Re: Middle School Computer Programs

Ed Wall (ewall@wis.com)
Sat, 27 Jan 1996 00:17:12 EST

Brandon Dahlstrom <bdahlstr@isbe.state.il.us> wrote:
> I was wondering if I could get some input from you all as to what middle
> schools are "doing out there" in terms of middle school computer
> curriculum. Ya know.... scope and sequence, etc.... I am writing and
> making the computer program/curriculum here at my middle school. Right
> now, the 6th graders have keyboarding and computer basics. From what I
> understand, 6th grade here is required and the 7th and 8th grade will be
> optional for the kids. I have ideas, but I would like to know what is
> being done out there. My stress will be to try to make the classes as
> much "problem solving" as possible.

Well, that was the way it was at the school I teach at. However, I decided
to change it. Partly for my sanity and partly because It made no sense.
Bascially computer is offered on two level. Required every year and a shorter
additional optional course for those that want more. To do all this I basically
cut down the time the 7th and 8th grade classes ran. Okay, this is what I do

6th: Keyboarding and into to wordprocessing and graphics
7th: Review of keyboarding, wordprocessing, and intro to databases
8th: Review of keyboarding, review of wordprocessing, database, and intro to
spreadsheets.

Additional 7th: Desktop publishing, Logo, and Lego Logo.
Additional 8th: More database and HyperStudio

All this isn't exactly problem solving, but I want to encourage the kids to
use these things in real life (which at this point is school).

Ed Wall
ewall@wis.com