Funding sponsored by:
www.qad.com
Click here to download the project resources.
Project Description: This program is designed for primary aged students as an introduction to word processing. The students learn the basics of: keyboarding and techniques necessary for writing a document that needs to be saved, edited, and then printed. The lessons can be directed over 4-6 weeks, depending on the typing ability of the students. The program includes literature, both fact and fiction, and science connections. The program also includes pre and post tests, grading rubrics and student evaluation forms.
How it works: This program works by giving the students hands-on experience with typing a self written, fictional story, within a word processing program on a computer. The students first research information on specific facts for a handwritten science report on a rainforest animal. The information is obtained from a variety of resources, both written and on-line. Then, after hearing Jan Brett's book: The Umbrella, the students take their animal facts and use them as the basis for a fictional story of "The Day in the Life of..". The fictional story is typed, saved and edited on 3 1/2" floppy discs. This portion of the program can take 2-3 sessions at the computer. The students learn about the speciality keys on a keyboard: shift, tab and backspace. Other editing skills include highlight to change fonts, spell check, "save as", and print. One activity that the students experience is that of visiting a "virtual rainforest". The students type in the address, open up the rainforest site and learn how to manuever the mouse over the forest scene to view hidden animals, clicking on the animals to hear their corresponding sounds. The students take a pre and post test about the technology skills being presented.
Assessment:
Pre-set report outline and writing rubric
Checklist of Language Arts Standards
Technology skills check list, oservation/teacher use
Rubric for fictional story
Pre and post assessment checklist, student use
Standards: Language Arts Standards addressed include: "having a purpose in reading" and "restating facts and details in the text". The students learn the difference between facts and fiction. Science Standards covered include: all animals have basic needs for survival. Net Standards addressed include: using input devices and a variety of media/technology resources for learning activities.
Estimated Number of Class Periods for Students To Complete Unit: 6 Periods
Software or Materials Used: Internet connection, computers, printers, literature resources, word processing programs, virtual rainforest site address, zoo websites, Yahooligans science link, floppy discs for saving documents
Keywords: rainforest animals, beginning keyboarding skills, Jan Brett (author)
elementary aged science, story writing
The Students: This program is designed for beginning keyboarding students who have primary level reading and writing abilities. The program was orignally done with second graders, but is appropriate for end of the year first graders, up through third or fourth grade. This program was shared between two teachers. The number of students depends on the available computers, rotation of computer time may need to be established.
Overall Value: Students are naturally interested in animals and computers, this program combines these two interests. The program combines tradtitional science and language arts curriculum with the new technology of using computers. Students learn how to apply new concepts associated with keyboarding skills, to a self authored story. The story is a creative way for the students to share the facts they have researched.
Subject Area: Science, Computer Science
Grade Levels: Grades 1-4
Tips for the Teacher: Read Jan Brett's The Umbrella to start the unit. Review the concept of plagurism and copyrights. Watch "The Lorax" or "Ferngully" to end the unit.
