from completing the mousercise test
 * Copy and Paste your certificate in your student folder
 * Four Window Challenge:
 * Create the four window challenge and make a screen shot of your Window, paste this in a document and save it as //4windows// in your student folder
 * Kindergarten and 1st grade: 1st Trimester Assessment:
 * Mousercise Certificate earned from completing the mousercise test
 * After completing the test, students began our Halloween project: Decorating or CarvingVirtual Pumpkins

During this week in Tech Class...
 * Week beginning Monday, October 10, 2011:**
 * School-wide C.A.R.S. behavior lessons and monthly bible-release classes prevented many students from participating in the following tasks. These tasks will be offered again in the following weeks.
 * 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students:
 * Students logged on to our school network using their own username/password account.
 * Students logged on to our school website using the same username/password account. If time permitted, they took time to explore the website. Some took time to change their code name.
 * created internet bookmarks/favorites.
 * created organizational folders
 * 1st and 2nd grade students:
 * Logged on to the computer network
 * (2nd graders) Copied their folder they used last year into a new folder. (1st graders) Students who didn't have one created their own folder.
 * who didn't finish last week, took the mousercise test to show they could use the computer mouse like a pro! Students then saved a virtual copy of their Mousercise Certificate of Completion, if time permitted.
 * Some (very few) students began next week's project: Virtual Pumpkin Decorating and Carving
 * Kindergarten students:
 * Took the first half of the mousercise test (up to the color slider tabs).
 * Students who finished continued on to the second half of the test.

During this week in Tech Class...
 * Week beginning Tuesday, October 4, 2011:**
 * 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students:
 * Students were given a network username and password to try. This week... **success** ! Some students had time to create their own internet bookmarks.
 * Some students/classes were given choice time on one of the following websites while others were problem-solving with the new logins.
 * www.abcya.com
 * www.primarygames.com
 * 1st and 2nd grade students:
 * Logged on to the computer network
 * Took the mousercise test to show they could use the computer mouse like a pro! Most classes finished. Student
 * Saved a virtual copy of their Mousercise Certificate of Completion, if time permitted
 * Kindergarten students:
 * Took the first half of the mousercise test (up to the color slider tabs)
 * Used the following websites: Oochy and abcya.com.to practice, if time permitted

During this week in Tech Class...
 * Week beginning Wednesday, September 28, 2011:**
 * 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students:
 * Students were given a network username and password to try. Problems were identified to be solved.
 * Students were given choice time on one of the following websites while others were problem-solving with the new logins.
 * www.abcya.com
 * www.primarygames.com
 * 2nd grade students:
 * Logged on to the computer network
 * Watched tutorial on...How to open Open Office Word (also known as Writer) AND how to take a screen shot and paste it into a document
 * Students then used the video to follow the tutorial. Some students accomplished more than others.
 * Opened a text document with Open Office
 * Took a Screenshot
 * Pasted the screenshot into a text document
 * Some saved the text document as a file (depending on remaining class time)
 * 1st grade students:
 * Logged on to the computer network
 * Students used the following websites: Oochy and abcya.com.to practice...
 * combination keying (ctr.+alt+delete to logon),
 * mouse skills (clicking, scrolling, clicking & dragging),
 * opening, closing and resizing windows,
 * using the volume controls on the keyboard
 * and the back button in Internet Explorer
 * Kindergarten students
 * Students used the following websites: Oochy and abcya.com.to practice...
 * mouse skills (clicking, scrolling, clicking & dragging),
 * opening, closing and resizing windows,
 * using the volume controls on the keyboard
 * and the back button in Internet Explorer

