Description of the Unit: 

In World's Fair, the students will use word processing and graphics skills to create a report that identifies problems at the World's Fair and suggests possible solutions.  The children are introduced to basic word processing skills as they enter text and change the font, size, style, and color; adjust the line spacing; and create headers and footers.  They practice graphics skills such as inserting appropriate clipart, selecting and applying different colors, using tools to create shapes and lines, and layering objects, to create a symbols sign, an exhibit schedule, a diagram of a food item, an international flag, a ride suggestion list, and a map of the fair.  In addition, the children explore the Internet to gather information about other world's fairs.

  Lesson One ~ 

In this lesson, the students will identify communication problems at a world's fair.  Then they will determine solutions, which they will include in a report of their findings.  The pupils will learn the drawing capabilities of a word processing program as they solve the first problem by creating a sign of symbols for visitors who may not speak the common language.  Then they will enter a title in the header of the document and will insert a page number in the footer.

  Materials ~ 

• Microsoft Word 2000

• Parent Letter and Sample Assessment Checklist

• Template - SIGNS.DOC

• One piece of paper

  Opening ~ 

Discuss Operation FutureKids with the class.  Introduce the World's Fair to the class.  As a "Computer Company" they are being asked to address communication concerns at the World's Fair.

• What are some problems that might arise from attendance at the fair by many individuals who do not share a similar language.  (In the next few lessons, we will identify these problems, suggest solutions, and generate a report of our findings.)

~ SAMPLE of Lesson One ~

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