Assignment+3

Assignment 3: Software Evaluation

For my software evaluation, I chose to teach a lesson on basic map skills to a fourth grade student. I chose to do this lesson one-on-one because the student has severe learning disabilities including Attention Deficit Disorder and Dyslexia and comes to the Marshall University H.E.L.P. center for extra help. The young girl functions on a kindergarten or first grade level and receives special education services.

** WV CSO Covered: ** SS.O.1.4.1- Construct a simple map of a familiar area (such as the school) incorporating cardinal directions and map symbols.

**Kidspiration Software Activity**: Neighborhood Map. To complete this activity, the student was to use various pictures and words to create a map of her neighborhood or some other familiar place. After the student completed the activity, we discussed where certain buildings or items were located in relation to other places or items on her map. Because the student I chose to have participate in this activity has severe learning disabilities, she constructed the map and then we discussed it orally instead of having her discuss it through writing. I asked the student to use the compass provided in the upper right corner of the activity to tell me what direction I would have to go in my car to get from one place to another.

**Supplemental Activity**: As a supplemental activity to the Kidspiration software activity, the student created her own compass rose using a paper plate, pre-cut letters, crayons, markers, and glue.



**Reflection**: I feel the Kidspiration software was definitely a useful tool for teaching my lesson. I felt the activity did meet my lesson objective, as well as the CSO as my student was able to grasp the concept and was able to apply it. I do wish the software would break down the activities by grade level. There were several activities that were related in relevance to things my student was learning but the activity was too advanced. If the activities were associated with a certain grade level then it would be much easier to select appropriate activites for students, especially in my case where I had a student who struggled on her grade level and required an activity on a much lower level. I do feel that I would use this software in my classroom either as a center activity or as intervention. I also liked that many of the activities incorporated reading and writing into the activity.