Writing Ideas for Using the AlphaSmarts in the Classroom


Write a Group Story
Provide the class with a story starter. Each student adds 1-4 sentences to the story, then passes it on to another student. Once the story is complete, it can be printed a used to model revision and editing.

AlphaSmarts Reader’s Response
Students use the AlphaSmart to prepare for class discussions (see card).

Names, Nouns and Verbs
Students use the beginning letter of first names to create simple sentences.

  1. In each file,type a list of students’ first names (or transfer from the computer to the AlphaSmart using the Get Utility).
  2. Have students enter a verb and a noun using the first letter of each name, to create simple sentences. (ex: Michele mashes marshmallows.)

Extension Idea: Have students print out and illustrate sentences.
Hint: Have students do this with the names of characters from a book.
Have students add adjectives and adverbs as they progress with parts of speech.

Procedural Writing
Have students use the AlphaSmarts to organize their writing. (ex: To reinforce paragraph writing, have students put the topic sentence in one file, details in the second file, and a closing sentence in the third file.) The following activities involve using the AlphaSmart to help organize written expression.


Fill in the Files
The teacher assigns a specific title for each file, and the students fill in each file.
File 1=Who
File 2=What
File 3=Where
File 4=When
File 5=Why


Brainstorming
Use the AlphaSmart when brainstorming as a class. Print out list, copy and distribute to all students.

KWL Chart
File 1=What I already know about this topic
File 2=What I want to learn about this topic
File 3=What I have learned about this topic


Character Template
Students use the AlphaSmart to write down things the know about a character, then expand on the details. Prompts might be:
File 1= Write down one thing you know about this character
File 2=Write down one thing you know about this character
etc.

Story Mapping
Students use the different files to create a story map.
File 1=Title
File 2=Setting
File 3=Characters
File 4=Time
File 5=Problem
File 6=Solution

Pros and Cons
Students can debate a subject using different files.
File 1= Topic
File 2= Pros (list at least 3)
File 3= Cons (list at least 3)
File 4= Conclusion

Sensory Word Banks
Students are assigned a topic, then use the different files to describe the topic.

File 1= Topic
File 2= Looks Like
File 3= Smells Like
File 4= Feels Like
File 5= Tastes Like
File 6= Sounds Like

“Me” Autobiographies - see directions on a separate sheet

Accordion Paragraphs - see directions on a separate sheet

Sentence Stretching
Begin with a short sentence or a group of words on an AlphaSmart file. Pass AlphaSmart around to a group of about six people with the rule that each person must add or change one word to make the sentence more interesting.

Using AlphaSmarts in the Classroom
Bibliography


AlphaSmart Web Site: www.alphasmart.com

AlphaSmarts in the Classroom: www.vineland.org/landis/alphasmarts.html

AlphaSmart Lesson Ideas
www.davidson.k12.nc.us/Mckeown/autobio.htm
www.davidson.k12.nc.us/Mckeown/paragr.htm

AlphaSmart Teacher’s Guide

Sharp, Linda. Closing the Gap: The Write Way with the AlphaSmart Pro. www.closingthegap.com/library

Williams, Jessica. Improving Student Writing With Technology: Tech-To-Go Handout.

Using AlphaSmarts in the Classroom, April 2002 Michele B. Smith