•DESCRIPTIVE DESCRIPTIVE WRITINGWRITING

POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONPOWERPOINT PRESENTATIONJeanette WoodsJeanette Woods

Brooks Elementary SchoolBrooks Elementary School

9291 Old Redwood Hwy., Bldg. 300C9291 Old Redwood Hwy., Bldg. 300C

Windsor, CA 95492Windsor, CA 95492

(707) 837-7717(707) 837-7717

http://ctap295.http://ctap295.ctaponlinectaponline.org/.org/jwoodsjwoods//

DESCRIPTIVE WRITINGDESCRIPTIVE WRITING

(OR HOW TO GET YOUR RESOURCE STUDENTS TO IMPROVE THEIR WRITING)

DEDICATIONDEDICATION

This entire project from This entire project from beginning to end is dedicated beginning to end is dedicated to the real Angells of Windsor to the real Angells of Windsor - Kathy and her husband, - Kathy and her husband, Mark. Without their constant Mark. Without their constant help, this website and help, this website and presentation would not exist.presentation would not exist.

As a special education teacher of 4th and 5th grade students, I chose to do a lesson on descriptive writing because I have noticed over the years that writing paragraphs is one of our students’ biggest challenges.

I have been seeking ways to make writing more “fun” for kids. After being introduced to this CTAP computer course using websites and the internet, I felt that this may just be what is needed to “turn kids on” to writing.

EXPECTATIONSEXPECTATIONS

When I first signed up for this course, I When I first signed up for this course, I thought I would be learning how to operate thought I would be learning how to operate a computer. Up to this time I had only used a computer. Up to this time I had only used a computer as a glorified typewriter.a computer as a glorified typewriter.

If I had known I would be designing a web If I had known I would be designing a web page and how complex this course was page and how complex this course was really going to be, I might not have signed really going to be, I might not have signed up for this course, particularly since I don’t up for this course, particularly since I don’t yet own a computer other than an Apple II yet own a computer other than an Apple II GS.GS.

MY RESULTS/WHAT I MY RESULTS/WHAT I LEARNED LEARNED

I learned that I was really over my head, I learned that I was really over my head, but that someone would help me to get but that someone would help me to get this project finished. (KATHY ANGELL)this project finished. (KATHY ANGELL)

The CTAP program itself has gone The CTAP program itself has gone through changes since I began last through changes since I began last summer, so what I was learning at the summer, so what I was learning at the beginning may be different now.beginning may be different now.

Some of my links disappeared before Some of my links disappeared before the final project.the final project.

RESULTS/WHAT I LEARNEDRESULTS/WHAT I LEARNED

The best thing I learned is that the The best thing I learned is that the Internet is a wonderful tool for Internet is a wonderful tool for educators , for anyone. I loved educators , for anyone. I loved looking at other people’s “stuff”.looking at other people’s “stuff”.

SUCCESSESSUCCESSES

I was able to stick with the program with I was able to stick with the program with the constant support of our instructor Kathy the constant support of our instructor Kathy Angell.Angell.

I am hoping to buy a computer this summer I am hoping to buy a computer this summer with the money I’ve made doing this.with the money I’ve made doing this.

I now feel more like a contemporary I now feel more like a contemporary professional instead of a total dinosaur.professional instead of a total dinosaur.

The students are much more interested in The students are much more interested in writing when a computer is involved.writing when a computer is involved.

FAILURESFAILURES

I was not able to purchase a I was not able to purchase a computer during the school year; computer during the school year; this impeded my progress this impeded my progress somewhat.somewhat.

My computer at school could not My computer at school could not handle the amount of information handle the amount of information needed to produce a website.needed to produce a website.

SHORTCOMINGS SO SHORTCOMINGS SO FAR….FAR….

I will have to spend the next school year I will have to spend the next school year really getting into the process of using the really getting into the process of using the internet and my website in my special internet and my website in my special education program. I really didn’t have education program. I really didn’t have enough time or expertise this year.enough time or expertise this year.

I have not yet had time to see if using this I have not yet had time to see if using this website and the computer in my classes website and the computer in my classes will actually improve the quality of my will actually improve the quality of my students’ writing; but I am hopeful!!students’ writing; but I am hopeful!!

PRE-TEST/POST-TEST PRE-TEST/POST-TEST DATADATA

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

PRE-TEST POST-TEST

3 correct2 correct1 correct0 correct

REVISIONS TO LESSON REVISIONS TO LESSON PLANPLAN

I tried to reformat the print in my lesson I tried to reformat the print in my lesson plan because words were pushed plan because words were pushed together after a few months.together after a few months.

Some of my links had disappeared, so I Some of my links had disappeared, so I had to look for new websites.had to look for new websites.

I realized that the kids needed more I realized that the kids needed more time to write rough drafts and final time to write rough drafts and final drafts before typing their descriptions of drafts before typing their descriptions of monsters on the computer. monsters on the computer.

REVISIONS TO LESSON REVISIONS TO LESSON PLANPLAN

I found that I had to limit the kids’ I found that I had to limit the kids’ drawings of monsters to shapes that drawings of monsters to shapes that could easily be described in writing and could easily be described in writing and easily reproduced by the other student easily reproduced by the other student who was reading the description.who was reading the description.

I made a list of shapes that could be I made a list of shapes that could be used and a word bank of difficult words used and a word bank of difficult words such as “rectangular”, “horizontal”, such as “rectangular”, “horizontal”, etc.etc.

CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS

I think using technology such as the I think using technology such as the computer, my very own website, and computer, my very own website, and the internet to discover other the internet to discover other educational websites will vastly educational websites will vastly improve my “with-it-ness” as an improve my “with-it-ness” as an educator and will change students’ educator and will change students’ attitudes towards writing. attitudes towards writing.

I learned that there is a whole lot more I learned that there is a whole lot more to learn!!!!to learn!!!!

CONCLUSIONS, continuedCONCLUSIONS, continued

I really think I have learned I really think I have learned something that will continue to something that will continue to benefit me as an educator and as a benefit me as an educator and as a 21st century adult.21st century adult.

I am sure that this course will inspire I am sure that this course will inspire me to proceed with technology and me to proceed with technology and improve my instructional strategies. improve my instructional strategies.

CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS

Using the California Standards insures Using the California Standards insures that I am being a responsible and that I am being a responsible and informed educator and this should informed educator and this should impress parents, administrators and board impress parents, administrators and board membersmembers

Student learning is supported through the Student learning is supported through the use of technology by the fact that use of technology by the fact that students need a new modality for students need a new modality for learning. Computers are a “hands on” learning. Computers are a “hands on” experience .experience .

CONCLUSIONS, continuedCONCLUSIONS, continued

I absolutely love exploring I absolutely love exploring educational websites and hopefully educational websites and hopefully I will keep updating my own.I will keep updating my own.