Word Newsletter Activity Description - Before:

The students will work in groups of two to three on their selected mission sites. These groups will discuss and write down the roles of the soldiers, missionaries and Indians during the mission era. Students will work in groups to create a newsletter.

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Spreadsheet Activity Description - Before:

On the first day of this activity, students will be organized in groups of two to three. Groups will brainstorm all the necessary inventory and supplies and research their costs needed to run their business for a month. On the second day, each group will be taught how to create a summary report by using a spreadsheet program. Two additional class periods will be given to students to research their expenses and finish production of this report. In addition to verbal instructions, a handout will be given to each group with instructions and an example of a finished product.

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Newsletter Lesson - Suggestions on adding detail - After

We can assume that they know a bit about the Mission or you can incorporate that into the lesson.

A. Day/Session 1 - Students (or teacher) assigns topics to each student in the mission group. Each student will write a short article about their topic. Begin organization of research materials, taking notes etc.

B. Day/Session 2 - In the lab, students in pairs will use the internet going to sites pre selected by the teacher to gather more information on their articles, they will take notes.

C. Day/Session 3 - Back in the class students will write the rough drafts for their news article, using the notes, textbook etc. (Complete for homework?) Articles will then be either peer edited or edited by the teacher.

D. Day/Session 4 - In the lab, each student will launch Word and begin typing, teacher will demonstrate how to save the document. Students will type in and save the article.

E. Day/Session 5 - Continue typing until articles are complete. Teacher will demonstrate how to search for images using Clipart.com or the Google Image Search option. Early finishers can begin to search the web using the Google image search for pictures that will enhance the newsletter.

F. Day/Session 6 - Teacher demonstrates how to insert a header and split columns into the newsletter. Teacher demonstrates how to open more than one document at one time how to copy and paste text. Students create the header and split columns, copy and paste their article from their document.

G. Day/Session 7 - Teacher demonstrates how to copy and paste a picture from the internet and how to turn on text wrap. Students insert pictures and do the fine tuning of their group newsletter.

Spreadsheet Lesson - Suggestions on adding detail - After

1. On the first day of this activity, students will be organized in groups of two to three. Groups will brainstorm all the necessary inventory and supplies and research their costs needed to run their business for a month.

(Another day to research?)

2. Day/session two: Introduce students to spreadsheet, how cells work, how to put text in the cells, how to put in numbers. Students will also be shown how to format the cells simply, change size of cells, fonts, how to center the information and how to make the cells have a solid grid. Students will begin to input data. In addition to verbal instructions, a handout will be given to each group with instructions and an example of a finished product. Save.

3. Day/session three... Students will be shown how to make a simple addition formula in one cell. Students will practice by creating formulas for adding their totals.

4. Day/session four... Students will tune up spreadsheets, Save. Print.

Option: Teach students how to create a simple pie chart with their data.