Content Area: Language Arts
Grade(s): 1, 2

Invitation
How can a teacher introduce the idea of prewriting using word processing software? How can students learn to transfer text from a word processing document to a multimedia application? This unit guides second graders to brainstorm ideas about their pets in word processing and then copy and paste their text into a multimedia stack.

Tools
Computers, printer, word processing software, multimedia software such as HyperStudio, digital camera; Template: My Pet Ideas; Annie's Pet by Barbara Brenner, Henry and Mudge by Cynthia Rylant

Situations
This unit occurs in the classroom, although students are asked to observe their pets at home and share their ideas with the class.

Interactions
The teacher introduces the unit by reading several books about pets, including Annie's Pet and Henry and Mudge , and leads a class discussion and brainstorming about pets. The students work in two-person teams at the computers. The teacher sets up two stationery files for prewriting/ brainstorming and one multimedia stack for each team. The teacher demonstrates how to move from one application to another, and how to highlight, copy and paste text. While one student is typing the other student is expected to take an active part in asking questions and making suggestions. Team members are also encouraged to share "know-how" with other teams.

Standards (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills)
The student reads fiction for pleasure and/or information. The student writes in different forms for different purposes. The student generates ideas and plans for writing.

Tasks
The students read the books about pets and then brainstorm ideas about pets in three categories: What Pets Look Like, How We Take Care of Pets and How Pets Are Special. At the computers, the students work in pairs to brainstorm ideas about their pets, using a word processing stationery file. They use the spell check and edit their text. Then they copy text from the brainstorming document and paste it into text objects in a multimedia stack, Our Pets. The students illustrate their text, take pictures of each other using the digital camera, and record sound on their stacks. The unit ends with students viewing one another's stacks.

Assessment
The teacher evaluates the content of the stacks, looking for at least two sentences for each category. She also evaluates cooperation, turn-taking, question-asking, and sharing.