Educators Home > Monthly Themes > Computers

Classroom Resources

Monthly Themes

Computers

Writing Prompt

Persuasive Essay:

Have students write an essay that persuades their school principal that every student should be given a laptop computer.

Activities

Grades Pre-K–3: Art
Computer Drawing

Have students draw a computer-related picture or write a short computer message. Then have students color the page.

Grades K–8: Science
Sit Up Straight!

Students should pay attention to their posture when working at a computer. Hang an ergonomics poster near classroom computers and have students practice good posture.

Grades K–8: Art
Computer Sculpture

Using old CDs, floppy disks, leftover computer parts, and other materials, have students create an abstract three-dimensional techno-sculpture.

Grades 1–3: Science/Technology
Build a Computer

Have students assemble their own computer, using computer cutouts.

Grades 2–8: Science
Computer Bulletin Board

Brainstorm with students the prevalence of computers, from the common PC to hidden computers inside cars, watches, and even some appliances. Then have students imagine future uses of computers. Have students create a “Computer Collage” bulletin board with pictures cut from newspapers, magazines, and other sources.

Grades 2–8
EEK!

If any of your students are unfamiliar with a computer mouse, they can practice at this website.

Grades 2–8: Language Arts
Word Finds

Have students find computer-related words hidden in a puzzle.

  • Computers (grades 2–4) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/october/pdf/computers_med_wf.pdf
  • Computers Answer Key (grades 2–4) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/october/pdf/computers_med_wf_key.pdf
  • Computers (grades 5–8) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/october/pdf/computers_hard_wf.pdf
  • Computers Answer Key (grades 5–8) (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/october/pdf/computers_hard_wf_key.pdf
Grades 3–8
On Your Mark, Get Set, Type!

Have students take a simple test to find out how fast they can type.

Grades 3–8: Science
License to Surf

What do your students know about the World Wide Web? Have them answer nine “Rules of the Road” questions and earn a Web license.

Grades 3–8: Language Arts
Computer Letters

Have students type a letter and print it on computer stationery.

Grades 3–8: Language Arts
Musical Chairs and Computers

This activity works well in a computer lab or a classroom with a few computers. Put the same story-starter on each computer and have two students sit at each computer. One is the typist. Start some music. Students write from the story-starter until the music stops. Then students move to the computer to their right. Students read what's already been written, and add to the story on that computer. This continues for a number of rounds, depending on how many computers are involved and how much time is available. Students edit the stories but don't revise them. The result is a collection of different stories from the same starter.

Grades 3–8: Art
Computer Art

Using colors and a computer paint program or a basic computer printer, students can hone their artistic skills while creating a landscape.

Grades 3–8: Science
Quizzes

Test students' knowledge about computers.

Grades 4–8: Social Studies
The Way Things Were

Students have two minutes to put together a 1962 computer history photo.

Grades 5–8: Language Arts
Two Thumbs Up!

Have students write a brief review of a computer game or computer software. Students can also read other students' reviews.

Grades 5–8: Science/Language Arts
Technology Terms Challenge

Do your students know their Internet and technology terms? Challenge them with an online game of hangman.

Grades 6–8: Social Studies
Computer Careers

When your students grow up, what will they be? Have them explore a variety of computer-related jobs. Then have each of the students research a career and present a brief description to the class.

Grades 7–8: Science
Crossword Puzzle

Have students test their knowledge of computers.

  • Computers (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/october/pdf/computers_xword.pdf
  • Computers Answer Key (PDF file)
  • http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/october/pdf/computers_xword_key.pdf
Grades 7–8: Science/Social Studies
ENIAC Challenge

Challenge your students to figure out which of three historic computers is ENIAC, the one that started it all, in an interactive game.

Grades 7–8: Science
Simple Programming

Your students can try their hands at some simple programming and make blocks move around online.

Houghton Mifflin