"Arnold Lobel's Frog and Toad"
Sample Lesson Plan
Step 4: Group Projects: Using the Computer to Enhance Process
Writing
Target Objectives
- Children will learn how to brainstorm and organize their ideas for group
projects (either fiction or nonfiction works related to the Frog and Toad
books).
- Children will compose drafts of their final projects; goals include incorporating
ideas from their prewriting activity, organizing ideas and information, and
incorporating words and concepts germane to the Frog and Toad unit. .
Student Activities
- Teacher-led discussion with fiction groups. Stimulate children's imaginations
about writing stories or poems by leading a group discussion asking questions
such as: How might one of Frog and Toad's episodes ended differently? From
what you know about Frog and Toad, what other types of adventures might they
have? What type of story or poem could you write about Frog and Toad?
Then have children begin a draft of their story or poem using computer software.
- Teacher-led discussion with non-fiction groups. Help children process the
information they've learned about frogs and toads. Ask questions such as,
How are frogs and toads alike? How are they different? Where do they live?
Then elicit children's ideas for how they might organize their information,
using words and illustrations, to teach others what they've learned.
Then have children begin a draft of their final project using computer software.
Electronic Resources
- Word processing software with graphic capabilities such as Kid Pix Deluxe,
Appleworks, or Clarisworks for Kids.
- Easy Book software for creating a variety of illustrated books.
Assessment
- Save each draft in children's portfolios.
Impact of Technology: In what ways (if any) will technology enhance students'
learning experiences in these activities?
- Children will learn how to use open-ended software to brainstorm, organize
their ideas, compose, and revise.
- Children will save their compositions on disks and add them to their electronic
portfolios. Then, as they revise their work they will easily be able to refer
back to these drafts and reflect on their progress.
Copyright © 2000, Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC)