Objective

Students will be able to…

• understand the purpose of email as a communication tool.
• know the basic structure of an email.
• communicate using email

Pre-requisites

Basic computer skills like keyboarding and mouse skills

Goal

Operational Definition

All – This gives the goal, which is the minimum that the teacher must achieve for all students in the classroom.
Some – This gives the goal that the teacher may try to achieve for some students in the classroom who can achieve the suggested goal over and above the goal stated for ‘All’.
Few – This gives the goal that the teacher may try to achieve for few students in the classroom who can achieve the suggested goal over and above the goal stated for ‘Some and ‘All’.

Materials required: 

Technology

• An audio-enabled computer with an internet connection, smartboard projector, and screen.
• All devices like laptops, tablets and desktop computers with accessibility features enabled.
• Screen readers like JAWS and NVDA.
• Large keyboards, built-in screen magnifiers, hearing aids, text-to-speech and speech-to-text software.
• Voice recognition software like Siri, Windows Speech Recognition, headsets, etc.
• Writing or typing tools for students.
• Age-appropriate, safe websites and search engines (e.g., Google SafeSearch, KidRex, Fact Monster, Kiddle, KidsReads, etc).

Teacher Materials

• Whiteboard and markers or blackboard and chalk
• Vocabulary cards, visual cards, sight words
• Visual aids showing the parts of an email.
• Lesson videos

Student Handouts

• Handout 1: Visual aids showing the parts of an email.

Print Preparation

The teacher will print, copy or laminate (wherever applicable):

• Vocabulary cards, visual cards, sight words
• Worksheets
• Visual aids showing the parts of an email.

Preparation of Activity:

1. All the learning and teaching materials needed for this lesson plan must be ready before the lesson begins.
2. Ensure that there are enough copies for all children. Multiple copies can be made by photocopying too.
3. Please have the assistive technologies and accessibility features ready for your inclusive classroom.

Setting for the lesson transacting:

This topic must be taught in the computer lab.

1. Activate Prior Knowledge

Awareness of the extent of student’s prior knowledge of the topic will help the teacher plan and deliver the lesson appropriately.  
This could be done by interaction with the students in the classroom.

Notes to the teacher:

1. Begin the class by asking students to write a letter. For instance, they could describe how they spent their summer or winter holidays. You may assign this task to them before teaching the lesson.
Choose a sample letter to highlight the basic components of a letter: the address, salutation or greeting, body, closing, and signature.

2. What is an Email?

1. Write the word ‘Email’ on the blackboard.
2. Ask students to write down the first word that comes to mind when thinking of the word ‘Email’.
Discuss various methods we use to share information. Encourage the children to share their ideas.

Guided Watching
Bring attention to the screen, saying, “Let’s watch this video.”

3. How a letter is sent?:  Show how a letter is written, posted, and delivered. Explain how long it usually takes for a letter to get from one person to another. Ask how we could make this process faster.

4.  Discuss what an Email is: Email is a fast way to send messages. You can use a computer or a tablet to send an email. The ‘e’ in email means electronic. People working in the offices, and others use email every day. Children should use email with a parent or a guardian.

5. Email is a boon to mankind:
Compare email and regular mail. What are some good and bad things about each? Children can say why email is a good way to talk to people.

6. Show how to form an email.

7. Show the children how to open an email

LTM: Vocabulary cards

Video: What is an Email?

Video: What is an Email? with ISL

3. Let’s Send an Email

Aim: To send an Email

Setting for the activity:

These activities are meant for a computer lab, but you can also use them in open spaces when possible. Students can work alone on the computer, and those needing help can collaborate with their classmates.

Materials required:

• An audio-enabled computer with an internet connection, smartboard projector, and screen.
• All devices like laptops, tablets and desktop computers with accessibility features enabled.
• Screen readers like JAWS and NVDA.
• Large keyboards, built-in screen magnifiers, hearing aids, text-to-speech and speech-to-text software.
• Voice recognition software like Siri, Windows Speech Recognition, headsets, etc.
• Writing or typing tools for students.
• Age-appropriate, safe websites and search engines (e.g., Google SafeSearch, KidRex, Fact Monster, Kiddle, KidsReads, etc).

Procedure:

• The teacher will provide a mock email account to the students.
• Let students write and send their email on a topic of their choice, such as inviting a friend to an event with their teacher. 
•  Please encourage them to use the rules they learned.

Conclusion:  Students will learn to send an email.

4. Assistive Techonlogies

Video: Assistive Technologies 

Teacher Resource Document

Source and Attribution of images: All images used in the above Assets and Aids are originally created.

This digital material has been developed by the Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vahini Inclusive Education Project, a unit of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, Prasanthi Nilayam, as a collaborative offering in the service of our nation.