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TeachNet NYC: Lesson Plans

Futuristics

Project URLs:

http://teachersnetwork.org/teachnet-lab/is24/lvelez/future/tech.htm
http://teachersnetwork.org/teachnet-lab/is24/lvelezfuture/pat.htm

How it works:
Futuristics
combines a language arts unit by Pat Shea-Bischoff and a technology unit by Louis Velez. Science fiction is explored as a genre in both poetic and short story forms. In addition, students conduct a research study using a Delphi technique to "predict" the future from the "seeds" of today. After creating a futuristic city in technology class, students describe their cities through composition. Famous futurists such as Buckminster Fuller, Leonardo DaVinci, and Walt Disney are introduced. The lives and foresight of these prominent men are studied by conducting Internet searches and by reading biography. Finally, three-dimensional cities are designed and constructed.

Standards addressed:  
Students use mathematical analysis, scientific inquiry, and engineering design to question, seek answers, and develop solutions. They access, generate, and transfer information using appropriate technologies, and apply technological knowledge and skills to design, construct, use, and evaluate products and systems to satisfy human and environmental needs.

Materials Used:
A computer with Internet access is needed, along with a computer art program (AppleWorks, for example) and SimCity 2000 software.

The students:
The intermediate school students involved in this program are average and above average academically. They have a basic knowledge of both word processing and computer art programs, as well as a general knowledge of Internet search engines and their utilization for research purposes. They each have access to an individual computer in a lab setting.  This program is recommended for drafting classes, social studies, or as a unit in problem solving or futurist workshops. Students read multiple genres including science fiction, newspaper, science books, poetry, and biography based on a theme. They write creative prose and poems, descriptive expository text, and responses to literature; listen to and discuss responses to reading with peers in literature circles and process data to draw conclusions by reading, writing, and discussing their research findings.

Overall value:
This program engages students in a creative problem-solving experience and enables them to explore the future through literature, research, interview, and discussion, and their accompanying graphic display/design empowers multiple intelligences.

Tips: 
Collect samples of 3-D images for students to examine. SimCity 2000 software is currently more user-friendly for students at the intermediate level who are not familiar with the program. Older students or those previously oriented to the program may enjoy SimCity 3000.

   

About the teacher:
Louis Velez has been teaching for more than 28 years in the New York City public school system. He has taught both special and regular
education students in elementary and intermediate schools. Louis has also
taught computer classes at IS 24 in Staten Island for many years. He has received several individual and team teacher grants to develop his  curriculum.

Pat Shea-Bischoff has been teaching in New York City Public Intermediate
School 24 in Staten Island, New York, for 34 years. She is currently serving a second term as International Reading Association Coordinator for New York State. In addition, Pat recently earned a PhD in Language, Literacy, and Learning from Fordham University, where she is an adjunct assistant professor in the Curriculum and Instruction Division of Graduate Education.

E-mail: PAZ417@aol.com
              PatSB@aol.com

Subject Areas:                            Computer Science
Social Studies
Technology

Grade Levels:
 7-12

 

 

 

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