Writing for an Audience

Students will:

• Be able to draw a picture and write a sentence to represent their picture.
• Be able to read their work to their audience on SeeSaw.

Vocabulary Words:

1. Draw Tool: A draw tool is a tool that you choose on the computer to draw using a spray can, pen, pencil, or any other paint tool. 
2. Journal: A journal in SeeSaw allows students to show what they have learned. (photos, videos, drawings, text)

To prepare for this lesson:

• Before the lesson, teachers must set up SeeSaw accounts for their class and invite parents to join.

  • Please view the TEACHER video on creating SeeSaw accounts:

• Students should also know the basic features of SeeSaw.

  • Please view the STUDENT VIDEO on using SeeSaw:

• Teachers will need journal paper available to students.

Note: SeeSaw has many other tutorials on their website and Help Center. 

See Accommodations Page and Charts on the 21things4students.net site in the Teacher Resources. 

Directions for this activity:

1. The teacher begins by asking students “Who reads your writing?”
   • Student answers will include people in the classroom and also their family at home if journals go home.
2. The teacher explains that today when students work on writing, they are going to post their writing to SeeSaw and read it aloud for their audience.
    
3. Teacher and students discuss what is important to remember when reading a story out loud to someone and how to help their reader understand their story. Students may say:

   • Read clearly.

   • Include a picture.

   • Point to the words.

4. Students create a piece of writing on journal paper and color a picture to match. When finished, the students will upload their writing to SeeSaw.

5. In SeeSaw students press the “+” sign, then select the camera icon to take a photo of their writing.

6. Next, students tap the microphone and record themselves reading their writing aloud.

7. When finished, students, select the green check to add it to their journal.

8. Here is a photo of the steps to add and explain a photo in SeeSaw:

Different options for assessing the students:

• Observations
• Check for understanding
• Teachers can see what students have posted to their journal from the Teacher side of SeeSaw. They are able to leave feedback for students and intervene with any student who did not read their story, or added more detail then they wrote about. The teacher can also talk about how their writing might make someone feel to continue the discussion about audience.