PSU Northern Tier

464Eliza

Welcome to Eliza's Webpage!!

Assignment #8

This is the link to my blog page

I really like the idea of using a blog in my classroom. I think that positives factors of using a blog would include better informed students, organization of information to my students, sharing of information between students rather than just the information of the teacher, and getting and giving feedback about information and assignments. Disadvantages of using a blog would include limited access of the internet to some students (although that is becoming less of a concern), technology issues or the ability to use technology issues as an excuse for not having completed work. I also found an interesting statement from a teacher who wrote about the pros and cons of blogs. He said that he's found that most often people who have the most time to write in a blog have the least to say, and the people who have the most to say don't have enough time to write it. I think that makes a lot of sense, especially because I plan on starting out every year with an amazing website, and by October I just don't have the time to maintain it as I would like to. I would really like to use a classroom blog for next year. I have put it on my summer 'to do' list. I'm glad that we were able to give this a try and hope it motivates me to find the time to keep it up!!

Assignment #7

This is the assignment I decided to skip!!

Assignment #6

YouTube Presentation.ppt

Assignment #5

LESSON PLAN:

I would most like to incorporate InspireData into a Civics lesson about elections and voting. I would use the Social Studies database and have students view the data for Presidential Elections from 1876-2004, by states. Using this information they will draw several conclusions. Namely, I would like them to determine that voter turnout is higher during Presidential election years, than during midterm elections. Using this data and chart as an example, students will create their own chart and gather data from local people of voting age. Information would include age, gender, income, education, political party, key issues, etc. Students will chart data and use informaton to draw conclusions about local voters and other voting issues. It would be neat to do this activity during the current presidential election, as students are seeing many different issues and candidates in the news. Lesson time would include a trip to the computer lab (if the software could be available) to introduce InspireData and examples. Students would then have some time (maybe a week) to gather data to chart. We would probably need an additional 2-3 days in the lab to enter information and use the different resources available to interpret data and possible trends. This activity would introduce or reinforce knowledge on data collection, analytical skills, social studies and civics, as well as organization and computer skills.

Assignment #4

webquest assignment.doc

Assignment #3

LESSON PLAN:

A project that I used for my 8th grade history class incorporated a series of virtual tours dealing with the Salem Witch Trials.

We visited the first site together and watched a brief movie about the trials and then the students were sent to several other sites to work their way through the tours and determine which person in the trials they wanted to learn more about. They then worked independently developing a powerpoint presentation and essay about the person they selected. It fit really well into my curriculum because they were able to use the tour as a starting point to gain an understand and then find further information at other sites. It also worked as a great attention getter for the class. I used the new computer lab and put it on the big screen, it was dark and kind of scary....the kids loved it!!! It was a really good lesson. We used one class period to watch the first video and had time for each to select and take a tour. They needed to work outside of the classroom to gather additional information for their person. I gave another 2 class periods to work on their powerpoint presentations and 2 class periods for presentations. I also arranged that the project was due on Halloween, which added a neat element. Below are the links for the sites I used.

Salem Witch Trial movie - http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schooladventures/salemwitchtrials/story/story.html

Virtual Tour - http://www3.nationalgeographic.com/salem/

Assignment #2

LESSON PLAN:

A project that I have incorporated into my Geography class is called the Amazing Race. Students are to develop a powerpoint that documents the trips that are taken on the show the Amazing Race. I have the students select 5 of the destinations on previous shows and they must create their own 'race' for the other students and myself to embark on. The race must include 5 destinations with the following information for each destination:

1) map

2) description of each place

3) clue markers

4) 2 questions for each destination

5) 2 road blocks and 2 detours.

The goal of the project is for each student (and myself) to embark of the race and gain knowledge of the destination through answering questions presented by the student. These questions can be answered with prior knowledge or by using links to find the appropriate information. Below is the powerpoint created as an example for the students to model their projects after.

Amazing Race example.ppt

Assignment #1

LESSON PLAN:

My eighth grade US History class is going to research and rank 10 historical people who played a significant role in the American Revolution. Students will be able to select people of their choosing, but must provide historical information about the person, as well as the person’s role in the American Revolution. After researching the information, the student must then rank their selections and provide a detailed description as to why each person received their place in the rank. My hope is to encourage students to learn more about historical figures through research, but also to allow them form opinions about each person and their accomplishments in relation to the achievements of other figures.

americanrevolutionchart.xls