Grade Level:  First

Subjects:  English Language Arts, Social Studies

Learner Outcomes: 

The students will self-select and read a book (or books) on a famous person, using the D.E.A.R. Strategies Reminder Card.
The students will prepare a short oral presentation, sharing a favorite book with others in the class.
Students will write a rough draft.
The students will type on the computer (with the help of the teacher or volunteer) the short retelling or favorite part of the selected book.
The student will choose a desired voice synthesizer to deliver his/her report. The child will be able to practice reading/writing in a meaningful and technological way.
The students will group in pairs and share their oral reports via the computer and voice synthesizer.
The students will be exposed to a variety of choices in literature in this manner.

Duration of Lesson:  Depending on class size and computer availability, this lesson may take several 45 minute periods.

Materials: 

• Supply of books 
• Paper
• Pencils

Technology Tools: 

Computer
Internet
Printer

Teacher Notes: 

Each student must have an Acceptable Use Policy on file.
Prepare a sample wav* in several synthesized voice modes. 

1. The teacher will prepare a sample wav* in synthesized voice modes to demonstrate the voice synthesizer. Type in the following D.E.A.R. Poem: 
 
I am hooked on Dear Time 
More Dear Time's what I need 
I am hooked on Dear Time
My favorite time to read 

Get to read for fun 
Share with everyone 
Look at any book so please
Give me lots more Dear Time 
So I can learn to read

2. Students will read a book, story or research the Internet about a famous person for D.E.A.R. Time, and prepare a one or two sentence review of the book.
3. Students will write a rough draft of the sentence(s).
4. Students will edit for spelling (dictionary and/or teacher).
5. Working in pairs, allow students to type sentence(s) into voice synthesizer.
6. Take turns playing the D.E.A.R. Talk for the rest of the class. 

Modifications:  Teacher will consult IEP and 504 plans for individual modifications. The special needs students may need help in writing a rough draft, and/or for typing sentences into the voice synthesizer.  Allow able students to be secretaries ( as students dictate sentences) for students who have difficulty.

Enrichment Activities:

1.  The students will complete a biography on a famous person.
2.  The teacher can train able students to reprogram the synthesizer and be in charge of downloads.

1.  Save the rough draft to a portfolio.
2.  The teacher will take anecdotal notes pertaining to oral reading as each student reads aloud.

National Standards:
Language Arts:
Writing: 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6
Reading:  5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.8, 6.1, 6.3, 6.4, 7.3, 7.4
Listening/Speaking:  8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8
History:
History of the people:  3.4
 

References: 
Bell Labs Text to Speech
Library of Congress
Biography
Biography Information
 
 

Overview

Lesson 1

Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Lesson 4

Lesson 5