Title – E pals

By – Toni Williams

Subject – Computers & Internet, Social Studies, Other

Grade Level – 2

Subject Area:

— E-pals

Major Objective:

— introduction to word processing

— learn about another culture through epal communication

— learn to save work

— learn to use spell check

— learn to copy and paste

— learn how to send and check email

Grade Levels:

— 2

Materials:

— computer, printer, overhead for computer lab, word processing program, epal names

Related URL’s:

— http://henson.austin.apple.com

— http://www.epals.com

Time Required:

— for instruction:

— 30 – 45 min. computer lab class

— 30 – 45 min. classroom lesson

— then ongoing

Teacher prep:

— contact epals teacher and get student names to hand out to each student in the classroom

— set up a email address just for the kids epal communication

— send out AUP to parents to sign and return before starting project

— train helpers how to help students in the classroom

Activities and Procedures:

— Lesson #1: (in classroom)

— – 1. go over computer rules and email etiquette

— – 2. brainstorm sentence ideas for our letters , as a reference and to help the less able students to write their letters

— – 3. assign each student an epal name to write to

— – 4. helper to type up list of sentences to post by the computer and around the room

— Lesson #2: (in the computer lab)

— – 1. demonstrate getting into word processing program, how to save their work, and how to use spell check

— – 2. students start working on epal letters and use their list of sentences as a reference

— – 3. students practice saving their work and using the spell check

— Lesson #3 (in the classroom , on the computer with a helper)

— – 1. learn how to copy and paste the letters they wrote

— – 2. how to send email

— – 3. how to check email

— – 4. keep a log of date email sent and date email received

— Follow-Up/Extension:

— – learn more about the Australian culture and customs

— – keep track of temperature and weather here and in Australia – then graph the results

E-Mail

Toni Williams

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