Week Three

If you are wondering how it got to be week three already, then just imagine how quickly December will come. We had a great day today. Each of the classes has moved firmly into the Gathering phase of the project.

Here is where we are with the projects:

K-14: Students were introduced to Keynote. First, they selected a template for their project. Next, they created their first slide and typed a title and their names onto the slides. Finally, they learned to save their keynotes.  Ms. Iong will have students go on the computer a few times during the week. They need practice using the trackpad and finding letters on the keyboard. Any activity will do.

1-104: Students learned how to search the Internet for images using AJkids. This is a safe place to find images. Students also learned how to save images on their desktop. Using the index of their books, students found they could use different search terms to find better pictures. Each group had 5 or more images related to their research project. By next week, Ms. Hamlin will have students complete their graphic organizer for their topic. (The original is on computer #10). She will also have them work on painting pictures that we will digitize for our podcasts.

2-204: Students refined their research questions and began their Internet research. Ms. Newman has worksheets for each student to record the information they are finding. She also listed good informational websites students can use on her class website.

3-304: Students had been researching their topics. Today, they took that research and prepared a "pitch" (In the movie business, a pitch is when the people who want to make a movie (writers, directors, etc.) verbally present their ideas to the people who pay for making the movie (the producers). If the pitch is successful, the producers will "green light" (that is, approve) your movie.) At the end of the period, each class pitched their ideas to the class. They were wonderful, and the feedback from the students was extremely helpful as well. Our only regret is that we didn't videotape these wonderful presentations. Maybe if Ms. Catania has some time,  she can have the kids run through them one more time and post them on eduvision?? Based on the feedback from the presentations, students may have a little bit more research to do, but next week we can probably start storyboarding.

4-404: Because the fourth grade class expanded their topic to include all of NY, we had to adjust the topics and groups. Then, students learned to log onto the class wiki using their username and password. Each group learned to create a new page and to edit that page. Next, each student will pick a subtopic related to their group topic and begin to research that topic.

5-504: Ms. Schembri had divided the groups into subgroups. We spent part of the period working on iWeb. Although students used it a little last year, we needed a refresher. Each group created an "About Us" page. Then, groups used chart paper and post-its© to begin to map out their topics and subtopics. By next week, students should have divided the subtopics and begun researching.