GLEN RIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Curriculum Guide

 

 

Course Title:                                                     TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION

 

Subject:                                                            Technology

 

Grade Level:                                                     Six

 

Department/School:                                          Sixth Grade Team/ Ridgewood Avenue School

 

Duration:                                                          One School Year

 

Number of Credits:                                           N/A

 

Prerequisite:                                                      N/A

 

Elective or Required:                                         Required

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author:  Steven Pi

Date Submitted:  Summer 2007

 

Course Description

 

Technology Integration is designed to give students a solid foundation in various computer programs such as: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Front Page by integrating their use into class projects.  Coming into this class, students have already been exposed to Word and PowerPoint; however, throughout the year, students will extend their use and knowledge of these programs by using the more complex features of each program.  At this level, many students have not been exposed to programs such as Excel and Front Page.  Throughout the course of the year, students will be introduced to various functions within and uses of each of these programs.  Students will also gain keyboarding skills by completing regular practice using “Type to Learn”.  Additionally, the students will develop study skills as well as increased public speaking skills while presenting their projects to their peers and teachers.

 


GLEN RIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

MISSION STATEMENT/GOALS

 

In order to compete in the world of tomorrow, students will need to have a solid foundation in technology skills.  It is the goal of the Ridgewood Avenue School Technology Integration course to provide students with the necessary tools to complete technology-based projects as well as a solid foundation of the fundamentals that will make future learning easier to grasp.  Students will gain knowledge and experience by completing group and individual projects using various forms of technology.   


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.

Descriptive Statement: Using computer applications and technology tools students will conduct research, solve problems, improve learning, achieve goals, and produce products and presentations in conjunction with standards in all content areas, including career education and consumer family, and life skills. They will also develop, locate, summarize, organize, synthesize, and evaluate information for lifelong learning.

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.

Descriptive Statement: The following indicators are based on the Standards for Technological Literacy (STL, 2000) and support the National Academy of Engineering’s (2002) call for students to gain technological literacy. Students will be expected to understand the various facets of technology and the design process. They will analyze and evaluate design options and then apply the design process to solve problems. A systems perspective is employed to emphasize the interconnectedness of all knowledge and the impact of technology and technological change. Students will be expected to use technology as it applies to physical systems, biological systems, and information and communication systems. The intent at the elementary and middle school levels is that all students develop technological literacy and are prepared for the option of further study in the field of technology education. At the elementary level, the foundation for technology education is found in the science standards, particularly standards 5.2 and 5.4.

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.

Mathematics

STANDARD 4.1 (NUMBER AND NUMERICAL OPERATIONS) ALL STUDENTS WILL DEVELOP NUMBER SENSE AND WILL PERFORM STANDARD NUMERICAL OPERATIONS AND ESTIMATIONS ON ALL TYPES OF NUMBERS IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.

Descriptive Statement: Numbers and arithmetic operations are what most of the general public think about when they think of mathematics; and, even though other areas like geometry, algebra, and data analysis have become increasingly important in recent years, numbers and operations remain at the heart of mathematical teaching and learning. Facility with numbers, the ability to choose the appropriate types of numbers and the appropriate operations for a given situation, and the ability to perform those operations as well as to estimate their results, are all skills that are essential for modern day life.

4.1. Number and Numerical Operations

A. Number Sense

 

B. Numerical Operations

 

C. Estimation

 

STANDARD 4.3 (PATTERNS AND ALGEBRA) ALL STUDENTS WILL REPRESENT AND ANALYZE RELATIONSHIPS AMONG VARIABLE QUANTITIES AND SOLVE PROBLEMS INVOLVING PATTERNS, FUNCTIONS, AND ALGEBRAIC CONCEPTS AND PROCESSES.

Descriptive Statement: Algebra is a symbolic language used to express mathematical relationships. Students need to understand how quantities are related to one another, and how algebra can be used to concisely express and analyze those relationships. Modern technology provides tools for supplementing the traditional focus on algebraic procedures, such as solving equations, with a more visual perspective, with graphs of equations displayed on a screen. Students can then focus on understanding the relationship between the equation and the graph, and on what the graph represents in a real-life situation.

4.3. Patterns and Algebra

A. Patterns and Relationships

 

B. Functions

 

C. Modeling

 

D. Procedures


 


STANDARD 4.5 (MATHEMATICAL PROCESSES) ALL STUDENTS WILL USE MATHEMATICAL PROCESSES OF PROBLEM SOLVING, COMMUNICATION, CONNECTIONS, REASONING, REPRESENTATIONS, AND TECHNOLOGY TO SOLVE PROBLEMS AND COMMUNICATE MATHEMATICAL IDEAS.

