ESMS Computer Class <<back>>
ESMS Computer Curriculum Objectives
To prepare student's to effectively develop, implement and manage information technology skills. My goal is for students to be able to use information technology including computers, projectors, etc. as easily as they now use a pencil. Students need to be prepared for the changes and challenges ahead and know how to evaluate, adapt and use technology to their advantage. In addition, this class will help to support the California Standards in all applicable areas through differentiated instruction methods.

Units of Study/Skills
Touch Typing/Keyboarding
Students demonstrate typing mastery of all letter keys, spacebar, return key, and shift key at a minimum of 35 wpm with 95% accuracy. Students also demonstrate knowledge of numeric keys and special characters. Tests will be given weekly after all alphabetic keys have been learned, with grades based on a 35 wpm sliding scale and improvement.

Etiquette, Ethics and Copyright
Students learn proper computer and Internet etiquette, ethics, and how copyright laws apply to computer technology.

Technical Writing
Students learn to follow complex sequential instructions to complete a task. They also practice writing their own set of technical directions for a task to be performed.

Additional Topics/Skills
In addition, students will be introduced to: Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Databases, Drawing, Painting, and Desktop Publishing, Multimedia Skills, Basic Computer History, the Internet, Video Production and Electronic Research techniques.

CLASS NOTES AND REQUIREMENTS
GRADING. Students are evaluated on a point system. Each assignment is given a point value and assigned a category. Additional categories may be added/deleted as necessary.

EVALS= Tests (written and performance) and Quizzes
PRO= Projects or Presentations
NTB = Notebook which will include class work and homework
KYB/SKL= Keyboarding & Skill Lesson (word processing, database, etc.)
PAR = Participation in class discussion, etc.

Students will also be evaluated for specific skills (i.e. Word processing, keyboarding, etc) throughout the school year. Students will be observed both formally and informally throughout the year for these required skills. Students will complete a variety of skill-based lessons and projects requiring the application of skills learned.

You will receive a report card that is cumulative at the end of approximately twelve weeks of instruction. The dates for the official capture of the progress reports is posted in the school calendar. Unless you have made arrangements in advance, progress reports will NOT be mailed home.

Each 12-week report card period stands alone. Each of the grading periods (progress reports and report cards) will be used as part of the criteria for summer school placement.

A = 90-100 B = 80-89 C = 70-79
D = 60-69 F = 69 and below

All work must be quality work or points will be deducted.

ONLINE ACCESS/GRADES
ESUSD attendance and grades are now available online. To access PowerSchool enter http://education.esusd.k12.ca.us/parents/pw.html. PowerSchool will allow you to look at individual assignments, read teacher comments regarding behavior and homework completion, and to print out a progress report from ALL of your child's teachers from one location.

Comments with regards to the individual assignments are also available if you see a blue number where the score for the assignment is shown. To read about the instructions including when the assignment was posted, click the assignment title. You can also set up reports to be sent to you as often as you like including every time the grades are updated. Look under the menu for a section about notification once you are in powerschool.

Keep your username and password for your use. Your child will receive a personalized username and password. This way, you can maintain control of the notification feature.

COMMUNICATION
Send an email to: bmaye@esusd.k12.ca.us or leave messages for me at 310-615-2690 ext. 3101. Please include your name, your child's name and class period they attend. Phone calls are checked very infrequently. If leaving a voice message to call back, please include your area code and phone number and repeat it at least once during your message.

LATE WORK ­ Students who do not have the required assignments on the date due will sign the no homework log. A log of the missed due date will be send to the office, as per school policy. Students will lose points and may still receive credit if completed and turned into my box in the office prior to 4 pm. Students who are absent have as many days as they are absent plus one to turn in assignments.

If students will be out for an extended period of time (more than 3 days) please request homework assignments through the office. If you are going on trips at times other than school holidays, please ask for homework and other assignments in advance.

