Friendship 

  Joya Hill 
2^nd Grade 
Weiser School District

Content Area Objectives Addressed:  

Technology Objectives Addressed: 

1.   Use of Alpha Smarts 
2.  Transferring information from the Alpha Smart to the computer and using Microsoft Word to edit     text.
3.   Using a Digital Camera to put a picture of themselves into the book. 

Activity Description

What was the process that your students went through to complete this lesson?  

We brainstormed what friendship means.  We then read a story Friends by Helme Heine.  After reading the story we talked more about friends.  I then gave them page starters for their books.  The following are the page starters: I’m a good friend when…, I like my friends because…, I could be a better friend if…, My friends think I’m good at…, I make new friends by…, The things I look for in a friend are…, I can tell that someone likes me when…, When I’m with my friend I feel…,  I wish my friends would…, My favorite thing to do with a friend is…  After the discussion and writing of some of the things about friends, we will then review our school rule topics for the playground: Wise students think before they act and everyone knows that.  I am responsible for my actions and that gives me great satisfaction.  Sharing kind words and inviting others to play will help you have a better day.  Everyone is important at Pioneer, so have no fear and give a cheer.  Space is important; allow me mine and we will all have a good time.  Take care of equipment today and put it away for another day.  (The bold letters then help with the fact that Pioneer Owls are the Wisest.)  With these topics, we can refine our pages with our friends.  Our rule topics will help us be better friends. 

How did you monitor student progress?  
Teacher observations, discussion, and their final book.

Was there a template or an example that students were expected to follow?  
Not really, I just found a Friendship book and came up with my own ideas.

How much time did you dedicate to this project?
Total: about 240 minutes
Daily: approximately 40 minutes 

How was the final product presented?  
They will share their books with each other in the classroom along with the other Second Graders in our building. 

Who was the audience for the final product?  
Family, friends and other students. 

  Learning Issues 

What prior knowledge was required on the part of the  students in order for them to be successful in this project? 
       The students must bring their knowledge of what a friend is and the rules for our school.  They will develop more knowledge of these areas as we work through the lesson.  They will also learn more about using the Alpha Smarts and transferring the information from it to the computer.  They will be learning how to use paint to try and illustrate their book.  We will be saving their work in Microsoft Word and they will be able to edit and put their pictures into their document.

Resource Management

What was the student to computer ratio?
Each student has access to an Alpha Smart.  The computers in the classroom are 4 to 1.

How did you schedule your students' computer time?
We worked in 15 minute segments. 

What was the location of the computers and other technology equipment used by students?
The computers are at the side and front of the room.  Two computers on one wall and two on the other.  Each student will use their Alpha Smart at their desk.

How would you suggest beginning teachers obtain computer resources for their students?
I usually just go straight to the District Technology Coordinator.  I also talk with my building Principal for some items.

Rate the level of access for students to use computers/other technology as they need it -
medium, as we have the computers in our room, and since I am in charge of the technology in my building, it was very accessible to get the alpha smarts.

Rate the level of supervision required for students during the project, specifically for computers and other technology-Medium

Materials

What hardware was required for your project?
5 computers, one alpha smart per student printer.

What software was required for your project?
Microsoft Office 2000

Anything else?
A digital camera for taking their picture to put in their book as well as a book binder to put their book together.

Assessment

What kind of assessment did you use for this project?
I really just assessed by watching the students and making sure that the content was in their book.

What categories did you assess?
Content

Other

How does the project that you submitted to compare with other students' products for this same projects?
I have never taught this lesson before, so I am not sure how it would compare.

What did you like best about this project?
I like the fact that this helped the students to remember what it is like to have a friend, and be a friend.  Also it was a good review of playground rules.

Rank the level of student involvement in this project-
High

Rank the level of student interest in this project-
High

Would you teach this lesson again?
Yes, but next time I would give them more of a template of what the pages would look like.