Title:
Go Fly a Kite

Summary:
Use a kite flying experience to motivate students to write an informational essay giving directions on how to fly a kite.

Unit Details:
Author: Jean Johnson
Subject(s): communication / writing
Learning Level: primary

Standards:
C.2.37. write frequently for a variety of purposes and audiences.
C.2.38. develop an appreciation of writing as a tool for acquiring knowledge
and personal information.
C.2.40. be able to write ideas in first draft form.
C.2.41. be able to revise selected writing to clarify and enhance meaning.
C.2.43. be able to share writing and publish selected pieces.
C.2.44. develop editing skills for errors in capitalization, punctuation,
word usage, spelling, and abbreviations.
C.2.45. be able to write complete sentences using correct spacing
between words, correct letter formation, and punctuation.
C.2.46. be able to rewrite sentences using nouns, verbs, and adjectives.
C.2.47. be able to write high frequency words used in original writing.
C.2.51. emphasize ideas/content for Six Trait Writing while reinforcing
voice and conventions.

Situations:
This is a 3-5 day project. It can be completed during language arts class time, except for the actual kite flying experience.

Tools:
Copycat, Mar/Apr 2002, kites brought from home, digital camera, computer with Kidspiration and Microsoft Word.

Process/Tasks:
1. Students will discuss weather conditions, kite flying safety, and share ideas on how to fly a kite. The Copycat, Mar/Apr 2002 issue has 3-4 pages of activities for kite flying. It includes easy kites to make, a reproducible kite-shaped book, hints on how to fly a kite, web sites on kites, etc. There are lots of ideas that can tempt you to make this a longer activity.
2. Students will fly their kites on the school playground. The teacher takes digital pictures of the activity, which will be used with the essays.
3. Students will use Kidspiration to create a flow chart describing at least 4 steps to flying a kite.
4. Students will write a rough draft for their essay in the classroom.
5. Students will print a final copy of their essay, using Microsoft Word and will import a kite-flying picture to illustrate it.

Prerequisite Skills:
Students need to have basic computer skills. The teacher will lead the step-by-step procedures for Kidspiration and to import a photo to a document.

Assessment:
1. Performance—Student wrote and edited an essay.
2. Performance—Student successfully transferred a digital picture to a Microsoft Word document.
3. Teacher evaluation of final draft using the rubric below.

Excellent

The writer:
• presents a well-constructed, accurate explanation.
• provides facts in a step-by-step order.
• enlivens material with vivid descriptive language.

Good

The writer:
• gives a basic explanation of how to fly a kite.
• follows a step-by-step order.
• provides sufficient supporting detail.

Fair

The writer:
• attempts to explain how to fly a kite.
• includes all the steps, but the sequence is confused.
• may not provide accurate supporting detail.

Unsatisfactory

The writer:
• fails to present a basic explanation of how to fly a kite.
• may have trouble with sequence or structure.
• may list vague or irrelevant facts or details.

Teacher Notes / Reflections:
Insist that the students write their essays in the first person. (“I took my kite out on a windy day” rather than “you take your kite out on a windy day.”) It will direct their attention back to their own experiences, and make their writing more vivid.