Teacher's Page

Activity

    This is an exciting  project that combines the student's creative writing skills with his or her technological knowledge. The students will select an item and will compose a story that creates an imaginative use for the product. The students will take digital photographs of their product at work. The students will then transport the story and the pictures to a web page that they will create. This project provides the students with the opportunity to learn and utilize many skills, while creating a final product they will be proud to show others.

Materials


Tips for Using Equipment

        You will have to organize the use of equipment in different ways depending on how much time and how much equipment is available. Splitting the class into groups and having them do different things for an allotted amount of time is a good method.
 


Process

Step 1:
    Divide the class into groups of three to four students. Lay your collection of random items on the floor. Have the groups pick their objects. (Drawing group numbers out of a hat is a suggested way to choose the order that the groups pick their items).

Step 2:
    The groups will now develop a function for their object. The product's function can be anything, EXCEPT for the designed function of the product. For example, if a group selected a telephone receiver, the function of the product can not be a telephone. However, the telephone receiver could be a baseball bat for elves. Encourage the students to develop an extremely creative function for the object. (Tell the students that it will be easier to write their paper if they develop a creative function for their product).

Step 3:
    Have the groups take pictures with a digital camera. You will have to organize how the groups do this depending on the number of cameras available. You will need to give a short instructional time explaining how to use a digital camera. Tell the students that the pictures need to clearly illustrate the function of the product.

Step 4:
    The students will now write a story describing the function of their product Each group member will create his or her OWN story describing the function of the product. The products use will be the same for each member, but the actually story that describes the product in action will be done individually. Have the students type the story in a Microsoft Word document.

Step 5:
  Finally, the students will create their own web page, using Netscape Composer. Each student will insert his or her word document and his or her digital photographs on to the web page.
    Netscape Composer is a user friendly program, so you will be able to easily comprehend the program. You will need to give a short lecture on how to use Netscape Composer.

NC Standard Course of Study

Language Arts

Competency Goal 1:  The learner will apply enabling strategies and skills to read and write (1.03).
Competency Goal 2:  The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed (2.01, 2.06).
Competency Goal 3:  The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written and visual texts (4.03, 4.05, 4.08, 4.10).
Competency Goal 5:  The learner will apply grammar and language conventions to communicate effectively (5.01, 5.02,
5.03, 5.04, 5.06, 5.07, 5.08).
 
 

                               Computer/Technology Skills Curriculum

Competency Goal 2: The learner will demonstrate knowledge and skills in the use of computer and other technologies (2.1,2.4)
 
 

               Information Skills Curriculum

Competency Goal 1:  The learner will explore sources and formats for reading, listening, and viewing purposes (1.04, 1.07, 1.08, 1.09, 1.10).
Competency Goal 4:  The learner will explore and use research processes to meet information needs (4.04, 4.06, 4.09).
Competency Goal 5:  The learner will communicate reading, listening, and viewing experiences (5.02).
 

Important Reminders


Master Page     Student's Page     Teacher's Page Example Page