DESCRIPTIVE WRITINGDESCRIPTIVE WRITING POWERPOINT PRESENTATION Jeanette Woods Brooks Elementary School 9291 Old Redwood Hwy., Bldg. 300C Windsor, CA (707)

DESCRIPTIVE WRITING (OR HOW TO GET YOUR RESOURCE STUDENTS TO IMPROVE THEIR WRITING)

DEDICATION This entire project from beginning to end is dedicated to the real Angells of Windsor - Kathy and her husband, Mark. Without their constant help, this website and presentation would not exist.

As a special education teacher of 4th and 5th grade students, I chose to do a lesson on descriptive writing because I have noticed over the years that writing paragraphs is one of our students’ biggest challenges. I have been seeking ways to make writing more “fun” for kids. After being introduced to this CTAP computer course using websites and the internet, I felt that this may just be what is needed to “turn kids on” to writing.

EXPECTATIONS ¤ When I first signed up for this course, I thought I would be learning how to operate a computer. Up to this time I had only used a computer as a glorified typewriter. ¤ If I had known I would be designing a web page and how complex this course was really going to be, I might not have signed up for this course, particularly since I don’t yet own a computer other than an Apple II GS.

MY RESULTS/WHAT I LEARNED ¤ I learned that I was really over my head, but that someone would help me to get this project finished. (KATHY ANGELL) ¤ The CTAP program itself has gone through changes since I began last summer, so what I was learning at the beginning may be different now. ¤ Some of my links disappeared before the final project.

RESULTS/WHAT I LEARNED ¤ The best thing I learned is that the Internet is a wonderful tool for educators, for anyone. I loved looking at other people’s “stuff”.

SUCCESSES ¤ I was able to stick with the program with the constant support of our instructor Kathy Angell. ¤ I am hoping to buy a computer this summer with the money I’ve made doing this. ¤ I now feel more like a contemporary professional instead of a total dinosaur. ¤ The students are much more interested in writing when a computer is involved.

FAILURES ¤ I was not able to purchase a computer during the school year; this impeded my progress somewhat. ¤ My computer at school could not handle the amount of information needed to produce a website.

SHORTCOMINGS SO FAR…. ¤ I will have to spend the next school year really getting into the process of using the internet and my website in my special education program. I really didn’t have enough time or expertise this year. ¤ I have not yet had time to see if using this website and the computer in my classes will actually improve the quality of my students’ writing; but I am hopeful!!

PRE-TEST/POST-TEST DATA

REVISIONS TO LESSON PLAN ¤ I tried to reformat the print in my lesson plan because words were pushed together after a few months. ¤ Some of my links had disappeared, so I had to look for new websites. ¤ I realized that the kids needed more time to write rough drafts and final drafts before typing their descriptions of monsters on the computer.

REVISIONS TO LESSON PLAN ¤ I found that I had to limit the kids’ drawings of monsters to shapes that could easily be described in writing and easily reproduced by the other student who was reading the description. ¤ I made a list of shapes that could be used and a word bank of difficult words such as “rectangular”, “horizontal”, etc.

CONCLUSIONS ¤ I think using technology such as the computer, my very own website, and the internet to discover other educational websites will vastly improve my “with-it- ness” as an educator and will change students’ attitudes towards writing. ¤ I learned that there is a whole lot more to learn!!!!

CONCLUSIONS, continued ¤ I really think I have learned something that will continue to benefit me as an educator and as a 21st century adult. ¤ I am sure that this course will inspire me to proceed with technology and improve my instructional strategies.

CONCLUSIONS ¤ Using the California Standards insures that I am being a responsible and informed educator and this should impress parents, administrators and board members ¤ Student learning is supported through the use of technology by the fact that students need a new modality for learning. Computers are a “hands on” experience.

CONCLUSIONS, continued ¤ I absolutely love exploring educational websites and hopefully I will keep updating my own.