COMPUTER IN THE CLASSROOM

Author:  Paula Lee

  TEACHER'S NOTE: One thing I have learned from doing inservices for 
  teachers is that they need ideas, but also need to see computers could 
  make their lives easier. One thing that our school did WRONG is we went 
  too fast. We tried to introduce too much too soon.  Some teachers are 
  very scared they  will "break" the thing or something.

  One of the most valuable things I have learned and have taught others 
  is to create a database with my students' information.  I have fields 
  for First, Last, Last initial, phone number, ability, parent names, 
  etc. Once I have the information in, I can create different layouts. 

           I make my desktags, lockertags, birthday cards, 
           certificates, labels for each student, report card 
           comments, and on and on and on... 

  I also use this data base to mail merge the introductory letter to 
  each family, making it a bit more personal.

  Anyway,  Some of the things I have done with my students...

1) Using KidPix, we created many class books as lit extension.  Students 
   also created multiplication story problems, using the paint tools to 
   draw out the answers.  (We used Each Orange Had Eight Slices)

  EDITOR'S NOTE: You could use the software available at your school 
  to do the same thing (never dismiss an idea simply because you do 
  not have the suggested software). Storybook Weaver and any paint 
  program would allow you to do similar projects.  You could even 
  adapt the above project to a simple word processor (some of the bells 
  and whistles might be missing; however, the students receive valuable      
  experience).

2)  Students use word processing to create a classroom newspaper, a 
    recipe book, reports, letters, etc.

3)  Using HyperStudio, students created an "electronic portfolio"  
  
  TEACHER'S NOTE: I like the concept of this, but at the end of the 
  year it is pretty much "trash", so as we do it, students learn 
  a lot and we have many things to show parents at conferences, but I 
  don't like the fact that it became "useless", except for some 
  of the cards we were able to print.

4)  Using the database on clarisworks, students created response 
    journals.  
    
    We had fields set up for students to fill in.  

          Title of book:  Author: Illustrator:  Genre:  
          My Thoughts about book:  Reader's name:  

    As students finished a book, they filled out a paper copy of this 
    and then signed up to put it into the computer.  Then, students could 
    do a "find" to get a book they might enjoy or ask a student about a 
    book that was read.

5)  As a teacher, I used ClarisWorks to create slide shows.  
    (Like PowerPoint, only less "powerful") 

  EXAMPLE 1: I made a slide show for students to practice their 
             math facts.  
    
    A) One fact written quite large on each page.  
       The answer on the next.  

    B) I put the slide show to go about every 5 seconds.  

    C) I have it running as they enter the room sometimes.  
       It is great.  

  EXAMPLE 2: I also use it to create morning messages with steps to 
             a procedure. I use it to teach language lessons.  

    A) Two sentences on a page.  One fact, one opnion.  
    
    B) We decide which is a "fact" and then click to next page 
    to see if we are right... The next page has only the fact written.)

6)  If you have ClarisWorks, check out their assistants/stationary.  
    They have some great ideas that can be used in the classroom, or 
    adapted to fit your needs.


  TEACHER'S NOTE: If you have any more specific questions or need            
  clarification, feel free to e-mail me.  As you can see, I love to talk   
  technology! (See e-mail above)