The purpose of this lesson is to offer a web unit on the language arts story, "The Big One," and to improve students' language arts skills in reading comprehension and in vocabulary.
The materials used in teaching this unit are: a computer, Internet connection, paper, and pencil.
Begin by having the students type in the URL (Internet address) http://starbuck.ced.appstate.edu/schools/Lenore/index.html
Click on Language Arts. Then click on The Big One. Once this section is read, go to each vocabulary word listed in the glossary. The vocabulary words should be written down by students for study.
This skill often takes practice and, as you know, the typed-in address must be identical to the actual address. A mistake of one slash or letter will result in the student not getting to the Internet address. These skills can, with work, be mastered by special education students as well as regular education students.
Note that all vocabulary words are underlined and by clicking on most of these words, the student will move to the glossary. The glossary will define the words for the purpose of the lessons contained here.
Once all students have arrived at the URL, reading may begin.
Reading should be done orally on a volunteer basis. Assist students with pronounciation of difficult words. Discuss concepts of the lesson with the students from time to time.
Upon completion of the Internet unit, return to the Laurel Lake menu page:
The main menu page allows students to navigate the entire website. Once all the content areas are completed, students may play the Laurel Lake game. The game is a "fill-in-the-blank" type set of questions. If the student clicks on the wrong answer, a screen appears informing the student he or she has entered an incorrect answer. At this point, the student is given the option to return to the question. The correct answer will appear in a different color from the other answers to that question. Upon completion of the game, a multi-colored screen appears. This will let the teacher know the student has finished the game.
Upon completion of this unit, the student will be able:
Once all the activities of The Big One story are completed, a quiz is provided in the "Teacher Resource" section.