KINDERGARTEN KEYS

You, as parents, already know, that your kindergarten student may already know many things about using a computer - or so they think. Five and six year old students are very definite in what they want to do with a computer. One of their favorite phrases is "play on the computer" and specific games are high on the list. This is good and sets them at ease with a machine.

But in a lab situation, although the interest and enjoyable aspects of this machine are high priorities on curriculum list, it is time to begin some basic instruction. And to do this, we have installed both Mario and Mavis Word skill programs on the computers. Students are encouraged to find the correct keys using the proper fingering. Although this may be an admirable goal - this sometimes depends on something out of all of our control - finger size and span width. Plenty of time, encouragement and patience are the best remedy to accomplish this exercise. And we encourage these boys and girls only to do their best.

One of the most difficult, and yet most profitable skills is the introduction between a very sensitive mouse and those little fingers that like to whiz around the screen. At home, with typical age-appropriate software, they are encouraged to use the mouse, but the objects that they are asked to click "on" and "off" are rather large and well defined. One of the most important goals in the Kindergarten curriculum is to allow the boys and girls to see the advantage of identifying and taking the patience necessary to open windows using a mouse and then subsequently opening the small arrows that will allow them access to sub-menus. Sometimes, it is all that they can do to master that little mouse - but they try. Using auto-shapes in the Microsoft Word program is one of the best tools available to accomplish this "feat". They are using a "grown-up" program and should be having fun. They will be taught to PRINT and how to access line printers- so expect art from your little student.

By Christmas, your child will be able to come into the computer room, turn on an idle computer, select PROGRAMS, scan down to Microsoft Word and open the Word Processor.

Although we have 24 computers, what our children need is immediate response to problems they face. Last year, there was a schedule of parents, who could come on a regular basis and assist in the lab. As a teacher, I found
this, not only a great help, but so rewarding for the little ones. They love to see someone special to them helping "teach" their friends as well as themselves. But the bonus is - there are 3 or 4 adults to tell them what a good job they are doing. If you have any questions at all or would like to talk to me - please feel free to call. Mrs. McDaniel and Mrs. Shanley will inform you on how to let us all know of your availability.
Thank You

Betty Killmeyer 351-5403

[Return to Computer Curriculum]