Descriptive Statement: The mathematical processes described here highlight ways of acquiring and using the content knowledge and skills delineated in the first four mathematics standards.

4.5. Mathematical Processes

A. Problem Solving

 

B. Communication

 

C. Connections

 

D. Reasoning

 

E. Representations

 

F. Technology

Language Arts Literacy

STANDARD 3.1 (READING) ALL STUDENTS WILL UNDERSTAND AND APPLY THE KNOWLEDGE OF SOUNDS, LETTERS, AND WORDS IN WRITTEN ENGLISH TO BECOME INDEPENDENT AND FLUENT READERS, AND WILL READ A VARIETY OF MATERIALS AND TEXTS WITH FLUENCY AND COMPREHENSION.

Descriptive Statement: A primary reading goal is for students of all grades to read independently with fluency and comprehension so that they become lifelong readers and learners. In order to achieve this goal, students benefit from "daily opportunities to read books they choose for themselves, for their own purposes, and their own pleasures" (Calkins, 2001). Students should read grade-level appropriate or more challenging classic and contemporary literature and informational readings, both self-selected and assigned. In order to grow as readers and deepen their understanding of texts, students need many opportunities to think about, talk about, and write about the texts they are reading. A diversity of reading material (including fiction and nonfiction) provides students with opportunities to grow intellectually, emotionally, and socially as they consider universal themes, diverse cultures and perspectives, and the common aspects of human existence.

3.1 Reading

A. Concepts About Print

 

B. Phonological Awareness

 

C. Decoding and Word Recognition

 

D. Fluency

 

E. Reading Strategies (before, during, and after reading)

 

F. Vocabulary and Concept Development

 

G. Comprehension Skills and Response to Text

 

H. Inquiry and Research

 

STANDARD 3.2 (WRITING) ALL STUDENTS WILL WRITE IN CLEAR, CONCISE, ORGANIZED LANGUAGE THAT VARIES IN CONTENT AND FORM FOR DIFFERENT AUDIENCES AND PURPOSES.

Descriptive Statement: Writing is a complex process that begins with the recording of one’s thoughts. It is used for composition, communication, expression, learning, and engaging the reader. Proficient writers use a repertoire of strategies that enables them to vary form, style, and conventions in order to write for different purposes, audiences, and contexts. Students should have multiple opportunities to craft and practice writing, to generate ideas, and to refine, evaluate, and publish their writing. In a successful writing program, students develop and demonstrate fluency in all phases of the writing process, including prewriting, drafting, revising, editing of multiple drafts, and post writing processes that include publishing, presenting, evaluating, and/or performing.

3.2 Writing

A. Writing as a Process

 

B. Writing as a Product

 

C. Mechanics, Spelling, and Handwriting

 

D. Writing Forms, Audiences, and Purposes

 

STANDARD 3.3 (SPEAKING) ALL STUDENTS WILL SPEAK IN CLEAR, CONCISE, ORGANIZED LANGUAGE THAT VARIES IN CONTENT AND FORM FOR DIFFERENT AUDIENCES AND PURPOSES.

Descriptive Statement: Oral language is a powerful tool for communicating, thinking, and learning. Through speaking and listening, students acquire the building blocks necessary to connect with others, develop vocabulary, and perceive the structure of the English language. An important goal in the language arts classroom is for students to speak confidently and fluently in a variety of situations.

3.3 Speaking

A. Discussion

 

B. Questioning (Inquiry) and Contributing

 

C. Word Choice

 

D. Oral Presentation

 

STANDARD 3.4 (LISTENING) ALL STUDENTS WILL LISTEN ACTIVELY TO INFORMATION FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES IN A VARIETY OF SITUATIONS.

Descriptive Statement: Listening is the process of hearing, receiving, constructing meaning from, and responding to spoken and/or nonverbal messages. Through active listening, students gain understanding and appreciation of language and communication. Students call on different listening skills depending on their purpose for listening (e.g., listening to letter sounds to gain phonemic awareness, comprehending information, evaluating a message, appreciating a performance). Effective listeners are able to listen actively, restate, interpret, respond to, and evaluate increasingly complex messages. Students need to recognize that what they say, read, write, and view contributes to the content and quality of their listening experiences.

3.4 Listening

A. Active Listening

 

B. Listening Comprehension

 

STANDARD 3.5 (VIEWING AND MEDIA LITERACY) ALL STUDENTS WILL ACCESS, VIEW, EVALUATE, AND RESPOND TO PRINT, NONPRINT, AND ELECTRONIC TEXTS AND RESOURCES.

