How to Draft a Tech Curriculum for the Sixth Grade

Today's sixth-grader is ready for a tech curriculum.

Developing a technical curriculum can be difficult in a world when the way we communicate changes rapidly. By using core computer competency projects with today's technological advances, sixth-graders will have the advantage of being ready to use these tools in middle school and beyond. A student who has been introduced to advanced technological tools as a 12-year-old will be ready to embrace them by high school when they are a part of his everyday experience.

Things You'll Need

• Computer lab

Instructions

1. Develop an AUP or "Acceptable Use Policy" with the class.

2. Go beyond keyboarding and teach touch screen and texting.

3. Introduce word processing, but also cover keyboard shortcuts, desktop publishing and formatting.

4. Introduce the students to blogging. It's a free and simple way to expand on word processing skills while exploring some of the desktop and Internet publishing skills as well.

5. Explore search engines and compare and contrast their use. Use Google, Yahoo, MSN, Dogpile, Ask and others. Discuss why results are different.

References

• Greenwich Public Schools: Grade 6 Computer Skills Course