How does all the other software not directly tied to the scope and sequence fit in?

We have a lot of great software that isn't required to complete all of the items on the scope and sequence checklists like: Turbo Math Facts, StoryBook Weaver, Inspiration, Oregon Trail, Math Munchers, Accelerated Reader, Hungry Hedgehogs, Magic Math, Kid Phonics, etc. How do those items fit into the overall scheme?

Titles not specifically needed to complete items on the checklists can be used in one of two ways depending upon the title.

Some titles easily lend themselves to being worked into other subject areas. Titles like Turbo Math and Magic Math may fit well into your math lesson plans. Titles like StoryBook Weaver and Opening Night may fit well into your language arts lessons. Accelerated Reader and Kid Phonics easily fit into reading programs.

Some titles work well when incorporated into lengthier project based computer class lessons especially at the upper grade levels. For example in a larger project that takes students from research to presentation the student may use the Inspiration software to brain storm, use the Internet Explorer web browser to research, use Inspiration to create an outline, use Word to write a report, and then use PowerPoint to create a slide show presentation that goes along with that report. Checklist items in the Internet, Word Processing, and Presentation sections can be checked off as you go, but Inspiration doesn't fit into the checklists so well (or at least not in a completely obvious way). That of course is OK because Inspiration is a valuable tool in the overall scheme of the entire project.

The goal of the checklists is to help ensure consistency across the grade level and continuity between grade levels. The way you go about accomplishing checklist items (using the example lessons that come with TechWorks or writing your own lessons) is up to you. In many cases teachers will be able to come up with more interesting lessons and/or lessons that better integrate with other subjects when making up or at least revising the example lessons that came with TechWorks. Still, the example lessons and support material with the provided lessons do often provide a good starting point and often are helpful in clarifying the meaning/goal of some checklist items.

Have a great day,
John



Last updated July 30, 2007