Descriptive Statement: Students learn how to view critically and thoughtfully in order to respond to visual messages and images in print, nonverbal interactions, the arts, and electronic media. Effective viewing is essential to comprehend and respond to personal interactions, live performances, visual arts that involve oral and/or written language, and both print media (graphs, charts, diagrams, illustrations, photographs, and graphic design in books, magazines, and newspapers) and electronic media (television, computers, and film). A media-literate person is able to evaluate media for credibility and understands how words, images, and sounds influence the way meanings are conveyed and understood in contemporary society. Students need to recognize that what they speak, hear, write, and read contributes to the content and quality of their viewing.

3.5 Viewing and Media Literacy

A. Constructing Meaning

 

B. Visual and Verbal Messages

 

C. Living with Media

 


Curriculum Description

 

UNIT 1:  STUDY/ORGANIZATION SKILLS

 

Goal:  Students will research study skills, organizational skills, note-taking hints, etc. to help them handle their school workload.  Students will work in groups to create basic presentations to share with the class (each group will focus on a different part).  By the end of the unit, students will have a great deal of information on how to better prepare and organize themselves.

 

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1.      Design and produce a basic multimedia project. (8.1 A – 8)

2.      Choose appropriate tools and information resources to support research and solve real world problems, (8.1 B – 6)

3.      Evaluate the accuracy, relevance, and appropriateness of print and non-print electronic information sources. (8.1 B – 7)

4.      Use network resources for storing and retrieving data.  (8.1 A – 10)

5.      Describe and practice safe Internet usage.  (8.1 B – 4)

6.      Give oral presentation.  (3.3 – B)

 

Duration:          Introduction 2 cycles - *One cycle = three back-to-back days.

These skills will be incorporated throughout the school year.

 

 

UNIT 2:  KEYBOARDING SKILLS

 

Goal:  Students will become more proficient at keyboarding through weekly practice.

 

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1.      Demonstrate effective input of text and data, using touch keyboarding with proper technique. (8.1 A – 3)

 

Duration:          Entire school year.  Students will have allotted time throughout the school year as well as practicing when finished with other projects.

 

 

UNIT 3:  PLAN A CLASS TRIP

 

Goal:  Students will work in groups to plan an educational class trip.  Students will create a detailed presentation that will clearly define every aspect of the trip (money, chaperones, goals, etc).  Students will then present their projects to the class and various teachers.  The teachers will vote on the best project and the sixth grade will attend that trip.

 


Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1.      Design and produce a basic multimedia project. (8.1 A – 8)

2.      Choose appropriate tools and information resources to support research and solve real world problems. (8.1 B – 6)

3.      Evaluate the accuracy, relevance, and appropriateness of print and non-print electronic information sources. (8.1 B – 7)

4.      Construct a simple spreadsheet, enter data, and interpret the information.  (8.1 A – 7) *Students will be shown basic Excel functions in order for students to map out the money needed for the trip, transportations, lunches (if needed), bus driver tip money etc.)

5.      Use network resources for storing and retrieving data.  (8.1 A – 10)

6.      Describe and practice safe Internet usage.  (8.1 B – 4)

7.      Give oral presentation. (3.3 – B)

 

Duration:  Three cycles

 

 

UNIT 4:  STOCK MARKET

 

Goal:  Students will become familiar with the stock market and why it is important for people to save money and plan for the future.  Students will start out with a certain dollar amount (ex. $10,000) and will research and buy stocks.  Throughout the course of the year, students will monitor, buy, or sell stocks in order to make the highest profits.  Students will be responsible for updating a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet regarding their stocks’ values.  Students will also monitor their percent increase and decrease each month – they will be responsible for figuring this out.

 

Objectives: 

Students will be able to:

1.      Choose appropriate tools and information resources to support research and solve real world problems, (8.1 B – 6)

2.      Construct a simple spreadsheet, enter data, and interpret the information.  (8.1 A – 7)

3.      Use network resources for storing and retrieving data.  (8.1 A – 10)

4.      Describe and practice safe Internet usage.  (8.1 B – 4)

5.      Recognize that mathematics is used in a variety of contexts outside of mathematics. (4.5 C – 3)

6.      Apply mathematics in practical situations and in other disciplines. (4.5 C – 4)

7.      Use technology to gather, analyze, and communicate mathematical information. (4.5 F-1)

8.      Use computer spreadsheets, software, and graphing utilities to organize and display quantitative information. (4.5 F – 2)

 

Duration:          Approx. Nov 1 through June 1 – Students will be responsible for checking stock prices once per week and will monitor and record information at that time.  One cycle will be used to teach percent increase/decrease and the basics of stocks.


UNIT 5:  CREATING A NEWSPAPER

 

Goal:  The goal of this unit is to have students use a basic word processing program (Microsoft Word) to create a newspaper.  Students will need to insert graphics, use proper formatting to wrap text around each graphic, and other tools such as: specific margins, landscape layout, etc.  Students will create their own articles, as well as share ideas with other students.  Each article will be written about a subject/concept the student has learned in another class.  The student will be required to do research to extend that concept.

