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20 Microsoft Word Activities For Middle School: Writing Exercises, Research, And Art Projects
November 9, 2023 // by Kaitlyn Punzalan
Microsoft Word is an effective tool in the classroom. The platform can assist in student learning, organizing, and the development of 21st-century skills. These skills develop critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity. Microsoft Word helps develop and cultivate these skills in a variety of ways.
Students can use Microsoft Word to explore new content or deepen their understanding of the topic. It can also help students take notes or organize their learning throughout the school year.
Use the lessons, activities, and other ideas listed here to help enhance your students' learning using Microsoft Word.
1. My Life As a Movie
A great beginning of the year lesson is to have students create an autobiography in Microsoft Word. This project gets creative by asking students to create a DVD cover inside of a booklet to share about their life with their peers.
Learn more: Teachers Pay Teachers
2. Name Acrostic
Another great beginning of the year project is an acrostic poem. Students type their name's vertically, then write adjectives that would describe them horizontally. Students can use bold, italics, colors, and shadows to express their personalities. This is a fun and easy activity to have students complete on the first day of school as you can display them throughout the year!
Learn more: Student Web
3. Annotate Digital Texts
Annotating the text, or highlighting and taking notes in the margin, is a literacy skill middle school students should develop. Students can annotate a text digitally in Microsoft Word using the highlight and comment feature. Students can highlight the text using a variety of colors and make digital comments on each of these highlights. This is an extremely valuable tool as it allows students to annotate a variety of texts, not just print!
Learn more: Groovy Post
4. Peer-Review and Writing Feedback
Microsoft Word is a great tool for peer review. Students can collaborate on their writing with their classmates by sharing the document and then using the track changes feature. This allows one student to provide feedback and changes to another student’s writing while allowing the original owner of the writing to keep the original document and see the writing suggestions.
Learn more: Microsoft
5. Resume Writing
Students can practice writing a resume in Microsoft Word. Since Word offers a variety of basic functions, tools, and templates, students can choose a template that would best represent a future career of their choice. This activity provides students with real-world practice and develops an essential skill they will need in the future.
Learn more: Resume Genius
6. Formal Letter Writing
Another amazing writing skill to practice with students is teaching how to write a formal letter. This lost form of communication is still incredibly important for students to learn. Students can learn how to properly format a letter to include the heading, address, body, and signature. Teachers can easily use the templates provided in Microsoft Word to help students learn the proper writing structure for formal letters.
Learn more: Lisa Doe
7. Write a Newspaper
Microsoft Word also has accessible templates to teach students how to write a newspaper article. Students can practice their expository writing skills by creating a newspaper article. This is a great assignment that teaches students real-world writing skills and is fun! Writing prompts could include both fiction and non-fiction and can be embedded in a variety of units.
8. Mini-Book Project
This project takes the idea of a traditional book report to a new level! Students use Word to create a mini-book using colorful templates and tables. This assignment asks students to demonstrate their comprehension of a novel while allowing the students to practice their technology skills as well!
9. Create Flashcards
Microsoft Word offers students a ton of amazing critical learning tools to help study and organize their learning. Students can create flashcards using Microsoft Word to help them study. These flashcards can be saved in OneDrive and students can access them at all times.
Learn more: Andrew Who
10. Digital Planner
Another great way to use Microsoft Word to help students organize is by creating a digital planner. Word offers a variety of planner templates to help students keep track of assignments, homework, and other important dates.
Learn more: Template.net
11. Online Notebook
Microsoft OneNote allows students access to a variety of features to create a digital notebook. Students can take notes, add photos, and include audio and video recordings in their notebooks. This is a great resource for students who attend online school. Teachers can also create OneNote notebooks for their students to allow them to all have the same note-taking experience or basic school report.
Learn more: Microsoft OneNote
12. Make a Family Tree
Students can create a genogram in Microsoft Word to learn more about their families. This project allows students to discover more about their ancestors through the formation of a family tree.
