K-5 Tech Curriculum Vocabulary

Check here for the curriculum vocabulary. Here are some good websites for geeky words:

Here are most/all of the words from the curriculum, collected weekly as we cover them:

  • 3D–three dimensions
  • address bar–where web address appears
  • alignment–how data is lined up on the page
  • ALT–key used in combination with other keys for macros
  • Alt+F4–universal ‘close’ command
  • Alt+Tab–toggle between two open windows
  • anchor point–point in a drawing where a clone starts
  • anecdotal–subjective observational stories
  • animated GIF–very short movie–2 seconds
  • animation–movement
  • app–a program used on iPads, browsers, and more
  • arrow keys–on the keyboard; move up-down or side-to-side
  • ASCII art–drawing using keyboard keys
  • assessment–how to judge student progress
  • attachment–data connected to an email (or similar)
  • auto-advance–automatically move forward with, say, PowerPoint
  • auto-format–automatically formatting
  • automaticity–how automatic a process is
  • Autoshape–a auto-generated shape, like a cross or an arrow
  • autosum–a tool that automatically adds a column
  • back button (back arrow)–moves back in time one webpage
  • background–image behind data on a page
  • backspace–delete one character either with ‘delete’ or ‘backspace’
  • back up–a second copy of a file
  • banner heading–a page heading that extends the width of a page
  • bcc–blind carbon copy; a copy of an email that is also sent to a separate party but the receiver doesn’t know this
  • bling–distractions around a webpage
  • blinking–toggling on and off to get your attention (the cursor does this in a word processing program)
  • blog–weblog
  • bmp–image file (doesn’t work on the web)
  • boot up–start up a computer
  • border–a design that surrounds the perimeter of a drawing or doc
  • brainstorm–a group shares ideas in a chaotic, all-inclusive fashion
  • brochure–trifold
  • browse–to search for
  • browser–program that explores the internet
  • bubbles–call-outs
  • calculation–like add, subtract
  • call-outs–thought bubbles with words in them
  • canvas–drawing surface in a program
  • capitalization–add caps to appropriate words
  • caps lock–turns all letters into caps
  • categories–collections
  • cc–carbon copy; a copy of an email sent to a separate party
  • cell–a location in a spreadsheet where data is stored
  • cell address–the location of a cell, usually denoted by row and column (a letter and number)
  • class start page–page that students land on when they first open the internet
  • click–one push of the left mouse button
  • clipart–sketches that usually come with a program
  • clone–duplicate of an item
  • collage–collection of related pictures presented artistically
  • color block–a block of color behind text
  • color schemes–a collection of colors that go well together
  • column–vertical arrangement of data in Excel or a table
  • concurrent–happening at the same time
  • conventions–protocol, accepted actions
  • copyright–to claim an artistic endeavor as your own
  • CPU–central processing unit (aka, tower, box)
  • crop–to chop off pieces of an artistic work
  • Ctrl+A–select all on a page
  • Ctrl+click–to activate a link in MS Word
  • Ctrl+Enter–start a new page within a document
  • Ctrl+F–shortkey to find words on a page
  • Ctrl–key used in combination with other keys for shortkeys
  • Ctrl+P–shortkey for Print
  • Ctrl+S–save
  • Ctrl+Z–undo
  • cursor–represents the mouse location
  • custom animation–create customized paths that slideshow parts move along
  • custom path–a pathway you create that tells a slideshow part how to move about the slide
  • data–numbers, words, information
  • delete–deletes characters to the right of the cursor
  • design elements–pieces on a page that make an attractive project–colors, shapes, layering, and more
  • Design Gallery–design element collection in Publisher
  • desktop–the collection of files, folder, icons that are on the computer screen when user first boots up
  • desktop publishing–create artistic, colorful documents that can be printed from your desktop
  • diagram–visual representation of data
  • dialogue box–box that appears on a computer page asking questions
  • digital–anything that’s portrayed as bits and bytes
  • digital citizenship–the rights and responsibilities of visitors to the internet
  • digital neighborhood–where you visit online
  • digital portfolio–where files are saved, i.e., digital locker
  • doc–a document
  • domain–the virtual address of a neighborhood–a place where related web pages are collected
  • dot–period that precedes an extension
  • double-click–two fast left mouse clicks
  • download–to copy from the internet to your computer
  • drag–click and move mouse from point a to b
  • drill down–click through layers of nested files
