MMSD Linking Technology & Literacy

Postcard

Grade Level: 4 - 5

Standards | Lesson Plan | Templates | Assessment

Standards

Language Arts Standards

  • Set a purpose for reading
  • Read aloud with fluency, accuracy, and expression
  • Write to describe
  • Choose precise, descriptive and vivid words
  • Connect sentences in related and logical sequences

6 Traits + 1

  • Ideas
  • Organization
  • Word Choice
  • Conventions
  • Presentation

Technology Standards

  • Uses a graphics program to create original work
  • Uses a word processing program to change font, size, and style
  • Uses a word processing program to edit a paragraph and save changes
  • Uses a word processing program to compose and print a paragraph
  • Uses work processing utilities to assist with a published report (i.e., spell checker, electronic thesaurus)

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Lesson Plan

Purpose:

  • To create an original graphic using a Paint Box
  • To practice writing a friendly letter and an address

Step by Step…

Step 1 Read How I Spent My Summer Vacation, by Mark Teague to the class.
Step 2 Show the class the postcard the boy in the story wrote to his aunt. Explain how they are going to create a postcard of a real or imaginary summer vacation activity.
Step 3 Provide students with the template below. Copy all student directions so they are ready to be handed out each day.
Step 4 Students will work on using a paintbox to illustrate a scene. Make sure their paintbox covers the entire upper half of the template. As they add graphics to their background discuss the importance of making sure the graphics are being painted into the background. If a graphic has “handles” it no longer is in the paint box and it should be cut and pasted again with the paintbox turned on!
Step 5 Provide students with the Tech Tip Card “To resize a graphic inside a paintbox.” This will assist them in creating an interesting postcard.
Step 6 Students write their friendly letter.
Step 7 Students add the address and make a postage stamp.
Step 8 Another day may be needed for the final edit and project completion. Encourage students to share their postcard with others in the class.

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Example of Finished Project

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clipboard imageAssessment

 

Linking Technology & Literacy | Language Arts | Teaching and Learning | MMSD

Updated: May 16, 2001
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