Online Projects, Collaboration Sites and Publishing Opportunities

Lesson Idea Name: Narrative Story

Content Area: English Language Arts (Writing)
Grade Level(s): 4th
Content Standard Addressed: ELAGE4W3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or
events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

Technology Standard Addressed: Creative Communicator. Students communicate clearly and express
themselves creatively for a variety of purposes using the platforms, tools styles, formats and digital media
appropriate to their goals.

Selected Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity: KidPub

URL(s) to support the lesson: http://www.kidpub.com

Describe how you would incorporate an Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity in your
classroom :
I would incorporate KidPub, an online publishing opportunity, into my classroom by first having students
create a narrative story of their own. Students would work alone to create a narrative that is real or imagined
ensuring that they are using proper techniques, descriptive details, and appropriate event sequencing.
Students would type their stories into Microsoft Word in the computer lab, or the teacher could rent class
laptops for the week while students are working on their narratives.
Once the students have completed their narratives, they would then be posting them onto the KidPub site
where they can then have other students read their writing and also talk with other students about writing.
The students could then enter their narratives into writing contests to win prizes, join discussion forums, or
get information/support about writing.
What technologies would be required to implement this proposed learning activity in a classroom?
Students would first need to have a computer or laptop that has Microsoft Word or some type of document
writing tool. They would need to type their narratives in a document before they can post to KidPub. After
students have completed their narratives, they would then post their documents to KidPub online.
Describe how the following features are addressed in this learning experience (note: all of them may not be
addressed in the project, but most should be if you are reaching a high LoTi Level).
a. Collaboration with peers, near-peers, mentors outside their classroom and often beyond their
school: Students could collaborate with their peers while writing their narratives. Once they post their
narratives on KidPub they will then be sharing their work and collaborating with others outside of their
classroom.

b. Student-centered learning and knowledge creation (creating original data and or producing original
products as a result of engaging in a project): Student centered learning and knowledge creation is
used in this lesson because students are creating their own work. The students are producing products
(the narrative) as a result of engaging in the project.

c. Higher-order thinking: Students are engaging in higher order thinking by creating content that will be
viewed and appreciated by others on the KidPub website.

d. Students publishing their original work to others who will use/care about their product: Knowing
that others will be viewing their original work will ensure that students want their narratives to be
their very best work.

Spring 2018_SJB
 Online Projects, Collaboration Sites and Publishing Opportunities
Bloom’s Taxonomy Level(s):
☐ Remembering ☐ Understanding ☒ Applying ☐ Analyzing ☐ Evaluating ☐ Creating

Levels of Technology Integration (LoTi Level):

☐ Level 1: Awareness ☐ Level 2: Exploration ☒ Level 3: Infusion ☐ Level 4: Integration
☐ Level 5: Expansion ☐ Level 6: Refinement

Universal Design for Learning (UDL):

The Universal Design for Learning principles include the “what”, “how”, and “why” or learning. The “what” of
learning involves providing multiple means of representation. Students are doing this by expressing their
narratives in their own words so that it can be perceived in a way that they want others to read their story.
The “how” of learning is about providing multiple means of action and expression. Students are
communicating their narratives in the document then physically posting it to KidPub to communicate about
their stories with others. The “why” of learning involves students providing multiple means of engagement.
Students are demonstrating this by being motivated to make their stories their best work because they will be
posted for an audience. Students are also allowed to write an appropriate narrative about whatever they
would like so that they will be writing about something that interests them.
Lesson idea implementation and Internet Safety Policies:
I would endure that this proposed learning experience will comply with my district’s Internet Safety and
Student Privacy policies by first ensuring that I am fully aware of my districts rules. I would then ensure that I
monitored student’s conversations in the discussion boards on KidPub. While students are publishing their
work, I will make sure that students are either using pseudonyms or only using their first names.
Reflective Practice:
After designing this lesson idea, I feel that the activities I created could impact students learning because they
will be creating a narrative to strengthen their writing skills. This will be an end of unit project on narrative
writing and stories. To further extend this activity, I could have students publish a next part to their narrative
stories. Students could also conduct research to find ideas for their narratives.

Spring 2018_SJB