During this week in Tech Class... //For all students grades 2 through 5, this was our SECOND week using the new computers and network.// //We had both challenges, learning opportunities and successes.// //Class activities varied due to the number and complexity of technical difficulties// //and the skill level of the students.//
 * Week beginning Thursday, September 22, 2011:**
 * 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students:
 * Some logged on to the computer network
 * Some used Internet Explorer to type in [|www.thetreehouseclassroom.com] and find the TWiT page.
 * Some used keyboard controls including sleep mode, volume controls and combination keying using the shift, control and alt keys.
 * Some saved[|www.thetreehouseclassroom.com] in their computer's favorites/bookmarks.
 * Some students watched Mr. B make a short tutorial
 * Some watched tutorialon how to move, resize windows and change the window's view
 * Some watched a tutorialon the 4 Window Challenge. Some attempted to do the 4 Window Challenge.
 * Some watched tutorial on...How to open Open Office Word (also known as Writer) AND how to take a screen shot and paste it into a document
 * Some spent time exploring the new abcya.com.
 * 1st grade students
 * Students attempted to log in to our network, using a username and password.
 * Students practiced mouse skills, opening, resizing and closing windows using the following websites: Oochy and abcya.com.
 * Kindergarten students
 * Students attempted to use the mouse to click on the quick launch bar to open an internet browser. Students also attempted to maximize windows. Students attempted to close windows at the end of their class.
 * Students practiced mouse skills, opening, resizing and closing windows using the following websites: Oochy and abcya.com.

During this week in Tech Class... //For all students grades 2 through 5, this was our FIRST week using the new computers and network.// //We had both challenges, learning opportunities and successes.// //Class activities varied due to the number and complexity of technical difficulties// //and the skill level of the students.//
 * Week beginning Friday, September 16, 2011:**
 * 3rd grade students
 * Logged on to the computer network
 * Watched a tutorialon how to move, resize windows and change the window's view
 * Spent time exploring the new abcya.com. Many were faced with the challenge of not having the latest update from Adobe Flash Player.
 * 5th grade students
 * Logged on to the computer network
 * Students watched Mr. B make a short tutorial
 * Watched a tutorialon the 4 Window Challenge
 * Students attempted to open Microsoft Word. Students were successful in opening Open Office.
 * Any extra time, students were given freedom on abcya.com. Many were faced with the challenge of not having the latest update from Adobe Flash Player.
 * 4th grade students
 * Logged on to the computer network
 * Students watched Mr. B make a short tutorial
 * Students attempted the 4 Window Challenge
 * Students took some time to explore abcya.com. Many were faced with the challenge of not having the latest update from Adobe Flash Player.
 * 2nd grade students
 * Logged on to the computer network
 * Use Internet Explorer to type in [|www.thetreehouseclassroom.com] and find the TWiT page.
 * Student then practiced mouse skills by exploring the new version of [|www.abcya.com]. Many were faced with the challenge of not having the latest update from Adobe Flash Player.
 * 1st grade students
 * Students attempted to log in to our network, using a username and password.
 * Students practiced mouse skills using the following websites: Oochy and abcya.com.
 * Kindergarten students
 * Students attempted to use the mouse to click on the quick launch bar to open an internet browser. Students also attempted to maximize windows. Students attempted to close windows at the end of their class.
 * Students practiced mouse skills using the following website: Oochy.

During this week in Tech Class...
 * Week beginning Monday, September 12, 2011:**
 * 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students:
 * Students were given a brief lecture about the internal parts of the computer and the change over time of the size and capacity of portable memory (floppy discs, CDs, micro SD cards)
 * Students were then show the Magic School Bus Gets Programmed.
 * If time permitted, students were shown the September 11th Public Service Announcement that they helped create. This video is currently found on the front page of our school district's website, www.goperry.org
 * 1st grade students
 * Students attempted to log on to our network.
 * Students practiced mouse skills using the website: Oochy and abcya.com.
 * Kindergarten students
 * Students attempted to use the mouse to click on the quick launch bar to open an internet browser. Students also attempted to maximize windows. Students attempted to close windows at the end of their class.
 * Students practiced mouse skills using the website: Oochy

During the first week of Tech Class, ...
 * Week beginning Tuesday, September 6, 2011:**
 * 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students:
 * Students created a Public Service Announcement project in response to the upcoming Day of Service and Remembrance this Sunday, September 11th. The finished project that shows many of our students' statements can be found on the main page of our school district's website: www.goperry.org.
 * Kdg and 1st grade students:
 * Students met Mr. Bentley and talked a little about Tech Class. Students attempted to use the mouse to open an internet browser. Students explored the ABCyawebsite while Mr. Bentley spent time talking with the students.