Upon completion of missing work, students must sign the homework log to indicate that the work has been completed and been turned in. If work is not logged in, within the time frame described above, the grade will become and remain a zero.

HOMEWORK NOTICES. Homework and class work information is online at www.schoolnotes.com. Type in 90245 and look for my name, Ms. Maye. This site also contains a link for sending email. Students must use their Agenda Planners (aka Binder Reminders) to write down the homework. Schoolnotes is a backup and provided as a service only.

This year we are premiering a new calendar system using www.discoverzone.com. The information for logging on is contained in the Student Planners handed out the first week. My students will be using this site to post messages and to respond to questions. Students will be given many passwords to use during the class time and for extended learning. For a list of sites that students will be working with, head to www.mayebteach.org

BEHAVIOR. Students are expected to be respectful of self, respectful of others, and responsible for all aspects of their conduct. Should a student choose to not follow these rules:
1. Student will be warned.
2. Student will be asked to step outside the classroom to compose themselves and complete a form regarding the incident.
3. Parent notification will be made - usually with a phone call made with the student present.
4. If the situation escalates, the student will be sent to the office.

A communication (phone, note, or email) will be sent to you after the second offense and any subsequent offenses. A copy of the notice will be available online and will also be sumitted to the office via PowerSchool to help keep a log of interactions with students. A student is considered tardy if not seated, with materials prepared, ready to begin instruction when the bell rings. A toe in the door is not considered "on-time".

ASSIGNMENTS. Students will complete a number of skill-related exercises. Each section will include and pre- and a post-test. Exercises must be formatted exactly as shown substituting fonts where indicated. On average, each student will be completing at least one evaluation per week.

Evaluations may be a test (written or performance), a quiz, or a quick write. Not all quickwrites or checks for understanding will receive an evaluated grade, i.e. they will be graded based on completion during the practice phase. Formal evaluations will be announced in advance and in some cases, students will have a choice regarding the product to demonstrate knowledge of the skill and or topic being learned.

Projects will be designed to tie together all of the skills lessons and provide real-world application of skills. Challenge Assignments will allow students to apply skills learned in this class to other curricular areas.

NO PROJECTS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE DUE DATE. Project due dates are announced at the beginning of the grading period. Students may turn projects in early.

CHALLENGE/BEYOND THE CLASS ASSIGNMENTS. Students are offered "extra credit" with each and every assignment. If a response is especially insightful, creative and goes above and beyond the assignment, extra points will be given. Occasional challenge assignments are given for those students who care to participate. I do NOT offer any other form of extra credit. Students must put forth their best effort the first time.

BEYOND THE CLASS - Additional opportunities for students will be available throughout the year. These opportunities allow students' to focus on specialized areas of interest and share their experiences with the class. Student will complete at least one of these opportunities during class time on a topic of their choosing. Those wishing to complete additional BEYOND THE CLASS activities may do so, but they will not be required.

NOTEBOOKS. Notebooks will be collected at least once per grading period. Students are responsible for keeping their notebooks up-to-date. A list of all assignments is linked to the www.schoolnotes.com website and at the class website, www.mayebteachorg. If a student is absent, he or she may copy the notes from another student, print from the website, or get the information from the box in the front of the room labeled "Class Handouts". Additional information is available at www.mayebteach.org including handouts for students who have lost the copy handed out in class.

Students are required to keep a table of contents up-to-date. All assignments that are printed will be kept in the notebook, including grade printouts and other correspondence between home and teacher.

ASSISTANCE. I am available by appointment only. I also check my email up until the time I leave for student/parent messages.

MAJOR PROGRAMS USED.
MS Office (Ms. Word, Excel, Powerpoint), Appleworks (for drawing and database functions), Hyperstudio, Inspiration, Internet Explorer (and other browswers), All the Right Type (keyboarding), Crossword Creator, and various scanning, desktop publishing, and video editing software.


WEBSITES TO BOOKMARK