Opinion Writing in Grades K-2 Should Students Be Allowed to Bring iPads/Tablets to School? Adapted by Nikki Hunt, KWP RSPDI Team A mini-unit adapted from.

Opinion Writing in Grades K-2

Should Students Be Allowed to Bring

iPads/Tablets to School?Adapted by Nikki Hunt, KWP RSPDI Team

A mini-unit adapted from a lesson sequence by Angel Peavler and NWP i3 College Ready Writers

Program materials

Image from:http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/1007039/has-education-improved-with-technology

Image from:http://cliparts.co/thinking-of-you-clip-art

2

Writing Reading Argument MINI-UNITEmphasis

# of Lessons

ARGUMENT SKILLS PRODUCT ELEMENTS OF

ARGUMENT CLOSE READING STRATEGIES

RESPONSE TO READINGS TOPICS

Draft, Feedback, Revise, Reflect Close reading strategies

Writing & talking to develop knowledge on

topic or issue

Forming an opinion

4 Lessons

Entering Skills:• Partner

sharing• Writing

sentences/• drawing in

response to question

• Using facts from texts

Foundational Skills: • Weighing

pro and con evidence

Product: One-Page guided response with icons(First I Thought, Then I Learned, Now I Think)

Researching to make an informed opinion

Studying images to form an opinion

Watching video to form an opinion

Reading articles or listening to read-aloud to form an opinion

Scaffolded writing:First I Thought, Then I Learned, Now I Think)

SHOULD WE ALLOW STUDENTS TO BRING TABLETS TO SCHOOL?

6 shared readings (3 related images, 1 video, 2 articles)

Mini-Unit Overview

Writing Standards Emphasized in the Mini-Unit

• Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic.

• Write opinion pieces in which they state an opinion, giving reasons.

• Write opinion pieces in which they provide a concluding statement or section.

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4/5

• Introduce research question (inquiry)

• “First I thought…” (Circle an icon in response to research question)

• Study first text; discuss; chart responses

• Booklet writing: “First I thought…”

• Study texts 2 & 3; discuss; chart responses

• Booklet writing: “Then I learned…” (Draw or write in response to research question)

• Watch and discuss text 4; discuss; chart responses

• Booklet writing: “Then I learned…” (Continue drawing or writing in response to research question)

• Read text 5; discuss; chart responses

• Booklet writing: “Then I learned…” (Continue drawing or writing in response to research question)

• Read or listen to text 6; discuss; chart responses

• Booklet writing: “Then I learned…” (Continue drawing or writing in response to research question)

• Booklet writing: “Now I think…” (Draw or write in response to research question)

• Partner/whole group share

Mini-Unit Instructional Sequence

REMEMBER…every time you ask kids to write, allow time for talking, sharing, and charting as a whole group!

Should students be allowed to bring iPads/tablets to school?

What do you think?

First I thought…

Should students be allowed to bring iPads/tablets to school?

Look at this picture. What do you notice?

Then I learned…

Text 1

Image from:http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/what-are-these-tablets-good-for-20120630-219bu.html

Should students be allowed to bring iPads/tablets to school?

Look at these pictures. What do you see?

Then I learned…

Text 3

Image from: http://usetablet.com/2013/04/10/does-your-kid-need-a-tablet-computer/

Text 2

Image from:http://www.educationandbehavior.com/behavior-strategies-for-kids-with-oppositional-defiant-disorder/

Should students be allowed to bring iPads/tablets to school?

BYOD in Schools

Then I learned…

Text 4

Image from:http://edtechreview.in/dictionary/278-what-is-byod-byot

ARE THERE DISADVANTAGES TO HAVING TABLETS IN THE CLASSROOM?

A third of students using classroom iPads for play, not workBY MICHAEL OLIVEIRAExcerpt from an article in The Canadian PressPublished Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013 1:58PM EST 

A third of 6,000 students surveyed about using iPads in class admitted to playing games during school hours. Surprisingly, 99 per cent said they found the gadgets distracting.

Pros and cons of iPads in the classroomAdapted from http://www.securedgenetworks.com/blog/17-Pros-and-Cons-of-Using-iPads-in-the-Classroom

Pros1. Students love them 

iPads in the classroom will get even the most stubborn students excited and engaged.

2. Good battery life 

It will last through the whole school day without dying, which is important for school use.

3. Lots of apps

The number of educational apps just keeps growing.

4. e-textbooks 

iPads can end the need for textbooks. E-books save trees and they are more up-to-date.

5. Communication tool 

You can use them as a survey tool or let students ask questions or make comments during lessons.

6. Great content viewer 

It lets students watch podcasts and videos, read books, and do research.

7. Light-weight and portable 

The iPad is lighter than a bag of books. Students can take them anywhere.

Then I learned…

Pros and cons of iPads in the classroom, continued

Cons1. No USB port 

2. No multi-tasking 

Two windows or files can’t be kept open side by side. (This could actually be good for keeping students focused on what they are supposed to be doing.)

3. Expensive 

Many schools find the iPad is just too expensive. (One solution would be to allow students to bring their own tablets to school.)

4. Can be distracting 

Students might wander onto other sites.

5. Not great for creating content 

It’s better watching content, but not so good for writing.

6. Typing on a screen is sometimes hard 

7. Not good for sharing 

iPads were designed to be personal devices. Each student needs his/her own. Personal information can't be stored if students are sharing iPads.

Then I learned…

Should students be allowed to bring iPads/tablets to school?

What do you think?

Re-read your booklet. What facts help you decide whether we should or should not allow tablets in school?

Share your ideas with your partner.

Should students be allowed to bring iPads/tablets to school?

What do you think?

Now I Think…

SHARE YOUR BOOKLET WITH YOUR PARTNER.

Kindergarten Booklet

Flipbook

Links to Materials and Resources