Lesson 1
This lesson involves the use of the Web 2.0 tool Wikis/Wikipedia.
Using the website http://www.wikispaces.com/, the teacher will create a class account under the education section and create a WikiSpace for this project. Within that space, the teacher should create as many numbered pages as there are students in the class. Once everything is set up and students have access to the Wiki, they may begin the assignment:
Using the website http://www.wikispaces.com/, the teacher will create a class account under the education section and create a WikiSpace for this project. Within that space, the teacher should create as many numbered pages as there are students in the class. Once everything is set up and students have access to the Wiki, they may begin the assignment:
- Assign each student to a numbered page.
- Once they are on their assigned page, give students a story starter. FOR EXAMPLE: "One day, in a cold, wintry village, a girl was walking to her grandmother's house..."
- Instruct students to think about a story they could write starting with that sentence.
- Tell students that they will be writing the beginning of a story starting with this prompt and that they have 5 (5-10 depending on allotted time) minutes to write the beginning part of their story.
- When there is a minute left, let students know they have one minute to wrap up their thoughts, then stop where they are at and save their progress.
- Instruct students to open the next numbered page from the one they started on (for example, if they were first assigned to Story 6 they will now be on Story 7, if they were on the highest numbered Story, they will move to Story 1)
- Give students 2-3 minutes to read the story so far.
- Instruct students to think about what might happen next.
- Give students 5 (5-10 depending on allotted time) minutes to work toward the middle of the story.
- Repeat steps 5-9 two more times so that the stories have now cycled through four students (you may have to allot more time for reading the story, step 7, as the stories get longer)
- Have students switch one final time.
- Instruct students to read through the story and think of a way to end it.
- Give students 5 (5-10 depending on allotted time) minutes to work on the end of their stories.
- Give students a minute or two minute warning to let them know they need to wrap up their story.
Why I Chose This Tool:
I chose to use Wikispaces in this lesson because it is a great, easy-to-use collaboration tool. I have done this lesson using paper before, but this is a great way to integrate technology and to be more organized. Students don't have to waste time trading papers or finding extra paper if they run out of space, so it is great for saving time as well.