Brief Description

In this lesson, students will learn about computers and their hardware components.  They will then identify and label the parts of a computer using correct terminology.  Kidspiration is used to create diagrams of computers and their different parts.

Standards and Frameworks

Technology Standards

1T-R1.  Communicate about basic technology components using developmentally appropriate and accurate terminology.
1T-R2.  Use input devices and output devices successfully to operate computers, VCRs, audiotapes and other technologies.

W-R1.  Relate a narrative, creative story or other communication by drawing, telling and writing.

Academic

• Students will design a diagram of the computer and its hardware components

• Students will label computer hardware components using correct terminology

None

Materials

Computer with monitor, keyboard, mouse, floppy disk, cd-rom (optional equipment: printer, digital camera, scanner)
Kidspiration software (downloadable for 30 day free trial at http://www.inspiration.com)
Projection device
Sentence strips with labels of the computer parts written on them
Printer

Accommodations for Special Needs

This is mainly a group lesson, so students with special needs can be aided as needed.  Some students might benefit from coming up to computer and touching the parts along with the visual identification.  A custom library might also help to make this lesson easier.  This is detailed in step 9.

Procedures

1. The teacher should gather the students around in an area where everyone can see the computer.  A good way to do this is by disconnecting the computer from the wall and putting it on a child height table and having the children sit on the floor.
2. The teacher should talk about the parts of the computer identifying each one and telling what its job is using simple words.  For example, “This is monitor.  It shows us the programs that the computer is running.  When we turn the computer on, we see pictures that are called programs.  Kidpix is a program that we see on our monitor.”  Remember to use correct terminology when ever possible.
3. The teacher should have sentence strips with large labels for each part of the computer she introduces.  As she introduces each piece, she should stick the label on the identified component.  Then read the label with children reciting the word while looking at the label.
4. The teacher should show all of the components that she wants the children to know.  She should also point out that the pieces are connected to each other with cords.  These cords are important because they let the different pieces talk to each other.
5. After all parts have been introduced and labeled, the teacher should review all parts with the students by having them recite the name and telling what each part does.
6. The next day the teacher will have the computer connected to a projection device so that the whole class can see the screen.  She will tell the students that yesterday they learned all about the parts of the computer.  Today they are going to draw a chart of the different parts of the computer together.  Then, later at centers, they will get to create their own diagrams.
7. The teacher will ask the children to tell her one part of the computer.  If someone says mouse, she will ask a student to go to the computer and show her the mouse.  Then she will find the mouse picture from the Kidspiration image library and add it to the diagram.  Then she will label the picture, sounding out the word as she goes.  She will repeat this process until she has all of the components on the diagram.  (If your students are familiar with Kidspiration and using the image gallery, then you can have them come up and add the pictures to the diagram themselves.)
8. Then the teacher will ask how the pieces of the computer are related to each other.  She can remind them of the cords that allow each piece to talk to the other pieces.  She can use the linking tool to show how the pieces are connected.
9. The teacher will print out this diagram and post it next to the computer center.  As a teacher you can create a custom image library on Kidspiration to make it easier for students to find the right images.  You can select the images you want them to have access to and name the library for this assignment.
10. At center time students can make their own diagrams of the computer using Kidspiration. Each student can print out their diagram for the teacher to see.  Extra work can be to label the parts by referring to the teacher’s model or the labels on the computer.

The students will each create a diagram of the computer and print it out using Kidspiration.  These diagrams will be assessed using the checklist below.  A child should all of the components as part of their diagram.  They can either label the diagram with words, using the labels as models, or verbally tell the teacher the parts by pointing to the diagram.
 

Teacher Name: Karen Gutierrez
Site: The University of Arizona
Date Submitted: March 24, 2002