 |
Author's Page |
Credits:
Jagger Hardy
Thornton Elementary, Thornton, CO
VITAL INFORMATION
Subject Matter:
Elementary, Language Arts (English), Reading
Grades:
3
Software Application:
StarOffice and Netscape Navigator
LESSON DESCRIPTION
Summary:
Students research "author pages" in books and on the internet to determine what information is available. Students will create their own author's page based on the same types of information found in their research.
State & National Standards:
CO- Colorado Academic Standards
« Subject : Reading and Writing
« Standard 3: Students write and speak using conventional grammar, usage, sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling
Students need to know and be able to use standard English. Proficiency in this standard plays an important role in how the writer or speaker is understood and perceived. All skills in this standard are reinforced and practiced at all grade levels and should be monitored by both the teacher and student to develop lifelong learning skills
« Grade/Level : CO- Colorado Academic Standards
« Grade/Level : Grades K-4
Performance Indicator
: knowing and using correct capitalization,
punctuation, and abbreviations
« Standard 5: Students read to locate, select, and make use of relevant
information from a variety of media, reference, and technological sources
In this age of information and technology, people need reading and information-retrieval skills that will enable them to access facts, images, and text from many sources. The sheer volume of data makes it necessary for information seekers to be able to wade through a maze of facts, figures, and images, and to identify what is useful and relevant. Knowing how to locate, evaluate, and make use of an ever-increasing amount of information demands a broader repertoire of reading strategies. This implies an expanded definition of literacy that includes reading for information in a technological age. Students need to become discerning consumers of information.
« Grade/Level : CO- Colorado Academic Standards
« Grade/Level : Grades K-4
Performance Indicator : recognizing organizational features of electronic information (for example, pull-down menus, icons, key word searches);
Performance Indicator : taking notes, outlining, and identifying main ideas in resource materials
Performance Indicator : sorting information as it relates to a specific topic or purpose
Local Standards:
INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY SKILLS CONTINUUM
#2: Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.
- Uses special function keys such as: tab, number pad keys, keyboard shortcuts, alt, control and symbols ($, #, %, etc.).
- Edits text by using select /deselect, cut/copy/paste, delete, and undo.
- Places the cursor at a specific location.
- Begins using spell check and thesaurus.
- Changes character formatting such as: font, font size, and font style (B, I, U).
- Begins to utilize different document layouts. (i.e. letter, sign, banner, etc.)
Standard #3: Students use telecommunications to retrieve and exchange information which supports and enhances District 12 curriculum frameworks.
- Practices responsible use and adheres to all site-specific rules governing the use of electronic sources of information.
- Recognizes an individualęs rights of ownership to computer-generated work.
- Has signed Acceptable Use Regulations document on file with the school.
- Recognizes that the Copyright Law protects what a person, group, or company has created.
- Identifies the Internet as a source of information.
- Begins to use teacher-selected Internet sites to gather information that support classroom assignments.
- Begins to recognize that all information electronically available is not necessarily true.
- Evaluates the usefulness of information obtained using electronic resources.
Lesson Outcomes:
The students will know what information is found in an author's page. Using this information, they will be able to write a three paragraph author page about themselves. (These will be attached to all future published work)
Assessment:
The students will fill in research findings on the "Author Notes" worksheet
The students will create a web that organizes their personal information that will be included in their "Author's Page".
Students will create a three paragraph "Author's Page" about themselves written in the third person. They will attach a picture of themselves at the end of the paper.
Assessment/Rubrics:
Rubrics:
CLASSROOM & TIME MANAGEMENT
Student Prerequisites:
The students will have been involved in discussions about their favorite authors. The students will have been exposed to various "Author's Pages". The students will have the skills and knowledge required to create informational webs. The students will have been effectively trained in the use of StarOffice and Kid Inspiration software.
Lesson Preparation:
We will review and comment on "Author Pages" created in the past years by other classrooms. We will review the rubric and "grade" an author page together so as they understand the teacher's expectations.
Time Frame:
6 class periods. 50 Min. per class.
Implementation Steps:
1. I will introduce author pages from various book jackets and books, explain the information many authors include, look for similarities, and point out the importance of including these on the author's work. We will review a previous lesson on writing in the third person perspective.
2. The students will locate author's pages in various books of their interest in the media center. The students will share the information with each other and discuss why the author decided to include it.
3. In the Sun Lab, the students will research information on the author of their choice on the internet using Netscape. The students will be provided with appropriate websites to filter their searches. The students will fill out an 'Author's Notes' worksheet that will act as a guide while researching the author of their choice on the web.
4. Students will share the information found in their Author's Page research.
5. Using StarOffice, the children will create their own Author's Page in word processing.
6. The children will 'pair-up' with a buddy and check for grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation errors.
7. The students will take and import a digital picture to add to their author's page.
8. The children will share their own author's pages in class and include them at the end of their future "writings".
RESOURCES
Lesson Resources:
Attachments:
1. Author Notes
Links:
