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Focus on:
Just Grandma and Me
In this issue on Interactive Storybook CD-ROM we

Show how a storybook CD-ROM supports learning across the curriculum
Map the strategies and methodologies used
Identify other relevant resources
Discuss attainment outcomes and strands within different 5-14 curricular areas

STROYBOOK CD-ROM, THE STORY SO FAR...
The main strength of an interactive story book CD-ROM is in the area of Language Development. Language is at the heart of children's learning. Through language they receive much of their knowledge and acquire many of their skills. Language enables children both to communicate with others effectively and to examine their own and others' experiences feelings and ideas, giving them order and meaning.

The English Language 5 - 14 curriculum is strongly underpinned by a supportive curriculum in Environmental Studies, Expressive Arts and Mathematics. The balance between these subject areas varies with the content of each section of the story.

The storybook presentation stimulates and enhances the children's interest in the topic as well as greatly increasing concentration and motivation. The children become really involved in the story and its characters, eager to discuss and take part in the happenings on the screen and to anticipate the next step. Many of the concepts introduced in the story can be further developed in the class as individual free - standing topics.

The CD story can be divided into four scenes : The Bus, the Beach, the Picnic and Swimming which form the basis for developing the topic. Each of the above sections has a 5 - 14 curriculum which covers Mathematics Language, Environmental Studies and the Expressive Arts.

The interactive section of the program called Let Me Play has special features which lend themselves to Language development - especially in Talking and Listening - and the Expressive Arts which include Music, Drama and PE. The children acquire and develop skills in prediction, anticipation, observation, describing, reporting discussing, listening, role-play, games and music. The story lends itself to role play and a simple play can easily be devised by the teacher.

In this newsletter we focus on the structure of the teaching and learning / strategies and methodologies in greater detail.

Liz White is currently a Senior Teacher in Richmond Park School which is a primary special school. She has a Diploma in Special Educational Needs and is presently completing a Diploma in Educational Computing. Liz has been involved in IT since its inception in Richmond Park School in 1987. She is at present teaching in the unit for children with language disorders and for many years previously taught children in the same school who are physically impaired. Liz has been responsible for the development of Campus 2000 and has initiated topics for Richmond Park School and for schools world wide. In addition she given in service in computing for the Twilight Classes for primary mainstream teachers and "Parents with Macs" Workshops.

STRATEGY AND METHEDOLOGY The strategies and methodologies used are common to all storybooks. These strategies can be incorporated into most settings and adapted for use by most groups of learners

Just Grandma and Me
In this introductory section, the book and story as a whole are used to set thescene and to introduce the language associated with holidays to the children.They first talk about holidays they had enjoyed or otherwise, places they havevisited - like the seaside, countryside, mountains, lochs and rivers. They alsodiscuss transport to the holiday places, what they like doing there and whatfood they like to eat. The story is read to the class and the scene set for theCD story.

Introductory Activities
The class or group look at books with pictures of different kinds of holidayplaces and different kinds of transport - cars, boats and planes. Old holidaybrochures and magazines are ideal to use - everything from seaside holidays tocountry holidays in the mountains.

A Guess Who photo album or class wallboard of children on holiday and perhaps teachers too.

Holiday postcards and souvenirs to discuss in class - perhaps a holiday video!

During this introductory time the Language outcomes of Listening, Talking and Reading are heavily subscribed. The children are involved in stories, discussions and information exchanges about holiday transport, places, activities and food. They are sharing their own experiences and understandings as well as living the story of Grandma and Little Critter.

THE FEATURES OF THIS CD-ROM
Drama through role play is a very positive strength of the interactive CD story. The main characters in the story can be acted by the children who either listen and learn the text on screen or write a script of their own. The text screen can be highlighted and repeated as often as necessary by clicking the ball beside the first word. Individual words / phrases and sentences can also be highlighted. The arrows at each side of the screen allow you to go forward or backward from each page. Clicking the page number will let you quit or pressing Command Q.

Using the previous headings of The Bus, The Beach,The Picnic and Swimming it is possible to write a simple play based on the Grandma and Me story. This play can also be developed by using KidPix Companion to make a movie.

Scene 1 - The Bus.
Two children can role play Grandma and Little Critter waiting for the bus. The dialogue can be taken from the screen text or a new script can be written by the children. Sounds, Music, Bus songs can be played from a tape or by the school band. A class bus can be easily made from seats with cut out wheels. Children can play the driver and passengers.

Scene 1 - The Bus
This part of the topic is about transport starting with the bus journey to the seaside and developing into a mini topic about transport. The story book, the CD story and individual pages are used together to support the topic. Areas covered are different kinds of transport and holiday clothes.

Scene 2 - The Beach.
The action can take place in front of the wall board of the beach. Props needed are a sun umbrella, a deck chair, sun hat and a kite, a tape of beach sounds, wind and songs about the seaside. The characters will enact the umbrella and kite blowing away which could include a wind dance. Children can play some of the other characters on the beach making sand castles and beach games.

Scene 3 The Picnic.
The action can take place in front of the wall board of the beach scene. The characters will enact the hot dog scene. Props needed - a picnic table or rug, hot dogs, drinks and a basin of water to wash the sausages and a "crab" to frighten Little Critter and a tape of beach sounds and songs about food. Children can play some of the other characters on the beach.

Scene 4 Swimming
The action can take place in front of the underwater wallboard The characters will play in the sea then look under water. Props needed - swim wear and snorkels etc and a tape of songs about fish. Children can play the parts of the sea creatures under the sea and learn "a sea creature dance"

Scene 5 Time to go Home.
The bus with passengers can be used again for travelling home. Sounds, music and songs can be played from a tape or played by the school band.

Listening and talking:

in groups about the CD story - specifically the storyline, sound and animation eg who or what is moving and what are they saying? What things are making a noise?

in groups about what to take on holiday to the beach - what kind of clothes,suitcase, bags and toys. You might need chairs, mats and sun umbrellas.

in groups about he parts of a bus, car, plane and boat. Discuss differentkinds of boats cars vans lorries planes.

individually about going on a bus, car, plane or boat journey. ie buyingtickets

Reading:

aloud the CD story for enjoyment - as a whole and page by page

for information about transport eg. parts of a bus, car, plane and boat - wheels, tyres, wings and their purpose.

for pleasure from selected books - see book listWriting:

about what to take on holiday to the beach and why you took these things

a report about transport eg buses etc. - names and purposes of parts - why you would take a plane instead of a bus.

a real or imaginative story about a journey using bus, car, plane or boat

about what or who you would really like to take on holiday but Mum said NO! Mathematics:

Information Handling - collecting drawings or pictures from catalogues andmagazines for a pictogram of class holiday clothes.

Number Money & Measurement - buying and selling tickets for the bus and givingchange up to ?1. The number and size, in spans or simple measure of wheels onbuses, cars and bikes.

Shape Position & Movement. The names and properties of the shapes on buses, cars,planes and boat eg windows, doors and lights. Environmental Studies:

Science - discuss the causes of air pollution - exhaust fumes particularly

Technology. - designing and developing a vehicle that can move using Lego or asimilar construction kit.

Social Subjects - showing consideration to others travelling on transport ie queuing.

Health Education - making first aid kit for the holiday ie plasters and bandages.

Expressive Arts:

taking a large cardboard wall model of a bus with cut - out windows for the passengers; making self portraits for the passengers; filling a box or suitcase with holiday clothes; drawing or painting pictures or cut shapes out of old cloth to make a beach fashion catalogue.

Music - songs about going on holiday, buses and clothes.Computer Worksheets using KidPix and Claris Works:

interactive worksheets with teacher having prepared the background screen, then the children complete the screen according to instructions. eg an airport scene with the children asked to add planes, passengers, luggage then text, sounds and speech.

computer Work Sheets about parts of buses, cars, planes, boats and holiday clothes.

individual KidPix stories and drawings of buses, cars, planes, boats and holiday clothes Books to Read:At the Garage by P Strickland. Orchard BooksPostman Pat Series (story tape) also TV programme J. Cuncliffe. Hippo BooksFireman Sam by R.Lee Heinemann Books also TV programmeThe Car Ride by J. Barringham. Walker BooksFinding out about Wings Wheels and Water by K. Little. Osborne BooksCatching a plane by Clarke and Dennis. Read About BooksThomas the Tank Engine by Rev Awdry. Heinmann. Also a TV programme and story tape.Places to visit:A bus or train station, airport or garage, Transport Museum and Summerlee Heritage Centre.Scene 2 - The BeachThe second mini topic is about beach activities and the effects of the wind at the seaside. The story book, the CD story and individual screens are used together to support the topic. Areas covered are good / bad effects of the wind for example hats, newspapers and balls are blown away but the wind can blow sails, help some water sports and fly kites too! There are lots of games to play on the beach.Listening and talking:

in groups about the CD story line, sound, animation etc and anticipating what is happening

about what happens on the beach when the wind blows.

about the beach - what is a beach and what do you find there? what do you do there?

bout the bad effects of the wind - umbrella, newspaper, balls, hats blowing away. Now children can add their own ideas eg ships sinking, houses, trees, cars and fences blown over, windows broken and people hurt, Reading:

from the text book / screen about the good / bad effects of the wind

about wind / water sports from brochures

about the beach - shells, seaweed, beach games and what you can do with sand.

for pleasure from selected books - see book list.Writing:

about some good thing(s) the wind did around the beach

an imaginary story about what the wind might do when no one was looking

list games you can play or things you can make on the beach. Choose your favourite and tell us how you do it. Write the rules for the game. Write about making a kite then how to fly it.Mathematics:

Information Handling - gather and display pictures/ drawings of beach activities. Find out the most popular one in your class - Why don't you try some of the ball games or kite flying?

Number Money Measurement - make a kite. First estimate the size then measure it with handspans or a simple measure.

Shape Position Movement - draw kite shapes - box, triangle or kite shaped. Make different shapes and patterns with wet sand.Environmental Studies:

Science - gather some things which might blow in the wind like then use a hair drier to find out which ones move.

Technology - make a kite that will fly. Use plastic bin liners, green or black measured and cut into the right shape. Decorate the kite with paper shapes stapled on. Make the frame with 6mm dowelling cut to right size. Fasten the plastic shape to the frame with a heavy duty staple gun. All you need now is a strong thread or string with bows or ribbons tied to it and a WINDY DAY.

Health Education - discuss creams, sun hats and umbrellas for sun protection.Expressive Arts:

make a class frieze of a beach sea scene as a background for beach activities and items like deck chairs, sun umbrellas and children playing games. Put some shells and sand pies on the beach. You could also add a boat or a yacht. The sand can be made from sand paper and the sea from blue crepe paper cut into "wave" lengths then glued in strips on to the frieze.Computer Worksheets using KidPix and Claris Works:

Interactive worksheets where the teacher has prepared a background and the children complete it according to instructions.

Children's own drawings of beach activities on KidPix with text added from Claris works.Books to Read:Seashores by J Pope. Nature ClubSailor Bears by Waddell & Austin. Walker PublicationsLittle Boat by Rogers and Dodd. Dent BooksAlexander and the Magic Boat K Holabird. ABC PublicationsLadybird Books - Talk about the BeachPlaces to visit:A day at the seaside, Kite flying and boating in the park. Watching hot air balloons fly. Maritime Museum in Irvine.Scene 3 - The PicnicThe picnic is the main focus of the third part of the main topic Areas covered are making picnic and barbecue food. The children can eat in the park, beach or have a cafe in the class. The story book, the CD story and the individual screens are used together to support the topic.Listening and Talking:

in groups about the CD story line, sound, animation etc and anticipating what is happening

bout the text - discussing new words and the meaning of the text

about the picnic food and drink and what had happened to it. Does Grandma know that the hot dogs had been dropped in the sand? What would they taste like now?

about what is happens on the beach after the picnic. Discuss what you would do.

about beach food that the children might like - sandwiches, fruit, ice-cream and lemonade or perhaps they would like a barbecue instead! Discuss the food and resources required for a barbecue.Reading:

from the text book and screen about the characters having a picnic

about food and drinks for picnics and barbecues from cook books and magazines

about crabs and shell fish

for pleasure from selected books - see book listWriting:

about what happened to the hot dogs on the beach

a menu for a beach cafe - what would you sell and what would everything cost.

a class recipe book for picnics and barbecues

an imaginary story about finding and following a crab on the beach - where did it go?

a report about how the cafe was made.Mathematics:

Information Handling - make a survey about which food and drink the class would like to have on the beach / barbecue and design a menu.

