Lesson Plan: "My Life" eBook activity

Website: http://integrating-tech.weebly.com/language-arts.html Prepared by: Gretel Patch for EdTech 541: Integrating Technology into the Classroom Curriculum Introduction: The purpose of this lesson is for students to practice their writing skills. They will write about their life in a short eBook that they can share with other students. Knowing that their work will be published will help motivate them, and the project will be a good introduction to producing their own eBook. It will also help them reflect on their own identity and culture in relation to others. Content Area and Grade/Age Level of Students: English Language Arts. This activity is geared for 3rd-6th grade students but could easily be adapted to fit other age groups. Standards Addressed: NCTE/IRA 4. Students adjust their use of spoken, written, and visual language (e.g., conventions, style, vocabulary) to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes. 12. Students use spoken, written, and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g., for learning, enjoyment, persuasion, and the exchange of information). ISTE/NETS 1. Creativity and Innovation 2. Communication and Collaboration Objectives: Students will write a short narrative on about their everyday life where they live Students will create an 8-page eBook using Mixbook and publish it online. Students will either find online photos or upload photos from home to accompany their text. Students will share their eBook with other students using secure link invitations. Relative Advantage: While the narrative portion of this assignment can easily be completed with only a paper and pencil, students will greatly benefit by turning this assignment into an eBook. It is critical that teachers both model the type of writing expected and provide environments that motivate students to write (Roblyer & Doering, 2012, p. 277). Knowing that their work will be published and shared with others is a motivating factor that often produces better work. Students will also enjoy creating an eBook, perhaps for the first time, and seeing their work in an aesthetically appealing format. Timeline: This lesson will take place over four weeks during writing stations and in the computer lab. The narrative will be written in class by hand. A note will be sent home to parents to send in photos

(via USB or CD) if they desire. Otherwise, students will browse online for photos. Once the narrative is finished, students will complete the remainder of the project in the computer lab or on class computers. Materials: 1. Computers and projector that are hooked up to the Internet. 2. Roughly 20-30 pictures, some including the student if possible, that represent their hometown and everyday life. 3. Educator account created at Mixbook for teacher access (free). 4. Permission slip signed by parents allowing teacher to create accounts on behalf of students. Click here for sample. 5. Mixbook account for each student. For older students, add other students as friends so they can all see and comment on each others work. 6. Project example book created by teacher. This also allows the teacher to get familiar with the interface in order to help students as needed. Click here for a student example. Grouping Strategies: During narrative writing, students will work individually or in small group stations. During computer lab time, students will work individually at computers. Students also have the option of working on the book at home with parents. It will save a lot of time if students can upload photos from home to their Mixbook account. Otherwise, more computer time might be planned into the activity as needed. Learning Activities: 1. Students will view teachers sample book on Mixbook using the projector. 2. Students will participate in a class discussion about what the students learned about the teacher through this book. Questions could include: Why might others be interested in your life? What makes you different? How would it be if every student in the world created a similar book about their life and where they live -- would the books be the same or different? If you only had a few pages to tell your story what would you say? How do pictures add to the message? How is reading this eBook online different than reading the same information on someones hand-written paper? If you knew your book would be published and others would read it, would you do a better job? 3. Students will complete a narrative writing activity that includes short entries to topics such as: My Home, My City, My Country, Fun Times, My Hobbies, My family, Something That Makes Me Unique, A Day In My Life, etc. 4. Students will create an 8-page eBook using Mixbook (or more pages if they desire). 5. Students will add text and photos (found online or brought from home). 6. Older students will share their eBook with other students in their class and comment on at least three eBooks. Younger students can share their eBook in class using the projector. Assessment: Upon completion of the project, students will fill out a questionnaire about what they learned during this project and also peer-assess using a checklist. Click on the links for examples. Adaptations for Learners with Special Needs:

eBooks are an excellent format for many students with special needs. The usual physical adaptations may need to be made in the computer lab so that all students can use the keyboard, mouse, and monitor. For students who have a hard time with the writing process, electronic outlining or concept mapping of topics may help. References: Roblyer, M. D., & Doering, A. H. (2012). Integrating educational technology into teaching (6th ed.). Allyn & Bacon.