STAR-W Writing Prompt Instructions
Using Word, Appleworks, and Response-O-Matic.

Download the template to your computer by Right-Clicking on this link and selecting Save Target As. On a Mac, Ctrl-Click and select Download Link to Disk. (If you left click on it, you will see what the template looks like before it is edited.)  This template has code in it that allows you to use the Internet site, Response-O-Matic.com to process your form.

Once you have it on your computer, it's a good idea to make a few copies of it.

When you are ready to create a writing prompt, knowledge hunt, or other activity, open the template with Word and IMMEDIATEDLY save it using a different name. Remember this is a template that will start EVERY activity you make and you don't want to change your template.   

Now add your text, links, and pictures.   Delete any text box you will not be using, being careful not to delete the Send to Teacher button.  

Save your work as a webpage, not as a standard word document.   Since the template is already a webpage, you shouldn't have to do anything special.   It should default to saving as a webpage. Important: When Word saves as a webpage, it will create a folder with the same name as your document.   This folder contains all graphics and support files for your page.   This folder must be moved with the document you save when you place it on a computer or web site.

What you do next and where you house it depends on how things are set up in your district.  You could place it on a student station, your personal website, or the school website.  You will have to make that determination with your technical people.

Adding links to your project is a snap.   You can use the hyperlink feature of Word to turn any text into a link to an Internet site.   If you don't know how to use that feature, don't worry.   When you type a URL, Word will automatically turn it into a live link.  

Adding pictures can be done through the Insert menu feature of Word or you can copy and paste the picture right into the document, but remember to observe copyright laws and follow fair use guidelines.  

You can also view a Flash video of this process.