Topic:  Friendly Letter
Grade Levels: 2/3

Instructional Objectives:
1. Students will discuss the parts of a friendly letter.
2. Students will analyze which parts of a letter belong on areas of a page.
3. Students will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of typing a letter.
4. Students will type and print a friendly letter on a computer.

Materials Required:
1.  Letters written by students that are grammatically and conventionally correct.
2.  Computer
3.  Printer
4.  Paper

Concepts:
Five parts of a friendly letter
Typing
Computer monitor
Mouse
Keyboard
Technology

Anticipatory Set:
    Remind students of the first discussion about how people communicate.  Have them recall some of the answers or give new ones.  Using a computer was one of those answers.  Ask students how they can use a computer to communicate.

Procedure:
1.  Follow anticipatory set.
2. Discuss the format of a friendly letter.
3. Discuss how they can achieve that same format on a computer.  Discuss typing procedures (keyboard, letters, etc.)
4. Model typing a letter.
5. Discuss questions and/or concerns.
6. Have each student type his/her letter.
7. Discuss closure.

Key Discussion Questions:
 1. Can a letter we type have the same parts and shape of a letter we write?
 2.  How can we type this letter?
 3.  What are the benefits / drawbacks of typing a letter on a computer?

Closure:
 Ask: Would you rather hand write or type a letter to your friend?  Why?
 

Assessment:

Use a checklist:
1. Student participates in the discussion with thought and clarity.
2. Student knows the five parts and the form of a friendly letter.
3. Student types his/her letter on the computer.
4. Student uses skills and concepts discussed in class.

Rubric:
 

Advanced	Student displays all four of the criteria on the checklist
Proficient	Student displays three of the criteria on the checklist
Developing	Student displays two of the criteria on the checklist
Novice	Student displays one or none of the criteria on the checklist

Reflection on the lesson:

Justification for the entry:
    I wanted to engage the students in an inquiry based technology lesson.  As the school did not have web access for the students and the students did not have excessive experience using computers, I believed that this was a good way to begin their learning process.  By this point, they were comfortable and familiar with letter writing.  They understood that a computer could be used for communication purposes.  This lesson incorporated that and solidified that knowledge.

Connection between lesson and philosophy of learning and teaching:
    Both the students and the teacher were actively engaged in learning.  The teacher is both a model and a resource for the students.  The classroom environment allows for questions, inquiry and success as well as failure.

Evaluation of methods:
    My method included having the teacher be a model for the students.  Since the students have not had experience typing excessively on the computer, it was necessary for them to see how it is done.  Having them practice the skills they observe is a beneficial way of having them solidify their knowledge.  I did not however, use an overhead projector and had the students stand around one computer, making it difficult for some of the students to view the screen.  I was pleased with the discussion of the benefits and drawbacks of technology as the students offered insightful comments.

Possible Improvements:
    I would use an overhead to demonstrate typing skills.  Another beneficial tool would be to break the students into groups so that not everyone is vying for the computer at once.