New Kensington Arnold School District

H.D. Berkey School

1739 Victoria Avenue
Arnold, PA 15068
Phone-(724)337-7736

Principal: Mr. Thomas J. Rocchi
Grades 4-5

School News
Berkey Takes a Byte out of the Technology XPerience Every student at H. D. Berkey Elementary School is engaged in computer activity at least 4 periods a week. Computer Literacy class is taught twice a week. They have one Odyssey Reading and one Odyssey Math computer class each week. Also, much of their content material is taught utilizing power point presentations. Computer Literacy class prepares each student for the world of computers. The class is instructed by Ms. Marcia Stearman, with the assistance of the classroom teacher. The students begin by learning to identify basic computer hardware components and how to use Windows XP. The fourth grade utilizes, Type to Learn III, as an instructional tool to learn accuracy using the alphabet keys and basic punctuation. They practice spellchecking and word processing using a highly motivational detective editing unit. The students are introduced to Athena, the library automation system, by librarian, Mrs. Susan Lutman. The Athena software allows students to locate a library book by an author, title or subject. They learn to interpret the results of an Athena search. Each fifth grader does an Excel spreadsheet and graph representing the data from a survey of the other students in the building. They do some drawing in order to learn how to copy and paste. They build accuracy and speed using Type to Learn III and add the usage of the number/symbols row to their knowledge base. They practice their speed and accuracy with Type for Fun games. The fifth grade also makes a memory yearbook working in power point. Type to Learn assessments are used to measure their performance. Odyssey Reading computer class, is facilitated by Mrs. Dana Fularz, Mrs. Maria Delvecchio and Ms. Tiffany Saavedra, along with the regular classroom teacher. Odyssey Math computer class is facilitated by Mrs. Lorraine Lewis and the regular classroom teacher. The students work on instructional and supplemental activities that reinforce reading and math strategies and skills. The students are involved in interactive games and cartoon skits. The great graphics keep the interest level high. Progress is monitored through pre and post testing called NKKAPS. Each lesson also has mini quizzes and cumulative tests. The Berkey teachers have generated approximately 128 power point, curricular specific, power point presentations. They range from instructional to remedial, from interactive to PSSA test review and practice. The power point projector and computer are on a cart and can be taken from room to room when needed for instruction. The teachers are able to teach using anyone's presentations. Computers are literally on a roll at H. D. Berkey!

School News

Berkey Takes a Byte out of the Technology XPerience

Every student at H. D. Berkey Elementary School is engaged in computer activity at least 4 periods a week. Computer Literacy class is taught twice a week. They have one Odyssey Reading and one Odyssey Math computer class each week. Also, much of their content material is taught utilizing power point presentations.

Computer Literacy class prepares each student for the world of computers. The class is instructed by Ms. Marcia Stearman, with the assistance of the classroom teacher. The students begin by learning to identify basic computer hardware components and how to use Windows XP.

The fourth grade utilizes, Type to Learn III, as an instructional tool to learn accuracy using the alphabet keys and basic punctuation. They practice spellchecking and word processing using a highly motivational detective editing unit. The students are introduced to Athena, the library automation system, by librarian, Mrs. Susan Lutman. The Athena software allows students to locate a library book by an author, title or subject. They learn to interpret the results of an Athena search.

Each fifth grader does an Excel spreadsheet and graph representing the data from a survey of the other students in the building. They do some drawing in order to learn how to copy and paste. They build accuracy and speed using Type to Learn III and add the usage of the number/symbols row to their knowledge base. They practice their speed and accuracy with Type for Fun games. The fifth grade also makes a memory yearbook working in power point. Type to Learn assessments are used to measure their performance.

Odyssey Reading computer class, is facilitated by Mrs. Dana Fularz, Mrs. Maria Delvecchio and Ms. Tiffany Saavedra, along with the regular classroom teacher. Odyssey Math computer class is facilitated by Mrs. Lorraine Lewis and the regular classroom teacher. The students work on instructional and supplemental activities that reinforce reading and math strategies and skills. The students are involved in interactive games and cartoon skits. The great graphics keep the interest level high. Progress is monitored through pre and post testing called NKKAPS. Each lesson also has mini quizzes and cumulative tests.

The Berkey teachers have generated approximately 128 power point, curricular specific, power point presentations. They range from instructional to remedial, from interactive to PSSA test review and practice. The power point projector and computer are on a cart and can be taken from room to room when needed for instruction. The teachers are able to teach using anyone's presentations. Computers are literally on a roll at H. D. Berkey!