"Read All About an American Author!"

Grade Level(s):   11

Subject(s):     Reading and Language Arts; Business Computer Literacy

Learner Outcomes:

1)  Students will create a biographical newspaper article based on the life of a famous American author.
2)  Students will exercise their information retrieval skills by locating, analyzing, and organizing information obtained from the 
      internet relative to their chosen author.
3)  Students will use Microsoft Word 2000 to facilitate the column option function and the insertion of  clip art to create their 
      newspaper article.
4)  Students will develop their writing skills while using word processing software.

Duration of Lesson:

Three 90-minute class periods

Materials:

• Instructions for inserting clip art into a Microsoft Word 2000 document
• The American Novel Masters 
• American Author Fact Sheet 
• Create a Newspaper Article

Teacher Notes:
Teacher should have a working knowledge of creating Microsoft Word 2000 documents using the column option. 
Teacher should have a working knowledge of capturing clip art images from the internet and inserting clip art 
            images into Microsoft Word 2000 documents using captured clips or clip art gallery files and using the Format Picture 
            options.
Secure computer laboratory access.
Make sure that all students have signed county/school Acceptable Use Policy.
Teacher should monitor student use of the internet while they are browsing for biographical information and 
            pictures.
Prerequisite for this lesson is the completion of Lesson 1 from the unit:  An Internet Nose for News.

Procedures:

1)  Using the LCD projector, the teacher should review search engines and search strategies prior to student login in the computer lab.
2)  Students should have access to the study guides:  Truncated Searching and Keyword Search Terms from the 
      An Internet Nose for News lesson.
3)  Students will choose an American author from the The American Novel Masters list.
4)  Students will gather information regarding their author in order to write a 2 column newspaper article about them.  Included
      in the article should be criteria from the American Author Fact Sheet completed during the internet searching.   Students can use 
      the sites that are referenced or they can choose their own sites for gathering information.  Suggested sites are:

American Authors on the Web
American Authors
American Author (Frostburg)
Academic Info American Literature:  Authors

Modifications:

Possible special education modifications include the following:

For physically impaired students:

If available, use a touch screen.
Use a trackball or IntelliMouse.
If typing is difficult, allow students to copy and paste information in the article.

Allow for additional time when necessary.
When necessary, place students in cooperative learning groups.
Reduce the length of the news article.
Provide bookmark folder to direct students to helpful web sites.

Increase the size of the font.
Provide large print hand-outs.

Enrichment Activities:

• The media center and computer lab will be open during lunch daily for extended research and/or to complete this assignment.
• Short book reviews from the author's work can be submitted for extra credit.

Evaluation/Assessment:

Students will receive three grades for this lesson: 
 

American Author Fact Sheet	30 Points (2 pts. for each fact)
Newspaper Article	Format Grading Criteria
Newspaper Article	Writing Style Criteria

State and National Goals:

West Virginia IGOs:
Reading and Language Arts (Secondary): Reading Comprehension: 11.16, 11.17;  Writing: 11.49, 11.54, 11.56, 11.60;  Study Skills:  11.81, 11.84, 11.88, 11.89; Computer/Technology:  11.92, 11.94, 11.95, 11.96, 11.97
Business Computer Literacy:  BCL17, BCL18, BCL22

National Standards:
Language Standards 9-12:  Writing 1, 2, 3, 4

References:

An Internet Nose for News.
American Authors on the Web
American Authors
American Author (Frostburg)
Academic Info American Literature:  Authors
 
 

 

Overview

Lesson 1

Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Lesson 4

Lesson 5