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Examples of Technology in My Science Classroom |
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Software Lesson: Unit
Performance Task using Microsoft
Publisher |
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Introduction This lesson is designed for an eighth grade
general science class finishing a unit on genetics. Students receive the assignment previous to
this lesson and will have spent several days researching their topic. During this lesson (which will last several
days), students will create a brochure using Publisher showcasing information on the genetic disorder they
chose to investigate. Though students
will have experience using Publisher
throughout the school year to create other assignments, they will be provided
a step-by-step procedure to complete the brochure. Publisher has
been chosen for this lesson because it is a desktop publishing program that
includes a number of templates for items such as brochures. Desktop publishing programs allow users to
manipulate text and graphics to create a product. Because Publisher
is made by Microsoft and most students are familiar with Word, many of the functions and buttons in both programs are
similar. This fluency will help
students in mastering Publisher and
creating a meaningful product. In order to differentiate, struggling learners can
be provided a teacher-made template complete with appropriate text boxes so
the students can simply type in their information. They can still personalize their brochure
by including clip art and photos, as well as change the design and color
scheme. Advanced learners can be
challenged to design their own brochure by opening a blank document and
adding their own colorful shapes. They
will need to experiment to be sure that their brochure is eye-catching while
not distracting from the information they are providing. Objective
of the Lesson Students will be able to create an informative
brochure using Microsoft Publisher that
illustrates their research on the genetic disorder of choice. Instructional
Materials ·
Genetic
disorder assignment packet ·
Students’ research notes ·
Examples of medical brochures ·
Brochure
instructional sheet ·
Reserved computers in the lab (with Publisher installed) ·
Printers Lesson
Sequence Introduction
(15 minutes) The teacher will ask the
students, “What is available to read in a doctor’s office waiting room?” Class discussion should include answers
such as magazines, but be guided toward identifying brochures used to explain
medical conditions. The teacher can
pass around some examples from doctor offices asking, “What would be the
benefits of providing information about a disease in a brochure form?” Class discussion to follow. The teacher will then explain that the
research that the students have been doing on their genetic disease will be
the basis of a brochure they are going to create using Publisher. The teacher
will pass out the brochure instructional
sheet and review the premise of the exercise (explaining the objective). Development of lesson (30 minutes plus one to two additional lessons) The class will walk to the
computer lab and students will individually work on their brochure
assignment. The teacher will be
available for assistance on technical as well as design questions, though
students will be encouraged to follow the check list provided and be given
the liberty to personalize the assignment.
When completed, students will print out a final copy of their
brochures, fold them, and submit them for assessment. Closure (10 minutes) This assignment is a
summative assessment for the unit.
When the assessment is complete, the student will complete a reflection exit slip about the project. Evaluation/Assessment The teacher will monitor all
work in progress in the computer lab providing help as needed. The final brochure product will be used as
an assessment of the genetics material and the mastery of Publisher. The reflection exit slips will be reviewed
to determine the connections made to the research as well as to Publisher. Supplement Materials ·
Genetic
disorder assignment packet ·
Brochure
instructional sheet |
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Last Revised: 6/12/08 | © Sherree Wolfgang | Contact me: swolfgang@sjc.edu |
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