ETC > NSA Home > Language Arts 3-5 > Animal Story: An Informational Narrative Students will use technology to create an informational narrative story about an animal. Objectives Students will use research skills to locate specific information. Students will use the writing process to create an informational narrative story. Students will use the computer to research information and publish his/her story. Procedure Select one Everglades animal. Research the stages of life for this animal, especially from birth to childhood. Write the life stages in chronological order in the row that says “Animal Fact” (birth, two weeks old, 1 month old, etc.). Write at least one fact for each time that is included. Write information that does not go with a life stage in the “Interesting Facts” column. Write down the resources used to get the facts. Plan the story. Name the characters and character traits. Describe the setting. Select a problem. Plan the events and the conclusion. Draw a picture for each event in the story (storyboard) in the row that says “story pictures”. Use this plan to write the story on a word processing program. To publish this story, students will use either Comic Life or presentation software (AppleWorks or Keynote). Break the story into sections that follow the plan. Cut and paste each section from the word processing program into the presentation file. Select a photo, create a picture on the computer, or draw and scan a picture to illustrate each section. Sunshine State Standards LA.A.2.2.5 LA.A.2.2.8 LA.B.1.2.1 LA.B.1.2.2 LA.B.1.2.3 LA.B.2.2.1 LA.B.2.2.4 LA.B.2.2.5 NETS Profiles for Technology Literate Students Use keyboards and other common input and output devices (including adaptive devices when necessary) efficiently and effectively. Use general purpose productivity tools and peripherals to support personal productivity, remediate skill deficits, and facilitate learning throughout the curriculum. Use technology tools (e.g., multimedia authoring, presentation, Web tools, digital cameras, scanners) for individual and collaborative writing, communication, and publishing activities to create knowledge products for audiences inside and outside the classroom. Determine when technology is useful and select the appropriate tool(s) and technology resources to address a variety of tasks and problems. Materials handout (EGinfoNar.doc) with directions and storyboard computers with internet access books on the topic word processing software iLife suite (iMovie, iPhoto, iDVD, GarageBand, iWeb) publishing software (Comic Life, Keynote, Appleworks Presentation, Inspiration, to name a few) Alternatives/Extensions This was one lesson from a unit on the Everglades. This lesson may be adapted to any type of animal or habitat. Return to top of page Return to lesson plans menu

ETC > NSA Home > Language Arts 3-5 > Animal Story: An Informational Narrative: Students will use technology to create an informational narrative story about an animal.

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