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

Frosty Friends

Students will draw snowmen using various tools in the illustration component of their program. Our students use KidWorks2 by Davidson but others may be used instead. They will then write original stories to accompany their illustrations.

A lesson plan for grade K English Language Arts

By Linda Baker

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Related pages

  • Tarantulas: Students will read Tarantula by Jenny Feely. Then they will summarize what they have learned about tarantulas by writing descriptive words or phrases on a graphic organizer. Finally, using the Kid Pix Studio Deluxe (or other similiar drawing program), students will write sentences about tarantulas and make an illustration.

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

  • use graphic tools to draw a snowman, complete with background setting. Pictures will be saved to a file.
  • write original stories about the snowman they created.
  • retrieve their picture and keyboard their story.
  • share their illustrated stories.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

2 hours

Materials/resources

Paper and pencils

Technology resources

Software program with combination graphic/word processing components. (We use KidWorks2 by Davidson)

Projection unit for large group viewing of demonstration.

Printer (preferably with color)

Pre-activities

  • Discussion of weather that would produce snow for building a snowman.
  • Discussion of process for building a snowman.
  • Identification of shapes (body is circular/oval, top hat may be rectangular, etc.)
  • Illustration of using a Horizon Line to “ground” the snowman.
  • Discussion of the jobs of an author and an illustrator and what part each plays in the creation of a story.

Activities

Class #1:

  1. Students will use the drawing component of KidWorks2 to illustrate a snowman, complete with a background. Drawing tools used will be the circular/oval tool, ruler, pencil, paint bucket, color selections, pattern choices, stamps, “boo-boo” box and typewriter. Snowmen are created and decorated originally by each student.
  2. A horizon line is added to separate ground and sky.
  3. Stamps may be used to add to the picture (ie, trees, birds, dogs, footprints, etc.)
  4. Students use the typewriter to add their name to the picture.
  5. Pictures are saved in the Picture Box (file).
  6. Before returning to the computer, students will write original stories about their snowman.

Class #2:

  1. Students will open KidWorks2 and will select the word processing component from the menu page.
  2. Students will retrieve their drawing.
  3. Students will keyboard the story they wrote about their snowman by using the appropriate keys. A keyboard review may be necessary prior to this with special emphasis on the “shift,” “delete,” “space bar” and punctuation keys.
  4. Completed stories and illustrations will be printed so that they may be shared with classmates and family.

Assessment

Printed work.

Students will be given the opportunity to read their stories to others.

Supplemental information

None

Related websites

N/A

Comments

This is a favorite with my kindergarten classes and allows them lots of creativity with both illustration and authorship.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Computer Technology Skills (2005)

Kindergarten

  • Goal 1: The learner will understand important issues of a technology-based society and will exhibit ethical behavior in the use of computer and other technologies.
    • Objective 1.04: Demonstrate respect for the work of others. Strand - Societal/Ethical Issues
    • Objective 1.08: Identify basic word processing terms (e.g., file, menu bar, cursor, open, save, print). Strand - Keyboard Utilization/Word Processing/Desk Top Publishing
  • Goal 2: The learner will demonstrate knowledge and skills in the use of computer and other technologies.
    • Objective 2.03: Identify, locate and use special keys (e.g., arrow keys, space bar, Shift, Enter/Return, Backspace, Delete), letters, and numbers on the keyboard. Strand - Keyboard Utilization/Word Processing/Desk Top Publishing

English Language Arts (2004)

Kindergarten

  • Goal 5: The learner will apply grammar and language conventions to communicate effectively.
    • Objective 5.01: Develop spelling strategies and skills by:
      • representing spoken language with temporary and/or conventional spelling.
      • writing most letters of the alphabet.
      • analyzing sounds in a word and writing dominant consonant letters.
    • Objective 5.02: Use capital letters to write the word I and the first letter in own name.