Using the Internet to Challenge Young Writers
Reading/Writing, level: Elementary
Materials Required: computer with internet access, graphic organizer, paper, and pencil
Activity Time: 45 to 60 minutes
Concepts Taught: inductive reasoning and invention
Beginning Internet: Using the Internet to Support Teaching and Learning
Patty AcheyCutts, Instructor
June 17, 1999
Using the Internet To Challenge Young Writers
Written by: Pam Nichols and Leanne Junko
Background: Our school was awarded a grant that combined writing and technology. Many of our teachers are novices when using the Internet. This is an introductory activity to challenge teachers to try some surfing on the Internet using bookmarked sites as a guide. More in-depth training will come at a later date.
Project Description: Teachers will be sent on an electronic scavenger hunt using a graphic organizer, which will direct them to various sites on the Internet. The organizer will tell them which bookmarked sites to visit, along with questions to be answered at each site. Key words in each question will be underlined. These key words will later be used to create a story. Directions at the end of the organizer will explain the details of the writing activity. Although this activity will be used with adults, it was designed for third through fifth graders. Modifications could be made for students in the lower grades.
Materials: Computer with Internet access
Graphic organizer
Pencil and paper
Objective: Acquaint staff and students with ease in Internet navigation
Connect technology and writing
Utilize the complex thinking skills of inductive reasoning and invention
Graphic organizer:
Your journey will begin at 5 a.m. with a visit to Ralph Roach camping out under the toaster. To find out how his day is going, you will need to go to the bookmark titled New Jersey Online: A Day in the Life of a Roach (http://.nj.com/yucky/roaches/index.ssf?/life/). Scroll down until you find out what blows under the fridge at 1 p.m.
Answer to Site 1: ____________________________
The journey continues with a trip to a desert. Here you will find that tires and even footprints can leave scars on the ground. The bookmark titled ABC News.com:Lee Dye: Deserts Getting Stomped (http://abcnews.go.com/sections/science/DyeHard/dye990317.html#GRAPHIC) will tell you the answer to this question: In which U.S. National Park has a footprint’s damage remained after eight years?
Answer to Site 2: ____________________________
Now the sweetest part of your trip is about to begin. Go to the bookmark Welcome to Amurol Confections (http://www.bubblegum.com/qanda/). Click on Q & A. It doesn’t take long to blow bubbles with Amurol bubble gum. Find out how long you need to chew it before you attempt to blow a bubble.
Answer to Site 3: ____________________________
Now it’s time to put your gum away and hop on a bike. At this point of the journey you will find yourself along the Mediterranean Sea. Here you will find a bicycle club who biked completely around the Mediterranean making school visits and publishing their logs and information on the web in order to increase international cooperation and understanding. Go to the bookmark called Bike About Trip Log June 6-7,1 (http://www.bikeabout.org/journal/journal_149.htm). You need to click on the word France and answer this question: What was the food of the day?
Answer to Site 4: ____________________________
The next stop on your journey is the solar system. At this site you have a vivid multimedia adventure showing the splendor of the sun, planets, moons, comets, asteroids, and more. Your ticket to this part of the solar system is the bookmark Views of the Solar System (http://www.hawastsoc.org/solar/eng/homepage.htm). Click on the picture that says asteroids. Then click on the blue link called Barringer Meteor Crater. This crater can be found today in the state of Arizona. How old is this crater?
Answer to Site 5: ____________________________
We are now running into some bumpy weather. The sky looks threatening. It is thundering and lightning all around. Go to your last bookmark of the day: Lightning Stalker: Photo Gallery and Tips (http://www.gopbi.com/lightningstalker/more/). Underneath the gray bar on the right hand side of the screen find the answer to this question: What state is the lightning capital of the U.S.?
Answer to Site 6: ____________________________
Your journey is over. The six words that were underlined in the scavenger hunt are:
_______________
_______________
Using these words invent a story with a beginning, middle and end. Use correct punctuation, capitalization, and grammar.
Resources:
New Jersey Online: A Day in the Life of a Roach http://nj.com/yucky/roaches/index.ssf?/life/
ABC News.com:Lee Dye: Deserts Getting Stomped http://abcnews.go.com/sections/science/DyeHard/dye990317.html#GRAPHIC
Welcome to Amurol Confections
http://www.bubblegum.com/qanda/
Bike About Trip Log June 6-7,1
http://www.bikeabout.org/journal/journal_149.htm
Views of the Solar System
http://www.hawastsoc.org/solar/eng/homepage.htm
Lightning Stalker: Photo Gallery & Tips
http://www.gopbi.com/lightningstalker/more/
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