Don't Forget Key Boarding Skills Sally, 6th Grade Teacher: Santa Monica, CA

"It is vital for children to learn keyboarding skills at a very early age. By sixth grade, students should have a command of the key board and should be able to type with proficiency. There are many software applications that provide drills for touch-typing and that provide periodic time testing with immediate feedback. Students will need these skills in order to succeed better at word processing, etc. With key boarding skills at their advantage, students ahve a better comfort level and attitude toward writing assignments. It also takes less time to complete writing activities and serves to empower students more in their ideas."

Drill and Skill Jenna, Elementary School Teacher: Sydney, Australia

"There are a ton of software programs that can be used for drill and practice. I use Word Gallery with my students. It offers a suite of programs that make extensive use of color graphics, music and sound effects, and synthesized speech. Part of the package includes programs that focus on sight vocabulary, spelling, etc. The best part is that it works in several languages including English, French, German, and Spanish. The kids love it!"

Take a number Sue Maiers, Technology Coordinator/Teacher

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"In the computer lab I often had many kids needing assistance & it was hard to reward the quiet ones and get them all the assistance they needed in a fair, orderly manner. Now I use a stack of numbered, plastic cups for students to set on top of their monitors when they need help. I go in numerical order now so noise is not a way to get help faster. Even kindergarteners know they can watch a classmate or minimize and do something else while they wait quietly. Some of my class leaders know that if they can help, they are allowed to do so as well. They can walk to get a cup and return to their seats without disturbing others."

"Baby Wipes" Gloria Robbins, Sixth Grade Teacher

"Our tech person received a grant and we received 24 brand new IBM computers, new and clean! A veteran teacher of computers decided to have boxes of baby wipes sitting around the lab, so every day before working on our "new and clean" computers students would "wipe" their hands. Our computers are still looking and feeling new and clean, plus the spreading of germs from multiple users has been held to a minimum."