K-6 Literacy Learning Activity Types1, 2

K-6 Literacy Learning Activity Types 1, 2

Teaching K-6 literacy is a complex instructional task that requires knowledge of how children learn to read and write. The K-6 literacy learning activity types identified here attempt to simplify the complexity of teaching a child to read and write by subdividing these processes into manageable learning activities that effectively integrate technology, pedagogy and content. This list of literacy learning activity types is offered as a preliminary organizational structure to help scaffold teachers’ thinking about how one might design engaging literacy learning activities that challenge young learners to read and write. As one begins to think about all of the reading knowledge, skills and strategies that are included in teaching elementary literacy, it is easy to become a bit overwhelmed. Although there are several organizational structures that could be used to arrange this information into learning activity types, keeping the categories simple and related directly to the essential components of reading and writing seems most appropriate for primary grade levels. Thus, the K-6 literacy learning activity types focus on helping students develop two very important learning processes: reading and writing. There are also several subcategories within these two categories of activity types that address specific skills or strategies that are required in teaching children to read and write.

The Reading Process Activity Types Successful readers thoroughly understand the processes involved in reading. The Reading Process activity types are divided into six subcategories that promote the processes involved in learning to read. Elementary children are typically taught specific literacy skills and strategies that they can use before they begin to read, while they read and after they read. Therefore the first three subcategories include: Pre-Reading activity types, During- Reading activity types, and Post-Reading activity types. Additional subcategories also must be included in this list because more skills are critical to the reading process and the development of good readers. These subcategories are components common to most beginning reading programs, and include Vocabulary activity types, Comprehension activity types, and Fluency activity types. Each subcategory of the Reading Process activity types is presented in a separate table below that names the activity type, defines it, then suggests some technologies that might be used to support the particular type of learning activity named. In all tables that follow, although specific Web sites and software titles are listed to illustrate possibilities for appropriate technologies to use to support each learning activity type, the authors do not specifically endorse any of these commercial products.

The Pre-Reading Activity Types The goal of the pre-reading activity types is to prepare students for reading and to activate their prior knowledge before they read.

Suggested citation (APA format, 6th ed.): 1 Hofer, M., & Harris, J.(2011, February). K-6 Literacy learning activity types. Retrieved from College of William and Mary, School of Education, Learning Activity Types Wiki: http://activitytypes.wmwikis.net/file/view/K-6LiteracyLearningATs-Feb2011.pdf 2 “K-6 Literacy Learning Activity Types” by Denise A. Schmidt, Judi Harris and Mark Hofer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. Based on a work at activitytypes.wmwikis.net, edited by Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Instructional Technology Department with permission. Table 1: The Pre-Reading Activity Types Activity Type Brief Description NC Essential Standards (TT) District Resources Develop Alphabetic Knowledge Students name the letters of the Access and Gather Information SMART Notebook, ActivInspire/ActivOffice, Starfall, alphabet and recognize the letter Read • Write • Think, eBooks symbols in print Develop Phonemic Awareness Students hear, identify and manipulate Access and Gather Information SMART Notebook, ActivInspire/ActivOffice, Starfall sounds in words Read • Write • Think, eBooks Develop Decoding Skills Students learn the connections Access and Gather Information SMART Notebook, ActivInspire/ActivOffice, Starfall, between letter patterns and the sounds Read • Write • Think, eBooks they represent Develop Vocabulary Students are introduced to and learn Access and Gather Information Read • Write • Think, Wordle, Tagxedo unfamiliar key words before they read Build Interest Students are oriented (by listening Access and Gather Information MS Power Point, MovieMaker, PhotoStory 3 (XP Only), and/or watching) to the reading that SMART Notebook, ActivInspire/ActivOffice, Document they are about to begin Camera software, SlideRocket, Prezi , Google Docs, Voicethread , Animoto, Slideshare, Skype, Livebinders, Museum Box, Voicethread, Kidspiration, Inspiration, Bubbl .us, Animoto, Audacity, Storybird, Tumblebooks, Wordle, Tagxedo, Read • Write • Think, eBooks Activate Prior Knowledge Students think about what they Access and Gather Information MS Power Point, MovieMaker, PhotoStory 3 (XP Only), already know about the topic prior to SMART Notebook, ActivInspire/ActivOffice, Document reading Camera software, SlideRocket, Prezi , Google Docs, Voicethread , Animoto, Slideshare, Skype, Livebinders, Museum Box, VoiceThread, Kidspiration, Inspiration, Bubbl .us, Wordle, Tagxedo, Read • Write • Think, eBooks Make Predictions Students make predictions about text Access and Gather Information MS Power Point, MovieMaker, PhotoStory 3 (XP Only), that will be read SMART Notebook, ActivInspire/ActivOffice, Document Camera software, SlideRocket, Prezi , Google Docs, Voicethread , Animoto, Slideshare, Skype, Livebinders, Museum Box, VoiceThread, Kidspiration, Inspiration, Bubbl .us, Wordle, Tagxedo, Read • Write • Think, eBooks

