Standard: 5.W.6 – With some guidance and support from adults, use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of two pages in a single sitting.
Grade level: Grade 5
Subject: English Language Arts
Domain: Writing
Teacher Overview
This standard emphasizes the integration of technology into the writing process, which is crucial in today’s digital age. It encourages students to use digital tools not only to produce and publish their work but also to collaborate with peers. Mastery of this standard will help students develop the necessary skills to function effectively in a technologically advanced society. Before tackling this standard, students should have basic typing skills, know how to navigate the Internet safely, and be able to write coherent sentences and paragraphs.
After mastering this standard, students will be able to independently use technology for writing and research. They will be proficient in collaborating on digital platforms and producing polished, professional writing.
Common Misconception 1
Some students may think that they can skip the planning phase when using technology for writing. This is incorrect because planning is essential for organizing thoughts and producing a coherent piece of writing.
Intervention 1
Introduce digital tools like mind mapping software or outlining apps to help students organize their ideas before they start typing.
Common Misconception 2
Another common misconception is that typing speed is more critical than accuracy. However, accuracy is just as important because it ensures that the writing is understandable and free of errors.
Intervention 2
Provide balanced typing practice sessions that focus on both speed and accuracy. Use typing games and software to make practice engaging.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should be familiar with basic typing skills, have a foundational understanding of using a computer and the Internet, and possess basic writing skills such as constructing sentences and paragraphs.
Subsequent Knowledge
After mastering this standard, students will be able to independently use technology to enhance their writing and research skills, collaborate more effectively on digital platforms, and produce more polished and professional writing pieces.
Instructional Activities
- Have students create and publish a class newsletter using a word processor.
- Organize a group project where students collaborate on a shared document to write a story.
- Set up a classroom blog where students can post their essays and comment on each other’s work.