  • drop cap–larger first letter in a sentence
  • drop down menus–list of choices that ‘drops down’ when you click a down arrow by a menu choice
  • DTP–desktop publishing
  • ebook–digital book
  • edit–to fix mistakes in a document
  • ellipse–after a sentence
  • embed–to place a project created in a tech tool into another program or site
  • enter–line break
  • escape–get out of whatever is being worked on (with ESC key)
  • evidence–proof
  • Excel–a spreadsheet program that sorts and analyzes data
  • export–to save a file in a different format to be used by other programs
  • expression–a formula in a spreadsheet program
  • extensions–three letters that appear in a web address at the end, i.e., .com, .org
  • fair use–using someone else’s artistic creation fairly, within the law
  • field–a spot that collects a type of answer
  • file folder–where files are collected
  • fill–a color and pattern poured into part of a drawing
  • flash drive–portable storage drive
  • F row–keyboard row with F keys
  • F4–macro key on the F row
  • F7–shortkey on the F row
  • F row–top row on keyboard
  • F11–create a quick chart in Excel
  • filter–a decorative overlay on a picture, like a blur or water
  • flatten text–to squash text into one layer on a drawing program
  • flier–a one-page summary of an event that includes images and text
  • flying fingers and hands–don’t stay over home row
  • Flying Windows–key to the lower left of keyboard that activates the start menu
  • Fly-to–how Google Earth searches
  • font–the way letters look
  • footer–information that is included at the bottom of each page
  • foreground–what’s in the front of a page or canvas
  • formatting–decorating page to make parts stand out (i.e., colors, fonts, borders)
  • forums–groups themed to a topic, usually online
  • geek–one who loves technology
  • geolocation–the geographic location
  • gif–image file format, sometimes indicates a brief movie
  • Google–a search engine; ‘to Google’ is the accepted way to say ‘to search’
  • Google Apps–Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Presentations
  • Google Earth–software to share mysteries of the earth
  • gradient tool–spreads a multi-colored gradient across the canvas
  • grammar–punctuation, capitalization, etc.
  • grammar check–check a document for grammar using the green squiggly lines
  • graphic organizer–arrange data graphically rather than textually
  • green lines–appear in word processing to indicate grammar problems
  • greeting–words or sentence that start a document with a ‘hello’ to readers
  • greyed out–light colored meaning the menu item is inactive or not available
  • grid–in Google Earth, the latitude and longitude lines
  • hand–what the cursor turns into on a website
  • handles–the dots around an image that allow you to resize or move
  • heading–identification placed at the top of most documents (i.e., name, teacher, date)
  • headphones–deliver sound to student
  • hibernate–when the computer ‘sleeps’ with a dark screen until you wiggle the mouse to ‘wake it up’
  • highlight–to select
  • hits–websites that answer a search inquiry
  • home button–start button on an iPad
  • home row–middle row on computer where fingers rest
  • horizon–the line separating sky from ground
  • hover–move cursor over a spot without clicking
  • http–protocol used by the World Wide Web to define how messages are formatted and transmitted
  • https–a secure http
  • hyperlink–a link to a webpage
  • icon–a small picture that represents an activity, file, folder
  • images–pictures
  • infographics–visual organizer that includes data about a topic
  • instant on–the device starts as soon as it is turned on, i.e., an iPad
  • internet start page–web-based page that starts student internet journey
  • inverse–opposite
  • iPad–the Apple brand of tablet
  • jpg–image file that works nicely on the internet
  • keyboard–hardware input device
  • keyboard shortcuts–use keyboard keys to perform tasks that can also be performed by tools on the toolbars
  • keywords–fundamental words to a sought-after concept
  • landscape–a page arranged horizontally
  • lasso–a way of cropping
  • layers–in Google Earth, collections of data that is ‘layered’ over the globe
  • layers–in DTP: groupings of text/images/color that are above or below other groupings; can be relayered to bring one to the top
  • layout–arrangement of design pieces in desktop publishing
  • limiters–script to limit the number of hits from a query
  • line spacing–amount of space between lines
  • log-in UN and PW combination that is used to access a program, file, folder
  • looped–repeat the same sequence over and over
  • lower row–bottom letter row on the keyboard
  • Mac–a type of computer
  • macro–auto-generated series of steps that is activated via a combination of keys; i.e., push Ctrl+Alt+H to add a heading
