EXPOSITORY WRITING LESSON PLAN
DEVELOPED BY MARY LINEHAN

Grade 5-6

Subject: Language Arts

Objective: To teach the components of an expository
paragraph and become more familiar with software Writers Workshop.

Purpose: To enable students to practice their
paragraph writing using the computer.

Assumption :  Students are already familiar with
software Writers Workshop and  know basic computer skills.

Materials:  Computer, Writers Workshop software, printer.

Procedure: 1. Introduce students to the components of
an expository paragraph.
                    2. Review the tools available in
Writer Workshop Package.
                    3.  Assign students a computer.
                    4. Students will write an
introductory paragraph that will contain all
                        ideas of their essay.
                    5. Students will write out one
paragraph for each idea mentioned in
                        their introductory paragraph.
Must be well organized and correlate
                        ideas.
                    6. Students will add supporting
details to paragraphs. Students will
                        elaborate on ideas and use
descriptive language.
                    7. Students will write a
conclusion. Conclusion will tell what essay
                         was about but using different
description than the introduction.

Closure : Students will peer edit each others work.
Class will discuss as a whole the
                 errors and difficulties encountered
in the writing process. Print out
                 paragraphs.

Conclusion : Students have gained practice in
expository paragraph writing increasing their knowledge of
Writers Workshop.

LETTER WRITING USING THE EXPOSITORY FORM.
DEVELOPED BY MARY LINEHAN

Subject: Grade 5-6 Language Arts

Objective : To Reinforce the components of Expository Writing

Assumption: Students are familiar with the components
of basic letter writing
                       and students are familiar with
software Microsoft Word.

Materials: Computers, Microsoft Word, printer.

Procedure: 1. Review components of expository writing.
                    2. Each student will write an
expository letter to a friend.
                    3. The letter will be about why
this friend should come and visit your
                         town.
                    4. Each student is assigned a
computer.
5. Students write the letters, using Microsoft Word.
6. Letters are printed out.
 

Closure: Letters are mailed out to selected friends.
Students wait for reply.

Conclusion:  Students knowledge of Microsoft Word and
letter writing has  increased.
 

Title:  Writing a Letter to Your Favorite Author, developed by Christine
Rondeau

Grade:  4

Subject:   Language Arts

Materials:  4-5 computers, Microsoft word, printer

Assumptions:  Students will know the basics of a computer, and correct letter
format.

Purpose:  To enable students to exercise their English and letter writing
skills.

Objectives:  1. Students will become more familiar with Microsoft Word.
                  2. Students will become better letter writers.

Procedure:  1. Have students think of their favorite book.
                  2. Help them, if needed, to determine the author.
                  3. Review the correct letter format with the students.
                  4. Assign computers to students when available.
                  5. Have the students write the letter, using the tools offered.
                  6. Assist, if needed, in printing out the letter.

Closure:  Students could share their letters aloud, if desired.

Assessment:  Assessment will be conducted on the letter.  The areas included
will be content, grammar, and format.

Conclusion:  The students knowledge of Microsoft Word, letter-writing, and
English   have been increased while participating in a fun, worthwhile activity.

Literary Devices
Symbolism
Grade 7 – 12 lesson developed by Matthew Espinosa

Objectives: The learner will define symbolism through the use of the world wide web
  The learner will construct a bookmarked list of 3 web sites that provide
examples of different  types of symbols and their meanings.

Materials: Computer, Internet access, Content software

Initiation:
? Ask the students what they think of when they see the color red.
? Explain that the reason for their answers is that the color red is a very common symbol for many things (stop, love, anger)
? Further explain that symbols or symbolism is a very popular literary device and today we are going to use the www to find different examples of symbols.

Procedure: 1) Divide the class into groups and assign each group with a computer.
  2) Direct each group to the world wide web and to a search engine.
  3) Make sure that each group places “symbolism” into the text box.
  4) Encourage each group to explore the results and create a bookmarked
   list of sites that have different types of symbols and meanings.

Closure: Explain that there are many forms of symbolism and that the list that they
                        have formed on the web is only a small sample.
 
 

Tech Lesson II
Hyperstudio Novel Project
7th Grade lesson developed by Matthew Espinosa

Objective: The student will create a hyperstudio project that chronicles the events in
a novel

Materials: Macintosh Computer, Hyperstudio software, novel

Initiation: Tell the students that they are going write a “computer book” about the
novel that they have just finished.

