Voice Power Slides Voice Power
Writing with Your Magic Microphone
The Magic Mic!
Did you know you can write stories without using a pencil or keyboard?
Teacher Demo Time!
Watch the screen as I talk. My words will appear like magic!
Ready to see the magic?
3 Rules for Voice Power
1
Speak Clearly
Talk like a teacher! No whispering or shouting.
2
Slow Down
Wait for the computer to "hear" each word.
3
Pause Often
Take a breath so the computer can catch up.
Special Commands
Your microphone listens for these special words to add punctuation!
.
"Period"
To end a sentence.
?
"Question Mark"
To ask a question.
Enter
"New Line"
To start a new row.
"Delete"
To fix a mistake.
Exploration Time!
Open your writing tool and turn on the microphone.
Your Mission:
Dictate a list of 3 Favorite Things. Don't forget to say "Period" at the end of each one!
Voice Power Worksheet VOICE POWER CHALLENGE
Writing Tech Explorers
NAME:
DATE:
Mission: Use your magic microphone!
Say each thing clearly. Don't forget to say "Period" at the end.
FAVORITE FOOD 🍕
Success Check
I want to say:
Thinking space...
The Computer Heard:
FAVORITE ANIMAL 🦒
Success Check
I want to say:
Thinking space...
The Computer Heard:
FAVORITE HOBBY 🎨
Success Check
I want to say:
Thinking space...
The Computer Heard:
Review Your Magic!
Did the computer hear you correctly?
Yes
Not quite
Voice Power Teacher Guide Voice Power
Lesson 1: Teacher Facilitation Guide
Unit 1 / Lesson 1
Objective
Students will use speech-to-text to dictate 3 complete sentences with punctuation.
Tech Needs
Google Docs / MS Word
Headsets with Mics
Projector for Demo
Duration
45 MIN
Instructional Flow
1
The Magic Hook (10 mins)
"Class, today I forgot my pencil. But I have a secret weapon... the Magic Microphone! Watch what happens when I talk to my computer."
Open a blank document, turn on dictation, and describe your breakfast. Purposely speak too fast once to show how the computer gets confused, then model clear articulation.
2
Command Training (10 mins)
Introduce the commands: "Period" and "Question Mark". Explain that the computer doesn't know when a sentence ends unless we tell it.
Guided Practice Prompt:
"Everyone say 'I like pizza period' together. Now 'Where is the dog question mark'."
3
Voice Power Lab (20 mins)
Students use the Voice Power Worksheet to guide their independent practice. They should dictate their favorites and visually check if the computer spelled it correctly.
Common Struggle
Students often wait too long between words or mutter. Remind them to speak in a "Radio Voice."
Extension Tip
If a student finishes early, have them try to dictate a "Super Sentence" with 3 adjectives.
Troubleshooting Guide
Background Noise: If the room is too loud, the mic will fail. Consider a "Quiet Recording Zone" corner.
Microphone Permissions: Ensure browsers have mic access pre-enabled to avoid 2nd-grade "Block" clicks!
Story Map Slides Story Map Lab
Planning Your Digital Adventure
The Story Puzzle
2?
Middle
1?
Beginning
3?
End
Wait! These are mixed up!
Today, we use a digital map to put our story pieces in the right order.
Why Map It?
Picture It
Use icons or drawings to show what happens first.
Voice It
Use your Magic Microphone to add "Keyword" stickers.
Your Story Map Sections
B
Beginning
Who? Where? When?
M
Middle
What happened? What was the problem?
E
End
How did it end? How do you feel?
Lab Mission
Pick a Personal Narrative (a true story about you).
Drag in a picture for the Beginning, Middle, and End.
Use your Voice Power to type 1 word for each box.
Story Map Organizer STORY MAP APP
Project: Personal Narrative
Explorer:
Date:
1. BEGINNING
Add Picture / Sketch
Keyword stickers:
Who?
Where?
Voice type keywords here...
2. Middle
Add Picture / Sketch
Keyword stickers:
Problem?
Action?
3. End
Add Picture / Sketch
Keyword stickers:
Feelings?
Solution?
Voice Tool
Text Tool
Save Plan
Story Map Teacher Guide Story Map Lab
Lesson 2: Teacher Facilitation Guide
Unit 1 / Lesson 2
Focus Skill
Sequencing a personal narrative using visual icons and voice-typed keywords.
Student Tool
Story Map App (Digital Organizer)
The Digital Puzzle (10 mins)
Display three images of a common event (e.g., waking up, brushing teeth, eating breakfast) out of order. Ask students to help you "drag and drop" them into the correct spots on the screen.
"Our brains love pictures. Today, we're going to use pictures to plan our own stories before we write the words."
