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Computer Learning Resource
Great to see you here at our website! This is just one of the many exciting things that are taking place in the ever-changing technology department at Children's Rainbow Day School/Rainbow Christian Academy. We are very excited about our new student information software that lets us keep you up to date on everything from attendance, to grades, to discipline.
Preschool Lower Elementary Upper Elementary Middle School
Everyone is involved in learning through technology. The 2- and 3-year old classes have regularly scheduled computer times in their classrooms supervised by their regular classroom teacher. They learn how to take care of a computer, how to operate input devices such as keyboard and mouse, and how to insert and remove media.
Kindergarteners (K4 and K5) learn the parts of a computer, care of computers and disks, how to manage the mouse, how to properly shut down the computer, and etiquette for the computer lab. They spend most of their resource time building math, reading, and thinking skills on Jump Start Kindergarten Advanced, Jump Start Kindergarten Reading, and Math Explorer.
Lower Elementary
First and second graders continue honing their academic skills with the Jump Start software appropriate to each grade level. We also add Math Blaster and Reading Blaster for practice with math facts, geometry, problem solving, vocabulary and reading comprehension. These early elementary students are taught how to save their work, how magnetic storage media work, and more computer lab etiquette. We have special software for Christmas and Easter to celebrate these important holidays with Bible-based activities.
Beginning in third grade, students are taught touch typing. Keyboarding is absolutely essential to all computer applications. Emphasis is on keeping the fingers in home row position and typing accurately while building speed gradually as the finger reaches are mastered. Typing games, a classroom progress chart, and timed typing tests motivate students to master the fingering for better control. During third grade we also learn to store our work, and how to retrieve it later.
Third through fifth graders also enjoy a variety of educational software applications. They create greeting cards with Print Shop, type writing assignments in Microsoft Word, learn their way around Windows, sharpen math skills with Math Blaster and enjoy some friendly competition with the fact practice on Math Explorer and state capitals on The USA Is Missing. Encarta Multimedia Encyclopedia is available for researching reports. A popular favorite is Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego? (history and culture) and Where in the USA is Carmen Sandiego? (geography and vocabulary) We also have Cluefinder's Incredible Toy Store Adventure and Mystery of the Missing Amulet, cross-curricular adventure games.
In fifth grade students begin to learn the features of Microsoft Word in depth.
During each elementary class, I look for students who are following directions, being considerate of their neighbor by not raising their voices, and sticking with an activity until they have succeeded. Many times it is nearly impossible to choose a Super Computer Student for the week because they all work so diligently. However, I try to choose one student from each class each week to receive a certificate or hand stamp. When your child is chosen, make sure to congratulate him or her on his hard work, persistence and good manners!!
Sixth through eighth grade students have computers once a week as a resource. They will have the tools to help with classroom assignments as well as completing technology projects. Projects will be based on advanced word processing features, simple database management, an introduction to spreadsheets, presentation software, and, if time permits, computer programming and/or digital imaging.
I hope you will stay and browse the web site. Our teachers and administrators have made it their priority to provide our parents with all the information they need to be effective partners with us in educating your children. If there is anything you would like to see, let me know, and I'll see if we can bring it to you through the wonders of technology.
Computer time is exciting and fun for the children, and I enjoy it just as much because I get to celebrate with them as they earn that stamp, or beat that level that they have worked on all hour. It is a very positive time where everyone achieves. Thank you for all your support in making this resource available to your children.