Online Projects, Collaboration Sites and Publishing Opportunities

Lesson Idea Name: Write Me A Story

Content Area: Writing
Grade Level(s): 5th Grade
Content Standard Addressed: ELAGSE5W6: With some guidance and support from adults, use technology,
including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others;
demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of two pages in a single sitting.

Technology Standard Addressed: Knowledge Constructor

Selected Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity: KidsCom - “Write Me A Story”

URL(s) to support the lesson: http://www.kidscom.com/create/write/write.html

Describe how you would incorporate an Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity in your
classroom: This would be a wonderful tool to use for a homework assignment, as well as a learning station
students can transition to during class time. Depending on the amount of children with access to a device and
internet at home, students could write a story using the prompts provided online, under the pseudonym they
use on our classroom blog as well. The next day, we could take time to vote on our favorites, as that is a
feature offered on the site as well.
Working together in groups during class time, students could use devices provided by the school, if
available, to take the prompt, and collaborate, by brainstorming and creating a story they publish on the site.
This is a great activity for students to practice producing and publishing their writing, as well as interacting
and collaborating with others. The use of laptops or desktops gives them sufficient practice for command of
keyboarding skills to be able to write two pages in a single sitting.

What technologies would be required to implement this proposed learning activity in a classroom?
Desktops or laptops, preferably; tablets would also work well.
Describe how the following features are addressed in this learning experience (note: all of them may not be
addressed in the project, but most should be if you are reaching a high LoTi Level).
a. Collaboration with peers, near-peers, mentors outside their classroom and often beyond their
school: The site offers published works to be viewed and voted on by people all around the world. In
addition, working together with partners, small groups or a whole group collaboration are also
components of my lesson idea.

b. Student-centered learning and knowledge creation (creating original data and or producing original
products as a result of engaging in a project): When students select “Write A Story Challenge” on the
site, they are given a prompt with a main character, setting and a prop. Using this knowledge to guide
their writing, students are provided an empty canvas to be as creative and inventive with their writing
as they wish.

c. Higher-order thinking: The prompts given (with a main character, setting, and a prop) are obscure and
interesting computer-generated pairings. For example, when I went through the steps a student would
take to participate in this project, I was given an alien as my main character, the farmers market as my
setting, and old vegetables as my prop. In order for students to create a cohesive story using this type
of information, they have to think critically and imaginatively to activate prior knowledge about story
writing and apply it to their original product.

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 Online Projects, Collaboration Sites and Publishing Opportunities
d. Students publishing their original work to others who will use/care about their product: All users
who will be viewing the published work on the site have an interest in others’ writings as they are
viewing them to vote on them. Published works are shared with users from all over the world, creating
writings with diverse storylines and world-views implemented within. It’s a great opportunity for
students to connect, whether it be just mentally, with students across the globe.

Bloom’s Taxonomy Level(s):

☐ Remembering ☐ Understanding ☐ Applying ☐ Analyzing ☐ Evaluating ☐ Creating

Levels of Technology Integration (LoTi Level): (Select the best level)

☐ Level 1: Awareness ☐ Level 2: Exploration ☐ Level 3: Infusion ☐ Level 4: Integration
☐ Level 5: Expansion ☐ Level 6: Refinement

Universal Design for Learning (UDL): Students may work independently, with a partner, or with a small group
to complete the activity as best seen fit with the logistics of the class. Students are able to utilize prior
content knowledge learned about writing, no matter what level they are at, and are given a safe space to
practice. By reading others’ writings they can learn, in the same manner they learn from reading books. It’s
often more special to learn from your peers! Students who perform at various levels can participate.

Lesson idea implementation and Internet Safety Policies: Before doing this in my classroom, I will research
my districts Internet Safety Policies, as well as diligently read the Terms and Agreements of the website to
ensure this lesson idea is in compliance with district standards. If I find the project is in compliance with
district standards, I will first discuss the website and be prepared to provide evidence to the Principal to get
their approval. Due to the online nature of the course, I would also get parental permission and provide
parents with information regarding the site, the project and also the ways in which it is in compliance with
district Internet Safety Policies. Once all of the aforementioned criteria have been met, and the lesson idea is
approved by district standards, the Principal and parental permission, students will be reminded of the
school’s Internet Safety Policies and “Best Practices” for safe online activity.

Reflective Practice: Writing promotes metacognition. Writing improves communication skills. Writing can be
used as a formative assessment tool. Writing allows students to be creative and explorative. Writing allows
students to review and practice concepts previously learned. Using technology to provide students an
interesting, different platform for writing will boost their overall excitement to see themselves as learners.
Collaborating with others and being connected with users around the world will provide experiences that go
beyond the classroom, which is always a teachers delight - to make learning meaningful!

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