Modeling the Keywords (10 mins)
Model how to choose a story (e.g., "The Day I Got a Puppy"). For the Beginning box, add a picture of a house. Then, use Voice Power to add a single keyword sticker: "Home."
Key Teaching Point:
We aren't writing sentences yet! Just 'stickers' (keywords) to help us remember our ideas.
Map Lab Workshop (20 mins)
Circulate as students work on their Story Map Organizer. Ensure they are following the sequence: 1. Beginning, 2. Middle, 3. End.
Support Strategy
For students who struggle to think of a story, provide 3 "Story Seeds" (A trip to the park, a lost tooth, a birthday party).
Success Criteria
Students have 3 distinct sections mapped out with at least 1 image and 1 keyword each.
Bypassing Motor Barriers
This planning phase is critical for students with dysgraphia or physical writing challenges. By using visual icons and voice keywords, they can offload the cognitive demand of spelling and handwriting, focusing entirely on the structure of their narrative. Ensure students know they can use as many pictures as they need.
Word Prediction Slides Word Prediction Race
Type Less, Write More!
The Mind Reader
Sometimes spelling big words is hard. What if your computer could guess what you want to say?
If I type "ele"...
elephant
elevator
electric
3 Steps to Speed
01
Start Strong
Type just the first 1 or 2 letters of your word.
02
Scan the List
Look at the little box above or below where you are typing.
03
Click to Pick
Click the right word to finish it instantly! ZAP!
Prediction Power
Help with Spelling
You don't have to remember every single letter!
Super Fast Typing
Finish big words with just one click.
The 2-Letter Challenge
Can the computer guess your word before you type the 3rd letter? Let's race to find out!
Ready... Set... PREDICT!
Word Prediction Challenge Prediction Race
Writing Tech Explorers: Level 3
Driver:
Date:
Can you beat the computer? Type the first 2 letters and see if your word pops up in the prediction box!
LAP 1: ANIMAL
Try to type: "Elephant"
E
L
Did you see it?
YES!
NO...
LAP 2: FOOD
Try to type: "Spaghetti"
S
P
Did you see it?
YES!
NO...
FINAL SPRINT
Type a whole sentence! Use word prediction for at least 3 big words.
My Big Words:
Fastest Finger Badge Earned!
Word Prediction Teacher Guide Word Prediction Race
Lesson 3: Teacher Facilitation Guide
Unit 1 / Lesson 3
Skill Focus
Word recognition and spelling strategy (using 1-2 letter starts).
Efficiency Goal
Reducing physical keystrokes and spelling fatigue.
Setup
Ensure 'Co:Writer', 'Read&Write', or similar is enabled.
1
The 2-Letter Sprint (10 mins)
Model the "race" on the big screen. Choose a complex word (like dinosaur). Type "DI" and wait. Scan the list aloud. If the word isn't there, type "N".
"Look how my fingers took a break! I only typed 3 letters, but I got the whole 8-letter word."
2
Prediction Challenge (20 mins)
Hand out the Word Prediction Challenge sheet. Students will go to their devices and attempt the "Laps".
Scanning Strategy
Encourage students to use their eyes to "sweep" the prediction box from left to right. This builds visual scanning skills.
Troubleshooting
If the word isn't appearing, check if the student started with the correct first letter. Phonetic spelling often works with advanced prediction tools.
3
Sentence Sprint (10 mins)
Students attempt the "Final Sprint" on their worksheet. They must compose one original sentence using as few keystrokes as possible by utilizing prediction.
The Why
For students with spelling difficulties, word prediction isn't just a "spell checker"—it's a vocabulary expander. It allows them to use the precise words they have in their heads without being limited by the words they can accurately spell. It transforms writing from a struggle of mechanics to a joy of expression.
Digital Author Slides Digital Author Workshop
Turning Plans into Stories
Mission Briefing
Today, you aren't just students. You are Digital Authors.
Authors use all their tools to tell a great story. Today, you will use your Map, your Magic Mic, and your Prediction Power.
Today's Goal:
Write your full personal narrative!
Digital Author
Prepare Your Workspace
Window 1: The Map
This helps you remember what to write.
Window 2: The Story
This is where you do your writing.
Practice switching between them using your mouse or keyboard!
Which tool will you pick?
Voice Power
Best for telling big parts of your story fast.
Prediction Power
Best for spelling tricky words or typing fast.
"Authors use different tools for different jobs!"
Workshop Mission
Turn on your tools.
Look at the Beginning box on your map. Write 2 sentences.
Look at the Middle box. Write 2 sentences.
Look at the End box. Write 2 sentences.
Go, Digital Authors, go!
Digital Author Checklist Digital Author
Checklist
Author:
1. Setup My Lab
My Story Map is open.
My Drafting Page is open.
My Tech Tools are turned on.
2. Use My Tools
I used Voice Power for big sentences.
