Discovering Paths to Literacy with Technology

Melissa L. WarrenBristol Virginia Public Schools

March 18, 2004mwarren@bvps.org

And I said, "With my net I can get them I bet. I bet, with my

net, I can get those Things yet!"

--from Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

Discovering Paths to Literacy with Technology

What is Instructional Technology?

Instructional technology does not mean that the teacher uses the computer to create worksheets or to keep the grade book, although technology is a useful tool for these tasks. It also does not mean that the teacher is the only one using the technology. It does mean that the teacher is using numerous types of technology to enhance what the students are learning. Therefore, the students are the ones who should be engaged using the technology.

What is Integration?

• Using available technology to enhance your curriculum.

• Providing a tool to promote and extend student learning on a daily basis.

• Should be a PRIORITY in your classroom.• It is NOT an “add-on”.

Where to begin?

• Find ways to incorporate technology and to assist students in using it without taking away from the core subjects.

• Familiarize yourself with tools and terminology necessary for projects and activities.

• Make reading more enjoyable, reach all students, and teach the SOLs.

Software Suggestions…

• Kidspiration• Inspiration• Microsoft Office• Tom Snyder’s

Timeliner• Kid Pix

My goal…

Is to share ideas, projects, and activities that will help you to achieve integration of technology into your daily lessons and to enhance literacy in your classroom. I also hope to show you ways to make your job easier.

Let’s get started…

Five Instructional Components

Phonemic AwarenessPhonicsFluency

VocabularyComprehension

Phonemic Awareness

Phonemes are the basic vocal gestures of a language, recycled to form all our spoken words.  English has about 42 distinct phonemes.  These 42 mouth moves compose the interchangeable parts from which all  our spoken words are constructed.

• Beginning Sounds• Tongue Twisters• Earobics Software (888) 328-8199

Andrew and Alice asked if Annie’s active animals were angry.

Identifying Letters and Sounds

Phonics/Word Study

• “Chunking” • Phonics with Kidspiration• Word Walls

– Timeliner• Ocean ABC Book (Jerry Pallotta Books)• Classroom ABC Book• Sorts• Downloadable Mini-Books (http://www.dltk-teach.com/minibooks/index.htm)

airain

faith

chain

main

tail

pail

sail

bait

Sorts

Vocabulary

•Vocabulary University

•Book of Words

•Play and Learn Cookie Sheet Board

•Sparkling Words

•Tracking

•Mini-Books

There was a little turtle.

He lived in a box.

He swam in the water.

He climbed on the rocks.

Using the PowerPoint Pen

• During the slide show, right click on the screen where you want to use the pen.

•Use your mouse as the pen.

•To erase during the slide show, hit E on the keyboard.

•To change the pen color before the show: Slide Show/Set up Show/Choose pen color

•To change the pen color during the show: Right Click/Pointer Options/Pen Color

Book of Words or

Word Wall

• A great visual aid to assist children in learning new vocabulary.

• Can be used at different grade levels and in various subject areas.

• Can be printed on cardstock.

Play and Learn Cookie Sheet Board

• A fun way for young children to learn letter recognition and spelling.

• Makes a great center activity.• A fun visual aid. Works well for

students with special needs.• Also makes a great travel game.

Vocabulary University http://www.vocabulary.com/index.html

•Thematic topics

•Word lists for over 70 books

•Calendar of activities

•Interactive puzzles and activities

Word of the Day

Extend students’ vocabulary by including an online word of the day in opening activities, seatwork assignments, or language arts lessons.

• Word Central• Vocabulary Builder• Word of the Day• Fakeout

Word Central http://www.wordcentral.com/

Vocabulary Builder http://www.superkids.com/aweb/tools/words/wod.shtml

Word of the Day http://dictionary.reference.com/wordoftheday/

Fake Out! www.eduplace.com/fakeout

Comprehension

Comprehension can be reinforced with technology.

• “If You Made a Million” PowerPoint• “Miss Rumphius” PowerPoint• Create class books using the digital camera

and PowerPoint/Kid Pix

Important Kids

•Read The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown.

•Discuss “important”. What are the things that are important about YOU?

•Take pictures of the children with the digital camera.

•Use a template for Kid Pix/PowerPoint (see next slide).

•Insert the child’s picture and then have them complete the sentence and draw a picture.

The important thing about me is that I am learning to type.

Danielle

Reading Comprehension http://www.rhlschool.com/reading.htm

Mr. El and the Princess

“You should try one of these sundaes,” said Mr. Smitty. Miss Joan nodded in agreement. “I’ll get around to it,” Mr. El replied as he looked across the large Dairy Center tent. The three teachers were at their school’s Back to School Fair. It had grown into a major annual event, sort of a mini county fair. “What are you staring at, Mr. El?” asked Miss Joan.

“I think I’ll stroll over there and talk to the County Dairy Princess,” Mr. El replied.

1. Where were the teachers?

2. Why might Mr. El want to speak with the Dairy Princess?

Tell – the- Story

They will choose a graphic and then type in paragraph format an overview of the events and characters in the story. They can also include their thoughts. Think of this as a “book report with a twist”.

This activity will take students to a higher level of reading process. It will allow them to communicate and illustrate their comprehension of what they have read.

“Brown Bear” Activity

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?

I see a looking at me.

Fluency

• Kurzweil Software (Envision Technology)

• Reader’s Theater (Scripts and Ideas)

• Free Scripts by Lisa Blau

Reader’s Theater Activity

“A Bundle of Sticks”An Aesop Fable

Script by Lisa BlauThis Reader’s Theater Script has a “moral to the story”. After reading the play, students can draw a picture in Kid Pix (or other drawing program) showing the

moral of the story: Working Together Builds Strength.

Working Together Builds Strength

Literacy and the Internet

• Author Webquest – 2nd to 5th Grades• Judy Blume Webquest• Multimedia Lessons

– Great Barrier Reef– I Love Chimpanzees by Jane Goodall

Class PowerPoint

Describe what you see in the picture. Make your reader

“see and hear” the hummingbird with your

description.

Write about this picture.Be Creative!

Personal Narratives

Write personal narratives using a prompt and picture.

• I Solved a Mystery• My Most Important Day• I Won the Prize• My Favorite Visit• My Big Performance• My Luckiest Day

Resources You Don’t Want to Miss

The Reading LadyUnited Streaming

Contact Information

Materials for this presentation can be downloaded at:

www.bvps.org/mwarren/vsra04.htm

Email:mwarren@bvps.org