Advent Lutheran School * 300 E. Yamato Road * Boca Raton, Fl. 33431
School Office (561) 395-3631 Mrs. Laura Bluhm, Principal
2014-15 Overview of Technology Class Curriculum
Cathy Thorla – Technology Teacher since 1998
Technology classes are offered to all students, Kindergarten through 8th grade, twice a
week. The main goal of our Technology Program is to instill “lifelong skills” as our students continue to grow up in this digital world. To this goal, we break technology instruction into 3 key skill areas: Life Skills (Foundation), Computer Science/ Engineering (part of Advent STEM initiative) and Digital Arts.
Life Skills (Foundation): Students start by building a strong foundation in keyboarding skills, and then add Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, Excel spreadsheets and Internet research skills. Each year, a series of projects are completed to reinforce and advance these critical skills. The program includes classes in Internet Safety and making good choices about what to post online. This instruction emphasizes personal safety, cyber-ethics and Advent’s Christian values. In addition, the Technology Program works throughout the year in cooperation with core curriculum classes on specific assignments including: Math, History, Spanish, Science, and Research.
Computer Science/Engineering: In 4th and 5th grades students are introduced to beginning programming with Scratch (developed at MIT). This is a 2D animation program that incorporates logical thinking, mathematical concepts, and problem solving skills. Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking & Creativity are skills reinforced as we do group projects.
Engineering curriculum is introduced in 6th grade with Google SketchUp. This is a 3D modeling program for designing buildings and other structures such as bridges and Ferris wheels. Spatial design, math skills, and critical thinking skills are also enhanced. Samples of student projects can be seen on our school website (www.adventtechnology.weebly.com).
In 7th Grade, students move on to 3D programming with ALICE (developed at Carnegie Mellon University). This is a drag and drop programming language that students use to produce an animated story with 3D characters. They control the characters arms, legs and head movements, and write text to produce creative stories.
8th grade, the students program an interactive online computer game. These student made games are hosted on our schools technology website www.adventtechnology.weebly.com) for everyone to play. This program is a great culmination of previously learned skills, creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration between students in order to make successful and challenging games. An important aspect of the project is critiquing and evaluating one’s own work as well as that of their peers.
Digital Arts: For the elementary grades, the curriculum includes Paint and KidPix to enhance computer skills with the mouse, variety of tools and applications, art appreciation, and visual concepts. Students in 7th and 8th grades work with PhotoShop.
This is a photo manipulation program that is the foundation for many Digital Arts careers including: magazine and newspaper layouts, fashion design, interior design, and webpage designing. Many high schools offer a series of AP level (AICE program) courses with PhotoShop. We have had over a dozen Advent Alumni successfully complete such programs since 2010 with several winning cash awards and having their work published. The foundation of their technological education started in our Digital Arts program here at Advent.
New to the curriculum this year is Animation. Here the students will work in groups to create Stop Motion Videos which you will be able to view on the 2013-14 Student Portfolio tab above.
The goal of our Technology Program is to prepare our students – heart, mind, soul, and strength with both knowledge and responsibility in the Digital World. My aim is to enable the students to be producers of technology and not just consumers of technology.
Cathy Thorla
cthorla@adventschoolboca.org
Cathy Thorla – Technology Teacher since 1998
Technology classes are offered to all students, Kindergarten through 8th grade, twice a
week. The main goal of our Technology Program is to instill “lifelong skills” as our students continue to grow up in this digital world. To this goal, we break technology instruction into 3 key skill areas: Life Skills (Foundation), Computer Science/ Engineering (part of Advent STEM initiative) and Digital Arts.
Life Skills (Foundation): Students start by building a strong foundation in keyboarding skills, and then add Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, Excel spreadsheets and Internet research skills. Each year, a series of projects are completed to reinforce and advance these critical skills. The program includes classes in Internet Safety and making good choices about what to post online. This instruction emphasizes personal safety, cyber-ethics and Advent’s Christian values. In addition, the Technology Program works throughout the year in cooperation with core curriculum classes on specific assignments including: Math, History, Spanish, Science, and Research.
Computer Science/Engineering: In 4th and 5th grades students are introduced to beginning programming with Scratch (developed at MIT). This is a 2D animation program that incorporates logical thinking, mathematical concepts, and problem solving skills. Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking & Creativity are skills reinforced as we do group projects.
Engineering curriculum is introduced in 6th grade with Google SketchUp. This is a 3D modeling program for designing buildings and other structures such as bridges and Ferris wheels. Spatial design, math skills, and critical thinking skills are also enhanced. Samples of student projects can be seen on our school website (www.adventtechnology.weebly.com).
In 7th Grade, students move on to 3D programming with ALICE (developed at Carnegie Mellon University). This is a drag and drop programming language that students use to produce an animated story with 3D characters. They control the characters arms, legs and head movements, and write text to produce creative stories.
8th grade, the students program an interactive online computer game. These student made games are hosted on our schools technology website www.adventtechnology.weebly.com) for everyone to play. This program is a great culmination of previously learned skills, creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration between students in order to make successful and challenging games. An important aspect of the project is critiquing and evaluating one’s own work as well as that of their peers.
Digital Arts: For the elementary grades, the curriculum includes Paint and KidPix to enhance computer skills with the mouse, variety of tools and applications, art appreciation, and visual concepts. Students in 7th and 8th grades work with PhotoShop.
This is a photo manipulation program that is the foundation for many Digital Arts careers including: magazine and newspaper layouts, fashion design, interior design, and webpage designing. Many high schools offer a series of AP level (AICE program) courses with PhotoShop. We have had over a dozen Advent Alumni successfully complete such programs since 2010 with several winning cash awards and having their work published. The foundation of their technological education started in our Digital Arts program here at Advent.
New to the curriculum this year is Animation. Here the students will work in groups to create Stop Motion Videos which you will be able to view on the 2013-14 Student Portfolio tab above.
The goal of our Technology Program is to prepare our students – heart, mind, soul, and strength with both knowledge and responsibility in the Digital World. My aim is to enable the students to be producers of technology and not just consumers of technology.
Cathy Thorla
cthorla@adventschoolboca.org
