ACADEMICS

Technology is an on-going project at ACS. With the help of Allendale Communications, our technology teacher, and the technology committee we work diligently to keep our computer network system up-to-date. Computer skills are taught in each elementary and middle school class. Students have access to digital cameras, scanners, video camcorder, many different computer programs and also have access to the internet. Students are taught how to explore different web sites as well as how to search for information. The internet is available to all students for research projects or reports. It is our goal to teach students proper internet use.

• K-5th grade visits the computer lab at least twice a week.  The first lesson teaches the students specific computer skills.  The second lesson each week integrates what the students are learning in the classroom.
• Middle school students come to the computer lab once a week for an extended period of time. 

All of our classrooms are equipped with at least 1 or 2 computers running Windows XP Professional. 

Thanks to a very generous donation, all of our classrooms also have a ceiling-mounted projector hooked up to the computer used to show educational video segments and other material to enhance the students education.

Our Computer Lab includes 25 computers (newly upgraded in 2007) running Windows XP Professional.  These computers all have flat screen monitors.

Software Programs used most often include:

• Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel
• ClarisWorks for drawing activities
• Type to Learn, a program designed to teach students to type without looking at their fingers using thier home keys.
• KidPix, KidWorks Deluxe, Mavis Beacon, Math Workshop, Word Munchers, Microsoft Logo and more

Skills taught to elementary students include:

Cut, copy, paste, save, print, changes to the text such as font, color, highlighting, bold, italics, and underline.  For many of the projects, the students are researching both electronic encyclopedias (CD-ROM) and internet websites to help them with assignments.

Skills taught to middle school students

Middle School students are expected to use their computer skills to create quality final products.  We use skills like adding graphics and digital pictures, scanning items into slideshops, making columns, and making changes to the text.  We also learn how to make graphs and charts to compare data.  For most projects, students need to hav multiple windows/files open at a time.  The students are also given a list of educational search engines they may use on the Internet to find information when researching.