GLEN RIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Course Description

This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access. They will learn to use word processing and spreadsheet software in managing and displaying information derived from real world situations. Students gain word processing and spreadsheet skills while operating the tools in an integrated Microsoft Windows environment. Students learn the various functionality of word processing and spreadsheet software. They learn to organize data in a clear and precise way and format using the tools available in the software. Through hands-on learning and practice the students increase their keyboarding skills and software knowledge.

GLEN RIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

MATHEMATICS MISSION STATEMENT

Mathematics and Computer Science are an integral part of our lives. Students must be actively involved in their mathematics education with problem solving being an essential part of the curriculum. The mathematics and computer science curricula should emphasize thinking skills through a balance of computation, intuition, common sense, logic, analysis and technology. Students will be engaged and challenged in a student-centered learning environment that is developmentally appropriate. Students will communicate mathematical ideas effectively by applying hands-on manipulatives, basic computational skills, mathematical models, and technology in order to solve practical problems.

New Jersey Core Curriculum Standards

STANDARD 8.1 (COMPUTER AND INFORMATION LITERACY) ALL STUDENTS WILL USE COMPUTER APPLICATIONS TO GATHER AND ORGANIZE INFORMATION AND TO SOLVE PROBLEMS.

Strands And Cumulative Progress Indicators

Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, by the end of grade 8, students will

A. Basic Computer Skills and Tools

Use appropriate technology vocabulary.
Use common features of an operating system (e.g., creating and organizing files and folders).
Demonstrate effective input of text and data, using touch keyboarding with proper technique.
Input and access data and text efficiently and accurately through proficient use of other input devices, such as the mouse.
Create documents with advanced text-formatting and graphics using word processing.
Create a file containing customized information by merging documents.
Construct a simple spreadsheet, enter data, and interpret the information.
Design and produce a basic multimedia project.
Plan and create a simple database, define fields, input data, and produce a report using sort and query.
Use network resources for storing and retrieving data.
Choose appropriate electronic graphic organizers to create, construct, or design a document.
Create, organize and manipulate shortcuts.

B. Application of Productivity Tools

Social Aspects

Demonstrate an understanding of how changes in technology impact the workplace and society.
Exhibit legal and ethical behaviors when using information and technology, and discuss consequences of misuse.
Explain the purpose of an Acceptable Use Policy and the consequences of inappropriate use of technology.
Describe and practice safe Internet usage.
Describe and practice "etiquette" when using the Internet and electronic mail.

Information Access and Research

Choose appropriate tools and information resources to support research and solve real world problems, including but not limited to:

§ On-line resources and databases

§ Search engines and subject directories

Evaluate the accuracy, relevance, and appropriateness of print and non-print electronic information sources.

Problem Solving and Decision Making

Use computer applications to modify information independently and/or collaboratively to solve problems.
Identify basic hardware problems and demonstrate the ability to solve common problems.
Determine when technology tools are appropriate to solve a problem and make a decision.

STANDARD 8.2 (TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION) ALL STUDENTS WILL DEVELOP AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE NATURE AND IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGICAL DESIGN, AND THE DESIGNED WORLD AS THEY RELATE TO THE INDIVIDUAL, SOCIETY AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, by the end of Grade 8, students will:

A. Nature and Impact of Technology

Describe the nature of technology and the consequences of technological activity.
Describe how components of a technological product, system, or environment interact.
Describe how one technological innovation can be applied to solve another human problem that enhances human life or extends human capability.
Describe how technological activity has an affect on economic development, political actions, and cultural change.
Explain the cultural and societal effects resulting from the dramatic increases of knowledge and information available today.

B. Design Process and Impact Assessment

Demonstrate and explain how the design process is not linear.
Use hands-on activities to analyze products and systems to determine how the design process was applied to create the solution.
Identify a technological problem and use the design process to create an appropriate solution.
Describe how variations in resources can affect solutions to a technological problem.
Select and safely use appropriate tools and materials in analyzing, designing, modeling or making a technological product, system or environment.

C. Systems in the Designed World

Explain technological advances in medical, agricultural, energy and power, information and communication, transportation, manufacturing, and construction technologies.
Explain reasons why human-designed systems, products, and environments need to be monitored, maintained, and improved to ensure safety, quality, cost efficiency, and sustainability.
Explain the functions and interdependence of subsystems such as waste disposal, water purification, electrical, structural, safety, climatic control, and communication.

Scope and Sequence

F.	Technology
	By the end of 7^th grade		By the end of 8^th grade
F.1	Use technology to gather, analyze, and communicate mathematical information.	M	Use technology to gather, analyze, and communicate mathematical information.	M
F.2	Use computer spreadsheets, software, and graphing utilities to organize and display quantitative information.	M	Use computer spreadsheets, software, and graphing utilities to organize and display quantitative information.	M
F.3	Use graphing calculators and computer software to investigate properties of functions and their graphs.	M	Use graphing calculators and computer software to investigate properties of functions and their graphs.	M
F.4	Use calculators as problem-solving tools (e.g., to explore patterns, to validate solutions).	M	Use calculators as problem-solving tools (e.g., to explore patterns, to validate solutions).	M
F.5	Use computer software to make and verify conjectures about geometric objects.	M	Use computer software to make and verify conjectures about geometric objects.	M
F.6	Use computer-based laboratory technology for mathematical applications in the sciences.	M	Use computer-based laboratory technology for mathematical applications in the sciences.	M

Curriculum Description

UNIT 1: TERMINOLOGY / VOCABULARY

Objectives:

After completion of this cycle course, students will be able to:

1. Use grade appropriate terminology (platform, file format, log on).

Approximate duration: 2 days

Activities:

- Using Internet resources and teacher instruction, students will define a comprehensive list of terminology that will be used throughout the course.

