Technology
Overview
At St. Anthony of Padua School, we recognize that using
technology enhances the lessons taught in the classrooms and provides our
students experiences that will benefit them throughout their lives.
This technology is not a replacement for the daily interaction with teachers
and other educators, but is an excellent way to expand the content of their
lessons.
All students from preschool through the eighth grade
receive computer assisted instruction an average of two hours each week.
Our technology program features:
One computer for every three students
Three computer labs - early
childhood lab - elementary lab
- middle school lab
Classroom computer centers
Individualized computer instruction
Age-appropriate computer curriculum
Laser disks and other multimedia tools
Fine Arts
Our students use computers to enhance their presentations
with graphics, art, and music. Instruction includes introduction
to a variety of art forms and artists.
Early Childhood
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Language Arts - The Primary Integrated Language Arts program (PILA), an
innovative computer based learning project, is now in its fifth year of
implementation. The PILA program is an integral part of our classroom
learning centers.
Our early childhood program has a computer lab and a Macintosh computer
center in each class. Our Padua 3 students begin with an introduction
to early reading activities. Prekindergarten and kindergarten students
explore stories at the computer, developing their emerging language and
computer skills.
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Math - Prekindergarten and kindergarten classes use multimedia programs
that provide a multisensory approach to mathematics. Laser disks,
hands-on activities, songs, music, literature, and manipulatives are used
to introduce the children to the world of mathematics.
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Science - The prekindergarten and kindergarten enjoy Windows on Science
and other programs which stimulate early scientific interest.
Elementary (Grades 1 - 5)
The elementary school technology program features an
iMac computer laboratory located on the school’s second floor.
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Language Arts - The PILA program, A+ Language Arts, Orchard, and Write
On! offer higher-level language arts activities for our elementary students.
Our programs incorporate activities designed to reinforce reading, writing,
listening, and speaking skills.
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Math - ActionMATH, A+ Math, Orchard, and other programs capture our students’
interests and excite them about math concepts. Interactive activities
provide our students varied math experiences.
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Science and Social Studies - Our students utilize Windows on Science, an
on-line encyclopedia, and other computer programs. The internet is
accessed to research science and social studies projects. Fourth
grade students are introduced to Power Point, a multimedia presentation
program.
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Upper Elementary students, grades 3-5, are given keyboarding lessons to
help prepare them for the Middle School.
Middle School (Grades 6 - 8)
Technology gives both the teacher and the student opportunities
for the integration of technology into everyday learning. Students
have the opportunity for enrichment in the areas of science, social studies,
language arts, and math, enhancing their preparation for high school, while
they sharpen their computer skills.
The computer lab offers our middle school students
opportunities to develop research skills, as they complete projects with
the use of the internet. Students use the middle school computer
lab for research projects, encouraging student exploration of exciting
multimedia technology. The development of Hyperstudio and Power Point
presentations provide our middle school students with creative learning
experiences. The literature program challenges our middle school
students to sharpen their word processing skills, as they critique the
literature studied in the classroom.
Students learn to use the internet in a responsible
manner and frequently explore it as a resource for their academic assignments.