Category: Lesson plans

Excel makes graphs simple and easy for beginners. Even my parent helpers are amazed at how much students can do with a simple F11 shortkey and a right click.

If the lesson plans are blurry, click on them for a full size alternative. (more…)

Create the drawings in KidPix for grades kindergarten and first. By second grade, you can have students insert them into PowerPoint as a slideshow for Open House. (more…)

Learning computers must start with understanding the hardware. I show bits of the following three pages starting in kindergarten, extending through 5th grade. By sixth grade, they are good problem solvers because they understand the basics. (more…)

If students become wrapped up in what they’re reading, they’ll type faster. I’ve provided two examples below, or use material you’re teaching in class, literature books they’re reading or poetry. They’ll forget they’re searching for keys as they become enthralled with the story.

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Nothing makes computer work faster than keyboard shortcuts. And, it is the rare student who doesn’t claim them as their own and pass on to friends their favorites. (more…)

Reinforce Dolch words and sentence structure with KidPix text tool and drawing options.

Before you start this project, be sure to go through How to KidPix I and How to KidPix II. (more…)

With the start of a new school year, there’s no better time to explore every child’s favorite topic: art. What better way than visit a few great online art sites.

Here’s a collection of online resources for great worldwide museums. Take one lesson to introduce students to these six art sites (five to ten minutes on each) and then allow them to revisit when they have a few minutes at the end of a class projects, unit, before lunch, etc.

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According to the creator, “KidPix combines art tools, graphic capability with ease of use and powerful new teacher tools to inspire creativity and learning.” According to the world, it’s the most popular drawing program for kids. Ever.

In this lesson, students learn about tools, toolbars, drag-drop, multi-media, menus—all tech basics. Every kindergarten-second grader should start with this lesson, and then move on as they master the rudiments. Besides provide tech basics, this project appeals to a student’s creativity and desire for the personal. And, it’s quick and easy. (more…)

Over the years, I’ve developed a list of lesson plans that nicely integrate technology into core classroom subjects like, science, language arts, spelling, math, history and more. To share them, click here, on Free Lesson Plans.

When you get to the page, you’ll find 112 options. They all don’t have links. The ones with links I’ve posted. The others, I’m planning to. For the entire book of lessons without waiting, and arguably clearer than the reproduction in the blog allows, go to the Store and select either volume of 55 Technology Projects for the Digital Classroom.

As you start this school year, feel free to ask questions of Ask a Tech Teacher. They’re probably the same one many others are curious about.

To use the internet, students must know the basics. I’ve put together a primer on what they should learn before getting started. It includes using toolbars and tools, address bars, how to go back to where you were, how to save a site to revisit later, and some great sites that will inspire them to learn. (more…)