Technology

Providing students with a variety of effective technologies is important at Western Christian Schools . Over the past several years WCS has aggressively pursued upgrading the technology used by students and staff.

Here is a brief summary of what each grade does during computer class. We currently use Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2003.

Kindergarten -Keyboarding skills using Sebran & Mario Teaches Typing 2. Also I Spy School Days, Math Blaster, Kids Pix Deluxe and math games within Sebran. Students come on Fridays, 20 minutes weekly.

1 st Grade -Keyboarding skills using Sebran & Mario Teaches Typing 2. Also I Spy School Days, Math Blaster and math/word games within Sebran. Some Microsoft Word, Kid Pix Deluxe and Paint. Students come for 40 minutes, every other week.

2 nd Grade -Keyboarding skills using Mario Teaches Typing 2. Some Microsoft Word (Fonts, Font Size, Word Art, Lists, other formatting), I Spy School Days and Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? . Students come 40 minutes, every other week.

3 rd Grade -Keyboarding skills using Mavis Beacon. Microsoft Word (Fonts, Font Size, Word Art, Bullet Lists, Paragraphs, Clip Art and other formatting) Internet Safety, I Spy School Days and Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? . Students come 40 minutes, every other week.

4 th Grade -Keyboarding skills using Mavis Beacon. Microsoft Word (Fonts, Font Size, Indent, Double Space, Word Art, Bullet Lists, Paragraphs, Clip Art, Copy/Paste and other formatting). Internet Safety, I Spy School Days and Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? Internet scavenger hunts, finding material for school projects. Students come 40 minutes, every other week.

5 th Grade -Keyboarding skills using Mavis Beacon. Microsoft Word (Fonts, Font Size, Indent, Double Space, Borders, Bold, Italics, Word Art, Bullet Lists, Paragraphs, Clip Art, Copy/Paste and other formatting). Internet scavenger hunts, internet safety, researching material for school projects. Students come 40 minutes, every other week.

6 th -8 th Grades- Students come weekly for 45 minutes. Each year, students build additional skills and confidence with typing and using the Microsoft Office 2003 with a series of hands-on projects.
1 st Quarter-Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing-Goal is to master keyboard, work on fingering and accuracy. We do use keyboard covers.
2 nd Quarter-Microsoft Word- Report Writing Format using MLA, Mavis Beacon
3 rd Quarter-Microsoft Excel- 8 th grade only, Mavis Beacon, I – Safe Curriculum, Desktop Publishing
4 th Quarter-Microsoft PowerPoint- Mavis Beacon
(Quarter work varies depending on holidays, exams, etc.)
Technology plays a key role in communication today. Developing excellent communicators is one of Western's primary educational goals. At Western we strive to equip our students with the most up to date equipment and training available.