Computers in My Curriculum? 18 Lesson Plans for Teaching Computer Awareness without a Computer. Adaptable Grades 3-12.

Eighteen interrelated, sequential lesson plans and supporting materials for teaching computer literacy at the elementary and secondary levels are presented. The activities, intended to be infused into the regular curriculum, do not require the use of a computer. The introduction presents background information on computer literacy, suggests a process for developing a unit, describes the organization and design of the lesson plans, and recommends steps to take prior to teaching the first lesson. Each lesson plan includes: indication of relevant curriculum areas; objectives; relationship to computer literacy; teaching suggestions; teacher preparation; materials needed; time required; prior skills needed by students; teaching activities; guided practice; independent activities; extension suggestions; and evaluation suggestions. Among the topics included are robots, history of computers, computer graphics, how computers work, vocabulary, programming languages, advertising techniques (analyzing computer ads), and computer components. The table of contents lists the appropriate grade levels and the relevant curriculum areas (language arts, social studies, mathematics, careers, art, and consumer education) for each lesson plan. Lengthy appendices provide supporting materials for the activities; a 27-item annotated bibliography of books and articles on computer literacy, computer programming, and improvement of teaching strategies; a list of four computer magazines for teachers; suggestions for finding human resources; and a blank lesson plan sheet. (DC)