MMSD Linking Technology & Literacy

Teacher Feature

Grade Level: 5

Standards | Lesson Plan | Templates | Assessment

Standards

Language Arts Standard

  • Choose planning strategies for various writing
  • Organize information focusing on central idea
  • Express personal voice
  • Describe how author's choice of vocabulary and style contribute to the quality and enjoyment of a selection
  • Use available technology

6 Traits + 1

  • Ideas
  • Organization
  • Presentation

Technology Standards

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

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Lesson Plan

Purpose:

  • To use a graphic organizer to connect text to self, text to text and text to world
  • To use rich language when making these connections
  • To learn how the software application Inspiration can help organize thinking
  • To export information into an outline and use it as a guide for a written assignment.

Step by Step…

Step 1

Before reading the following story, ask the students to think of something memorable that happened in school. Ask them to recall a memorable teacher. What made the teacher memorable?
Step 2 Read the story Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco to the class. As you are reading it, ask the students to continue thinking of a teacher that has made a difference in their lives.
Step 3 Open the Inspiration (software program) template and have students rapid fire thoughts about their school experiences under the text to self symbol. (If Inspiration is not available, this can be done in a word processing program.)
Step 4 Read Miss Nelson is Missing or a book of choice about a teacher. Make comparisons between the teachers in each of the books noting similarities and differences. Record information under the text to text symbol.
Step 5 Discuss how the world would be different if there were no teachers. Record these thoughts under the text to world symbol.
Step 6 Ask students to select one area (text to self, text to text, or text to world) and write a paragraph about it. Note the qualities of good writing. Review the Six Traits with the class before they begin writing.
Step 7 Using a painting program, have students illustrate their writing. Bind the stories in a class book or create a slide show. (Be sure to include the web created in Inspiration as a reminder of a way to organize the thinking.)

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Example of template

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This diagram created using Inspiration® by Inspiration Software, Inc.

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clipboard imageAssessment

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

Updated: May 16, 2001
Editor & Publisher: Jeff Sutherland, jsutherland@madison.k12.wi.us
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