BA> The use of spreadsheets at the elementary level is one of the things  
BA> I`m needing to explore. I was wondering about connections with  BA> 
elementary math. 
Please don't get me wrong, I do not disapprove of the use of purchased 
programs to teach the very young.  They develop a sense of independance, able 
to progress at their own pace, and witty programs can take most of the 
drudgery out of learning the basics.
My idea is that we should not stop there with the idea of computers in the 
class room.  I know full well that the young mind can certainly handle the 
fundamentals of programming.  I have worked with 5th graders and suspect that 
younger children could easily pick up the same skills.  I tell them that this 
is a beast that they can teach.  The computer can "learn" how to write (or 
say if you hace a sound board & speakers) the alphabet.  This is simply a 
write statement with a few data statements (BASIC).  Then teach the computer 
how to count.  This requires using a mathmatical statement and a loop.
At some point the computer becomes their student and they give them names and 
claim that they are being argumentative (when the program fails).  Believe me 
it is a lot of fun.
SA--> It is a disservice to the
SA-->curriculum that greater exploration is not given 
SA-->to data base managment.
 BA>     How do you think an 11 year old ought to explore this area?
I have always played with the idea and any child born after 1975 has a 
biological understanding of computers.  It is natural phenomenon that the 
rest of us can only hope to struggle with to learn.  Once you unleash them 
with the tools (commands, logical order, programmign styles) they will be 
teaching you as they do me.
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