Welcome to RABBOTT.COM	Computer Lab Happenings Planned activities for the Upper Moreland Elementary Computer Lab in the Upper Moreland Intermediate School February - March 2010

Grade 5

    In February our fifth grade students will explore the world of virtual reality computer programming using the program Alice.  The students will review the skills they learned in fourth grade, and then move on to more advanced skills and techniques.  Each student will create a virtual world and program events that happen within that world.  As we move into March, the fifth grade students will learn to create web pages using the program Microsoft Front Page.  Each student will develop a web site of two or more pages on a topic of his/her choice.  Some of the students' work will appear on this website in the "Samples of Student Work" section. 

Grade 4

    In February our fourth grade students will first explore the history of computers.  Using a PowerPoint presentation, the students will learn about the many discoveries and inventions that have lead to the creation of the modern computer.  Following that unit, the students will also learn about many of the terms used today in computer technology and what they really mean in a unit called "Computer Words."  In March, the fourth graders will be introduced to computer programming by learning to create a virtual reality world using the program Alice.  A tutorial section built into the program will assist the students in learning how to create a world, add objects and characters, and make events happen within that world.

Grade 3

    Through February and into March, our third grade students will be learning to create computer-based presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint.  The students will learn how to create slides, add graphics and text to those slides, change the backgrounds, and add animations to the work.  Each student will be asked to create a slide show around a specific topic, meaning Internet research and the use of Internet resources will be incorporated into the presentations. 

All Grades

    As part of the Upper Moreland School District's efforts to update the integrated technology and business education programs, all students in the UM Intermediate School (and the Primary School as well) will be learning and practicing proper keyboarding skills throughout the school year.  Using the program Type to Learn, our students will be spending a minimum of 15 minutes a week on these skills - usually as a part of their computer literacy class period.  Additional practice outside of class will also be encouraged.

Note to Parents

    Students in the Intermediate school can access and use school e-mail from their home computers.  If a student can access the Internet, he/she can access school e-mail.  Students are being informed of the Internet URL (address) they must use to access the e-mail system.  Students must enter their school username and e-mail password when they get to the website.  Then they can use e-mail as they do in school.  NOTE: All rules for UM e-mail are in effect when students use school e-mail at home.