Middle School Technology

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In the middle school, students are taught essential computer skills to help further their learning process in all school subjects. Sidwell Friends supports ethical use of computers and safe and responsible online behavior. Technology is presented in a manner that fosters learning and encourages students and faculty to stretch their intellectual limits.

The Middle School lab is equipped with 18 Dell desktop machines and a SmartBoard™ accessible by all students and teachers as well as laptop carts equipped with 18 Tablet PCs on each hall. We use SmartBoards™ throughout the entire middle school for teaching and as an interactive learning tool for the students.

Sixth and seventh graders have scheduled weekly computer classes one trimester each year. In fifth and eighth grade, students do not attend computer classes; rather technology is integrated into all curricular subject areas at this level. Eventually all grades will merge to this teaching platform where technology is an integrated component of the curriculum. Classes in all subjects use the lab for Internet research and subject specific software.

Below is the computer course outlines for both sixth and seventh grades:


6th Grade Outline
The 6th Grade Computers course is an intermediate computer course exploring intermediate multimedia presentation skills, desktop publishing, and essential computer skills utilizing Microsoft Office 2003 software applications. Skills and concepts covered during the twelve week trimester include:

  • Typing at least 25 WPM in home row position and with correct posture
  • Saving and retrieving files from SFS network
  • Computer Ethics
  • Computer Hardware Overview
  • MS Word:
    • Research Paper Basic
      • Header/Footers
      • Bullets/Numbering
      • Outlining
    • Tables
    • Toolbars (Picture, Draw, Formatting, Standard)
    • Spelling/Grammar
  • MS Excel:
    • Spreadsheet Basics
    • Charts/Graphs
    • Basic Formulas
  • MS PowerPoint
    • Action buttons
    • Hyperlinks
    • Templates
    • Slide Master
  • MS Publisher
    • Brochure Design

7th Grade
The 7th Grade Computers course is a short 6 week course reviewing advance skills in Microsoft Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint. As well as learning advance features of MS Word and MS PowerPoint. Keyboarding skills are reviewed and practiced.

  • Typing at least 35 WPM in home row position and with correct posture
  • Computer Ethics
  • MS Word
    • Tables
    • Diagrams
    • Outlines
    • Reviewing Toolbar
  • MS PowerPoint
    • Presentation Skills
    • Custom Animation
    • Custom Motion Paths
  • MS Excel
    • Formulas
    • Charts/Graphs
    • Advance Spreadsheet features

Useful Information

Our Vision

The Sidwell Friends School Vision for Technology was developed with the belief that the proper use of technology can add immeasurably to the learning experience of each student, improve student achievement, facilitate teaching and learning, and reinforce the school's commitment to the environment.  We encourage our students to use technology in ways, consistent with the ethical and moral standards of the School and the larger community, that underscore the words contained in the Sidwell Friends School Philosophy.  In particular, we believe that the appropriate use of technology can enhance the "rich and rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum," provide ways for our students "to stimulate creative inquiry, intellectual achievement and independent thinking in a world increasingly without borders.