Procedure: 1.)  Have the students separate the story into sections (beginning, middle
end)
2.) Have the students break the novel down into smaller sections so there
            are 6-10 parts.
3.) Move the students to the computer and have them start the
Hyperstudio application.
4.) Ask that each of the sections be turned into a “card” and “stack” them
in a linear sequence.
5.) Encourage the students to add graphic representations of the events
from the “picture gallery”.
6.) Encourage the students to break away from the linear sequence by
adding buttons that lead to other cards (detailing feelings toward the
events or any other reaction).
  7.)  Name and Save the finished project.

Closure: Explain to the class that they have just created an interactive “computer
book” that not only details the events of the novel, but also reacts to the
text.

Congratulate them on a job well done
 

Research Paper Writing Lesson Plan developed by Chris Lewis

GRADE: 10

TIME: 50 Minutes

OBJECTIVES: To incorporate the use of Microsoft Word into a class
on            Research Paper Writing.

STANDARDS:  Students will demonstrate how to Copy, Paste, Edit, and
insert photos into their documents while using Microsoft Word.  Students
will demonstrate how to use Bold, Italics, and Underlining features
also.

GUIDED PRACTICE/MONITORING: Classes will meet at the school’s computer
lab.  Teacher will monitor students’ progress throughout the class
period.

CLOSURE:  Teacher will ask questions like: why was this exercise
important, how will this help you in the future?

ASSESSMENT:  Students will be assessed by being required to incorporate
these skills into their term paper.  All papers will be required to be
typed...encouraging students to use the Microsoft Word software.

Lesson Plan developed by Luke Klewin

Grade Level: 4th or 5th.

Subject: Creative Writing

Materials: A picture from a magazine that the student selects.  A
computer with Word Perfect on it.  A scanner that they can scan pictures
onto the computer with.

Student objectives: The students will be allowed to express their
creativity while using Word Perfect.

Assumptions: The students will enjoy this project because they will be
able to choose what picture they will be writing about.

Procedure: Hand out magazines to the children.  Ask them to cut out a
picture in one of the magazines that they think is neat.  Then ask the
students to write about what they see in the picture, using as much
detail as they possibly can.  Once the students are done writing, allow
them to take their picture and scan it onto the computer and type what
they see in the picture below it.  Hang all of the student's work around
the classroom for everyone else to see.

Writing Process - Investigative Unit
Decision Making Lesson Plan
Stacey Biernat

Objectives:
1.  The student will be able define decision-making.
2.  The student will determine the steps of a decision making process.
3.  The student will use a decision making process to assist the facilitator in determining which car to buy.

Pre-Assessment/ Rationale:
 In previous writing samples it was noticed that the students had difficulty organizing and sequencing their writing.  Part of the writing process revolves around deciding what to write about and what details to include and omit in a piece of writing.  Giving an example of a way to make decisions will help to aid in this process.  In addition, this lesson will be reinforcing computer skills learned previously in computer class.  This lesson plan is revised from Margaret Beecher’s (1995) Developing the Gifts and Talents of All Students.

Materials:

? Computers for each student with templates previous set-up on Microsoft Word
? Decision Making Worksheet
? Computer with Decision Making template
? Computer with Decision Making Worksheet template
? Computer with Decision Making template projected onto screen

Procedure:

Initiation:

1.  Pass out decision making worksheet face down.  (Please note that I would not have the students at the computers until after the direct instruction to gain full attention of the students.)
2.  State to students that we make many decisions in our lives and gives examples of daily decisions.  Ask student of a decision that they need to make and have them write it down on the back of their decision making sheet.  State that we will talk about the decision that they need to make later in the lesson.

Development of Lesson:

1.  Define decision making for students. (strategy for systematically selecting among alternatives)
2.  Ask students to help you to make a decision that you are having difficulty making.  Tell them that you are buying a car and can’t decide among the following cars: Dodge Intrepid, Volkswagen Passat, and Jeep Cherokee.  All of these have many of the features that you want: color, power steering, power locks and windows, cruise control, stereo and tape deck, and rear defroster.  Many features are similar so that it is very difficult to make a decision.
3.  Explain that the decision making chart helps you in your decision making.
4.  Explain how the chart is used.  Use chart to show students how you came up with your decision. The chart is projected onto screen, fill in the chart on the computer.  (Car names on top of each column, features down to left side of column.  Fill in values as wished.  Please see chart.)

