Grade Level: Second
Subject Areas: Language Arts
Background/Introduction:
 Children have an idea of what activities are more fun done together. In this lesson, the class will work on producing several projects which will show how one thing, coupled with another, brings about a “better” product. This is an introductory lesson to a reading unit.
Task: (student oriented)

The children will use a scanner to save their pictures into PowerPoint.
 The children will use PowerPoint to explain their pictures and why these activities are better done with someone else.
 The children will display their projects on the overhead projector and present it to their classmates.
 The children will write for pen pals using the internet with the teache r’s direction.
 The children will locate information on our state in Grolier’s to share with our pen pals.
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Procedures:
 Children will be introduced to PowerPoint to enable them to work independently.

Children will work with a partner to produce a drawing of an activity that is best done with a friend.

Children will display pictures/explanations on overhead projector.
 Children will present pictures/explanations to class.
 Children will explore the Internet with the teacher and locate Penpals.
 Children will research their own state to share information with Penpals using
Grolier’s Encyclopedia on CD.
 Children will write to pen pals and exchange information about their state, perhaps in a travel brochure format.
Technology Resources :

Microsoft PowerPoint software

A scanner
 An overhead projector
 Computer connected to Internet
Materials:
 Drawing paper and crayons
 Non-artistic children can pull pictures from clipart if desired

Computer

Writing paper
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Assessment:
 Work will be graded according to grammar, spelling, punctuation.
Completed state brochure will be assessed for content as well.
Understanding of the task will become a part of the assessment. This will be evidenced in the completed picture/explanation and state brochure.
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Teacher’s Name:
Cathy Koshak
Standards Addressed:
ELA 1, 2, 4; SS 3
Performance Indicators:
Work will be completed grammatically correct and according to the given topic.
Children will be able to effectively present their work to the class. Children will have completed research on our state/country which will be shared with pen pals. Children will be able to use PowerPoint, a scanner, an overhead projector, and have an awareness of the Internet.
Brief description of activity:
Children will draw a picture with a partner indicating an activity that is better with a friend. Using PowerPoint, they will then write an explanation of the activity and why they consider it more fun to do with a partner. Using a scanner, they will put their drawings in the PowerPoint program for further use. They will discover the
Internet with the teacher and locate pen pals. They will be introduced to Grolier’s and guided to sites about our state/country. They will put together an information booklet to be shared with their pen pals.
Teacher Notes:
This activity will take several days to complete as a presentation. It will be an ongoing learning experience, building on the concept of “Better Together” in other content areas. They will, in addition, add to their knowledge of their state and the state in which their pen pals live. They will also experience an ongoing sharing experience with someone in another part of the United States.
School:
Traphagen Elementary School, Mt. Vernon School District
Email Address:
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