Their first activity with a spreadsheet is in making a gradesheet on the computer. This allows the student to track their grades and if they keep their gradesheet updated they will know their computer grade at all times. Toward the end of the nine weeks they learn to enter survey data into a spreadsheet and use the data to create a graph displaying the results of their survey. Research Students begin the research process by learning to search and retrieve information from the Encarta Encyclopedia. The SIRS Discoverer database is introduced during the nine week period.
Students learn to perform keyword searches and evaluate the information they retrieve.
If time permits during the nine weeks, students will learn to perform Internet searches using Kids Safe search engines. This, of course, means the student has a signed AUP on file with the school corporation.