Closure:

? Have students verbally summarize the process to make decisions that we just used.
? Have students define decision-making.

Assessment / follow-up:

Using the computer templates:  Have students type their own definition of decision making and the steps that were just used to make a decision.  Have the student also state whether or not the process that they have just learned helps them with making decisions in the future.  (See attached)
 

Decision Making

EVALUATION CRITERIA    ALTERNATIVES
 
 

TOTAL:

RATING SCALE:  3 - Excellent
   2 - Average
   1 - Poor
 
 
 

Name:_______________
Date:_______________

What is the definition of decision making?
 

What is a decision that you made most recently?
 
 

How would the steps you learned and the chart help you to make decisions in the future?
 
 
 

Lesson Plan - Developing classroom storybooks developed by Lena Rossi

OBJECTIVE:
        1.  To enhance the child's understanding of story schema.
        2.  To encourage the child's creative story writing skills.
        3.  To allow the child to build on his/her computer knowledge through active
learning.

TIME NEEDED:  (Two days - to one week)  Several small blocks of time will be needed.

MATERIALS:  A computer program that allows for creative writing - Paint, Write &
Play,  The Amazing Writing Machine, Story Book Weaver.  Color printer optional.

ROLE OF THE TEACHER:  To facilitate the child in his/her computer use by assisting
when necessary.  The teacher will pick a subject for the students to write about such as
their summer vacation, their family, or leave it up to the students.  The teacher will
guide the students through the process of combining their words with pictures and will
do a final edit.

PROCEDURE:  The teacher will pick a topic for the students to write about (or allow the
students to chose the topic).  The entire class will go to the computer lab to write their
short stories (a few sentences to a few pages depending on the grade level) - or when no
lab is available the teacher will allow time for each child to use the classroom
computer.  Once the stories are written a second visit to the computer lab will allow the
students to illustrate their work if they had not already done so.  Once all students have
finished their stories the teacher will do a final edit of them, print and publish their
story book.

CLOSURE:  The teacher will allow individual students to read their stories to the entire
class or will pick some to read him/herself.  Children will be allowed to comment on
what they liked best/worst about the assignment and any problems they may have
encountered.  The book will remain in the classroom library for the school year for
students to read.  Students may also be allowed to bring the book home to share with
their family.

Topic: RESEARCH AND WRITING SKILLS lesson developed by Dave Whitney
Grade Level: 8
Subject: Writing & Language Arts

Objectives: PICK A SUBJECT THAT THE STUDENT IS INTERESTED IN AND WRITE A
RESEARCH PAPER ON IT.
WRITING AND RESEARCHING IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE TAUGHT AT AN EARLY
AGE SO THAT IT CAN BE USED MORE EFFECTIVELY IN THE FUTURE.

Procedure:
1)  HAVE STUDENTS SUBMIT TOPIC PROPOSALS.  WHAT THEY WANT TO WRITE ABOUT
AND WHY.
2) GO TO LIBRARY AND HAVE LESSON (POSSIBLY WITH THE LIBRARIAN ON HOW TO
GO ABOUT RESEARCH.
3) HAVE STUDENTS SUBMIT A FIRST DRAFT OF PAPER FOLLOWING ALL THE
RESEARCH AND TEACH A LESSON ON DOCUMENTATION.
4) HAVE STUDENT SUBMIT FINAL DRAFTS OF PAPERS.
 

Closure:  HOPEFULLY THIS LESSON WILL BEGIN THE WRITING PROCESS
DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENTS.  IT IS NEVER TOO EARLY TO TEACH STUDENTS HOW TO
RESEARCH, WRITE RESEARCH PAPERS AND DOCUMENT THEIR SOURCES.  IT WILL
ONLY MAKE IT EASIER WHEN THEY TAKE HIGHER LEVEL COURSES IN WHICH
RESEARCH MAY BE A IMPORTANT PART OF THE CURRICULUM OF THE CLASS.

Lesson Idea developed by Todd Heft

Students will pick a topic which interests them and is unique.  Using the computer, students will then use the software program Storybook Weaver Deluxe to create their stories.  Upon completing their stories, children will read their story aloud to the class.

This lesson will help children develop creative writing skills as well as communication skills.  This will give the children something they can be proud of.