  • magic wand–a way of cropping in Photoshop
  • max–maximum
  • menu bar–row of words at top of page (usually) which when clicked, give you a drop down menu of choices
  • min–minimum
  • monitor–hardware; output device
  • mouse button–left or right button
  • mouse wheel–rolling device between mouse buttons
  • Mulligan Rule–do over
  • multimedia–many mediums to share information (text, audio, visual)
  • My Documents–default location for saving document
  • nested–tools hidden beneath other tools
  • netiquette–online etiquette
  • network–collection of linked computers
  • network folder–a location on the network where a student stores his/her personal folders
  • newsletter–one-to-two page collection of themed articles, images, design
  • non-verbal–communication via methods other than words
  • online–through the internet
  • online tool–web tool that’s located online
  • Oops Guy–how you know you made a mistake in Kidpix
  • operating system–the way a computer performs its functions (Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS)
  • org chart–a visual organizer that shows how information/data is layered in levels
  • organizer–visual way to present information
  • overflow–too much text for the text box
  • page parts–in DTP, the parts of the design that make up the page
  • paint bucket–tool that fills a prescribed area with color
  • palette–a collection of colors (usually)
  • pan–move your view in, out, or to a side
  • panel–one third of a trifold
  • password–a code required to access a file, folder, program
  • PC–a computer that uses a Windows operating system
  • PDF–a way to save documents that is readable in most programs
  • peripheral–extra pieces that can be attached to a computer, i.e., printer, iPod
  • perspective–seeing something from another’s viewpoint
  • Photoshopped–edit a picture in a way that changes the original content
  • pixels–the tiny color blocks in a picture, a bit like the molecules in matter
  • placeholder–a box that holds the place on a DTP project for text, image, or other
  • placemark–in Google Earth, an icon to mark a location
  • placesaver–saves the place on a slideshow or DTP for a piece of the completed project
  • plagiarism–to use the intellectual property (words, music, drawings) of another without permission
  • port–outlets on computer where peripherals can be attached, i.e., USB port
  • portrait–a page arranged vertically
  • posture–correct body position to keyboard
  • pound sign–the number sign, denotes the macro for a page number
  • power buttons–for the computer and for the monitor
  • print border–white empty border around a document so that everything prints
  • print preview–to see how a document will look before it prints
  • protocol–series of steps that are performed for an activity
  • Prt Scr–print screen
  • .psd–Photoshop file extension; only opens in Photoshop
  • public domain–artistic creations that are legally available to all, not requiring licensing
  • PW–password
  • QWERTY row–upper letter row; contains the letters QWERTY
  • rebus–a document that uses pictures in place of text
  • red squiggly lines–appear in a word processing program to indicate spelling errors
  • render–to turn a project into a video or movie
  • return–enter
  • reveal–disclose
  • ribbon–toolbar at top of MS Office
  • right-click–one push of the right mouse button
  • row–a horizontal arrangement of data in a spreadsheet or a table
  • rubric–checklist for what should be done on a project
  • save-as–save a file by a different name or in a different location
  • scale–resize up or down
  • schemes–arrangement that go together nicely
  • scholarly purpose–use for academic reasons
  • scholarly research–for the classroom
  • screen–the front of a monitor
  • screen capture–take a picture of what’s on the screen
  • screenshot–a picture of what’s on the computer screen
  • scroll–use scroll bar at right side or bottom to move through page
  • search bar–field where you can input a search term
  • search engine–website that searches for you, i.e., Google, Yahoo
  • sections–portions of a whole
  • sets–themed group
  • shift key–makes one letter a capital
  • shift+alt+d–shortkey for date
  • Shift+F5–start from the slide being played
  • shortkeys–keyboard shortcuts
  • sidebar–a row of tools or choices to the side of what’s on the screen
  • show/hide–tool that shows where students entered and spaced in a document
  • silhouette–an image that is a shape filled with a dark non-specific fill; perfect for ASCII art
  • site–website
  • SmartArt–an MS Word collection of graphic organizers
  • snippet–a piece of a website
  • software–programs that are loaded onto a computer to be run
  • space bar–to separate words
  • spacing–amount of space between lines (single space, double space, etc.)
