Purpose of Course: The designed course will teach students theoretical and applied aspects of computers at the Middle School level.  This course will introduce students to the field of computer science as an academic discipline.  We will learn about and explore Computer Basics, Word Processing, Keyboarding, LAN Operations, Computer Ethics, Databases, Spreadsheets, Presentation Software, Internet, Computer History and Leadership.  Upon completion of this course, students will have an understanding of the same knowledge as individuals working in the computer industry such as computer support specialist, systems analysts, network administrators, and others.

Instructional Goal: To keep the students and lab equipment safe, students will need to abide by the school rules and regulation outlined in the Student/Parent Discipline Handbook. Students must also follow specific class rules (some guidelines may be duplicated for added reinforcement):

Class Rules:

1. You are to come into the lab quietly and log onto the network;
   
   
2. Work on the Micro Type keyboarding program for the first 10 - 15 minutes of the class period;
   
   
3. Bathroom breaks are at structured times during our class schedule, normally, following the typing lessons;
   
   
4. When asked, you are to save work to your folder on the server and log off;
   
   
5. If you have a question please raise your hand to be acknowledged, no yelling out; Remain seated, when help is needed raise your hand, help will come to you;
   
   
6. No chewing gum, eating or drinking in my class;
   
   
7. Work quietly at all times; respect others trying to work in a quiet environment;
   
   
8. Do not talk during instruction, review, or my conversation with individual students;
   
   
9. Respect others as you wish to be respected;
   
   
10. Recovery of missed or unfinished work will be handled during the first 10- 15 minutes of the class period or the student can make arrangements and come to my classroom between  8:30 – 8:55  am;
    
    
11. Deadlines for submission of assignments will not be extended unless there is an excused reason that has been discussed with the teacher, refer to #10;
    
    
12. You will remain at your assigned computer until formally dismissed.

This Student Management Plan for Computer Science is as follows: (This plan also applies to tardiness as follows:  Policy on Tardiness: Chronic tardiness (3 or more unexcused) to class will result in a step on the discipline plan.)

• Verbal Warning
• Cross-Team Isolation
• Cross-Team Isolation
• Teacher Detention
• Administrator Referral

Instructional Materials:

Be prepared for class as you enter the room.  Please have a pen or pencil and a notebook with paper (for taking notes). 

Textbook: Learning with Computers 6^th Grade (Blue), Thompson South-Western.              

Instructional Strategies:

1. Audiovisual Lecture using a range of media to facilitate the lecture;
2. Demonstration – showing the student what is required and then explaining the requirements to them while they are learning the requirements;
3. Question and Answer – used to receive feedback from the students;
4. Inquiry Training - used to develop critical thinking;
5. Problem Solving – used to solve problems in which the student can relate to;
6. Project-based Learning – introduces real world problems without a predetermined answer;
7. Contextual teaching and learning – curriculum and teaching methods connected with the students’ experiences and interests.

 Projects/Activities (Main):

• Stock Market Simulation:  Duration 9 weeks;
  
  
• Junior Achievement Involvement - It’s My Business encourages use of critical thinking to learn entrepreneurial skills that support positive attitudes as students explore and enhance their career aspirations (tentative);
  
  
• Word Document –Students learn and demonstrate different operations in Word, such as changing the spacing, text size, text alignment, text color, fonts, highlighting text, constructing a memo or letter, inserting clip art, the various menus and ribbons, and changing the background color; The students will write a graphic story about what they would like to do when they grow-up;
  
  
• Hardware Project – Students will create a coloring book of their vision of a computer of the future using the drawing tools in Microsoft Office Word and in the process they will learn about the  History of Computers;
  
  
• PowerPoint Presentation –Student will create a Georgia Tourism PowerPoint Presentation;
  
  
• Excel Spreadsheet – Students will input data into a spreadsheet and then use the data to create a graph showing the rainfall between two different cities and a chart showing the relative distance of various planets to the Earth;
  
  
• Access Database – Students will learn about and manipulate an established database;
  
  
• Possibly others as time permits.

Evaluation/Assessment Strategies:

Currently there are seven (7) projects during the nine weeks.

Students are required to take several tests during the nine weeks.

For homework, students are required to do everything on notebook paper using a pencil or a pen (unless otherwise discussed with the Teacher).

The grade for class work will consist of class participation, overview sessions, other assignments that are not included as projects, and typing lessons.

 

Grading Percentages:

Grades are determined by the following performance-based measurements: Class Work 40%, Projects 30%, Tests 25%, and Homework 5% 

Grading Scale:  

A (90-100)  B (80-89)  C (74-79)  D (70-73)  U (0-69)

Extra Help: 

With advanced notice, I will be available for extra help or make-up work before school from 8:30 – 8:55.
                       

If you have any questions or concerns, please call or email Ms. Domenech at Richards Middle School at (770) 338-4797.  Thank you for your support. I am truly looking forward to our time together here in Computer Science Connections class.

Sixth Grade AKS

Printable Version of the Syllabus

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Ms. Domenech