Write About This Expository Writing Lesson

NAME: Heidi Gascon Time: 1 hr for the initial lesson. An additional day may be needed. Subject: Writing/ Language Arts Grade Level (s): Elementary School Grades 1-4 Can be scaffolded or enhanced according to grade level objectives.

Standards Common Core Writing CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.2 Write informative/explanatory texts in which they name a topic, supply
some facts about the topic, and provide some sense of closure.

NETS Creativity and Innovation: Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes Communication and Collaboration: Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media Objective Students will build writing and reading skills with the support of the Write About This app. Students will write informative/ explanatory pieces. Students will publish digital stories that can be shared with others. Assessment/Criteria for Success By the end of this lesson, students will be able to publish an expository piece story using the Write About This app. Teacher created rubric: The student should meet the expository Common Core objectives (Name a topic, Supply several facts about the topic, Provide some sense of closure). The student should meet the NETS by successfully using the app to publish and apply their existing knowledge to generate new ideas. Resources Advance Prep: Each student needs to bring in an item with sentimental value (one per student, one for teacher). iPad(one per group of two) with the Write About Me Free app installed Smart board or projector Dongle (connect iPad to Smart board or projector) Prerequisite: Students should have ample prior experiences writing expository pieces. Students should have been exposed to the Write About Me app prior to this experience.

Learner Diversity Writing Students with limited writing skills can use the Audio option to annotate their story. Partners Students can be paired up for this activity in order to support a variety of reading, writing and typing skills in the classroom. Engage Whole Group 1. Show students an object that you brought in that means a lot to you. 2. Explain how it is easy to write about things that are special to you because you know a lot of about them and you have a personal connection to it. 3. Have students visualize the item that they brought in (currently, their item is on their table) 4. Call on students to share what makes their item so special. Explain (Model) With the iPad plugged into the Smart board/projector, explain to students that they will be using a new app Write About This to make a story about their special object. Model two steps at a time, then pause to have the students complete the steps. Have each partner complete one step. Have the students put their hands in their lap when they finish two steps. 1. In front of the class, model how to find and open the Write About This app. 2. Show students how to click the Create Your Own page 3. On the Create your own page, model how to take a photo of your item. (Choose one persons item at this time) 4. Once the photo is taken, in the Step 2. Add text section, add the name of your object. 5. Move to Step 3: Save to Category. 6. This will take you to the Category page. Click on your picture. 7. It will take you to a new page with your photo and a Write option at the bottom. 8. Click Write then add a title and your name, then click okay. Explore (Guided Practice). 1. After you click okay, a notepad will open. 2. On the notepad, model an expository piece about the object: introduction sentence, details about the topic, and a closure sentence. Have students give you ideas to add

to the whole group story. Elaborate (Independent Practice) 1. Students complete their stories while the teacher walks around to support. 2. One student types, while the other helps find letters on the keyboard and spell words. 3. Students may sit on the carpet for additional clarification or may return to their table to work. 4. Once most of the students have finished, bring the group back together to model how to Publish with Audio. 5. Provide time to record voice and publish. When one partner finishes, the other partner can begin their story. They may need to complete their story the next day. Evaluate (Feedback/Closure) Whole Group After students finish their stories, bring students back together as a group and share several examples of ones that were created.