I used Prediction for hard words.
3. Write My Story
B
BEGINNING
Write 2 sentences about how your story starts.
M
Middle
Write 2 sentences about the middle of your story.
E
End
Write 2 sentences about how your story ends.
Status Report:
MY DRAFT IS READY! 🚀
Digital Author Teacher Guide Digital Author Workshop
Lesson 4: Teacher Facilitation Guide
Unit 1 / Lesson 4
Primary Objective
Synthesizing planning and assistive tools to create a cohesive draft of 6+ sentences.
Workshop Focus
Cognitive Load Management & Tool Switching
!
Modeling Task Switching (10 mins)
The most difficult part of today's lesson is not the writing—it's managing the screen. Model how to use Alt+Tab (or clicking the taskbar) to look at the Story Map and then go back to the Word Processor.
"I check my map... I see my 'Beginning' box has a house and the word 'Home'. Now I switch to my story and use my Magic Mic to say: 'Once upon a time I was at my home.'"
Workshop Management (30 mins)
As students draft, circulate and prompt them to use the Digital Author Checklist. Check for "The Tool Choice":
Student is stuck?
"Try turning on your Magic Mic and just telling me what happens next. The computer will catch it!"
Student is spelling?
"Remember our Race! Type just the first two letters and see if the computer can guess it."
Tactical Support
Physical Barriers: If a student is fatigued, allow them to use 100% Speech-to-Text for the Middle and End, focusing only on the flow of the story.
Cognitive Load: If switching windows is too distracting, print their Story Map so they have a physical guide next to their screen.
Robot Reader Slides Robot Reader Review
Listen, Edit, and Finalize!
The Robot Reader
Sometimes our eyes miss mistakes. But our ears never do!
A Robot Reader reads your words exactly as you wrote them. If a word is missing or a sentence sounds funny, the Robot will let you know!
Teacher Demo:
"I like pizza and I like to play. [Robot reads: 'I like pizza and I like play'] — Wait! The robot missed the word 'to' because I didn't write it!"
Word Detective
The Editing Loop
Listen
Click Play and close your eyes. Does it sound right?
Stop
If the Robot sounds "silly," hit STOP immediately.
Fix
Use your keyboard or Magic Mic to fix the mistake.
Listen For...
Ghost Words
Did the Robot skip a word you meant to write?
Double Words
Did the Robot say a word twice in a row?
No Breath
Did the Robot read a whole page without stopping? (You need a Period!)
Final Review
Once you listen and fix your story...
YOU ARE PUBLISHED! 🎉
Robot Reader Editing Log Robot Reader Log
Case Files: Story Review
Detective:
Date:
"Detective! Use your Robot Reader to find mistakes. Every time you hear something silly, stop and record it here!"
1
CLUE #1: I heard a mistake!
What was the problem?
Missing Word (Ghost)
Double Word (Repeat)
No Punctuation (No Breath)
CASE CLOSED
Mistake Fixed!
2
CLUE #2: I heard a mistake!
What was the problem?
Missing Word (Ghost)
Double Word (Repeat)
No Punctuation (No Breath)
CASE CLOSED
Mistake Fixed!
Final Report Ready!
I listened, I fixed, and my story sounds Amazing.
Officially Published Author
Robot Reader Teacher Guide Robot Reader Review
Lesson 5: Teacher Facilitation Guide
Unit 1 / Lesson 5
Skill Focus
Auditory self-monitoring and revision strategies.
Tech Goal
Mastering Text-to-Speech (TTS) for editing.
Final Task
Publication of Personal Narrative.
1
The Silly Robot Demo (10 mins)
Open a document with intentional errors (missing "to", "the the", or run-on sentences without periods). Play the Robot Reader voice.
"Class, did that robot just say 'the' twice? My eyes didn't see it, but my ears caught it! That's why authors use the Robot Reader."
2
Auditory Detective Lab (25 mins)
Students use their headphones to listen to their own drafts. They should follow along with their finger on the screen. If they hear a mistake, they must STOP, mark it on their Robot Reader Editing Log, and fix it.
Pro Tip
Suggest students listen to one paragraph at a time. Listening to a whole story can be overwhelming for 2nd graders to find specific errors.
Success Metric
The student identifies and fixes at least 2 mechanical errors (punctuation or missing words) using auditory cues.
3
Celebration of Authors (10 mins)
Gather students for a "Digital Gallery Walk". Have them share one sentence of their story using the Robot Reader voice. Celebrate how technology helped them share their ideas independently!
Unit Wrap-Up
By the end of this sequence, students have bypassed motor and spelling barriers that often stifle written expression in early elementary years. They have moved from "speech" to "plan" to "draft" to "edit," all with digital support. Remind them that these tools are always in their "Author Toolbox" for any writing project!
