COMPUTER LAB
The computer lab is integrated into all areas of the curriculum as an extension of the classroom. Each class (K-5) attends computer lab for a scheduled 50-minute period every week. A full-time computer assistant (Ms. Marilda) is present for all computer lab classes. Students are given assignments that are planned to coincide with current classroom studies. Early grades are taught basic computer skills. Older students are taught keyboarding skills, the use of Word, Internet safety, and research skills.
Internet access is available, however students must have technology permission slips on file before they are allowed to use it. The lab maintains a list of students whose parents might deny permission to use the internet and all means possible are used to abide by our parents' wishes. Tennessee K-12 schools have blocking software that prohibits students from accessing adult oriented, illegal, racist, or school cheating materials. Many teachers send students in small groups for research activities and to take Accelerated Reader quizzes.
Some of the software we have purchased is internet based, but housed on a secure server in the Springfield technology building and is not accessible by outside sources. We do not consider the use of these programs as being "on the internet."
THE ACCELERATED READER QUIZZES WE OWN ARE LISTED UNDER MS. ROBIN'S LIBRARY -- YOU MAY ALSO ACCESS FROM ANY COMPUTER, A LIST OF THE QUIZZES WE OWN AND A PARTIAL LIST OF BOOKS AVAILABLE IN OUR SCHOOL LIBRARY IF YOU GO TO www.arbookfind.com and type in the key code SL805327
Here is a list of a few good web sites that will keep your kids entertained AND learning at the same time. (click on address to go to site)
Reading and Language Arts
www.storylineonline.net/ (Hear actors reading stories)
www.starfall.com (great site for learning readers)
www.candlelightstories.com (free audio stories)
www.makebeliefscomix.com (create your own comic strip)
www.spellingcity.com (have to register, but free)
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/wordsandpictures/
http://www.storyjumper.com/ (Create a story from scratch or w/starter and print or "publish". Can print for free - cost to publish. Register but free)
http://www.magictreehouse.co.uk/ (If you enjoy reading The Magic Tree House books, you will love this site.)
Grammeropolis (Learn about the parts of speech - interactive)
Math
www.arcademicskillbuilders.com
mathplayground.com
www.programmingart.com/free/games
aaamath.com
www.multiplication.com
www.aplusmath.com - Flash Cards
www.factmonster.com/math/flashcards.html
www.coolmath-games.com
www.usmint.gov/kids
http://www.learnyourtables.co.uk/ (practice and test X's tables)
littlewoodscasino.com/education-resources/multiplication-and-math.htm
Social Studies
www.socialstudiesforkids.com
www.timeforkids.com/TFK/sf
Science
yucky.discovery.com
www.howstuffworks.com
www.kidsgowild.com
www.space.com
www.scholastic.com/MagicSchoolBus/home.htm
Science Bob (Science Fair Ideas, Experiments, etc)
froguts.com -- click "demo" to dissect a frog
History
www.tnhistoryforkids.org
www.biography.com
www.smithsonian.com
www.historychannel.com
Cross Curriculum
www.funbrain.com
(Reading and Math Arcade)
www.eduplace.com
sf.factmonster.com -Soc. Studies,Science,Money,Sports,Games,Quizzes
www.edhelper.com
internet4classrooms.com
www.oswego.org
kids.discovery.com
elearningforkids
arcademicskillbuilders (Math & Lang.Arts)
Childrens Learning Network (Lessons covering all subjects as well as educational songs. Try Fraction Rock)
henryanker (tests and activities for all grades, all subjects)
Keyboarding
freetypinggame.net
bbc.co.uk/scools/typing
typing-lessons.org
Logic and Puzzle Games
freeworldgroup.com/gameslogic.htm
www.mazeworks.com/home.htm
For Fun
Free Painting online - artpad.art.com
www.tuxpaint.org (Painting - Have to download, but free open source software)
www.factmonster.com
pbskids.org/go/games/
primarygames Cross curriculum, As well as Arcade style for fun
www.funbrain.com
www.poptropica.com
www.cartoondollemporium.com
www.cartoonnetwork.com
www.disney.go.com
www.lego.com
EARTH DAY IN APRIL - Go to Recycle City and learn the 3 R's (reduce, reuse, and recycle)
Cheat Codes for x-box, playstation, etc. www.gamewinners.com
Practice vocabulary and math at www.freerice.com
Each correct answer becomes a donation of rice to a third world country by the web sponsor.
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Listening Skills
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Watauga had four student entries and one teacher entry this year in the Tennessee Educational Technology Association's eTales contest. The deadline was April 1, 2009. I was pleasantly surprised a few weeks later when I opened a letter containing a $100 check announcing I was a winner. I would like to have a lot more students try out for this in this 2009-2010 year. Be thinking about a digital story you would like to do. You can see my story if you click here
Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have questions regarding your student's performance in the computer lab at marilda.smith@rcstn.net
Ms. Marilda
Students overcome hardships of Read Across America Costumes to use Computers
