Mrs. Mercier's Computer Lab News

2010-04-01T08:51:00.000-07:00

Spring 2010

Happy Easter from the Computer Lab!

He is Risen...He is Risen Indeed! :)

Here is an update on what is happening up here for grades K-8:

Kinders: Typed a short story from the board about pets and drew a picture.

1st: Wrote their own pets story and drew a picture.

2nd: Created their own poem and attached a clip art image.

3rd: Typed a story about "sharing Jesus" and attached a clip art image.

4th: Working on a Gold Rush PowerPoint project.

5th: Working on a State Report PowerPoint project.

6th, 7th, and 8th: Working on an Inventions PowerPoint project.

*All 4th-8th graders MUST have a flashdrive for school projects.

**Up next for Junior High....Podcasting with our new desktop microphones!

REMINDERS: If you forgot your child's GradeLink info (or are "locked out"), please e-mail me and I will get back to you promptly. I can also help with questions about Learning.com, AR, or any other computer-related issues.

God's blessings,
Mrs. Sandra Mercier
ASLS Computer Teacher
949-830-1461 x228
SMercier@abidingsavior.com

2009-09-30T09:20:00.000-07:00

"The Lord is My Rock and My Salvation"
-Psalm 18:2

* What a fabulous first month of school we have had in the Computer Lab! The students are doing great learning about the parts of the computer, word processing, and strengthening their typing skills. Our junior high students are even designing their own computer systems! Feel free to come by the lab anytime to check out what we are doing.

* Just as a reminder, K-8 students DO NOT need to complete Learning.com lessons at home unless they have been absent and need to catch up with the class. If that is the case, I will send home a reminder form giving you the necessary log-in information. The Learning.com district is LCMS-CA, if you'd like to log on and see what your child is learning in Computer class. We are having fun!

* If you need your Gradelink info or get "locked out," please e-mail me and I will get back to you right away. Also, if you need more info on Learning.com or AR, I can help with that, too.

God's blessings to you,
Mrs. Sandra Mercier
ASLS Computer Teacher
smercier@abidingsavior.com
949-830-1461 x228

2009-09-08T10:47:00.000-07:00

“The Lord is My Rock and My Salvation” -Psalm 18:2

September 8, 2009

Dear ASLS Families,

Welcome to Computers! My name is Sandra Mercier and I am the K-8 Computer Teacher this year. I also teach 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade P.E. I pray that you had a blessed and restful summer break. I would also like to share with you a little about myself and my expectations for this school year.

I received my Bachelor of Arts and California Clear teaching credential from Concordia University in Irvine. I received a Masters of Arts in K-12 Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University, as well. This school year marks my eleventh year of teaching at ASLS…I love it here!

I expect my students to respect their classmates, teachers, and all adults on campus. I expect my students to come to class prepared, with any supplies needed for assignments (such as research notes and something to write with). Enforcing these expectations will allow for an optimal learning environment for all students. I truly believe that every child can learn and that learning is a continual process that is meant to be fun!

There is a major change going on in the computer lab this year. Rather than using the Microsoft Office programs (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.), we will be using Google docs. It is free and allows students to create word processing documents, presentations, and spreadsheets, just like with Microsoft Office. Students can create documents at school, and access them at home, make changes anytime, and the changes will be saved in their account for when they return to school. Unlike last year, students will not be required to use their flashdrive to save all documents, but can use it on an as-needed basis. Google docs accounts will be created for K-8th graders and I will provide 2 copies of log-in information to each homeroom teacher: 1 to keep in the classroom, and 1 to send home with each student. I will also keep all password information in the computer lab for students in case they need a reminder.

I can also help with any questions about AR (Accelerated Reader), Easy Tech/ Learning.com, and Gradelink. All student passwords will remain the same as last year, and I will send home password reminder sheets to all new students. All homeroom teachers will also have password lists in their classrooms, and I will, too. Please e-mail me directly if you get “locked out” of Gradelink and I can unlock your child’s account. (After 3 unsuccessful log-in attempts, the system will think you are a stranger and will lock you out until the account is reset.)

We will continue using a standards based, self-monitoring program called Easy Tech through www.Learning.com for grades K-8.

*Kindergartners will learn mouse basics, computer basics, instruction in keyboarding/typing, beginning graphics, visual mapping, and database basics.

*First Graders will build on the above skills and add word processing basics and computer navigation.

*Second Graders will build on all of the above and add spreadsheet basics, graphing in spreadsheets, and web browsing basics.

*Third Graders will build on all of the above and add e-mail and presentation basics.

*Fourth Graders will add to the above skills with formulas in spreadsheets and creating databases.

*Fifth Graders will enhance the above skills by adding basic HTML instruction.

*Sixth Graders will focus their instruction on computer fundamentals, word processing software, spreadsheet and presentation software, use web browsing to cite and research properly, designing and layout of multimedia databases, and will design/write basic HTML code.

*Seventh and Eighth Graders will add to the above skills by studying them more in depth.

I have a blog on www.abidingsavior.com. Just click under my picture and you can view my blog and/or send me an e-mail. I am here to help in any way that I can. Call or e-mail me anytime. I look forward to a wonderful year!

