Project Updates

Well, after spending quite a bit of time putting my pre-plan together last weekend, I now feel I have a much better idea of where I'm going with my project. Basically, my lesson, which is on Rocks and Minerals, will be taught through the use of a Smart Board. Students will participate in a scavenger hunt of sorts outside the school, looking for examples of rocks and minerals. They will then come back inside to participate in several activities centered around their findings. The main activity will involve the interactive whiteboard and a pre-designed program available to teachers on the BBC Schools website. Here they will virtually explore the different qualities of different rocks and minerals. Through the use of this program and the learning that will ensue, students will then "build" something using one of the highlighted rocks and minerals (I would like to leave the decision as to specifically what they use up to them, but I'm not sure yet). For example, a student might explore the usability of pumice to build a small structure representing a house. Another student will choose marble. Yet another will choose chalk, and so on. They will virtually design what they'll do using Microsoft Paint (or some similar user-friendly, age appropriate paint program) and then will attempt to build it using real rocks and minerals back in the classroom. Finally, students will be graded according to a rubric they had a say in at the beginning (this is a change I made last Tuesday night after listening to all of the benefits of handing over this power to the students). They will also be properly prepared for the summative 3rd Grade Science Benchmark Assessment given by the county.

I feel like I am more open to the changes I'll need to make to my plan in order to move it to the LoTi Level 4a that it needs to be. Handing over the decision making to my students, as well as giving them a say in what the project and rubric looks like, should ensure student success. I look forward to trying to make that happen.

LoTi, My Project, and Me

Well, with this entry, I'm going to make an attempt at further clarifying what my thinking is for my project at this point. I spoke to my LSTC and TST yesterday and found out that the SMART Board will be set up in the Sugarloaf Lab (at Cedar Hill) next week. Obviously, that is a good thing, considering that my project will inevitably center around the use of this technology. As far as what I'm actually thinking of doing, I will probably develop something to guide and/or supplement instruction in the Rocks and Minerals unit in Science or the Maps and Globes unit in Social Studies. In either case, I feel the combination of the available technologies and interactivity typically instilled in these lessons will provide a base to start from. What I will actually do with the SMART Board and how I will elevate instruction to at least a LoTi Level 4a (Integration: Mechanical) is still up in the air. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Now, as far as my goal to actually reach this level, here is an excerpt for the LoTi website regarding the instructional focus for Level 4a:

"Instructional focus is on applied learning to the world outside of the classroom and supports an inquiry-training model of teaching. Student products are authentic, relevant and embed complex thinking strategies. Student-generated questions dictate the content, process, and products. Teacher experiences management concerns with the successful integration of 21st Century Skills and/or Themes."

The Social Studies unit might provide an angle for the "applied learning to the world outside the classroom" part by tying in GPS related to the Democracy unit (Greece, Rome, etc.) or others. Arguably, students could virtually search for, manipulate, and study types of rocks and minerals (Science unit) using the SMARTBoard, as well.

Actually making something under a student directed, inquiry based model will be the challenge. Facing severe time constraints, a tight daily schedule, and impending Benchmark tests administered by the county, I will have my work cut out for me to develop something that inspires student learning and ensures success on upcoming assessments.

I know my thoughts have not been completely concrete in this posting, but I'm trying to flush out some thinking moving forward. Let me know what you think. Thanks.

EDIT 7500 Individual Integration Project ideas

At this point I am thinking about doing something with SMART Board technology. We just got several of them delivered to our school, and they will be set up for use in at least one of our computer labs within the next few weeks. I have never had the chance to use a SMART Board in a classroom setting, and this might be the opportunity I've been looking for. By working closely with my LSTC, I might be able to get something worked out where I can bring my class to the lab for the different parts of this project. Dr. Moore mentioned stepping outside of what we already know. Well, this would be just that. Now, as far as what I'd specifically be covering, that remains to be seen. Obviously it would be AKS/GPS aligned. Let me know what you think, Blogger Buddies! Thanks!