GED 2002 Teachers' Handbook of Lesson Plans

Activity Title "Understanding the Writing Process in Conjunction With Technology"

Goal/Objective

To develop a piece of writing into an effective finished product.

Lesson Outline

This lesson will help the students to become familiar with the elements of writing using a computer and or pen and paper.

Students will be introduced to the following:

Activity

Brainstorm about possible topics to write about. Have students pick a topic that truly interest them. Using the internet research as much as you can about the topic. Decide what you want to include in your paper and begin organizing your thoughts. Students should include an introduction paragraph, at least two body paragraphs and a concluding paragraph.

Debriefing/Evaluation Activity

Have students exchange their papers with a classmate. Using the Scoring Rubric have students score each others essays and return them with a GED score.

Materials, Texts, Realia, Handouts

• Handout "Using the Internet"
• Handout "Writing Prompts"
• Handout "The Writing Process"
• Computer lab
• Pens and Paper

Extension Activity

Have students graph their scores each week to learn how to make and use a graph.

ESE Accommodations

Introduce students to computer lab and the basic functions necessary to begin using a computer. Introduce Basic Computer Vocabulary and Basic Internet Vocabulary.Follow this lesson with hands on opportunities to use in developing writing skills.

Real-Life Connection

Students can gain knowledge on using the internet for researching a variety of topics for both educational and personal gain. Computer skills can be translated in to marketable job skills.

Activity Title "Understanding the Writing Process in Conjunction With Technology"

Introduction

Say: Understanding the writing process will help you become a better writer. In addition, knowing computer technology will provide you with skills necessary to be successful in the job market. We will be combining the writing process with computer-assisted research today.

Main Activity

Say: This lesson will help you become familiar with the elements of good writing while also learning how to do computer assisted research.
Ask: How many of you think you are a good writer? How many in the class have trouble organizing their thoughts on paper?
Say: Over the next few weeks we will be learning the essentials of good writing process.
Say: After you learn to gather details on your topic, I will show you the best way to organize and present these details to support your focus. Then, you will be asked to begin your first draft. Your writing should include a beginning, middle and closing.

Closure/Conclusion

When each of you completes your first draft I will ask you to exchange papers with another student. You will score the first draft using the GED Scoring Rubric giving each other constructive comments, which will be helpful when making revisions for the final draft.

Follow-up Lessons/Activities

Have students graph their score weekly to show if they are making improvement. Emphasize the importance of learning to research, write, proof, score and graph their results and how this can be translated into real-life skills.