Millennium
Superheroes
Project
URL: http://teachersnetwork.org/teachnet-lab/ps101/chornik/contents.htm
How
it works:
In Millennium
Superheroes, students brainstorm and
synthesize ideas about what constitutes a
real-life superhero.
The students create a database with questions that
pertain to what they want to find out about a hero
of the new millennium and use the Internet to
research the information needed to complete their
databases. The databases are used to organize the
information found during research so that a report
can be written. A slide show can also be made from
the information found.
Standards
addressed:
The
students participate in group meetings in which
they actively solicit another person's comments
or opinion, offer their own opinions forcefully
but without dominating, respond appropriately to
comments and questions, volunteer contributions
and respond when directly solicited by the teacher
or discussion leader, and give reasons in support
of opinions expressed.
They demonstrate a basic understanding of the
rules of the English language in written work,
with knowledge of grammar, paragraph structure,
punctuation, sentence construction, spelling, and
usage. Using electronic media, they gather and use
information for research purposes, and produce a
report that includes appropriate facts and
details. They know the common features and uses of
databases and use a range of appropriate
strategies such as providing facts and details,
describing or analyzing a subject, narrating a
relevant anecdote, and including relevant
information. They create an organizing structure
appropriate to a specific purpose, audience, and
context, and analyze and subsequently revise work
to make it more effective in communicating their
intended message or thought.
The students also develop an
understanding of the qualities that
"superheroes," or people who have favorably influenced society, possess.
They
recognize the impact of people of diverse cultures
on humanity.
Materials
used:
Materials used
include computers with Internet access, and
word-processing and database applications such as
Apple Works, Kid Pix, Inspiration or Kidspiration,
Internet Coach and HyperStudio. An LCD projector is also used.
The
students:
This program was
developed with fifth and sixth grade students, but
it can be adapted for other grades.
Overall
value:
This
unit enables students to develop research skills
by using the Internet. Students learn to organize
and synthesize the information gathered by
entering it into a database. They also develop the
word-processing and writing skills needed to write
a report. Creativity and self-confidence are
developed in the creation and presentation of a
slide show.
Tips
for the teacher:
Students
can go to www.kathyschrock.com to learn the necessary skills for finding
information on the Internet if an Internet coach
is not available. The software program KidPix may
be used to create the slide show if HyperStudio is
not available.
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Carolyn Hornik has been a New York City public school teacher for twenty five years (12 years as a classroom teacher in third, fourth, and fifth grades and 13 years as a technology coordinator.)
She teaches in-service courses for the New York City Board of Education After School Professional Development Program and on-line courses for new teachers through
Teachers Network.
Chornik@aol.com
Estimated Class Periods To Complete: 10
or more
Subject: English, Social Studies
Beginning Grade Level: 4
Ending Grade Level: 8
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