Using a computer program that was new to our classroom, Scholastic Keys, we wrote about our mice going on a trip. Most students chose a warm, sunny spot for swimming and surfing, but one mouse went to the Olympics and won a medal for snowboarding! Another mouse traveled to Mars.

We had the program on only one classroom computer so some students are still waiting their turn to create their picture and type their story. Everyone used a traditional paper/pencil 4 square story web to plan their writing and handwrite initial draft. This project aligned well with our literacy and technology standards and social studies transportation theme.

Here are samples of our class work:

You can see more mouse tales and a list of books we used on this class webpage: http://www.mrsmcgowan.com/projects/mice/index.html

Standards: New Jersey Core Curriculum Standards
Language and Literacy
Listen actively in a variety of situations to information from a variety of sources.
Write in clear, concise, organized language that varies in content and form for different audiences and purposes.
Read various materials and texts with comprehension and critical analysis.
View, understand, and use nontextual visual information.

National Educational Technology Standards for Students. (NETS)
 * Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models, preparing publications, and producing other creative works.
 * Students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.
 * Students use telecommunications to collaborate, publish, interact with peers, experts, and other audiences.