Early Childhood Technology Literacy Grant Literacy Activity

Level of Reader(s): All

Balanced Literacy Element(s): Word Work/Phonics

Developed by: Diane Driscoll, 2nd Grade Teacher
Edited by: Bonny Chambers

Overview: Students are excited to visit the computer at center time to add to a list of words with a common element.

Concepts and Outcomes:

The students will:

• brainstorm a list of words containing a specific chunk/sound
• work cooperatively to take turns and use the computer as a center
• become more familiar with the keyboard
• develop beginning electronic literacy concepts

Materials:

• Computer
• The Writing Center, or other word processing program

Learning Sequence:
Teacher Preparation: .Choose a chunk, sound or word pattern you have been using in your reading or spelling lessons. Using The Writing Center, or other word processing program, type the chunk using the font Avant Garde, size 18, bold. Press return and change the font size to 14 for the students to type their words.

1. When introducing the center, begin by reading a poem or other reading selection and asking students to identify words with the targeted chunk, pattern or sound. If possible, post this reading selection near the computer for future reference.
2. Model adding a word to the list. Remind students to use both hands when typing on the keyboard and show them how to "erase" using the delete key. Show the students how to highlight the targeted chunk and underline it by clicking on Font in the menu bar and dragging down to underline.
3. Ask one or two students to demonstrate adding a word to the list and underlining the targeted chunk.
4. During centers time, ask students to visit the computer to add one or two words to the list. Have students underline the targeted chunk and type their initials after the word(s).
5. This list can be used to generate spelling lists, add words to the word wall, or for sentence writing activities.

Teacher Reflections:

• When I do this lesson again, I might have each student use a different color when they add their words. This would teach them a different computer skill, and it would make it easier to visually identify each student's words.
• There are a few benefits for using the computer for this activity instead of chart paper. The students are motivated by the computer, when they make mistakes they can go back and easily fix them and they are learning some basic electronic literacy skills.