Purchasing Simulation

Course(s)/Subject(s): Eighth grade English

Grade Level(s): 8

Key Words: Internet search, Contemporary Authors, Technology, ClarisWorks

Developer(s) Name: Kathryn Palladino

School: Cooper Middle School

Attached Files:
Contemporary Authors Research
PTA letter
Memorandum format

Approximate Time Frame: 1 or 2 days

Materials/Equipment Needed: computers linked to Internet, ClarisWorks

Description of Lesson (includes context): working with search engines and writing a memorandum

LESSON OUTLINE

1. What is the objective of this lesson?
   Students will simulate the experience of being on an evaluation committee to recommend
   purchase of a classroom set of novels by a contemporary author. They will read
   biographies of current authors and lists of their novels to retrieve relevant, up-to-date
   electronic research on a search engine, calculate the cost to purchase one class set of a
   selected novel, and use word-processing skills to compose, edit, revise, and publish a
   memorandum.

FCPS POS Standards: English Standards 1 and 4

FCPS POS Benchmarks: 8.1-2, 8.1-3, 8.4-1, 8.4-2

FCPS POS Indicators: 8.1-2 bullets 1, 5 & 6; 8.1-3 bullets 1, 2, 3 & 4; 8.4-1 bullets 3,4 & 7; 8.4-2 bullets 2, 3,4, 5 & 6

VA SOL(s) (including Computer/Technology): C/T 8.2

EVIDENCE

2. What will we examine as evidence of students' knowledge and/or skill?

Product(s):Contemporary Authors Research sheet, student published memorandum in
ClarisWorks

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Performance(s):Use of Inter net Search Engine, note-taking process

Other:Could be expanded to incorporate student oral presentation

DIRECTIONS

3. What exactly will the students and teacher do during the lesson?

Directions to students for proceeding with the lesson:

Students will be given a packet comprised of three pages: PTA letter, Contemporary Authors Research and Memorandum Format. The PTA letter explains the rationale for the task. In the Computer Lab, students will go to Internet Explorer and Yahoo and enter the name of the author they will research. Students will be instructed to fill out Contemporary Authors Research sheet as they read the biography. Next, students will proceed to www.amazon.comand complete the related portion of worksheet. Finally, students will exit out of Internet Explorer and access ClarisWorks to create a memorandum using the format provided on the third sheet. Students will use spell check and edit accordingly.

Directions to teacher/administrator using the lesson?

Sign up for the Computer Lab at your school for two consecutive days. Duplicate packets for each student with the PTA letter, Contemporary Authors Research sheet & Memorandum format sheet. Take students to lab and distribute packets. Instruct students to open Internet Explorer, proceed to Yahoo and enter the author's name. Remind students to fill out Contemporary Authors Research as they read the biography. Have students proceed to www.amazon.comand locate the title of the book they have chosen to recommend. Students should fill in information and perform calculations. Lastly, students exit Internet Explorer and enter ClarisWorks to create a memorandum according to the format provided.

APPROPRIATE ACCOMMODATIONS/MODIFICATIONS

4. What options in presentation(s) and/or response(s) are suggested in order to provide the opportunity for all students to demonstrate achievement of the benchmark(s) and indicator(s)?

Students can proceed at an individual rate to accomplish task. Students who finish before
others may do a second assignment on a different author. This can be provided as an extra
credit opportunity.

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