- Grade Focus
- Grade 6
- Age Level
- 11
- Subject
- Technology Integration Activity
- Imaging, Video Productions
Last modified: 03/16/2009
Introduction
Students will acquire a background of information regarding the landmarks, memorials and monuments that define their Federal government, located in close proximity to their school and home communities. Preliminary research via internet web sites, interviews with individuals who have first-hand knowledge and hard copy publications such as magazines, brochures and books will prepare students for field trips to Washington, D.C. to personally visit specific sites. Students will organize the results of their information gathering efforts and share what they have learned by displaying digital images, sharing video and giving oral reports.Prerequisite Experience
Students will need a familiarity with library search systems and, for those students interested in using a word processing system to document information, knowledge of word processing using Microsoft Word. They will need to have compiled a list of landmarks with some basic information as to their locations and a foundation of understanding as to their significance.Teacher Prep Time
(Open-ended time-frame) Some review of the NortellearniT sites about video production and digital imaging; integration of Social Studies curriculum with computer lab timeblock; video recording prep.;curriculum planning. MATERIALS:Camcorder if available; Digital Video recorder(s) (optional depending on access to DVD production equipment);Digital cameras; Disposable cameras; Computer Availability; hard copy journals; writing tools; reference books, brochures, magazines, pictorials; Sketch pads pencils
PROJECT: Students will enjoy a field trip to the D.C. area to visit the monuments and memorials located there. Planned as an information-gathering trip they will record via digital imaging and/or video recording, their findings which they will later share.
Assessment/Grading
The project will undergo formative assessment as students gather information and review results of their study and summative assessment at the time of their reports. Peer evaluation will take place in the form of a question and comment period after reports are given. Self-assessment will be a part of the project as well.Lesson Plan Details
Engage
Students will bring in pictures of D.C. landmarks they may have taken themselves, and give a brief account of how they came to take the picture. Parents who might have first-hand knowledge about a memorial will be invited to make an informal presentation to the class. Pictures of landmarks will be posted to spark student interest. Students will pick a landmark out of a hat to determine a landmark they will be responsible for reporting on in detail.Explore
Students will use the internet and/or library to investigate and locate information regarding the landmark they have ‘picked’ (from the hat.) as preparation for their report and to prepare for the onslandmarks? of their choosing. (There are many landmarks and memorials in the D.C. area, so since it is not possible to visit them all we will choose two or three to spark a general interest in memorials. Students who wish will sketch landmarks of their choosing. They will copy correct spellings of names and labels and take note of interesting facts about landmarks. With teacher guidance students will examine characteristics of memorial construction and read plaques for information. EXPLAINAs follow-up to field trip and return to school students will informally, as a group, summarize the trip and give an account from their perspective as to whether they accomplished their purpose and feel satisfied they were able to find the information they were looking for. Students will share what they observed and relate the high point(s) of the trip for them. Students will discuss a plan for how they intend to share the results of their trip with other classes. An outline will be posted to help students plan a logical sequence of tasks to complete for a successful outcome which would be an effective presentation of digital photos, oral reporting and, perhaps, a PowerPoint presentation if essential tools are available.