For this lesson, get the students to expand their minds and come up with a different use for the everyday common object.
MATERIALS: Selection of items, Adobe Photoshop and Netscape Composer, a disk for every child.
WHAT TO DO:
Collect 15-20 objects that have a prior use the kids might recognize. This can be anything from pots and pans to a car battery. Let their imagination run wild. Put the students into groups of 3 or 4 and have them pick an object or two, as a group. Encourage them to brainstorm and come up with an off-the-wall use for the object they chose. When they have come up with an idea, supply the group with a digital camera to photograph their object however they would like, with or without them in it. Have the students each write their own individual article for a newspaper talking about their new use for the object. After they have completed the news article, have the students put their pictures from the digital camera that they have saved onto a disk into the news article, using Adobe Photoshop as a guide. They students will be creating a web page with their article and pictures as the source of information. The students will use Netscape Composer to create their web page. This program allows them to edit their work and are able to link it to the World Wide Web.  Feel free to look at my example page for an idea of what they might do.  Students should include their e-mail address on their web page so you can e-mail them feedback as a way to  assess them.

SUGGESTIONS: If there are not enough computers for each child, have them share one, taking turns putting their information in. If this becomes too much of a hassle, reconstruct the lesson so that it may be completed as a group project. I suggest you get the students doing group work by immediately placing them in groups and having them brainstorm together. The end result will be their own but their ideas are more than welcome to be the group's conglomeration.

ASSESSMENT: Assess the students by using the following example rubric provided as a guide to grade the students' work:

Example Grading Criteria	Total Points Each One is Worth For a Grand Total of 100 points
1. Pre-Writing- Did they as group discuss, edit and find a creative way to use the object chosen? Did they work within the time allotted?	25
2. Pictures- Did they as a group participate in the picture taking? Did they use their object in the proper context as to show me what it was? Did they incorporate their picture into the web page properly and creatively using the help provided?	25
3. Web Page- Did they include both the article and pictures in the web page? Was the web page clear and concise? Was credit given when needed? Was it creative in manner and pleasing to the eye?	35
4. Creativity- Was the article easy to follow and written creatively? Were the pictures creatively used throughout the page?	15

 

                      Language Arts
                           http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/Curriculum/languagearts/gradefive.htm

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
                             http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/Curriculum/computer.skills/5.html

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
                         http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/Information/gradefive.htm

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).