Learn more: It Still Works
13. Create a Word Cloud
Word clouds can be a great way to allow students to demonstrate their overall understanding or summary of a topic. Microsoft Word allows users to create a word cloud using one of the add-on features.
Learn more: The Tech Train
14. Create Digital Art
Microsoft Word allows students to practice their writing skills , but it also has a variety of features for creative expression. Students can create digital art using the drawing tools such as shapes, fill, shading, and other features in Word.
15. Create a Book Cover
This project is another fun deviation away from the traditional book report. Students can use Word to create a book cover connected to the theme of the novel. Using the borders, images, fonts, and colors students can demonstrate their comprehension of a book in a new way!
Learn more: Innovations in Techology
16. Invent an Animal
Students can get creative and invent their own animals. Students can draw the animal using the shapes and images in Microsoft Word. After drawing their own animal, students can use text to describe their animal and make connections to other cross-curricular areas.
Learn more: Innovations in Technology
17. Plan a Vacation
Students can research and budget their own faux vacation. This lesson idea teaches students real-life skills such as organizing and money planning. Students then compile their research in Microsoft Word and create a travel brochure.
18. Progress Monitor Student Work
While Microsoft Word offers a variety of ways to expand student learning, it also has many tools to help teachers. One way teachers can use Microsoft Word is to progress monitor student learning. Using the "activity" feature, teachers can view student progress including the date and time of each activity completed.
Learn more: Foetron Academy
19. Create Handouts
Teachers are always doing their best to individualize the learning for all their students. Microsoft Word is a great way to create handouts that best meet their students' needs no matter the lesson plan.
Learn More: Techwalla
20. Transfer Work Documents to iPad
Many students, teachers, and parents use Apple products, but that does not limit their ability to use Microsoft Word. Documents can be transferred to pages allowing for unlimited access to the resources for any school project.
Learn More: Trusoljahs
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Word 8 Formatting Text Practice Document
In this practice project for Word, students create a document using a different size and color font for the title than the rest of the paragraph.
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Word Practice 1
Here is a video demonstrating the skills in this practice. Please note it does not exactly match the instructions:
Complete the following Practice Activity and submit your completed project.
For our first assignment in Word, we will create a flyer to be printed or posted online. The flyer will advertise a volunteer opportunity for Health Sciences students at Paradise Valley Community College. Key skills in this practice are inserting text and pictures, textboxes, formatting text and footers.
- Start Word. Click Blank Document .
- Show formatting marks by navigating to the Home Tab, Paragraph Group, and selecting the Show/Hide icon. This is a Toggle Button . This means it has two modes, on and off. To turn it on, click it once, to turn it off, click it again.
- Show the ruler by navigating to the View tab, Show Group, and selecting the Ruler Check Box . A Check Box is a type of input control . A checkboxes value is only included in the submitted data if the checkbox is currently checked. In other words, when the box is checked, the value is included.
- Navigate to the File Tab to enter Backstage View. In backstage view, select File, then Save As. Click the Browse button. In the Save As dialog box , navigate to your file structure from the previous chapter, then open the Word folder. In the Name field, type Yourlastname_Yourfirstname_Word_Practice_1 as the file name, and then save.
- Type Volunteer Opportunity Available and press Enter twice.
- Type the following text: This fall, Paradise Valley Community College is offering a unique volunteer opportunity for Health Sciences students . Press spacebar.
- Navigate to the Insert Tab, Text group, and choose the Object arrow. Then choose text from file. In the Insert File dialog box, browse to the location where you saved the files from Canvas. Select the file Text_Word_Practice1. Click OK. The text will automatically update your document.
- Select all of the text in the document. On the Home Tab, Font Group, ensure the Font is Calibri and font size is 12.
