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The Computer Lab at Thomas Jefferson School is an exciting place to visit. Students in Grades 3, 4, and 5 have regularly scheduled, 40-minute classes as part of their Related Arts Program each week.

In Grades 3, 4, and 5 students learn proper keyboarding techniques using the program Type To Learn. They practice correct finger placement and work on improving their speed and accuracy to become expert typists. In Grade 5, students also apply their keyboarding skills in arcade-type challenges using Type For Fun.

Students put their keyboarding and Language Arts knowledge to use by writing poems, short stories, and reports. They learn many Word Processing skills such as changing fonts, adding color, inserting graphics, and centering text.

The students also enhance their Computer Literacy and academic skills with a variety of software programs. They use drawing programs, simulation programs, data bases, and spreadsheets. These software titles include:
Grade 3 - Scholastic Keys, Kid Pix, Word Munchers, Fieldtrip into the Rainforest, Learn About Plants
Grade 4 - Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Kid Pix, Word Munchers, Everything Weather, Where in the U.S.A. is Carmen Sandiego?
Grade 5 - Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Kid Pix, Word Munchers, Oregon Trail, Cruncher

All of the 30 student Dell computers in the T.J. Computer Lab are networked. They have access to the internet through a proxy server which limits sites for students. The students are also taught proper ethics and safety to use when navigating the web.

All of the students at Thomas Jefferson School have access to the Computer Lab. In addition to the regularly scheduled times, classes from Grades 1 through 5 are welcome to come to the Lab with their teachers to explore software, type writing assignments and reports, or do internet research to enhance the regular classroom curriculum.

Our school is also lucky enough to have 2 COW (Computers on Wheels) carts. Each cart hold 15 Dell wireless laptops and a laser printer. Teachers are able to bring the carts into their classrooms for the students to use for various research and other projects.

When you come to T.J. don't forget to stop in and visit our fun and fabulous Computer Lab!