Stop Signs, McDonald's, and Cheerios: Writing With Environmental Print

Materials and Technology

Student Interactives

Websites

Preparation

 

MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY

• Computers with Internet access
  
  
• Environmental print materials
  
  
• Glue
  
  
• Overhead projector
  
  
• Scissors

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STUDENT INTERACTIVES

Grades   K – 12  |  Student Interactive  |  Writing & Publishing Prose

Stapleless Book

The Stapleless Book can be used for taking notes while reading, making picture books, collecting facts, or creating vocabulary booklets . . . the possibilities are endless!

 

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WEBSITES

• Google Images

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PREPARATION

1.	You may choose to teach this lesson as part of a unit along with “I Know That Word! Teaching Reading With Environmental Print.” If you have already completed this lesson, you can use the environmental print materials you assembled for it and can skip Session 1 of this lesson, which is the same.
2.	You will be using examples of signs, labels, and logos with your students and should have a collection available both to share with them during Session 1 and for them to use to create their books in Session 3. These can come from product packaging (i.e., cereal boxes, soda cans), fast food containers, store bags, or magazines. At least six of these images should come specifically from your immediate community (i.e., the sign in front of your school or street signs from main streets in town). You might consider taking photos of local signs with a digital camera or scanning in pictures that you cut out of local magazines or brochures. You should both print these local images and save them on your computer.
3.	You can also use the Internet to capture images of signs, logos, and product labels as follows: a. Go to Google Images and type in the name of a sign, company, or product you would like to use with students (for example, type in the words stop sign). b. On the page that opens with images, click on the image that is simplest and will copy most clearly; then click on the link that says See full-size image. c. When this image opens, right click on the image. A drop-down menu will appear. Click on the word Copy. d. Using Microsoft Word or another word-processing program, open up a blank document and paste the image in. Right click on the image to get the Picture menu, which will give you the tools to shrink or enlarge it as necessary. e. Print copies of the images to share with students during Session 1 and additional copies for students to use when creating their books during Session 3.
4.	Visit and familiarize yourself with the Stapleless Book. Use the tool to create a blank little book that you title "My Little Book." For each page, choose either of the templates from the second row (with the image above or below the text). You want to leave most of the text area blank, including only page numbers. After you print the book, paste or tape the six local images you have chosen (see Step 1) onto the pages and make a transparency. Make one copy for each student in your class. Read the folding directions so that you can help students assemble their books at the end of Sessions 2 and 3.
5.	If you do not have classroom computers, reserve one session in your school's computer lab (see Session 3). Save the Stapleless Book in the Favorites list on the computers your students will be using.
6.	Ask your students to bring in their own examples of packaging, labels, and logos to share during Session 1.

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