Imaginative Winter Stories

Linda Taylor
Technology and Creative Writing 
Grade Level 3
Atlantic Elementary
ltaylor@aes.carteret.k12.nc.us 
January 18, 2001

Brief Description:   Writing creative stories.  The prompt was to write an imaginative story about any phase of winter.  Stories were written and edited before the students word processed them.  Students learn to select their font and the size of their text.  They review how to save and open a document.  (Each child has their own disk that contains all of the stories that they have done on the keyboard all year). They also learn how to put a picture/clip art in the story, go to reference, check their spelling and print the story. 

Approximate time required:  One week working about 45 minutes a day

Standard Course of Study Goals and Objectives
Technology: 
1.2 Recognize that the Copyright Law protects what a person, group, or company has created. (SI) 
1.3 Recognize the benefits of word processing. (KU/WP/DTP) 
2.2 Identify the physical components of a computer system as either input, output, or processing devices. (SI) 
2.3 Demonstrate proper keyboarding techniques for upper and lower case letters. (KU/WP/DTP) 
2.4 Retrieve and edit a word processed document. (KU/WP/DTP) 
3.1 Create, save, and print a word processed document. (KU/WP/DTP) 

ELA: 1.03, 1.05,4.02, 4.03,4.05,4.06,4.07,4.08,4.09,4.010,5.01,5.02,5.03,5.04,5.06, 5.07, 5.08. 
1.03 Integrate prior experiences and all sources of information in the text (graphophonic, syntactic, and semantic) when reading orally and silently.
1.05 Use word reference materials (e.g., dictionary, glossary) to confirm decoding skills, verify spelling, and extend meanings of words.
4.02 Use oral and written language to:
                                                   present information in a sequenced, logical manner. 
                                                   discuss. 
                                                   sustain conversation on a topic. 
                                                   share information and ideas. 
                                                   recount or narrate. 
                                                   answer open-ended questions. 
                                                   report information on a topic. 
                                                   explain own learning. 
4.03 Share written and oral products in a variety of ways (e.g., author's chair, book making, publications, discussions, presentations).
4.04 Use planning strategies (with assistance) to generate topics and to organize ideas (e.g., drawing, mapping, discussing, listing).
4.05 Identify (with assistance) the purpose, the audience, and the appropriate form for the oral or written task.
4.06 Compose a draft that conveys major ideas and maintains focus on the topic by using preliminary plans.
4.07 Compose a variety of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama selections using self-selected topics and forms (e.g., poems, simple narratives, short reports, learning logs, letters, notes, directions, instructions).
4.08 Focus reflection and revision (with assistance) on target elements by:
                                                   clarifying ideas. 
                                                   adding descriptive words and phrases. 
                                                   sequencing events and ideas. 
                                                   combining short, related sentences. 
                                                   strengthening word choice. 
4.09 Produce work that follows the conventions of particular genres (e.g., personal narrative, short report, friendly letter, directions and instructions).
4.10 Explore technology as a tool to create a written product.

Teacher's Lesson Goals/Objectives: By the end of this lesson, the students will create, print and display their creative writings .

Materials/Resources Needed: Paper, pencil, computer, word processing program, printer, ink.

Pre Activities: 
1.  Introduce the topic
2.  Brainstorm ideas
3.  Emphasis the beginning, middle and end of a story
4.  Talk about copyright
5.  Prewriting skills, story web, etc.
6.  Talk about benefits of word processing 

Activities: 
1. Students will plan their stories and then do their first draft on paper.
2. Teacher assist students in making sure that the story has the necessary components and is readable.
3. Check for grammar and misspelled words.
4. Apply grammar and language conventions to communicate effectively. 
5. Discuss creating, saving and printing documents

Independent Practice:
1. Students  go get their disks and are assigned to one of the  computers in the our room and we also use the  computers in the other classroom if and when they are available.
2.  Children type, using proper keyboarding techniques, for a period of time and have to go to file and save their stories .
3.  Children have to later open their documents and finish their product and include a graphic/clip art.

Closure:
Children share their stories with the class and  stories are displayed in the hall.

Assessment:
1. A writing rubric is used to check student's writing. 
2. Observe that the students can save, open, print, and insert graphics into their word process document. 
3. Check for copyright infringement. 
4. Check for keyboarding techniques.

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