Lesson Critique and Standards Alignment

Postc@rds from the Net

Technology in this lesson plan was appropriate as the children were to be able to tell others about special landmarks and locations within their community.  The idea of using an electronic postcard format indicated an understanding of available technology and the children’s developmental capabilities to use certain technology by their teacher.  The lesson procedures also fit the purpose and objectives of the lesson plan regarding the Social Studies objectives.

The use of digital clips or video to portray locations that the children could easily identify, along with the use of desktop-publishing programs to set up their electronic postcard format did indicate a variety of technology being used for this lesson. 

I would definitely utilize this lesson plan twice a year and would not use the mapping software at the beginning of the school year, but would use it in the spring.  In this way students would look forward to doing another electronic postcard which could portray their improved communication and writing skills, while keeping maximum interest in repeating this lesson plan by adding a new technology skill. In order to draw a simple map with one or two landmarks indicated at the beginning of the school year, I would work with them using a software program similar to Paint but for younger children. I feel the younger students may become frustrated trying to work with older students and an advanced program at the beginning of a school year, along with creating tag board postcards as well.  This lesson plan did not indicate a time frame and younger children’s interest and attention span may not keep pace with all of the new technology information and pertinent subject content.

The lesson plan incorporating technology within this subject and communication format works well with the grade-levels and objectives indicated.  The utilization of postcards and the mapping of community landmarks will encourage young children to observe their surroundings more closely and to communicate those observations with family and friends. This is important as young children are learning more about the world outside their home and immediate neighborhood.  This in turn will aid them in feeling connected and secure in their expanding environments.

TEKS Objectives which correspond to NETS Performance Indicators listed in the lesson plan Postc@rds from the Net:  Foundations (1) (B);  Foundations (2) (A), (D), (E);  Information acquisition (4) (B); (5) (A); Solving Problems (7) (B);  Communication (10) (A), (B); (11) (A), (B).