#3 Classroom Lesson - Tech Apps

I observed the following lessons from http://www.techappsnetwork.org/.

American Revolution (8th Grade)

"Students review different aspects of the American Revolution by rotating through five stations. Students use word processing software, video cameras, and publishing software while completing the activities."

This activity consists of a compilation of newspaper articles via groupwork. It would be difficult to conduct this lesson with ESL students, but if the articles were at a low-reading level, it could work. The "Closure" is paramount. Closing the lesson with a meaningful wrap-up can be the difference between an average classroom activity and a memorable one. THe rubric was extensive and useful... this lesson is ready-to-use.


Civil Rights Significant Leader Project (9-12)

"Students will research and prepare a software presentation on a significant leader of the Civil Rights Movement."

Oo, a movie production! My students could use Windows Movie Maker for this project. 6-7 days is an appropriate amount of time to dedicate to the Civil Rights. As much as I'd like to discuss the contributions of Martin Luther King, Jr. to our culture and society, there are so many TEKS objectives to cover in a Six Weeks that we just can't afford to spend any morethan two weeks on him and his movement. The rubric isn't provided, and the author of this lessons suggests that we have the students evaluate themselves. I'm not self-evaulations are effective, but this lesson could work so perhaps if I ever use it I'll fit in a self-evaluation in the rubric.




Major Events of the Twentieth Century (9th)

"As an end of the year project students will work in groups to create a timeline of a specific period from twentieth century America history. Students will create a web map using graphic organizer software for a class presentation of their research."

This project could work. It does require several weeks, though, and I may not be willing to commit to that extensive length. I'm not sure my sutdents could handle a project of that size. Also, I would have to figure out how to get some daily grades from my students while they worked on that project.

The rubric provided is ready-to-use, so this project could definitely work in my classroom since I teach 9th grade geography. Thanks, Tech Apps!!