Mrs. Kurzynski's Computer Classes

Skill Wrap-Up (Grades 5-8)

Although it's difficult to believe, we only have a few computer classes left.  Currently, grades 5-8 are working on secret projects for Teacher Appreciation Week.  In addition...

Grade 5 - Students are completing symmetry projects which correspond with their mathematics studies.
Grade 6 - Students have just completed their PowerPoint presentations on plate tectonics.
Grade 7 - Students are putting the finishing touches on their book newsletters and portfolios.
Grade 8 - Students are finishing their portfolios and reviewing their typing skills.

Over the next couple of weeks, we will be publishing our portfolios and reviewing skills from the year.  We will have two tests during the month of May.  One (May 6 and 7)  will be a combination of keyboard shortcuts and computer terms (use the previous postings on this blog and your handouts to study).  The other (May 20 and 21) will be a short answer and demonstration test.  More details will follow on the blog and through class handouts.

Book Newsletters

In preparation for our upcoming Spring Book Fair, our 7th and 8th grade students will be designing and producing Book Newsletters.  For this assignment, students will be using Microsoft Publisher to p roduce a newsletter that contains ficticious news reports and stories based upon a book of their choice.  Students will be graded on:

Newsletter Title
Visual Appeal
Creativity of News Stories
Incorporation of Graphics
Grammar and Mechanics

We hope to display our newsletters at the Book Fair from March 6-10.  Please email Mrs. Skinner with any questions.

PowerPoint Presentations

Our students in grades 5-8 have been busy working on their first PowerPoint presentations of the year.  This presentation focuses on the subjects they know most about - themselves!  Through this project, students are learning basic design concepts as well as the ability to manipulate this program to create special animations such as entrance and exit techniques as well as custom motion paths.  If you have this program at home, please encourage your student to explore the program to further discover its many features.

Saint Reports - Grade 8

For the next two weeks, students in grade 8 will be working on both a saint report and a PowerPoint presentation.  Students will be required to use at least three sources and find a photo of his/her chosen saint.  The saint chosen will also represent the student's confirmation name.  Reports should include information on the saint's early life, mission or dedication to the church, and canonization.  Please see Ms. Pratl for specific report details.  PowerPoint presentations will be shared with Faith Partners in February.

Science Projects: Grades 5-8

For the next two weeks, we will be working on typing our science reports.  Please make sure that you bring your materials to class on the designated days.

Tuesday (January 8 and 15) - Grades 7 and 8

Wednesday (January 9 and 16) - Grades 5 and 6

If you have any questions, please see Ms. Jardien's class blog for the information.

Shortcut Test Next Week Grades 5-8

Be sure to study for next week's computer test - computer shortcuts.  A study sheet was distributed in class this week, and this reviews all of the shortcuts we've studied in the last few weeks.  Additional copies of the study sheet are available below.

Download keyboard_shortcuts.pdf

Computer Homework - Grades 5-8

This week we added three new keyboard shortcuts:
CTRL B = Bold
CTRL I = Italics
CTRL U = Underline

Your homework this week is to find one new keyboard shortcut that we have not previously learned in Computer Technology class.  This assignment is due on Tuesday, October 30 for grades 7/8 and on Wednesday, October 31 for grades 5/6.  If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Skinner-Liberman at mskinnerliberman@stjohnberchmans.org.

Ms. Fino's 2nd Graders

Our 2nd Grade class brought in pictures of different places and things that deal with Chicago. They are now working on typing sentences about thier pictures.

Keyboard Shortcuts

As we've been constructing our web portfolios, students have also been learning keyboard shortcuts.  Each student should be familiar with the functions of the following shortcuts:

CTRL A
CRTL C
CTRL P
CTRL S
CTRL V
CTRL X
CTRL Z

4th Grade

Homework for the 4th Grade

All students are to have their test signed and return to school by Friday 10/05.

Continue working on you Halloween Story, students will work on typing their story in class on 10/10.