Number Money & Measurement - make a cafe price list so you will know how much to charge the customers

Shape Position and Movement - cut the sandwiches into different shapes - square, rectangular and triangularEnvironmental Studies:

Science - awareness of the environment - keeping beaches free from rubbish.

Technology - designing and constructing a beach cafe in the class with table and chairs, a serving table and a cupboard to store things or perhaps have a barbecue outside instead.

Health Education - awareness of personal hygiene when handling and preparing food. Expressive Arts:

design and make an attractive menu and price list for the cafe or barbecue

design a cover for the recipe book

paint or cut out pictures of food items to decorate the cafe walls.

making sandwiches with favourite fillings and milk shakes to drink

Music - The Teddy Bears PicnicComputer Worksheets using KidPix and Claris Works:

menu cards and price lists designed on KidPix/ Claris Works

interactive worksheets where the teacher has prepared a background and the children complete it according to instructions.

children's own drawings on KidPix with text added from Claris works.

Bannermania can be used for printing the names of items on the menuBooks to Read:My World Series - Crabs by D. Bailey.Ice-cream by G. Dendooven. Ragged Bears BooksIce-cream for RosiePlaces to visit:A local cafe or ice-cream shopA supermarket for picnic or barbecue foodMcDonaldsGo for a picnic or have a barbecue outside (weather permitting)Scene 4 - SwimmingWater activities above and under the sea and creatures which can be found under the sea are the main features of the final part of the CD story. Areas covered include water sports and gear, swimming and games which you play in the sea.Listening and Talking:

briefly in groups about the CD story line, sound, animation and anticipating what is going to happen next.

about the text - discussing new words, phrases and the content of these pages.

bout swimming and swimming gear eg snorkel and flippers, the purpose of arm bands, rings and floats.

about creatures and plants found under the water Reading :

from the text book and screen text about swimming and the sea.

about how to swim from books and swimming gear from sports catalogues

about underwater creatures and plants from books

for pleasure from selected books - see book listWriting:

about what is happening in and under the sea

about what you need to float in the water

a list of sea creatures that live under the sea then write about your favourite ones

an imaginary story about being an underwater diver. What did you see and find?Mathematics:

Information Handling - collect information about sea creatures and shells then make a pictogram of different types after the visit to the aquarium or fish shop.

Number Money & Measurement - estimate and measure how many cupfuls and jugfuls will fill bowls and basins of different shapes. Introduce the concepts of hot and cold, deep and shallow, empty, full and overflowing.

Shape, Position and Movement. - discuss the position and movement of items in the undersea screen using words such as: behind, in front, above, below near, far. Environmental Studies:

Science - learning about sea creatures, their environment and about the causes and effects of pollution in the sea.

Technology - make an aquarium with a glass bowl or a small fish tank. Put some special gravel, stones and shells in the bottom of the bowl then stick some aquarium plants - plastic or real in the gravel. Buy some fish and fishfood from a pet shop and you have an aquarium.

Health Education - make some rules for safe swimmingExpressive Arts:

make an undersea scene for the wall with blue frieze paper. Cut out some seaweed shapes from green/ brown crepe paper. Add some sandpaper for the seabed at the bottom of the frieze. Cut out some rock / stone shapes from brown/ orange cardboard and stick them on to the frieze. Now you can design some imaginary fish and crab like creatures to live in the sea.You can also make large papier mache fish shapes which can be painted and hung in front of the frieze.

Music. Songs about swimming, diving, fishing and crabsComputer Work Sheets using KidPix and Claris Works:

about swimming in the sea and underwater, sea creatures and plants, air., breathing underwater and buoyancy aids.

interactive worksheets where the teacher has prepared a background and the children complete it according to instructions. Children's own drawings on KidPix with text added from Claris works.Books to read:Fishes - First Nature by Usborne My World - Crabs by Donna BaileyFirst Sight - Creatures of the Deep by Lionel Bender Sally and the Limpet by Simon James Walker BooksPlaces to Visit:A Pet shop / Aquarium, Fish shop, Seaworld in North Queensferry. Leisure pool for a swim.Sports Shop. Sports Hall for some ball and racket games.


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This page was last updated: 11/3/96