Middle School Curriculum
Philosophy Statement and Goals:
The primary goal in the middle school computer science curriculum is twofold: to
experience the critical thinking and problem solving that comprise the foundations
of computer science and to use the computer as a tool to be utilized in all aspects of the students' educational experience. This is achieved in two ways: by computer science classes and by integration of technology into classroom curriculum.
Our computer curriculum also provides a format for discussion of ethical behavior in regard to computer usage.
Concepts for 5th Grade:
- Keyboard skills
- File server usage and logging in with password
- Discussion of ethical considerations
- Internet use for research
- Internet use for class project presentations
- Word processing
- Spreadsheets and graphing
- Digital photography
- Programming
- Image processing
- Multimedia techniques
- Concept mapping
- Bit-mapped painting vs. vector-based drawing
Concepts for 6th Grade:
- Keyboard skills
- File server usage and logging in with password
- Discussion of ethical considerations
- Internet use for research
- Internet use for class project presentations
- Word processing
- Spreadsheets and graphing
- Geometry (Tesselations)
- Concept mapping
- Image processing
- Multimedia techniques
- Programming
Concepts for 7th Grade:
- File server usage and logging in with password
- Discussion of ethical considerations
- Internet use for research
- Internet use for class project presentations
- Hyper Text Mark-up Language
- Word processing
- Spreadsheets and graphing
- Scanner usage
- Image processing
Concepts for 8th Grade:
- Keyboard skills
- File server usage and logging in with password
- Discussion of ethical considerations
- Internet use for research
- Internet use for class project presentations
- Word processing
- Bit-mapped drawing
- Image processing
- Multimedia techniques
- Programming
Computer Science Course Work in the 5th Grade:
 Keyboarding
 File server usage and logging in with password
 Ethics: discussion of the school's computing policy
 Research skills using the on-line library resources and web browser
 Word Processing using Microsoft Word
 Spreadsheets and graphing using Microsoft Excel
 Digital photography using Mavica digital camera
 Programming with LOGO using MicroWorlds
 Image processing using a variety of programs
 Concept mapping using Inspiration
 Multi-media techniques using HyperStudio
Computer Science Course Work in the 6th Grade:
Keyboarding
File server usage and logging in with password
Ethics: discussion of the school's computing policy
 Research skills using the Internet
Internet use for class project presentations
Word Processing using Microsoft Word
Spreadsheets and graphing using Microsoft Excel
 Image processing using a variety of programs
 Multimedia techniques using PowerPoint and HyperStudio
Programming using MicroWorlds
Concept mapping using Inspiration
Computer Science Course Work in the 8th Grade:
8th Grade Computer Elective
This class meets four periods a week for a quarter.
Keyboarding
File server usage and logging in with password
Ethics: discussion of the school's computing policy
 Programming with HyperCard
Graphics techniques and animation
Objects and scripts: buttons, fields, cards, stacks
Variables and variable scope
Program control: loops and conditional statements
User interface considerations
Integration of Technology into Subject Area Curriculum in the 5th Grade:
Sutherland Award in conjunction with the librarians using Microsoft Word
Homeroom teachers research projects (timeline of historical events) using the Internet
Story writing using word processing
Lego/LOGO using MicroWorlds and LOGO
Keyboard practice
Integration of Technology into Subject Area Curriculum in the 6th Grade:
Writer's workshop uses Microsoft Word
Internet research using the Web
 Spanish uses language drill software
Integration of Technology into Subject Area Curriculum in the 7th Grade:
Writer's workshop uses Microsoft Word
Science spreadsheets and graphing using Microsoft Excel
 Research project uses the Internet, electronic library search, and electronic encyclopedia
 Humanities uses web page editors to create web pages
German uses the Internet and Powerpoint to create presentations
Spanish uses language drill software and the WWW
Humanities uses PowerPoint to create presentations
Integration of Technology into Subject Area Curriculum in the 8th Grade:
Science uses the WWW extensively
The Martian Sun-Times; a series of on-line weather lessons developed at the Laboratory Schools
Spanish uses language drill software
 Math uses Geometer's Sketched
Humanities uses the WWW for research
Humanities uses PowerPoint to create presentations
Humanities uses web page editors to create web pages
Integration of Technology into Subject Area Curriculum in the Advisory Program:
 Advisories use the computers for recreational periods
Advisories use the computers for special projects
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