Google Apps Lesson Plans

#1 The first lesson plan I found is for students in is a digital storytelling activity for K-3rd grade called "Book Buddies" found at: http://docs.google.com/View?id=ddv49vkt_9xf7ftmgs. This lesson uses Google Docs and a drawing or paint program, such as Tux Paint or Kidspiration. The activity helps students improve literacy skills and use technology skills. The lesson calls for a younger student and an older student who serves as a “Book Buddy”. The point is for students to enhance their story writing skills using drawing prompts. The younger students first practice by drawing pictures and then creating a story about the picture. They are then introduced to the paint program by their “Buddy” or a teacher, etc… Older students create a drawing prompt for younger students using Tux Paint and print them. They give these to their Book Buddies and ask the younger students to tell them a story about their drawing. Younger students use digital arts program (i.e. Tux Paint) to create a digital sketch for their new story.
Teacher starts a Google Presentation and shares it with each Older Book Buddy. The book is then printed using Google Docs.

NETS-S Standards:
1. Creativity and Innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Students:
a. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.
b. create original works as a means of personal or group expression.
c. use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues.
d. identify trends and forecast possibilities.

2. Communication and Collaboration:
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Students:
a. interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.
b. communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.
c. develop cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with learners of other cultures.
d. contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems.


6. Technology Operations and Concepts
Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations. Students:
a. understand and use technology systems.
b. select and use applications effectively and productively.
c. troubleshoot systems and applications.
d. transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies.



#2- This lesson plan for grades 4-6 has the most comprehensive use of Google Apps that I’ve come across. The plan is entitled, “Historical Novel” and can be found at: http://docs.google.com/View?id=ddv49vkt_3d986mbc9. Students read an historical novel, based on a specific period in history, and arrive at its meaning and main ideas, discussing it "all class." This can be done in Language Arts class and/or used in conjunction with the social studies teacher, as an interdisciplinary unit, and students use their understanding of the time period to arrive at the meaning of the plot, theme, and characters' actions. Students use Google Docs (including Forms) to do the writing assignment and take quizzes; Google Blogger to: post some of the discussion questions they have written to the class blog, post impressions/reflections they have on the novel to the class blog, while other students are invited to react to any of the questions or reflections of their peers; Google Map and Google Earth to find places in the novel, to better understand the setting and action of the book, and to create their own maps; and, Google Book List to find novels in "their" school's library in order to choose another novel to read independently.

NETS-S Standards:
2. Communication and Collaboration
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Students:
interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.
communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.
contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems.

3. Research and Information Fluency
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. Students:
locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.
evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks.

4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. Students:
identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation.
plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project.
collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions.

5. Digital Citizenship
Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior. Students:
advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.
exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity.

6. Technology Operations and Concepts
Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations. Students:
select and use applications effectively and productively.