Corissa Thompson
Using Tech in the Classroom
Week 7
Kindergarten Author Study and Project
Project: Students will listen to a variety of books by Doreen Cronin which include the character, Farmer
Brown. Students will then use Stationery Studio to type a letter to Farmer Brown (a main character in several
of her books). In many books the animals make requests of Farmer Brown; the cows want electric blankets,
the duck wants a diving board, and etc. Students imagine they are a farm animal and will write/type a letter
persuading Farmer Brown to give them something.
Timeline: 2-3, 40 minute classes
Technology Tools Used:
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Website - www.doreencronin.com Sections: About Me, Books
http://pbskids.org/lions/cornerstones/click/games Game: Who is It
School website with BookFlix link: http://auth.grolier.com/login/bookflix/login.php?bffs=N
Stationery Studio (purchased program through Fablevision)
Print book and digital books of Click, Clack, Moo, Cows that Type by Doreen Cronin
Goals/Objectives:
1. Students will be introduced to Doreen Cronin and her book titles.
a. English Language Arts Standard 1 - Students read a wide range of print and nonprint texts including
fiction and nonfiction.
b. English Language Arts Standard 2 – Students read a wide range of literature.
2. Students will discuss the difference between author and illustrator.
a. NETS-S: 4a (Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making)
b. Iowa Core - RL.K.6. With prompting and support, name the author and illustrator of a story and
define the role of each in telling the story.
3. Students will recognize the Caldecott honor medal on some of Doreen Cronin’s books (students previously
learned about the Caldecott medal).
a. English Language Arts Standard 11 – Students participate as knowledgeable, reflective, creative,
and critical members of a variety of literacy communities.
4. Students will listen to books written by Doreen Cronin.
a. English Language Arts Standard 1 - Students read a wide range of print and nonprint texts including
fiction and nonfiction.
b. English Language Arts Standard 2 – Students read a wide range of literature.
5. Students will collaborate to answer comprehension questions on Doreen’s website for the book Click,
Clack, Moo, Cows that Type.
a. NETS-S: 2b (Communication and Collaboration)
b. Iowa Core - RL.K.1. With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a
text.
c. Iowa Core - RL.K.2. With prompting and support, retell familiar stories, including key details.
d. Iowa Core - RL.K.3. With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a
story.
Corissa Thompson
Using Tech in the Classroom
Week 7
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e. Iowa Core - SL.K.2. Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or
through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and requesting
clarification if something is not understood.
f. English Language Arts Standard 3 – students apply a wide range of strategies to comprehend,
interpret, evaluate, and appreciate text.
Students will be able to open and interact with a website and a software program to become familiar with
Doreen Cronin’s work.
a. NETS-S: 5b (Digital Citizenship) and 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d (Technology Operations and Concepts)
b. English Language Arts Standard 11 – Students participate as knowledgeable, reflective, creative,
and critical members of a variety of literacy communities.
Students will imagine they are one of Farmer Brown’s animals and will type a letter of persuasion
requesting something from Farmer Brown.
a. NETS-S: 1a, 1b (Creativity and Innovation)
b. Iowa Core - W.K.6. With guidance and support from adults, explore a variety of digital tools to
produce and publish writing, including in collaboration with peers.
c. English Language Arts Standard 4 – Students adjust their use of spoken, written, and visual
language to communicate effectively.
d. English Language Arts Standard 5 – Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and
use different writing process elements.
e. English Language Arts Standard 6 – Students apply knowledge of language structure, language
conventions, and more.
f. English Language Arts Standard 12 – Students use spoken, written, and visual language to
accomplish their own purposes for learning, enjoyment, persuasion, and exchange of information.
Students will be able to double click, click, and type using the spacebar and period key.
a. NETS-S: 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d (Technology Operations and Concepts)
b. English Language Arts Standard 6 – Students apply knowledge of language structure, language
conventions, and more.
Students will be introduced to the Shift key and comma key (not required skills).
a. NETS-S: 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d (Technology Operations and Concepts)
b. English Language Arts Standard 6 – Students apply knowledge of language structure, language
conventions, and more.
Assessment:
3- Meets the standard, 2- Making progress toward standard, 1 – Not trying or not making adequate progress.
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Kindergarten students are expected to be able to open and interact with internet and software.
Kindergarten students are expected to be able to use basic keyboard operations (letter keys and spacebar)
Kindergarten students are expected to use basic mouse skills (double clicking and clicking)
Teacher will observe students while working as well as use the final product to determine if the spacebar was
used appropriately between words.
*If wanting to assess student comprehension to meet some of the national English language arts and Iowa
Core standards, a student response system may be used to create a “clicker” quiz to go along with Doreen
Cronin’s quiz game.