 

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1.      Choose appropriate tools and information resources to support research and solve real world problems, (8.1 B – 6)

2.      Use network resources for storing and retrieving data.  (8.1 A – 10)

3.      Create documents with advanced text-formatting and graphics using word processing. (8.1 A – 5)

4.      Create a file containing customized information by merging documents (8.1 A – 6)

5.      Exhibit legal and ethical behaviors when using information and technology, and discuss consequences of misuse. (8.1 B – 2) *Plagiarism

6.      Describe and practice safe Internet usage.  (8.1 B – 4)

7.      Language Arts – (3.2 A, B, C, D)

 

Duration:          One cycle

 

 

UNIT 6:  DATA, CHARTS AND GRAPHS

 

Goal:  Students will conduct surveys on a topic of their choice.  After students have collected the required data, they will construct professional level graphs using Microsoft Excel and present their findings to the class.

*To be done at the same time students are completing associated chapter in math.

 

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1.      Use common features of an operating system (e.g., creating and organizing files and folders). (8.1 A – 2)

2.      Input and access data and text efficiently and accurately through proficient use of other input devices, such as the mouse. (8.2 A - 4)

3.      Construct a simple spreadsheet, enter data, and interpret the information. (8.1 A – 7)

4.      Use network resources for storing and retrieving data. (8.1 A -10)

5.      Demonstrate an understanding of how changes in technology impact the workplace and society.  (8.1 B – 1)

6.      Collect, generate, organize, and display data.   Data generated from surveys.  (4.4 A – 1)

 

Duration:          Two cycles (will include time spent discussing strategies for picking the right type of graph to present students’ data)

UNIT 7:  WEBQUESTS AND WEBSITES

 

Goal:  The goal of this lesson is introduce students to basic web page design.  Students will complete a webquest designed specifically for them (Around the World) in order to see the major points and the overall design of a webquest.  From there, students will pick a topic which they have learned in the sixth grade and develop a way to present the same information to younger students by designing a webquest on their own.  Students will use Microsoft Front Page to develop their websites.  Students will also take part in peer review and critiquing of each other’s material to be sure the webquest can be completed and that all the necessary educational components are presented.

 

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1.      Use appropriate technology vocabulary.  (8.1 A – 1)

2.      Use common features of an operating system (e.g., creating and organizing files and folders).  (8.1 A – 2)

3.      Input and access data and text efficiently and accurately through proficient use of other input devices, such as the mouse.  (8.2 A - 4)

4.      Create a file containing customized information by merging documents.  (8.1 A – 6)

5.      Use network resources for storing and retrieving data.  (8.1 A -10)

6.      Choose appropriate electronic graphic organizers to create, construct, or design a document.  (8.1 A – 11)

7.      Create, organize and manipulate shortcuts.  (8.1 A – 12)

8.      Exhibit legal and ethical behaviors when using information and technology, and discuss consequences of misuse.  (8.1 B – 2)

9.      Describe and practice safe Internet usage.  (8.1 B – 4)

10.  Use computer applications to modify information independently and/or collaboratively to solve problems.  (8.1 B – 8)

 

Duration:          Three/four cycles

 

 

UNIT 8:  RESEARCH

 

Goal:  Students will become more informed in terms of finding appropriate sites for information.  Students will be able to dismiss certain sites as not providing factual information and they’re not to be trusted.  On the other hand, students will be able to better recognize quality websites as well as gaining strategies for narrowing one’s search.  When students are writing their research papers, they will use one cycle to find information regarding their topics on the Internet.

 

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1.      Exhibit legal and ethical behaviors when using information and technology, and discuss consequences of misuse. (8.1 B – 2)

2.      Describe and practice safe Internet usage. (8.1 B – 4)

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

a.       On-line resources and databases

b.      Search engines and subject directories (8.1 B – 6)

4.      Evaluate the accuracy, relevance, and appropriateness of print and non-print electronic information sources. (8.1 B – 7)

 

Duration:  Two cycles

 

 

UNIT 9:  DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

 

Goal:  This unit will teach students how to get photographs from a digital camera to their computers and to format and label those pictures with captions for presentations.  Students will create pictures of students displaying a positive character trait and use those pictures in a PowerPoint presentation.

 

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1.      Use appropriate technology vocabulary.  (8.1 A – 1)

2.      Use common features of an operating system (e.g., creating and organizing files and folders). (8.1 A – 2)

3.      Input and access data and text efficiently and accurately through proficient use of other input devices, such as the mouse. (8.2 A - 4)

4.      Create a file containing customized information by merging documents. (8.1 A – 6)