Google Docs Start

Overview

This lesson introduces Year 6 students to Google Docs, focusing on creating, formatting, and editing documents. It aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum technology strand, supporting students as developing users and creators of digital outcomes who apply digital tools purposefully and creatively.

Curriculum Links

Technology Learning Area - Year 6

• Strand: Technological Practice - Developing Outcomes
• Achievement Objective: Use appropriate techniques to create and develop digital technologies outcomes (New Zealand Curriculum: Technology, Level 3)
• Students learn to confidently use digital tools to create and present their ideas and information.

Key Competencies Developed:

• Thinking: Critical and creative thinking when exploring Google Docs features
• Managing Self: Learning to independently use and navigate digital tools
• Relating to Others: Collaborating and sharing work
• Using Language, Symbols and Texts: Communicating ideas through digital text and images

Learning Intentions (WALT)

• WALT: We Are Learning To create, format, and edit documents using Google Docs.
• Explore basic text formatting, insert images, and use document templates.

Success Criteria

Students will be able to:

• Open and create a new Google Doc independently
• Format text (change font, size, colour, and alignment)
• Insert and resize images within their document
• Select and use a template for document creation
• Save and access their documents for later use

Resources Needed

• Computers or Chromebooks with internet access (1 per student)
• Projector or display screen
• Google accounts for each student (pre-set by the school)
• Printed step-by-step dyslexia-friendly handouts with visuals and simple language
• Whiteboard and markers

---

Lesson Breakdown (45 minutes)

1. Engaging Starter: (5 minutes)

Activity: Class discussion and brainstorming

• Pose the question: "What documents or stories have you used or written on computers?"
• Discuss examples like stories, reports, invitations, posters.
• Introduce Google Docs as a tool to make these special with pictures and colours.
• Include Te Reo Māori greetings and integrate simple science-themed words or images (e.g., insert an image of a plant or bug) to connect with your teaching style.

2. Teacher Demonstration: (10 minutes)

• Project your screen showing Google Docs homepage.
• Model how to open Google Docs and create a new document.
• Explain menus related to text formatting: font styles, sizes, bold, italics, colours, alignment.
• Demonstrate inserting an image from a computer or Google search (appropriate images ready for class).
• Show how to access and select a template from the template gallery (e.g., 'Story' or 'Report').
• Emphasise saving and naming the document.

3. Guided Hands-on Practice: (20 minutes)

• Students log in and create a new Google Doc.
• Task: Write a short paragraph about their favourite animal or plant (supports integration of Science and literacy). Provide sentence starters for those needing support.
• Format the text using different fonts, sizes, and colours.
• Insert at least one picture related to their topic.
• Choose a template if comfortable, or continue on a blank document.
• Teacher and aides circulate to support, answer questions, and assist diverse learners.

Differentiation Strategies:

• Provide dyslexia-friendly printed guides with step-by-step visuals and colour coding for menus.
• Use paired buddy system mixing students at Level 2 and 3 English levels for peer support and confidence building.
• Allow voice-to-text tools for students who struggle with typing or spelling.
• Support those with limited English by offering bilingual keywords (English/Te Reo Māori).

Extension for Advanced Learners:

• Challenge them to create a table or use bullet points to organise information.
• Encourage experimenting with header/footer insertion.
• Explore adding hyperlinks to a safe website about their chosen animal or plant.

4. Sharing and Reflection: (7 minutes)

• Invite a few students to share their document on the projector.
• Class discusses the different features used.
• Reflect on what was easy or challenging about using Google Docs today.
• Prompt students to think about how Google Docs could help with learning in other subjects like Science and Art.

5. Wrap-up and Homework: (3 minutes)

• Summarise key points from today’s lesson using a simple visual poster (visible in class).
• Encourage students to practise creating documents at home if possible.
• Explain what will be covered in the next lesson: Collaborating with others in Google Docs.

---

Assessment and Feedback

• Informal assessment through observation during guided practice.
• Check students’ ability to format text and insert images correctly.
• Use success criteria checklist to track individual progress.
• Provide verbal positive feedback and written comments on their saved documents.

---

Additional Notes for the Teacher

• Integrate te reo Māori where possible, for example: "Ngā whakaaro mō tōu take" (Your ideas about your topic) as section headings in documents.
• Incorporate cross-curricular links by encouraging students to write about scientific topics or art projects.
• Use varied grouping strategies for collaboration and independent work.
• Ensure accessibility by having text-to-speech software or screen readers available where needed.
• Promote creativity and individual expression in formatting choices to value artistic outcomes.

---

This lesson plan ensures that Year 6 students in New Zealand meet the technology curriculum requirements by mastering foundational digital literacy skills through Google Docs, while respecting diverse learning needs and celebrating cultural and curricular connections.

---

If you want, I can also provide similar detailed plans for the next lessons in the unit!