The During-Reading Activity Types The goal of the during-reading activity types is to develop readers who check their understanding as they read, integrating their new understanding with existing knowledge. Table 2: The During-Reading Activity Types Activity Type Brief Description NC Essential Standards (TT) District Resources Read Aloud Students actively listen to an oral Access and Gather Information Movie Maker, Photostory 3(XP Only), Audacity, Flip Video reading of a book software, Document Camera Software, Learn 360, WatchKnowLearn, eBooks

Think Aloud Students say out loud what they Communicate Information Audacity, Flip Video software, Document Camera Software are thinking while reading Ask Questions Students ask questions about what Access and Gather Information Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, they are reading; individually, in small Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART groups and/or in large group Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire

Take Notes Students record essential ideas about Organize Information Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, what they are reading Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire Guided Reading Students learn how to think about Access and Gather Information, Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, text by reading in small groups, Communicate Information Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART engaging in discussion, and Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , Movie completing a mini-lesson/learning Maker, Photostory 3(XP Only), Audacity, Flip Video activity software, Document Camera Software, Learn 360, Animoto Screencast - O - matic , snagit, jing, WatchKnowLearn

Directed Listening/Thinking Students predict and respond to a Access and Gather Information Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, Activity (DL-TA) story while the teacher reads Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, SMART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire Directed Reading/Thinking Students make predictions about a Access and Gather Information Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, Activity (DR-TA) story and then read to confirm or Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART reject their prediction Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire

Discussion Students discuss text being read Communicate Information Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, with the teacher, other students or Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART another individual Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire

Whole Class Literature Study Students participate in a literature Access and Gather Information, Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, study that includes reading Communicate Information Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART aloud/along, whole-class/smallgroup Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire discussions, and whole-class mini-lesson

Literature Circle Students choose their own books, Access and Gather Information, Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, form small-groups and meet Communicate Information Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART regularly to read and discuss the Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire books

Reader’s Workshop Students participate in minilessons to Access and Gather Information, Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, teach reading strategies, spend time Communicate Information Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART reading independently, and then meet Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire to share, discuss and reflect

Book Club Students read books, take part in Access and Gather Information, Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, peer-led discussions, and participate Communicate Information Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART in a community sharing session Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire

Sustained Silent Students read silently for a designated Access and Gather Information Tumblebooks, eBooks Reading (SSR) period of time (10-30 minutes)

Independent Reading Students make their own book Access and Gather Information Tumblebooks, eBooks choices, set independent reading goals and read for extended period of time

The Post-Reading Activity Types The goal of the post-reading activity types is to assess students’ interpretation and comprehension of the text that was read.

Table 3: The Post-Reading Activity Types Activity Type Brief Description NC Essential Standards (TT) District Resources Summarizing Students summarize or paraphrase Communicate Information Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, the major points of a story after Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART reading it Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire

Retelling Students relate what they remember Communicate Information Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, about a story Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire Sharing Students share information with Communicate Information Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, others about books they have read Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Dim Dim, or heard Voicethread , SMART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , SMART Exchange, Promethean Planet, Visualizing Students use images and visual Communicate Information Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, imagery to recall what they remember Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART about a story Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire, Ebsco, Proquest, World Book Online, NCWiseOwl,

Discussing Students discuss favorite parts or Communicate Information Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, elements of a story Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire Drawing Conclusions Students use written or visual clues to Access and Gather Information Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, figure out something that is not Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART directly stated in the reading Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire Synthesizing Students combine predominant Organize Information, Communicate Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, elements/themes from multiple stories Information Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART or books to develop new Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire understanding Evaluating Students form opinions, make Organize Information, Communicate Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, judgments (e.g., determine Information Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART importance), and develop ideas after Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire reading

