Transcript DESCRIPTIVE WRITING - Teaching with Technology Home Page

•DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
POWERPOINT PRESENTATION
Jeanette Woods
Brooks Elementary School
9291 Old Redwood Hwy., Bldg. 300C
Windsor, CA 95492
(707) 837-7717
http://ctap295.ctaponline.org/jwoods/
DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
(OR HOW TO GET YOUR RESOURCE STUDENTS TO
IMPROVE THEIR WRITING)
DEDICATION
This entire project from beginning to
end is dedicated to the real Angells
of Windsor - Kathy and her husband,
Mark. Without their constant help,
this website and 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.
EXPECTATIONS
When I first signed up for this course, I thought I
would be learning how to operate a computer. Up
to this time I had only used a computer as a
glorified typewriter.
 If I had known I would be designing a web page
and how complex this course was really going to
be, I might not have signed up for this course,
particularly since I don’t yet own a computer
other than an Apple II GS.

MY RESULTS/WHAT I LEARNED
I learned that I was really over my head, but
that someone would help me to get this
project finished. (KATHY ANGELL)
 The CTAP program itself has gone through
changes since I began last summer, so
what I was learning at the beginning may
be different now.
 Some of my links disappeared before the
final project.

RESULTS/WHAT I LEARNED
 The best thing I learned is that the Internet
is a wonderful tool for educators , for
anyone. I loved looking at other people’s
“stuff”.
SUCCESSES
I was able to stick with the program with
the constant support of our instructor
Kathy Angell.
 I am hoping to buy a computer this summer
with the money I’ve made doing this.
 I now feel more like a contemporary
professional instead of a total dinosaur.
 The students are much more interested in
writing when a computer is involved.

FAILURES

I was not able to purchase a computer
during the school year; this impeded my
progress somewhat.

My computer at school could not handle
the amount of information needed to
produce a website.
SHORTCOMINGS SO FAR….
 I will have to spend the next school year
really getting into the process of using the
internet and my website in my special
education program. I really didn’t have
enough time or expertise this year.
 I have not yet had time to see if using this
website and the computer in my classes
will actually improve the quality of my
students’ writing; but I am hopeful!!
PRE-TEST/POST-TEST DATA
7
6
5
4
3 correct
2 correct
1 correct
0 correct
3
2
1
0
PRE-TEST
POSTTEST
REVISIONS TO LESSON PLAN
 I tried to reformat the print in my lesson
plan because words were pushed together
after a few months.
 Some of my links had disappeared, so I had
to look for new websites.
 I realized that the kids needed more time to
write rough drafts and final drafts before
typing their descriptions of monsters on
the computer.
REVISIONS TO LESSON PLAN
 I found that I had to limit the kids’ drawings
of monsters to shapes that could easily be
described in writing and easily reproduced
by the other student who was reading the
description.
 I made a list of shapes that could be used
and a word bank of difficult words such as
“rectangular”, “horizontal”, etc.
CONCLUSIONS
 I think using technology such as the
computer, my very own website, and the
internet to discover other educational
websites will vastly improve my “with-itness” as an educator and will change
students’ attitudes towards writing.
 I learned that there is a whole lot more to
learn!!!!
CONCLUSIONS, continued
 I really think I have learned something that
will continue to benefit me as an educator
and as a 21st century adult.

I am sure that this course will inspire me to
proceed with technology and improve my
instructional strategies.
CONCLUSIONS
 Using the California Standards insures that
I am being a responsible and informed
educator and this should impress parents,
administrators and board members
 Student learning is supported through the
use of technology by the fact that students
need a new modality for learning.
Computers are a “hands on” experience .
CONCLUSIONS, continued
 I absolutely love exploring educational
websites and hopefully I will keep updating
my own.