- Select the title, Volunteer Opportunity Available, including the paragraph mark. On the Home Tab, Font Group, select the arrow next to Text Effects and Topography . In the third row, third column, a pply the Fill: Blue, Accent color 5; Outline: White, Background color 1; Hard Shadow: Blue, color 5 text effect.
- With the title still selected, change the font size to 36.
- On the Home Tab, Paragraph Group, choose Center to align the title centered on the page.
- On the Home Tab, Font Group, change the font color to Blue, Accent 1 for the title.
- With the title still selected, on the Home Tab, in the Font Group, choose the arrow next to the Text Effect and Typography icon. Apply a Shadow and under Inner, click Inside: Right text effect.
- Position the insertion point at the beginning of the paragraph that begins with This Fall.
- On the Insert tab, Illustrations group, choose Pictures . Navigate to your saved files from Canvas and choose the HSPicture_Word_Practice1 image.
- Be sure the picture is selected, and apply the Square text wrapping option.
- Using the sizing handle at the lower right hand corner of the picture, drag up and to the left until the bottom of the graphic is aligned at approximately 3.5 inches on the vertical ruler.
- Click Undo to return the picture to its original size. The Undo icon is located in the quick access toolbar in the upper left hand corner.
- On the Picture Tools, Format tab, in the size group, change the shape width to 4”.
- On the Quick Access Toolbar , click the Save icon. Then, compare your document to the image below.
- Ensure the picture is still selected. Display the Layout dialog box by selecting the Layout Options shortcut menu, then choose see more. In the Layout dialog box for the picture, make sure the Position tab is selected.
- Set the horizontal alignment to Left, relative to Margin.
- Set the vertical alignment to Top, relative to Line. Select OK to close the dialog box.
- With the picture selected, apply the Soft Edges 10 Point picture effect. This is on the Picture Tools Format Tab, Picture Styles group, under Picture Effects, Soft Edges.
- With the picture selected, on the Picture Tools, Format tab, in the Adjust Group choose the Artistic Effects arrow. Apply the Pastels Smooth artistic effect. Dese lect the picture .
- On the Design Tab, in the Page Background Group, select Page Borders. Add a page border selecting the:
- Shadow setting
- Triple Lines style
- Blue, Accent 1 color
- Whole document
- Position the insertion pointer at the blank paragraph below the title and press Enter six times.
- On the Insert Tab, in the Illustrations group, choose Shapes . Insert a Rounded Corners Rectangle shape at the left margin at approximately 1.5 inches on the top ruler. Click once to insert a 1-inch by 1-inch Rounded Rectangle, or use the drag and drop feature.
- On the Drawing Tools, Format Tab in the Size group, Change the shape height to approximat ely 1.8 and the shape width to 6.4.
- Select the Rectangle shape and type the following text: For more information, please contact Grace Smith at 602-787-6714. Or, email [email protected]
- Italicize the text, change the font to Calibri and increase the font size to 16. Deselect the text.
- Select the same text as above and explore the mini-toolbar , by clicking the Font Color button arrow and under Theme Colors, click on Blue, Accent 5, Darker 50%.
- With the shape still selected, go to the Drawing Tools, Format Toolbar, the Shape Styles Group. Select the arrow next to Shape Outline and under Theme Colors, click on Blue, Accent 5, Darker 50%. Change the weight to 3pt.
Compare your document to the image below.
- Using the keyboard shortcut CTRL+END , navigate to the end of your document. If your keyboard does not have these keys, click to put your insertion point after the period on opportunity. Hit enter 3 times.
- Your insertion point should be approximately at the 8” mark on the side ruler. On the Insert tab, in the text group, click the arrow next to the textbox and draw a text box at approximately the 1”mark on the vertical ruler. Draw a text box by dragging down to create a text box that is approximately 1.5 inches high by 4.5 inches wide. Type the following in the text box: Volunteering is an excellent way to gain service hours. Service hours are required for entry into some Health sciences programs, and looks great on your resume. Dedicating your time as a volunteer helps you make new friends, expand your network, and boost your social skills.
