Katie Day

Lee Nelson

EIPT 3042.920

25 July 2005

Cognitive Tools Lesson: Word Processing

Lesson Plan: “Brochures for Space”

Objective: Students will demonstrate knowledge of a planet (of their choice) in the solar system by creating a brochure. They will research and compose in Microsoft Word to create a “travel brochure” for their planet.

Lesson Description:

            In this lesson fifth graders will research a planet and create a travel brochure to inform their fellow classmates and tourists about their planet. The brochure should contain important and relevant facts (composition, size, distance from sun, etc,) and should have an illustrated cover and three inside panels. Students should not only include facts but creativity as well. Examples include restaurant recommendations, suggestions for entertainment, and must-see attractions. The students’ ultimate goal is to attract humans to travel to their planet.

            Students will gather research to include in their brochure and create it following template guidelines in Word made by the teacher. The teacher should allow 2-3 days for students to research and create their brochure. Then the students will present their brochures to their classmates.

Rationale: The use of Microsoft Word in this lesson is an excellent way for students to familiarize themselves with a commonly used word-processing tool. Through Word students can explore with graphics and font to create a “professional” looking brochure. The options available in Word give the students an opportunity to create a document that is eye-catching and appealing.

Oklahoma PASS Skills

Subject Area: Earth/Space Science Grade 5

Standard 3: Earth is the third planet from the Sun in a system that includes the moon, the sun, and eight other planets.

Subject Area: Language Arts Grade 5

Standard 5: Student will conduct research and organize information.

b. Select topic, formulate questions, and synthesize information from a variety of print, nonprint, and technological resources.

Subject Area: Oral Language/Listening and Speaking Grade 5

Standard 1: Listening: The student will listen for information and for pleasure.

Standard 2: Speaking: The student will express ideas and opinions in group or individual situations.

Subject Area: Visual Literacy Grade 5

Standard 3: Compose Visual Messages: The student will create a visual message that effectively communicates and idea and produce communications using appropriate technology or media (e.g. developing a class newspaper, videos, or multimedia projects).

ISTE NETS

Standard 3: Technology productivity tools

-Students use tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.

-Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models, prepare publications, and produce other creative works.

Standard 4: Technology communication tools

-Students use a variety of media formats to communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences.

Standard 5: Technology research tools

-Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources.

-Students use technology tools to process data and report results.

Performance Indicators

8. Use technology resources for problem solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities.

Materials

1. Suggested Resources
• internet
• kidsastronomy.com
• www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/home/index.html
• stardate.org
• worldalmanacforkids.com/explore/space.html
• encyclopedia
• Scholastic Atlas of Space- ed. Donna Veketeris
• Astronomy- Kristen Lippincott
• Exploring Our Solar System-Sally Ride & Tam O’Shaughnessy
2. Microsoft Office Word
3. Template guidelines

Lesson Sequence

1. Students will choose a planet they would be interested in learning more about.
2. Next students will conduct research using the suggested resources to gather information for their brochure.

• The teacher should allow 1-2 days for the research process.

1. After students have gathered data they will open the brochure template (provided 

by the teacher) in Word.

• The first page of the template includes the cover, back side, and back inside fold.
• The cover should be creative and include a graphic.
• The second page of the template includes the three inside panels. The students may use this template as a guide and do not have to follow the structure exactly.
• Students should explore with graphics, font, autoshapes, color, etc.
• The teacher should allow 1-2 days for this step.

1. Students will present their finished product to the class, informing their peers

about their planet.

Assessment/Feedback

1. The teacher will create a rubric to assess the students’ brochures. A copy of the rubric

    will be given to students so that they may know what is expected of them. The rubric

    may include the following requirements:

• Brochure contains three inside panels and a cover decorated with clip art, photos, etc.
• The brochure contains interesting and informative information.
• The student has incorporated elements of creativity, i.e. restaurant or theme park recommendations.

2. The student will also be assessed by his/her presentation. The teacher will be looking

     for the following:

• Creative and interesting presentation
• Student provided classmates with relevant and important information regarding their planet.

Accommodations/Differentiated Instruction

For students with disabilities the following accommodations will be made:

• Students who need more time to complete the project will be given an extension.
• The teacher could tutor the student in Word, emphasizing the many options Word has to offer. The teacher may also provide these students with an example of the finished product.

For GT students the following accommodations will be made:

• These students could edit photos in photoshop and then insert them into their brochure.
• GT students could also work with their fellow classmates who are struggling with the project.
• GT students could assist the teacher and those who struggle by creating the example of a finished product.

Lesson adapted from:

“Brochures for Space”

Gina Pellicani

http://www.lessonplanspage.com

sample brochure