Abbott Accelerated Middle School has a very full and encompassing
technology program that is available to 7th and 8th grade students. By
the time students leave Abbott, they have been exposed to and learned
how to use many different programs that will be of use to them
throughout their lives.
In the 7th grade computer applications class, students are reintroduced
to Claris/AppleWorks. They learn all of the aspects of word processing
and how much can be done with a simple word processing program. From
just writing a report to illustrating that report - all in just word
processing. A brief introduction to a spreadsheet is also part of the
class. Students learn what a spreadsheet is and how it can be used.
They learn how math can actually be done using a spreadsheet. Most
students are amazed by this. They, then, have the opportunity to do a
simple spreadsheet and use some of the formulas that were introduced to
them. Upon completion of their spreadsheet activities, they are
introduced to a database. They learn what a database is and how it can
be used. With the class, all students do a very simple one together to
see how it works and then they have an easy assignment to do on their
own. When all of Claris/AppleWorks is done, they move on to every
student*s favorite program - HyperStudio!
Many students have never used HyperStudio before and once they see what
it is like, they love it. For approximately two weeks, the students
work with the teacher creating a simple stack of cards that covers many
of the features of HyperStudio including making buttons, transitions,
borders, backgrounds, animations, drawing, sounds, text boxes, graphic
objects, opaque objects, etc. By the time the two weeks is over,
students are very anxious to get to do a project on their own using
everything that they have learned. Students are assigned to read a
fiction book and do a book report in HyperStudio as their final
project. Students often get pictures off the internet to compliment
their work. They are instructed as to how to use both the internet and
the program at the same time as well as how to copy a picture off the
internet and place it in their project. The projects are always quite
amazing and unique.
In the 8th grade advanced computer class, students have the opportunity
to learn MicroSoft Office. They begin with MicroSoft Word learning all
about it and then do a simple project to demonstrate the skills that
they have learned. From there, the students go on to learning
PowerPoint which is another favorite. After completing instruction in
PowerPoint, the students are assigned a project on American Symbols.
Most students have a greater appreciation for America after doing all
the research that this project requires. Finally, the last portion of
MicroSoft Office is Excel. It is quite similar to the spreadsheet they
learned in 7th grade, but discover the differences and appreciate them.
A short project is assigned to allow the students to use all the skills
they have learned about Excel.
The best part of the 8th grade class is the final project. This project
is a culmination of all the technology applications that they have
learned over the past two years. Students create a fictitious business.
Each student is paired with another student to create this business.
After getting their partner, the duo decide on what kind of business
they want to have and then begin the process of setting up the
business. The first thing they do is apply for a business loan from the
class bank. They use a real loan form acquired from a local bank. Upon
approval of the loan, a checking account is established which they use
for the initial financing of their business. If their loan is not
adequate, they need to find additional investors. A location for their
business is the next thing they need to do. Using the internet, they
check with realtors to see what is available. A logo is created along
with a business plan, a time line, business cards, brochures, flyers,
other means of advertising, and a presentation to entice investors. The
students have approximately 7 to 8 weeks to complete all this work
using a combination of applications. The choice is theirs.
Technology classes are also provided for 7th grade LD students. Since
their reading ability is limited and they have not experienced
keyboarding, that is what their class does. A very basic and easy to
read keyboarding book is used with these students and their success is
very gratifying for them. All do quite well and are very pleased at
what they accomplish.
Bilingual classes have technology classes as well. The 7th grade class
has a program that is very similar to the regular 7th grade in that
they learn the aspects of Claris/AppleWorks that they are able to
understand. They also learn HyperStudio and are required to read an
easy book in English and do the same book report as all 7th graders.
The 8th grade bilingual class is a PowerPoint class. The students are
taught to use the program and then apply it in several projects which
also have them using the internet as a research resource. Their
satisfaction at what they are able to do is wonderful. They are no less
accomplished than their regular education peers.