Quizzing/Testing Students take a quiz or test about a Communicate Information Smart Response, ActivExpressions story or a selection of text they read

Creating Projects/Artifacts Students create a project (e.g., play Access and Gather Information, MS Power Point, MovieMaker, PhotoStory 3 (XP Only), script, report, book trailer) or artifact Organize Information, Communicate SMART Notebook, ActivInspire/ActivOffice, Document (e.g., 3D model, diorama) as a Information Camera software, SlideRocket, Prezi , Google Docs, culminating activity that illustrates or Voicethread , Animoto, Slideshare, Skype, Livebinders, applies what they have learned Museum Box, VoiceThread

The Vocabulary Activity Types The goal of the vocabulary learning activity types is to increase the number of words that are recognized and used by a reader.

Table 4: The “Vocabulary” Activity Type Brief Description NC Essential Standards (TT) District Resources Vocabulary Awareness Students increase their knowledge Access and Gather Information Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires of words by building sight vocabulary Blog, Voicethread , SMART Notebook , eInstruction and understanding phonological and Workspace , ActivInspire morphological pattern Vocabulary Analysis Students build and sort words to study Organize Information Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires their patterns Blog, Voicethread , SMART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire Vocabulary Use Students study how words combine to Access and Gather Information Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires form sentences Blog, Voicethread , SMART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire

The Comprehension Activity Types The goal of the comprehension activity types is to ascertain a reader’s understanding of a passage of text.

Table 5: The Comprehension Activity Types Activity Type Brief Description NC Essential Standards (TT) District Resources Cloze Technique Students insert words that have been Access and Gather Information Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires omitted as they read to complete and Blog, Voicethread , SMART Notebook , eInstruction construct meaning from text Workspace , ActivInspire

Semantic Feature Analysis Students use a grid to explore the Organize Information Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires similarities and differences among Blog, Voicethread , SMART Notebook , eInstruction events, people, objects or ideas Workspace , ActivInspire

Graphic Organizers/Charts Students use visual and graphic Organize Information Kidspiration, Inspiration, Bubbl . us Google Docs, organizers that illustrate relationships TodaysMeet, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, among facts, terms or ideas Voicethread , SMART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire

Cause and Effect Students identify how an action or Access and Gather Information Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Blogger, event will produce a certain response KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART to the action in the form of another Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire event Comparison and Contrast Students identify how things are alike Organize Information Kidspiration, Inspiration, Bubbl .us Edmodo, PBWorks, and different Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire Inference-Making Students use clues to learn more about Organize Information Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, the story and make a conclusion or Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART judgment based on that information Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire Story Pyramid Students summarize a story by Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, building a pyramid of information Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART (e.g., describe main character, Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire setting, state the problem) Picture Walk Teacher guides students through text Access and Gather Information Tumblebooks, eBooks by looking at and discussing the pictures before reading

SQ3R Students use a 5-step reading strategy Access and Gather Information Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, (i.e., survey, question, read, recite, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART review) to formulate a purpose for Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire reading

Reciprocal Teaching Students and teacher participate in Communicate Information Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, dialogue structured by summarizing, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART question generating, clarifying and Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire predicting to bring meaning to text

Reciprocal Questioning Students analyze their comprehension Communicate Information Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, (reQuest) while reading by developing questions Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART to ask the teacher after reading a Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire selection

Point-of-View Students identify the author’s point of Access and Gather Information Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, view and purpose Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire

Question-Answer-Relationships Students search for answers based Access and Gather Information Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, (QAR) upon the type of question that was Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART asked (e.g., Right there, Think and Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire search, Author and you, On my own)

Think-Pair-Share Students talk about the content they Communicate Information Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, are reading by thinking about a Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART question or prompt, pairing up with a Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire student to discuss and sharing their thinking with rest of class

Story Map Students identify and map the basic Organize Information Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, elements of a story (i.e., setting, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART characters, problem/conflict, point of Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire view, resolution)

3-2-1 Chart Students summarize and rethink key Organize Information, Communicate Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, ideas by listing: 3 things they found Information Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread , SMART out, 2 interesting things, and 1 Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire question they still have

The Fluency Activity Types The goal of using the fluency activity types is to improve a reader’s speed or rate of reading and his/her ability to read with expression.

