Title – What to Do?

By – Jaime Lemons

Primary Subject – Language Arts

Secondary Subjects – Computers / Internet

Topic: Writing

Grade Level – 3-4

Objectives:

The student will be able to look at a picture of a deserted island and tell the teacher in a story form, using Microsoft Word, what they would do if they were stranded on the island. They will include what they use for survival, for entertainment, for shelter and for a way to get off the island. It is kind of a “Gilligan’s Island” writing assignment.

Materials:

Teacher materials: A picture of a deserted island, music of waves to help the students to get their creative juices flowing

Student materials: Paper and pencil and access to the computer lab.

Introduction:

“I want everyone to close your eyes. (Turn on the music of the waves.) Ok, I want you all to imagine that you are on a boat enjoying your vacation. All of a sudden, your boat is faced with a terrible storm. Your boat is tossed about on the ocean. You realize that the only way that you and your family are going to survive is if you jump off your boat and swim to the little island 20 miles away. You throw on your life jacket, and you and your family jump off the boat. In the process of jumping, you hit your head and you are knocked unconscious. You wake up on the shore of the little island with your family and a few of the supplies from the boat: a large piece of wood, a tarp (like a blanket, but made of plastic), some netting, and a box. Ok, open your eyes. This island is you and your family’s new home (hold the picture of the deserted island up), at least until you are rescued.”

Transition:

“Now that you have survived the jump and are now on the island, I want you to write and tell me in story form what you are going to do on your island. How are you going to survive? What are you going to do for shelter, entertainment, etc? Remember to look at the picture for help. Also remember that you have some supplies from you boat. You can hand write some ideas, but the final copy must be typed.”

Closure:

Read each student’s story. As a class, review by asking them how and where they got their ideas, and if they were actually stranded, would they like it.

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Jaime Lemons

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