- Select and Drag the textbox, by clicking and holding on the outer edge, until the horizontal green alignment guide displays above the first blank paragraph mark and the vertical green alignment guide displays in the center of the page. To be more precise:
- In the Layout dialog box on the Position Tab for the text box set the horizontal alignment to Centered, relative to Margin.
- Set the Vertical alignment by typing .25 in the Absolute position box and selecting Below Paragraph .
- On the Size tab, type 1.5 in the Absolute Height box and 4.5 in the Absolute Width box. Then, click OK.
- With the textbox still selected, on the Drawing Tools, Format Tab, in the Shape Styles group Apply the Colored Outline – Blue, Accent 1 shape style.
- Under Shape Effects , apply the Offset Center outer shadow shape effect to the text box.
- Select the text in the text box, change the font size to 13 italics, and center the text.
- Save the document. Compare your document to the image below.
- On the Insert tab, in the Header & Footer Group, choose Edit Footer. On the Header & Footer Design Toolbar, in the Insert Group, choose Document Info. Use Document Info to insert the file name in the footer. Select the File Name Field . The File Name should display in the lower left hand footer of the document. Do not type it in, rather use the Document Info Field.
- In Backstage view, click on Show All Properties, and type the following:
- In the Tags box: trainee, flyer, internship
- In the Subject box: Your course name and section number
- In the Author box: Your first and last name
- Turn off formatting marks. As a reminder, formatting marks are on the Home Tab, Paragraph Group.
- Take a moment to compare your document to the image below and make any modification based on what you have learned.
- Using Find and Replace, (Home tab | Editing | Replace), change all instances of pvcc and Paradise Valley to spscc or South Puget Sound.
- Zoom in to view the document in a larger size. Zoom is located in the lower right hand corner of the Word window.
- Save again, and ensure you have your file saved in a safe location. Take note of that location because you will need to find your file to upload it for grading.
- Submit the file for grading per your instructor’s instructions.
A starting point for creating a new document in Microsoft Word
Characters that display on the screen but do not print, indicating where the Enter key, the Spacebar, and Tab key were pressed, also called non printing characters
A button that can be turned on and off by clicking it once to turn on, and clicking again to turn it off
A small box which can be clicked to indicate a check is turned on or off to indicate an on or off response
Allows the user specify the drive, directory, and name of a file to save their file
Decorative formats, such as shadowed or colors that make text stand out
Images or graphics that are stored locally on a computer or flash drive and can be uploaded to a document to add visual interest
The manner in which text displays around an object
Located above the Ribbon (top-left) and provides access to commonly used features and commands, such as Save and Undo/Redo, and is customizable
Picture formatting options that control the manner in which text wraps around a picture or other object
Formats applied to images that make pictures resemble sketches or paintings
A decorative border that appears outside the margins on each page and can be solid, dashed, or an artistic style
Lines, arrows, starts, banners, ovals, rectangles, and other basic shapes with which you can illustrate an idea, a process or a workflow
Appears whenever you right-click text in Word, Excel or PowerPoint and provides a quick-access version of the Font group on the Home tab, plus a few extra buttons from other groups
Allows you to apply preset colors and effects to quickly change the appearance of your shape
Allows you to change the outline color, weight (thickness), and style of a the outline surrounding a shape
One or more keys used to perform a menu function or other common functions
A moveable, resizable container for text or graphics
A green vertical or horizontal line that displays when you are moving or sizing an object to assist with proper placement
A grouping of coordinating effects that can be applied to a shape including shadows, glows, reflections, soft edges, bevels, and three-dimensional (3-D) rotations
Placeholders that store and display data, and can perform simple tasks like returning the page number or current date and time
Any word, phrase, or number string related to the file that may help you locate the file later
Intro to Microsoft Office Copyright © 2021 by Abby Rusu & Maricopa Millions is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.
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