Computer Class Curriculum Lesson Plans and tips for teaching computer to elementary school kids.

Determining Skill Levels ► Where are your students at? ► Ask old teachers or staff. ► Ask the kids themselves  How often do they use computers?  Do they have computers at home?  What do they use computers for?

Determining Skill Levels ► Students of varying levels  Plan ahead  Add a twist for quick students

Microsoft Word ► Use to teach kids computer basics  Mouse clicking  Highlighting  Simple keyboard commands (e.x. delete/backspace)  Other basic computer functions ► Opening and closing files ► Menu bar and task bar

Internet ► The final frontier ► ► Research ► Weather ► Directions

Internet Safety ► Imperative for kids ► Take the time to learn it well ► Warn but do not scare ► Look into filtering software ► Links   

Google ► Great for introducing all kinds of things  Gmail  Google Documents  Google Maps/Earth  Google Search ► Safe Search 

Typing ► Use a typing program  Does not have to be fancy  Does not have to be kid-centered ► Skill-based motivation ► Give lots of time to typing—it is important

Entertaining Kids ► Young kids will get bored ► Have fun! ► Use the internet to find interesting things ► Kids already enjoy using computers—show them new reasons why

Repetition ► An important part of learning ► Bring up old skills again and again ► Integrate old skills into new lessons

Discipline ► Take away computer time ► Assign boring work while everyone else looks up the tallest building in the world on Google Earth

Project Documents ► One year’s worth of lesson plans ► Suggestions for further development ► Skills chart for Pui Tak School classes