This lesson teaches how how to write clearly. The students learn how to express themselves in an orderly, precise manner.
Component
Composition
Objectives
Engages in writing for a variety of purposes
Develops a plan that focuses on intended task/audience
Shows appropriate organizational patterns
Uses a word processing program
Materials
Computer, poster board (if they are making a new game), ink, paper
Procedure
1)
Read aloud the following poem to the class.
BASEBALL (as explained to a foreign visitor)
You have two sides one out in the field and one in.
Each man that's on the side that's in goes out and when he's out he comes in and the next man goes in until he's out.
When three men are out the side that's out comes in and the side that's been in goes out and tries to get those coming in out.
Sometimes you get men still in and not out.
When both sides have been in and out nine times including the not outs.
That's the end of the game.
by ULSTER
2) Discuss the writing and ask if it is confusing or clear and
why it is
important to give explicit directions.
3) Each student will choose a topic such as a game (ex. Monopoly) and write a
set of directions.
4) They will read their directions aloud and the class will critique them to
determine if they are clear and can be followed.
5) If the directions aren't clear the student rewrites them again.
6) The less proficient students could work in groups with the teacher.
Evaluation
Computer-generated directions should have at least six steps. They should be written
in correct syntax using proper spelling, and punctuation.
Homework
Make a game on construction paper, write the directions, and have
the students play it and check for clarity.
Extension Activities
Invent a new game, making the parts and writing a set of directions.
The students can play the direction game using dominoes. A large book is placed between two students to block each other's view.
They are each given six of the same dominoes.
The sender places his/hers on the table in a certain pattern and gives directions to the receiver such as, place the domino with a six on the top and a two on the bottom in a vertical position.
Then place the domino with a four on the bottom and one on the top in a horizontal position touching the right side of the lower part of the first domino.
It continues until all dominoes are placed.
The students look and compare the placement of their
dominoes and
then switch sides.
Site to Visit
Think
Quest Junior http://thinkquest.org/
ThinkQuest is an international competition where student teams engage in
collaborative, project-based learning to create educational websites.
