P. S. 101
Unit:  Superheroes of the Millennium
Lesson 4:    How do we write a report?



http://library.thinkquest.org/C001515/design/index.html?tqskip=1
 Aim:    1.    How can we set up a word processing document?
            2.    How do we enter text in paragraphs?
            3.    How do we edit work?
            4.    How do we use a spell check and a thesaurus?
            5.    How do we copy and paste images onto a word processing document?

Materials:    Word processing application such as AppleWorks

Standards Addressed:
            1.    The student produces a report that: includes appropriate facts and details; uses a range of appropriate strategies, such as providing facts and details, describing or analyzing the subject, and narrating a relevant anecdote; and includes relevant information.
            2.    The student demonstrates a basic understanding of the rules of the English language in written work. The student demonstrates control of grammar, paragraph structure, punctuation, sentence construction, spelling and usage.
            3.    The student  analyzes and subsequently revises work to clarify or make it more effective in communicating the intended message or thought.
            4.     The students develop the concept of what qualities that "heroes" or people who have favorably influenced society possess.
            5.    The students develop awareness of contributions people have made in fields such as architecture, arts, religion, science, government, business, and world peace.
            6.    The students recognize the impact of people of diverse cultures on humanity.

Procedure:
            1.    Students open a word processing document in AppleWorks.  Each student uses the the alignment boxes on the ruler to align the cursor to center the heading which will include: title (name of hero) student's name and class. The text menu is used to set the font, size, style and color of the text. After the heading is entered, the students will align the cursor to the left for the body of the report.
            2.    Students will use the completed database sheet from lesson 3 to determine where to begin each new paragraph. Elicit that each time a new paragraph is needed, the students needs to press the return or enter key and the tab key.
            3.    Students use the notes on their database to enter a report in paragraph form.
            4.    Students are given a check list or rubric as a guide for proofreading and editing their work. (or students may use this site for a checklist: http://4teachers.org/projectbased/checklist.shtml
            5.    Students use the thesaurus to add or substitute words with more interesting words.
            6.    Students use the spell check and replace misspelled words with corrections.
            7.     After students are shown how to copy an image from the internet, they will paste an image of the person they wrote about on the word processing document.
            8.    Students save, print, and share their work with the class.
A sample of a student's report may be accessed here.

Tip:    The reports can be laminated and bound into a class book of heroes.

Evaluation:    Students will be evaluated on the quality of their reports. Content, student's justification for saying the featured individual is worthy of being designated a superhero, spelling, punctuation, usage, and presentation of the report will be evaluated.

Related Links:
1.    http://thesaurus.com/
Roget's Internet Thesaurus - of English words and phrases.
2.    http://bartleby.com/141/
Find elementary rules of usage and elementary principals of composition.
3. http://wordcentral.com/
Merriam-Webster's Word Central  - offers a cool student dictionary and Word of the Day, as well as new ways to have fun with words and language.
1.    http://library.thinkquest.org/J002003/index1.htm
"American Heroes of the Twentieth Century," provides students with a wealth of information about important people of the past one hundred years in a simple, easy-to-use format.
2.    http://distinguishedwomen.com/
This site has biographies of women who contributed to our culture
3.    http://biography.com
This site provides biographical information about real people in many different career categories.
4.    http://time.com/time
This is the Time Magazine Web Site. From here students can click links to find magazine articles about famous people.
5.    http://people.com
From the People Magazine web site, students can access links to magazine articles about the people they are researching.
6.    http://sportsillustrated.com
This is the site for Sports Illustrated Magazine. Students can click on links to find out about sports figures.
 

Follow Up: In Lesson 5, students use their reports to create a class slide show.