August

1) The classes are re-introduced to the Computer Lab Rules. 

2)  Students are instructed on how to search for various animals on the Internet.

1) Students learn proper typing techniques using the online program "Dance Mat Typing."

2) Students research an animal on the Internet and copy and paste picture and information from Internet site onto Microsoft "Word."

1) The third graders will begin a large research project on an endangered animal. The students will research various animals and insert information and pictures into a 2-slide PowerPoint presentation. Students are learning the habitat, range, and some interesting facts about the animals researched. The slide shows will include animations and sounds. The students will then "burn" the projects onto a CD, which they will be able to view at home.

The completion of this project will take several weeks.

October

1) Students are wrapping up the endangered species slide shows as well as  burning the CD's.

2)  The students will also visit the Smithsonian National Zoo website and view live animal cams.

2)  The Third Graders visit various websites to complete "Wacky Web Tales."  The tales are completed by inserting parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.)  Upon completion,  the website uses the words chosen by students to "compose" a silly story.  The students are then taught how to print "selections."

December

1) The Third grade students use the digital camera to take pictures of each other.

  2)  Students revisit "Dance Mat Typing" to work on proper typing techniques.

3) The Third Graders enjoy accessing the website, "Elf Yourself."  Students work in groups and insert pictures of themselves into elf "videos."  The completed videos are then e-mailed to their teachers.

4) Students will access Microsoft "Word" to complete a self-descriptive poem.  When the poem is finished, the third graders will insert the digital picture of themselves and "wash it out" so that the picture will be located behind the poem. This project will take several weeks so the students will save their work to the network server.

1) Students finish the self-descriptive poems and print.

2) The Third Graders begin a new slide show about themselves.  The students include digital pictures, animations, sounds, and interesting information.  The students begin the slides shows on their own as well and save to the Network server with very little guidance.

  The completion of this project will take several weeks.

2) Students will visit website "100 Wonders of the World" and choose a place to visit.  They will copy a picture of that place and include that on their self-portrait slide shows.

3) The Third Graders will complete a "School Climate Survey" constructed by the district.  This survey reflects how the students feel about school in general.

February

1) The Third Graders will continue working on the slide shows.  Upon completion, the students will burn the CD's.  The projects will include the slide shows from all students in the class, pictures taken during the year, and a slide show with music.

1)The students will work in groups to complete a graph in Microsoft "Excel."  The students will count Starburst candies and complete a graph as well as predict the most common color in a bag.

2) The Third Graders will complete a calendar in Microsoft "Publisher."