Primary Projects
Primary Projects

Activity 4

 Blogging in Character                                                           

 

The Task -2 hours - ICT Suite or equivalent.

Resources -Class blog and indivdual accounts (see link). Prior work on flip charts or posters for reference.

Learning Objectives:

Engaging and responding to text:

  • Children will use inference and empathy to inform blog entry for Michael.
  • Children will use information from the text to guide their blog entry

Word Structure and spelling:

  • Use strategies to proof read and correct work on screen.
  • use correct style of writing appropriate for purpose.

Presentation:

  • Use ICT to present text

NC Reference

En 3 Writing -

1a, 1c, 1d, 2f, 7d, 9b, 9d, 11, 12.

 Part 1:

Re read in a shared context pg 25, chapter 3, Ship’s Log. Look at the language in this section, the sentences are short and punchy, unlike some of the more descriptive writing in the later stages of the book, show an example of this:

Pg 25 - Ships log (short sentences)

pg 49 - On the island (descriptive, long sentences)

Ask children to identify the differences in these sections of text in pairs. Discuss and share ideas as a group and record to aid with independent writing task to follow. Question to ensure children understand the differences and why those differences occur - the purpose of the writing, the audience etc.

Part 2

Shared work:

Discuss how we can use out blog entries to write some consecutive entries for Michael on his boat. What could Michael have included in a blog that he could not include in a hand written log? (images, sound). The children, writing entries as Michael, could choose a section they particularly liked and write their entries for that time. Encourage the class to think of interesting links they could attach and model this. For example they could attch a link to google maps, this link shows Recife in Brazil (one of Michaels visits). The children could attach photos of wildlife that Michael has seen and links to information on them. To enable this you should provide children with a list of useful websites. Remind children of the style of language Michael used in his log; informative, short sentences etc, Remind children of the format used and show examples of other ship logs:

http://sailstraycat.blogspot.com/ (This is in blog format)

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/socsci/ca/books/bke1/sources/bke1_template.jsp?name=columbusc&bk=bke1&state=ca (This link includes an exerpt from Columbus’ log and some good points on what a log tells us).

http://www.longpassages.org/ship’s_log.htm

http://www.larinda.com/shipslog.html

Here is an example of what these entries could look like:

http://thewillowsschool.21classes.com/weblogEntries/editSubmit?slsid=1213526753761.

Once children have completed these blog entries allow time to evaluate by peer assessing each others work and commenting on the blogs. These can also be shared with parents at home and other classes within the school.

 Learning Outcomes:

  • Children will blog using the writing style of a ships log.
  • Children will show understanding of varying writing styles depending on purpose.