Table 6: The “Fluency” Activity Types Activity Type Brief Description NC Essential Standards (TT) District Resources Fluent Reading Modeling Students listen to readers who read Access and Gather Information Movie Maker, Photostory 3(XP Only), Audacity, Flip Video words fluently and automatically software, Document Camera Software, Learn 360, Animoto Screencast - O - matic , snagit, jing, WatchKnowLearn

Choral Reading Students read aloud as an entire group Communicate Information Audacity, Flip Video software, Document Camera Software in unison Paired Reading Student and a fluent reader read text Communicate Information Skype, Flip Video Software, Audacity, MediaCast together Repeated Reading Student reads the text aloud with a Communicate Information Skype, Flip Video Software, Audacity, MediaCast fluent reader, then rereads the text alone Reader’s Theater Students perform an oral reading with Communicate Information Skype, Flip Video Software, Audacity, MediaCast an audience present using a script Radio Reading Student reads aloud a selection of Communicate Information Skype, Flip Video Software, Audacity, MediaCast text and then initiates a discussion with an audience by asking specific questions Recitation Students present a spoken Communicate Information Skype, Flip Video Software, Audacity, MediaCast performance of a speech or piece of poetry in public Drama Students perform, usually by Communicate Information Skype, Flip Video Software, Audacity, MediaCast memorization, a play or story for an audience

Storytelling Students tell stories or narratives Communicate Information Skype, Flip Video Software, Audacity, MediaCast often by improvisation or embellishment

Debate Students hold a structured discussion Communicate Information Skype, Flip Video Software, Audacity, MediaCast by debating both sides of an issue/proposition The Writing Process Activity Types Good readers are good writers. The writing process activity types include five subcategories of activities that promote the processes involved in learning how to write. Elementary children are typically involved in writing programs like Writer’s Workshop and/or 6+1 Trait Writing to develop their writing skills. The three subcategories that contain activities related to the writing process include pre-writing, during writing, and post-writing activity types. Two other subcategories included here contain writing conventions and writing genres activity types. Each subcategory of writing process activity types is presented in a separate table below, naming each activity type, defining it, and suggesting technologies to support its use for learning.

The Pre-Writing Activity Types The goals of learning that is structured using pre-writing activity types are to prepare students for writing and to activate their prior knowledge before they write.

Table 7: The Pre-Writing Activity Types Activity Type Brief Description NC Essential Standards (TT) District Resources Brainstorming Students list as many topics as Access and Gather Information MS Word, TodaysMeet , Kidspiration , Inspiration , Bubbl . us possible to write about Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, Skype, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread

Concept Marpping Students develop a visual or diagram Organize Information MS Word, TodaysMeet , Kidspiration , Inspiration , Bubbl . us that illustrates the relationships among Edmodo, PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Skype, concepts Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Dim Dim, Voicethread

Storyboarding Students develop a series of panels Organize Information Read • Write • Think, MS Word, Google Docs, PBWorks that outline the sequence of what pictures will be seen and what audio and/or voice will accompany the pictures Visualizing Students create mental images before Access and Gather Information MS Word, KidPix they write FreeWriting Students start writing and just keep Communicate Information MS Word, PBWorks, Google Docs, Blogger, KidBlogs, going, not worrying about style or SchoolWires Blog mistakes Journaling Students write journal entries to Communicate Information MS Word, E dmodo , PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, brainstorm topics of personal interest, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog to note observations and to reflect upon their thinking Listing Students generate a list of topics, Organize Information S MART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , phrases, and/or sentences before they MS Word, E dmodo , PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, begin to write Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog Organizing/Outlining Students use a formal system of Organize Information S MART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , planning to think about and organize MS Word, E dmodo , PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, their writing Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog

The During-Writing Activity Types The goal of the during-writing activity types is to develop writers who constantly improve their writing by revising, editing, and considering feedback from others.