In Christ,
Mrs. Sandra Mercier
949-830-1461 x228
smercier@abidingsavior.com

2009-05-14T22:00:00.000-07:00

Happy end-of-the-school-year!

We are still having fun in the Computer Lab! :)

If you find yourself locked out of Gradelink, e-mail me and I'll get back to you right away. If any of you have questions about Gradelink log-in info, Learning.com, AR passwords, report cards, or anything else, feel free to contact me. The AR list has now been updated on our school website, so take a look if you are looking for an AR book for an upcoming quiz deadline.

May God bless you all as our school year comes to a close!
Mrs. Mercier
E-mail: smercier@abidingsavior.com
Phone: 949-830-1461 x228

2009-03-19T15:04:00.000-07:00

"In All We Do, God's Grace Shows Through"
-Ephesians 2:8-10

* Computer class continues to go well. Here are a list of activities our K-8 students have already accomplished or will be completing soon.

Kindergarten: Typed an animal story using Word and drew a picture.

1st Grade: Also typed an animal story using Word and drew a picture.

2nd Grade: Working on typing their own creative story using Word.

3rd Grade: Just finished a class pets spreadsheet using Excel.

4th Grade: Just finished skits on important computer class/Internet safety rules. Getting ready to create a PowerPoint on the Gold Rush.

5th Grade: Working on a Life Slide Show using PowerPoint.

6th Grade: Just finished a PowerPoint on Where the Red Fern Grows. They will be creating a spreadsheet next using Excel.

7th Grade: Created a spreadsheet using Excel and just finished typing a speech using Word.

8th Grade: Typed a speech using Word, created a group Newsletter, and just finished a spreadsheet about famous artists/paintings.

** As you can see, we are keeping busy and having fun in the Computer Lab!

* As always, if you have any questions about Gradelink, Learning.com, AR, report cards, etc...please contact me at SMercier@abidingsavior.com. I can also be reached at 949-830-1461 x228.

* Locked out of Gradelink? No problem! Please e-mail me and I will unlock your account and get back to you promptly.

2009-02-12T14:29:00.000-08:00

"In All We Do, God's Grace Shows Through"

-Ephesians 2:8-10

*Our K-8 students continue to work on lessons on www.learning.com and they are doing really well! Students must receive at least a 75% to "pass" the lesson and move on. Feel free to check this website to see what we are learning each week.

*Here are some reminders:

1) All students need to memorize their passwords for Learning.com, especially the Kinders and First Graders. These teachers have the list of passwords and will also work with students during class time, as needed.

2) Kindergartners and First Graders need extra practice with typing at home. Parents, please help them to practice typing on Word on your home computer. Have them practice typing their first and last name over and over again, so they can get used to where these keys are on the keyboard. Then give them some words like "student" and "God" and their sight words (cat, rat, bat, etc.) to practice typing. This will really help them in class each week.

3) Reminder: 6th-8th graders need to have a flash drive at school every day.

4) Locked out of Gradelink? Please e-mail me and I will unlock your account and get back to you ASAP. Parents and Students: If you need your username or password for Learning.com, AR, or Gradelink, please let me know and I will get this information to you.

* My e-mail address is SMercier@abidingsavior.com

* Feel free to also contact me at school: 949-830-1461 x228.

God's blessings to you!

2008-10-26T14:09:00.000-07:00

"In All We Do, God's Grace Shows Through"
-Ephesians 2:8-10

*Our K-8 students continue to work on lessons on www.learning.com and they are doing really well! Students must receive at lease a 75% to "pass" the lesson and move on. Feel free to check this website to see what we are learning each week.

*Here are some reminders:

1) All students need to memorize their passwords for Learning.com, especially the kinders and 1st graders. These teachers have the list of passwords and will also work with students during class time, as needed.

2) Kindergartners need extra practice with typing at home. Parents, please allow them to practice typing on Word on your home computer. Have them practice typing their first and last name over and over again, so they can get used to where these keys are on the keyboard. Then give them some words like "student" and "God" and their sight words (cat, rat, bat, etc.) to practice typing. This will really help them in class each week.

3) Reminder: 4th-8th graders need to have a flash drive at school every day.

4) Locked out of Gradelink? Please e-mail me and I will unlock your account and get back to you ASAP. Parents and Students: If you need your username or password for Learning.com, AR, or Gradelink, please let me know and I will get this information to you.

* My e-mail address is SMercier@abidingsavior.com

* Feel free to also contact me at school: 949-830-1461 x228.

God's blessings to you!

2008-09-10T10:20:00.000-07:00

"In All We Do, God's Grace Shows Through"

-Ephesians 2:8-10

Welcome to the 2008-2009 school year at ASLS! It is going to be a wonderful one!

As you may know, I am the new Computer Teacher. Since having my 2nd baby, Shane, on August 4th, I am currently on maternity leave. I will return on Monday, October 13th. In the meantime, Mr. Mark Preston is my substitute. If you need to reach him, please call 830-1461 x228 and he can help.

On the first day of computer class, Mr. Preston passed out a dark green informational letter about Computers this year. Parents, please make sure you ask your child for it.

I am looking forward to a great year!

In Christ,
Mrs. Mercier