Cram Middle School 6th Grade Computer Literacy Course Expectations
Mr. Carl Houghton
Room #904
799-7020 ext. 4039
cth275@interact.ccsd.net
website: mrcthoughton.weebly.com (visit this site for periodic classroom updates)
school website: crammiddleschool.org
Course Title: Computer Literacy
Grade:
6
1. COURSE SCOPE AND GOALS:
Course Scope:
This one-semester course is designed to familiarize sixth grade students with
computer terminology, keyboarding, and the use of the computer. Students will
experience hands-on instruction in keyboarding, word processing, spreadsheet,
and database management. Other aspects of the computer field that will be
explored are computer ethics and computer-related career opportunities. This
course will meet the computer literacy requirement for high school
graduation.
Course Goals:
 To learn proper keyboarding skills.
 To model proper posture while using a computer.
 To know and be able to apply common computer terminology.
 To identify the major components of a computer system.
 To develop basic skills in word processing.
 To familiarize students with spreadsheet applications.
 To familiarize students with database applications.
 To develop basic skills and understanding in multi-media presentations and
telecommunications.
 To understand acceptable security, legal, and ethical issues as outlined in the Clark
County School District’s Acceptable Use Policy.
 To practice and demonstrate safe use of the Internet.
 To investigate computer-related career opportunities.
2. TEXTBOOK OR ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS:
 No textbook is required. When completing word processing, spreadsheet, and
database assignments, handouts with extensive instructions and illustrations will
be provided to supplement the teacher demonstration. Students will be expected
to follow written directions. The ability and willingness to follow directions on
assignments are what the students will chiefly be graded on.
 In class, we will be using the online program Keyboarding Online. It is a
program that students may access from home. If students are falling behind in
their typing assignments and have home internet access, it is expected that
they use the program at home to keep up. However, if students are making
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the best use of their time in class, they should have no trouble completing the
exercises.
Student planners are a required material for every class. Teachers will require
students to enter any assignments daily. Parents are encouraged to check these
planners to monitor students’ work, to assist teachers in promoting organizational
skills, and to help academic achievement. Planners also contain important dates,
schedules, and school phone numbers.
3. PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of this course, the student will:
 Be able to use a variety of software programs such as word processing,
spreadsheet, and database.
 Be able to identify the different and proper usage for a variety of software
programs.
 Be able to identify and properly use computer vocabulary which will aid in their
comprehension and understanding of the topic.
 Demonstrate importing graphics into documents and formatting them.
 Be able to type a minimum of 25 words per minute on a standard QWERTY
keyboard during first quarter, and 30 words per minute during second
quarter.
 Be able to safely and effectively use the Internet as a tool for personal and
academic research.
4. CAREER OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
 Understand the function and use of software covered in class.
 Gain knowledge of the computer as a tool for word processing and information
management.
 Recognize common computer terminology, computer components, and recent
history of computer development.
 Become familiar with the basics of desktop publishing.
 Be familiar with a computer keyboard. 25 wpm and 30 wpm are still very low
typing speeds, which would not be acceptable when applying for a position
that requires typing, so I will be encouraging students to push themselves
surpass these speeds, using correct finger positions. It is stressed at the
beginning of this course how important it is for students to break their bad
keyboarding habits--hunting and pecking on the keyboard--and force themselves
to learn the proper finger positions. Students will be better typists for it.
 Understand a variety of computer-related career opportunities.
5. COURSE ACTIVITIES:
 Testing: We will have weekly vocabulary/history quizzes and an end of the
semester final exam.
 Assignments: Assignments will be given on a weekly basis.
 Make-up Policy: I do not lower grades for assignments turned in late. Late work
will be given full credit. It is the student’s responsibility to see me if they have
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missed an assignment due to absence. In most cases students will need to have
been here when the lesson was presented, so at times I may give students who
were out an alternate assignment. If a student completes an assignment after
its due date, it is the student’s responsibility to let me know that they have
finished it by writing their name and the name of the assignment on a sheet
I have designated in the room. Because almost all work is handed in
electronically, I am not aware that a student has made up work unless they
notify me. I will not continuously go back to check for past due
assignments.
Computer Lab Time: If students require extra time in the lab, they may see me to
make arrangements to come in before or after school.
Homework Policy: The majority of the student’s work will be completed on the
computer; therefore, most of the assignments will be completed during class. The
only homework will be to study for the end of week vocabulary tests.
6. EVALUATION:
Criteria for arriving at grades
 Semester Exam – the semester exam will constitute 10% of the semester grade.
 Daily classwork (40% of the quarter grade)
 Vocabulary Quizzes/keyboard assessments (60%)
 Participation – Participation, punctuality, and regular attendance, initiative and
dependability, cooperation and willingness to perform assigned tasks, accuracy
and quality of work, and the ability to work with other students constitute integral
and significant learning experiences of this course and will determine the grade
in citizenship.
Explanation of Student Grades
 A 90%-100% Excellent
 B 80%-89% Above Average
 C 70%-79% Average
 D 60%-69% Below Average
 F Below 60% Failing
Citizenship:
 A student’s citizenship grade is determined by his/her participation and attitude
as stated above. Students who do an outstanding job meeting and/or
exceeding the above criteria will receive an "O" rating, while an "S" in
citizenship means that the student behaved satisfactorily. Those students who
have some behavior problems will receive an "N" in citizenship indicating that
they need to improve their behavior. Students who do not improve their
behavior will receive a “U” indicating that their behavior is unsatisfactory.
We use the following progressive discipline process:
 1st Verbal warning.
 2nd Phone call home.
 3rd Referral to counselor or dean and subsequent referrals if problem continues.
Major infractions such as (but not limited to): insubordination, fighting, inappropriate
language, harassment, theft, property damage, leaving class without permission, or
threatening a student or staff member, will result in an immediate referral to the deans’
office.
Behavior Expectations/Classroom Materials:
 Students are seated and completing planners when the bell rings.
 Students are prepared each day with planner, paper, and pen or pencil.
 Treat others and our school with respect.
 Students follow directions, written and verbal the first time they are given.
 Raise your hand and wait to be recognized before speaking.
 Students will use the standardized “Cram heading” for all papers in all classes.
 No scented sprays in class. Some students have asthma and this poses a
danger to them.
 No food, gum, or drink is allowed in the computer lab. Water bottles kept on the
floor are okay. I have had repeated problems with food in the classroom
and often find wrappers and food on the floor along the walls underneath
the computers, which attracts roaches. For this reason, students caught
eating at the computers will be subjected to the progressive discipline
policy.
Grade Reports:
 Students may ask for an update of their grade at any appropriate time before,
during, or after class. Grades will be communicated to parents via the Internet
every week through the Infinite Campus System, quarterly report cards,
unsatisfactory reports, and semester report cards. Grades will also be posted
in class weekly so that students are aware of missing assignments, etc.
Thank you,
Mr. Houghton
PLEASE RETURN THIS PAGE ONLY
Mr. Houghton Parent Contact Form
Please provide the following information for my records should I ever need to contact you,
and have your child return this sheet only. The copy of Course Expectations are for the
student to keep. Keep in mind, if you have an email address, this will be the easiest and
most convenient way for us to communicate as I check my school email frequently
throughout the day. Please print.
Parent or Guardian Name ___________________________________
Student Name __________________________________
Phone number where you are most easily reached _______________________
Email address (Please print as neatly as possible. Sometimes I have difficulty deciphering
email addresses if they were written too quickly. Thank you.)
_________________________________
Signature of Parent or Guardian indicating you have read and understand Course
Expectations and that you give your child permission to access the district computer
network
__________________________________________
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Date