Table 8: The During Writing Activity Types Activity Type Brief Description NC Essential Standards (TT) District Resources Drafting/Composing Students write a draft of a story, Communicate Information S MART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , putting ideas into sentences and MS Word, E dmodo , PBWorks, Google Docs, Blogger, paragraphs KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog Revising Students improve their writing by Communicate Information S MART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , adding details, rearranging MS Word, E dmodo , PBWorks, Google Docs, Blogger, information, deleting information, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog and/or replacing information Editing Students correct mechanics, grammar Communicate Information S MART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , and spelling MS Word, E dmodo , PBWorks, Google Docs, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog Responding Students offer suggestions to peers Communicate Information S MART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , for improving content, organization MS Word, E dmodo , PBWorks, Google Docs, Blogger, and clarity of writing piece KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog Conferencing Students meet with teachers and/or Communicate Information S MART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , peers to discuss and evaluate a piece MS Word, E dmodo , PBWorks, Google Docs, Blogger, of writing KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog

The Post-Writing Activity Types The goal of the post-writing activity types is to provide opportunities for students to share, publish, evaluate and present their final writing pieces to an audience. Table 9: The Post-Writing Activity Types Activity Type Brief Description NC Essential Standards (TT) District Resources Sharing Students orally share their writing Communicate Information Skype, Flip Video Software, Audacity, MediaCast, with peers/others Voicethread Publishing Students publish their writing for Communicate Information S MART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , peers/others MS Word, E dmodo , PBWorks, Google Docs, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog Evaluating Students evaluate writing of peers Communicate Information S MART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , and provide feedback MS Word, E dmodo , PBWorks, Google Docs, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, TodaysMeet Presenting Students combine textual and visual Communicate Information S MART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , elements to present their writing for SMART Exchange, Promethean Planet, MS peers/others Word/PowerPoint, E dmodo , PBWorks, Google Docs, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog, Voicethread Performing Students present a dramatic Communicate Information Movie Maker, Photostory 3(XP Only), Audacity, Flip Video performance of their writing for software, Document Camera Software, Voicethread peers/others

The Writing Conventions Activity Types The goal of the writing conventions activity types is to develop writers who can enhance the readability of their writing pieces.

Table 10: The Writing Conventions Activity Types Activity Type Brief Description NC Essential Standards (TT) District Resources Letter/Word Formation Students write/type lowercase and Access and Gather Information S MART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , uppercase letters; students write/type MS Word, E dmodo , PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, words (i.e., root, prefix, suffix) Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog Word Choice Students choose words appropriately Communicate Information S MART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , to communicate meaning clearly MS Word, E dmodo , PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog Sentence/Paragraph Writing Students construct complete sentences Access and Gather Information, S MART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , and combine sentences to compose a Organize Information, Communicate MS Word, E dmodo , PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, paragraph (topic sentence, supporting Information Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog details, closing sentence) Spelling Students use correct spelling when Access and Gather Information S MART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , writing MS Word, E dmodo , PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog Mechanics Students use correct punctuation Access and Gather Information S MART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , and capitalization when writing MS Word, E dmodo , PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog Grammar Students use formal rules about Access and Gather Information S MART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , language usage including parts of MS Word, E dmodo , PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, speech when writing Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog

The Writing Genres Activity Types The goal of the writing genres activity types is for students to write across genres, understanding form, purpose and content for each. The activity types are listed in the table below.

Table 11: The Writing Genres Activity Type Brief Description NC Essential Standards (TT) District Resources Descriptive Students describe people, places, Communicate Information S MART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , objects, or events using details MS Word, E dmodo , PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog Expository/Informative Students give information or convey Communicate Information S MART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , an idea to another person MS Word, E dmodo , PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog Narrative Students tell a story from a particular Communicate Information S MART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , point of view MS Word, E dmodo , PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog Summary Students analyze information and Organize Information, Communicate S MART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , then restate in their own words Information MS Word, E dmodo , PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog Persuasive Students present a case for or against Organize Information, Communicate S MART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , a particular position Information MS Word, E dmodo , PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog Technical/Procedural Students explain instructions or Organize Information, Communicate S MART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , directions for completing a task Information MS Word, E dmodo , PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog Poetry Students express imaginative Communicate Information S MART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , awareness by using repetition, meter MS Word, E dmodo , PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, and/or rhyme Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog Creative Students express their thoughts and Communicate Information S MART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , feelings in a unique way MS Word, E dmodo , PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog

Transactional Students write to communicate ideas Communicate Information S MART Notebook , eInstruction Workspace , ActivInspire , with each other MS Word, E dmodo , PBWorks, Google Docs, TodaysMeet, Blogger, KidBlogs, SchoolWires Blog