Integrating Word Processing in Grade Four

         I will be using word processing in my classroom in a number of ways. I already have students creating short stories and making covers for their notebooks. I just created a lesson plan to have students create a brochure of a state they will studying. The computers in my classroom have Microsoft Office Publisher installed, so they will also be using that. My students will also be using word in creation of Power Point presentation.

Technology and Me - A Reflection

     When I started teaching in 1986, my classroom had three Apple llEs. I had to have my students show me how to turn them on!!!
     My first home computer was an Apple 2GS, and I loved it.
     Of course these computers were not compatible because the llEs were already antiques. I made do in school with the llEs. I found the school's collection of software for them in a box hidden in the upstairs teacher's room. I proceeded to sort them out and I bought a lot of software of my own for my class. In 1998, I was accepted into a RITTI program and received a free laptop(Apple).     
     Then the school district decided to go with one platform and chose PCs, so when it was time to by a new computer for home, I had to give up my beloved Apple computers and go over to the darkside(PCs). I did this because I needed something at home that was compatible with the computers in school.
       Over the years I have taken courses to hone my computer skills. I even took one course which was for A++ certification. I only took that course to learn more about hardware and software. Because of that course, I learned how to take computers apart, clean them, and put them back together.
      Now, I don't know what I would do without a computer! It's my main source of communcation with distant friends. I use it for school work and for fun.
     Taking this course will bring my computer skills to a new level.
      While I certainly don't consider myself a novice, I am very aware how important it is to keep up with the technology. What's really fun is that people with very little computer know - how think I'm a whiz at computers. If only they knew!