DEVELOPING ABE/GED

COMPUTER-BASED ACTIVITIES

LANGUAGE ARTS: Writing for competency or GED preparation

USING WORD PROCESSING TO WRITE PARAGRAPHS

LEVEL ABE/GED

OBJECTIVES

Demonstrate keyboard knowledge for keying all letters

Open and use word-processing software

Type a paragraph using proper keyboarding techniques

Print the paragraph

Close and exit correctly from the software program

MATERIALS

Computer with word-processing software

Selection of paragraph starters

Chalkboard/chalk or whiteboard/markers

Computer printer and paper

PROCEDURES

Review topic sentences and supporting sentences using the inverted triangle.

Review booting up, opening the software, and specific keys needed including: typewriter keys, cursor movement keys, Shift, and Tab.

Review software commands including: speller, grammar check, print, and close/exit.

Student will choose one paragraph starter from the board, key in the chosen paragraph using Tab for indenting, and compose the remainder of the paragraph on the computer with a minimum of three more sentences.

Student will use the software program to check the spelling and the grammar.

Student will print the paragraph.

Student will correctly close and exit the program.

EVALUATION

Student provides a copy of the completed and checked paragraph.

TIMELINE

Class 1 45-minute class defining topic sentences and supporting

details. Student will read three paragraphs and underline the topic sentence in each.

Class 2 30-minute class using one paragraph starter as the topic

sentence. Supporting details will be reviewed and the Student will write two sentences of supporting details to complete the paragraph. Sample supporting sentences of the students will be written on the board for examples.

Class 3 45-minute class following the lesson plan

Class 4 30-minute follow-up class repeated from the lesson plan

with minimal instruction to assess mastery.

Mary Lou Friedline, PIC of Westmoreland/Fayette, Inc., Greensburg