Today, Paula's students work in small groups to create charts depicting the life cycle of the ladybug, a theme she uses to incorporate peer interaction and a process approach to writing. After the students sequence and color pictures depicting each stage of the life cycle, the group sits together at the computer and writes a story about the ladybug. Paula uses the standard keyboard to type each student's contribution to the story. James needs prompting to articulate a full sentence but enjoys seeing his words appear on the monitor. James and his fellow students decide on a title, which James types using Intellikeys.
Students add their names to the group story's byline and print out individual copies.
The Ladybug by James, Caitlin and Megan. The egg is cracking. The larva is hatching. Then a pupa comes. The ladybug comes out to eat aphids.