Office of Instructional Technology

Multi-disciplinary Inquiry-based Projects for the 21st Century Collaborative Classroom

iSite: Primary Grade Global Communication and Collaboration Project - Creating, Publishing, and Sharing Online ABC Books

Pacing

I. Preparing to Start

- Plan what subject area you will use to create the books.

- Decide how you will group students and organize the project.  Look at the Differentiated Learning section for ideas.

- Download the template from the Resources section or create your own.

- Find and organize your resources, whether you are planning on using clip art, artwork that is scanned and/or art work students create on the computer.
- Enlist school support:

• Art teacher- may be able to assist with illustrations
• Computer teacher- can support students with using PowerPoint and help you get the necessary resources
• Librarian-  can compile books about the content being studied
• Parents- may be able to provide primary source information or come and work with students

- Begin to plan the celebration and buy resources or download software as necessary.  If you will put the books online, have parents sign the DOE consent form.

II. Starting the Project

- Introduce the online ABC Book project .

- Show samples of the PowerPoint pages.

- Model populating the pages first with text, then with images.

- Train a student, or several students, to be the monitor or troubleshooter when you are not available.

- Have students begin working on paper while waiting for computer time or while planning work.

- Model recording sound for students.

- Have students record themselves reading the pages of their ABC Book.

- Model writing an "About the Author(s)" page for students.

- Have students write their "About the Author" after they have completed pages for the letters.

III. Celebrating

If you are printing, first

• Read the directions that come with the Lintor Books
• Print the pages for each book
• Have students design their cover
• Model binding the books and have the students bind their own books

- Invite parents and school staff to the celebration

- Secure a projector and screen for the celebration

- Play the PowerPoint ABC Books for the visitors and class

III. Reflection and Next Steps

- Reflect on the organization and process of the project.  What would you have changed?

- Consider your next steps.  Will you make this project global?  If so, go the the Next Steps section. Will you create ABC Books with your class again in another content area?