  • spam–junk email
  • spell-check–check a document for spelling using the red squiggly lines
  • spoof–a hoax
  • spreadsheet–related data collected into rows and columns
  • squiggles–red, green and blue squiggly lines in text to show editing required
  • stamp–pictures that can be ‘stamped’ onto an image
  • start button–symbol in lower left corner that activates the start menu
  • storyboard–lay out a story in frames before inputting into a DTP or slideshow
  • Street View–a tool that takes viewers to the streets of a searched area on Google Earth
  • swipe–drag fingers quickly across the tablet screen
  • symbol–usually a picture that stands for something else
  • synonyms–words with a similar meaning
  • tabbed browsing–tabs in a browser that allow user to toggle between websites quickly
  • table–data collected in cells, columns, and rows
  • tablet–a digital device used for computing, somewhat like a laptop or Chromebook
  • tag cloud–a word picture that’s made up of tags (such as Wordle)
  • taskbar–bar at bottom of screen that shows all open programs (tasks)
  • template–a standard layout in a document
  • text tool–tool used to type on a computer
  • texting–communicating via SMS
  • thumb drive–see flash drive
  • tif–image file type, often larger than other image file types
  • timeline–arrangement of events in chronologic order
  • toggle–switch back and forth between two locations
  • tools–icons that represent a task to be performed, often on the toolbar
  • toolbar–a collection of tools, often on top or side of a program
  • tower–boxy part of the computer; includes CPU, drives, ports
  • tower power–power button on the computer tower or box
  • transfer–move from one spot to another, usually a file folder or drive
  • transitions–going from one to the next, as in a slideshow
  • trifold–brochure
  • twitter–short communications done online
  • USB–a portable hard drive
  • UN–user name
  • upload–to load a file from your computer to the internet
  • Venn Diagram–a specific type of graphic organizer that finds similarities in groups
  • virus–a digital bug that attacks computers
  • visual learning–learn with color and pictures rather than with words
  • visual organizers–graphic organizers
  • volume control–device to make sound higher or lower
  • wallpaper–the background on the desktop
  • washout–decolored image, like a watermark
  • watermark–washed out picture or text behind text on a page
  • web-based–a tool that must be used from the internet
  • website–web-based address on the internet
  • white space–unused parts of a canvas that show white
  • wifi–provides internet access to digital devices
  • wiki–an online forum edited by the people
  • Windows–the operating system that runs on PCs, DOS-based
  • WordArt–make art out of words
  • word cloud–an image made up of words (like ASCII art is made up of keyboard keys)
  • word processing–a tool used primarily for typing on the computer
  • workbook–an Excel file that may include multiple worksheets
  • worksheet–one page (tab) in an Excel file
  • workspace–the area you have to work on a digital project
  • WPM–words per minute
  • wrap–the way text flows around an image
  • X–close
  • Zoom–get closer