Computers & Middle School Laptop Initiative 

Computers

Technology is incorporated across the curriculum. Beginning in first grade, basic skills are taught. Keyboarding skills are taught beginning in second grade. Computer games are also used to re-enforce math, problems solving and other skills.

Each classroom has two computers. The computers are networked and have internet access. In the library there are 13 which are used for computer class, typing skills and other class work.

Fourth and Fifth grade students have computer class twice a week. Sixth through eighth grade student have computers three times a week. They learn how to use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Access, OneNote, Outlook, Student, Movie Maker, Quicken and other software tools. The fifth graders and above use PowerPoint for their Science Fair Project presentations.

Middle School Laptop Initiative

In the fall of 2007, St. Michael added an initiative that provides a laptop computer for each middle school student for use in most subject areas.  This is an innovative way to mesh technology with curriculum that few schools are able to offer. 

Goals

• Support and sustain students work both at school and at home by eliminating disparities between home and school in terms of software and hardware. (short term)
• Seamless integration of technology into all aspects of the curriculum. (long term)
• Distinguish St. Michael Lutheran middle school program from other schools in the area
• Facilitate differentiated learning
• Provide a more challenging curriculum

Benefits

   For Students:

• Help students improve their technology and information processing skills, preparing students for higher education and jobs in the technology driven global economy
• Provide crucial support for constructivist instructional practices and motivate students to become self-directed learners.
• Help students stay organized and on track with school work

At the beginning of sixth grade, students are oriented to their laptops and introduced to Outlook (calendaring and task management) and OneNote. One Note is used as a course management tool as the teacher and students share a note book where assignments and other information are posted.  

After theses two new tools are introduced the technology course shifts to mostly project based learning requiring the use of multiple tools to create multiple deliverables. Additional tools will be introduced within the context of the projects. Over the last three years the sixth grade class has been taught in three different grouping of students, three years of projects have been developed to use with middle school students. These projects will be used on a rotating basis over the course of middles school years. Some of the projects are integrated with other areas of the curriculum and are planned with other teachers. Some of the projects used during middle school include:

During fourth and fifth grade computer class, almost all work is done in class. The laptop program allows some work to be done outside of class for middle school. In middle school, there is less emphasis on Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. It is used enough to maintain or improve the typing skills learned in second through fifth grade.

In addition, the laptops are used throughout the curriculum for note taking and other assignments. Microsoft Math is utilized during math class. Presentations are delivered using the laptops during the annual Living History Night and the annual Science Fair. Science probes and microscopes are available that work with the laptops. The eighth grade history is taught from the laptops exclusively; with no text book.

There are Michigan Educational Technology Standards (METS) for pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.  The 6^th – 8^th grade standards can be found at: http://techplan.edzone.net/METS/METS200968.pdf.  Every school in Michigan has a requirement to report the percentage of 8th grade students meeting the state’s definition of technology literacy. Our middle school laptop program allows us to not only meet but exceed these requirements. One of our recent graduates passed a high school test-out exam for the required high school computer course. This test was a six hour exam with three parts; typing (using proper fingering, posture and 35 WPM or better), multiple-choice, and a multi part project requiring the use of Outlook (email), Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access. All of the graduating eighth grades students have the ability to pass this test had they been required to take it.

Religion Instruction    Comprehensive Reading and Language Arts     Mathematics     Science  History & Geography  Spanish & French  Art  Music, Band, and  Physical Education Computers & Middle School Laptop Initiative