Using Graphic Organizers to Support Writing
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Numbers Activity, Continued........

3.  Now, grab the second page you printed.  Fold the paper into four equal sections as shown below.


4. Open the paper up and hold it exactly as you did the first time, with the "circled number 1" in the upper left corner.

5. Now you are going to repeat this activity, timing yourself for one minute. HOWEVER, when looking for the numbers, move from box to box in the numerical order shown below (left to right, left to right). The numbers have been organized to appear in order so you can find them easier.  After the one minute is up, write the last number you circled on top of the paper as you did before.



6.  Was the organized activity easier to complete?  Where you able to find and circle more numbers the second time? How did you feel after completing the second activity? 

7.  Go to this link  (a google form) and record  your reaction now.
4.  Templates Guide the Writing Process

Students often struggle to find a starting place when they begin writing or thinking about a writing project. Many would benefit from a writing template that helps them think about and organize their information and ideas before they start formulating sentences and paragraphs. One of my favorite examples is a template that is provided with the program Inspiration - a science lab template. 

Imagine a classic LD student who struggles to write.  Let's call him Johnny.  Johnny's reading and writing disabilities have nothing to do with his intelligence. Johnny loves chemistry and especially loves when they have labs.  He understands all of the concepts, however, gets very nervous when it is time to complete the written portion of the lab. Johnny just can't seem to "put it all together" on paper. Johnny's understanding of the concepts and grades are soley based on his written lab reports. Because of this, Johnny may not pass Chemistry this year.  

Take a look at the  "High School Lab Report" handout.  It is quite complicated, especially through the eyes of our special ed students.  How do you think Johnny feels when he looks at this? Now, let's look at a science lab template created in Inspiration. (Please refer to the handout entitled "Modified Lab Report.") Please take a few minutes to review the diagram and visual set up for this assignment.  Then, revew the completed template.

Although my answers (on the template) may be simplistic for illustration purposes, the "visual map" makes it much easier for Johnny to organize his responses.  In Inspiration, once a template is completed, it can be viewed in "outline" format by pressing a button.  Look at the outline for this completed template which can also be printed and handed in.  Remember that our special ed students have different goals and objectives, and for many, simply demonstrating that they understand the concepts of the assignment is sufficient.
5.  Getting to know Inspiration

A. To complete the assignments associated with this lesson, you will need to learn to use the software program Inspiration.  You can download a free trial version to your computer to use.  Below is the link for the free download.  Another option, should you choose not to download the software, is to sign up for a free trial of their online version, My Webspiration.  They are both the same program.

Download Free Inspiration Trial

Sign up for Free Webspiration Trial     (scroll down a little to see the free trial)

B. Once you have access to the software, you will need a little training.  Below are links for online video tutorials. Please note that Webspiration is an online version of Inspiration: Both are the same.  The training video for Webspiration is not as comprehensive as the videos available for Inspiration.  Thus, if you choose to download Webspriation, you may need to watch the Inspiration videos, too.

Inspiration Training Link 
*Under Diagram View go to bottom and begin with "Getting Started" link, then watch  "Exploring Inspiration Views."  Next, look directly under "Diagram View" and view the listed links as needed.

Webspiration Training Link

C.  This part of the lesson should take at least one hour so you can become familair with the software.  Previous users will buzz thru it and may not need to watch the videos.  New users may need additional time. 

D.  It is important that you take a few minutes to explore and view the different templates offered in Inspiration. Please be sure that you know how to access the templates, and have viewed several templates in the different academic areas.

6.  The Typical American President

This is your first assignment and opportunity to demonsrate your ability to use the software program, Inspiration.  Please download the assignment here.
Please note the following:

1.  Once you complete the assignment,  you should download it into Google Docs, into your personal folder.  Because it is a graphic,  you will have to download it as a PDF file.

2.  What follows are links to samples of this assignment completed by former students.  You cannot use these presidents for your assignment:  President Johnson, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Andrew Jackson.

3. This assignment should be completed and placed in your Google Docs personal file by our next scheduled class.