LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Apple story writing with a buddy

Students will write a story with a buddy through the use of a computer. Practicing computer skills and correct sentence formation will be emphasized.

A lesson plan for grade 1 Computer/Technology Skills and English Language Arts

By Patsy Oswald

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Learning outcomes

The students will be able to construct sentences and use the proper punctuation needed. They will also learn to use the keyboard and word processing while typing their sentences/stories.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

3 days

Materials/resources

Technology resources

  • Computer lab with enough computers so that there is one computer for two students to share.
  • Microsoft Word
  • Printer

Pre-activities

The students should have prior knowledge of:

  • Writing sentences
  • Basics of using the computer

Activities

Days 1 and 2

  1. In the classroom, students will review, count, and write their numbers to 20 on paper in the shape of an apple.
  2. The students will practice reading their color words and then will write their color words on an apple shape.
  3. The students will learn the vocabulary words: I, saw, apples, and we. These will be written on apple shapes.
  4. The teacher will model a sentence using a capital letter at the beginning of the sentence, spaces in between the words, and a period at the end of the sentence. (”One day I went for a walk.”)
  5. The students will write the same sentence correctly on an apple shape.

Day 3

  1. Students will bring their apple shapes with numbers, color words, vocabulary words, and the sentence written in class to the computer lab. Assign students to work on the computer in pairs as their buddy.
  2. The teacher will direct the students to Microsoft Word. Tell the students step by step how to create an apple border.
  3. Then let them take turns with their partner in typing one word at a time the sentence: One day I went for a walk.
  4. Then each student will take turns with their partner in typing a sentence. After typing the sentence, their buddy will check it for a capital letter at the beginning, spaces, and a period. The sentences to be typed are:
    • I saw 1 red apple.
    • I saw 2 red apples.
    • I saw 3 green apples.
    • I saw 4 green apples.
    • I saw 5 yellow apples.
    • I saw 6 yellow apples.
    • We saw 7 red apples.
    • We saw 8 red apples.
    • By __________ and __________
  5. The students will take turns typing their names at the end.
  6. When the students are finished with their stories, they will hold up an apple shape. Then the teacher will check their work and will show them how to print the story.
  7. After the story is printed, the students will take turns reading it to each other.
  8. If some students finish before others, they could do the project again using numbers 9-20.

Assessment

Teacher observation while students are working on the computer to see if they are using the correct keyboarding keys and if the finished product shows the correct sentence formation using a capital letter, spaces, and a period.

Supplemental information

Here is an example of the student project for this lesson.

Comments

This would be a good activity to save in students’ portfolios and/or displayed on a bulletin board. This lesson could be used with any theme or unit that is being studied. Later, as the students become better in sentence writing and better in the use of the computer, they could then do the same project with a buddy or independently in writing narrative stories.

North Carolina curriculum alignment

Computer Technology Skills (2005)

Grade 1

  • Goal 2: The learner will demonstrate knowledge and skills in the use of computer and other technologies.
    • Objective 2.05: Locate and use letters, numbers, and special keys (e.g., arrow keys, space bar, insert Enter/Return, Backspace, Delete) on the keyboard. Strand - Keyboard Utilization/Word Processing/Desk Top Publishing

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 1

  • Goal 5: The learner will apply grammar and language conventions to communicate effectively.
    • Objective 5.04: Use complete sentences to write simple texts.
    • Objective 5.05: Use basic capitalization and punctuation
      • first word in a sentence.
      • proper names.
      • period to end declarative sentence.
      • question mark to end interrogative sentence.

  • Common Core State Standards

    • English Language Arts (2010)

      • Language

        • Grade 1
          • 1.L.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. 1.L.1.1 Print all upper- and lowercase letters. 1.L.1.2 Use common, proper, and possessive nouns. 1.L.1.3 Use singular and plural nouns with matching...
          • 1.L.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. 1.L.2.1 Capitalize dates and names of people. 1.L.2.2 Use end punctuation for sentences. 1.L.2.3 Use commas in dates and to separate single...