In order to encourage the use of the internet, some writing projects should include research. The following are a few ideas:

• 4th and 5th grade classes can take partially complete stories and exchange them with another class in the same building or far, far away, for endings, revision and editing.
• Writing can be published in a variety of ways, from simple display on a classroom or hallway bulletin board (for youngest grades) to posting on the school’s Web site (upper elementary).
• Publishing software can enable students to make books for library display by grade 4 and/or 5.

Kindergarten: Locate letters on keyboard [Standard 8.1.4.A.3]

Grade 1: Log on to program, open files; capitalize, use period key; save a file [Standard 8.1.4.A.4 and 8.1.4.A.7]

Grade 2: Learn to type as opposed to hunt and peck, using software designed to teach touch typing; Use comma, question mark, and exclamation point; indent with tab key; use conventions for paragraphing [8.1.4.A.3 and 8.1.4.A.4]

Grade 3: Vary font size and style, change spacing; "cut" to remove, drag to move text; use un-do feature to restore material cut in error [8.1.4.A.3 and 8.1.4.A.4]

Grade 4: Use spell check; insert clip art and word art; use apostrophe and quotation marks [8.1.4.A.3 and 8.1.4.A.4]

Grade 5: Use Thesaurus