Writing
a Friendly Letter to
Chris
Van Allsburg: Lesson 1
Suggested Time: 45 minutes
Maryland State Curriculum:
4.A.2.a Compose to express personal ideas to develop fluency using a variety of forms suited to topic, audience, and purpose
5.B.1.a) Use technology tools independently to support notetaking (SLM 3.5.A7)
Behavioral Objective:
Students will be able to visit a website to learn more about Chris Van Allsburg and take notes about him.
Resources Needed:
Computer Lab/ Classroom Computers, Internet access, paper, pencils
Links to Prior Knowledge:
Students should have read The Stranger by Chris Van Allsburg. Students should have some knowledge of writing a friendly letter. Students should be able to take basic notes while reading the text.
Procedures:
1. Tell students that we will be learning more about Chris Van Allsburg by visiting a website about him. When we are finished we will type a friendly letter to him to send in the mail.
2. Students should log onto the computer and go to the student common directory and open Writing a Friendly Letter.pps.
3. Guide students through reading the PowerPoint Show. They must left click their mouse to move from slide to slide.
4. When students get to the last slide, have them click on the link to the website.
5. Point out to students that there is a biography about Van Allsburg (You may want to discuss what a biography is if some students are unsure.)
6. Allow students explore the website independently and tell them to take notes about what they learn, what they want to tell Van Allsburg, and any questions they may have for him.
7. At the end of the period, spend a few minutes having students share their notes with the class.
Assessment:
Student note-taking, teacher observation
Follow-Up:
Students may
visit the official Chris
Van Allsburg Website.
Accommodations:
Students may work in pairs or in groups. Verbatim reading of website. Notes template on Student Resource page.
Extension:
Students may respond to themselves as Van Allsburg.