Alternate or Additional Activities:

- Correct and repetitive use during class

- Crossword puzzles

- Referenced in rubrics and instruction

UNIT 2: HISTORY & COMPUTER OPERATIONS & HARDWARE COMPONENTS & INTERNET

Objectives:

After completion of this cycle course, students will be able to:

1. Understand basic Windows operations (scroll, zoom, maximize, minimize).

2. Save a file to the desktop, the hard drive, a data disk, and flash drive.

3. Open a file from the desktop, the hard drive, a data disk, and flash drive.

4. Understand the difference between File/Save and File/Save As.

5. Navigate programs/applications using scroll bars, arrow keys, and special keys.

6. Identify by name the major components of a desktop computer (CPU, peripherals, monitor).

7. Describe a simplified history of the development of computers.

8. Using a default printer, print with appropriate page setup and orientation.

9. ** with some overlap from the Research cycle course** Access the Internet for electronic research.

10. Understand electronic research related terminology (Hyperlink, URL).

11. Connect to the Internet and use a browser such as MSIE or Netscape.

12. Access a World Wide Web site by entering an address.

13. Understand concept of a “hyperlink” and use these links to browse the World Wide Web.

Approximate duration: 2 days

Activities:

- Classroom discussion, teacher instruction, and video on how computers work.

Alternate or Additional Activities:

- Research electronically.

UNIT 3: WORD PROCESSING

Objectives:

After completion of this cycle course, students will be able to:

1. Identify and open Microsoft Word.

2. Use Templates in MS Word to create professional letters and other features.

3. Use most of the functionality and tools available in MS Word.

4. Create tables in MS Word and modify properties of tables.

5. Place graphics, images, JPG and GIFs into a Word document.

6. Add and resize a graphic to word processing file.

7. Utilize MS Word to create basic shapes to draw pictures.

8. Format text with respect to size, spacing, style, justification and font.

9. Utilize cut, copy and paste functions to edit a document.

10. Utilize an electronic spell checker when appropriate.

11. Utilize an electronic thesaurus when appropriate.

12. Identify key commands (shortcuts).

13. Understand and practices setting tabs and margins.

14. Use print preview and page setup.

Approximate duration: 10 days

Activities:

- Write a professional letter using the MS Word template.

- Create a restaurant menu inserting graphics and using tabs for column alignment.

- Create a young child’s story book with page numbers, using spell checker and thesaurus.

Alternate or Additional Activities:

- Create a calendar either by using a template or by using a formatted table.

UNIT 4: MS EXCEL

Objectives:

After completion of this cycle course, students will be able to:

1. Understand the concept of a spreadsheet.

2. Understand spreadsheet terminology (formula, cell reference).

3. Create a spreadsheet and identify properties of the spreadsheet.

4. Gather and organize data and place in a readable spreadsheet.

5. Create graphic representations in MS Excel.

6. Understand graphing terminology (x-axis, y-axis, labels, scale).

7. Identify different types of graphs (line, bar, circle, picture).

8. Create simple charts and graphs using appropriate software (bar, line, pie).

9. Produce a completed spreadsheet accompanied by a chart or graph.

10. Enter and/or edit data into spreadsheet.

11. Collect and organize data and calculate data using spreadsheet software.

12. Enter formulas for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division using the tool bar options.

13. Format cells with regards to Cell/Row height, width.

14. Increase height and width of column/row.

15. Enter advanced formulas, and functions manually.

Approximate duration: 10 days

Activities:

- Copy a sample spreadsheet and modify default setting to match sample.

- Survey and gather data and enter data into a spreadsheet (note data types and what can be calculated).

- Create a bar graph from a spreadsheet including axis labels, heading and correct data labels.

- Create a pie chart from a spreadsheet including percentage labels.

Alternate or Additional Activities:

- Create a spreadsheet of measurement the students have taken. Then using formulas, find mean, median, mode, range, maximum, minimum.

UNIT 5: MS ACCESS

Objectives:

After completion of this cycle course, students will be able to:

1. Understand the concept of a database.

2. Understand database terminology (field, sort, file, record, layout).

3. Browse through an existing database locating data.

4. Using existing database, create a simple query and format into a report.

5. Find information based on selected criteria (keywords, Boolean Operators).

6. Sort information in a database.

7. Differentiate between sorting and finding records in a database.

8. Enter information in an existing database by creating a new record and add to a database file.

9. Add new database fields.

10. Utilize both list and data layouts.

11. Create an original database.

12. Create and format a simple report within Access.

13. Create a report in Access and modify in MS Word.

14. Create a simple query select statement.

Approximate duration: 10 days

Activities:

- Using a teacher provided database, create a selection query and a report to show answers.

- Create an address book database with personal or imaginary records.

- Create a report using only selected fields.

Alternate or Additional Activities:

- Use query to select records from address book for invitations.

UNIT 6: TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

Objectives:

After completion of this cycle course, students will be able to:

1. Work collaboratively at a computer with another student.

2. Demonstrate awareness of legal and ethical behaviors when using technology (Do’s and Don’ts).

3. Identify current uses of technology in the work place and in society.

4. Recognize the dangers of a computer virus and methods to avoid them.

5. Demonstrate computer etiquette/proper Internet usage.

6. Demonstrate an awareness of safety when using Email as a communications vehicle.

7. Develop awareness that violation of copyright law is a crime.

Approximate duration: 2 days

Activities:

- Through classroom discussion, review dangers of plagiarism and its repercussions.

- Discuss computer virus and spy-ware and how to avoid problems on personal computers.

Alternate or Additional Activities:

- Review a video on Internet security.

List of texts, resources and/or literature:

· Microsoft Word version 2002

· Microsoft Excel version 2002

· Microsoft Windows XP 2002