 |
My name is Bryan Tippie. I am an eighth grade reading teacher at Warrensburg Middle School in Warrensburg, Missouri. I would like to welcome you to my iAdventure! If you have any questions or comments about this iAdventure, please feel free to contact me. Phone: (660) 747-5612 |
The purpose of this iAdventure is to assist students to gain knowledge about the Revolutionary War. The essence of this iAdventure is more than students just gaining the basic knowledge about the American Revolution. Students also use the knowledge they gain to make informed decisions. This iAdventure has been created to enhance the learning experience for students.
| Teacher Page (You are here!) |
|
||||
| Boston/England Questionnaire |
Boston/England Scoring Guide |
(with Introduction) |
|||
| Loyalist/Patriot Questionnaire |
Loyalist/Patriot Scoring Guide |
|
|
||
| 18th Century Writing Questionnaire |
18th Century Writing Scoring Guide |
|
|
|
|
| "Declaration" Scoring Guide |
|
||||
Background Information An iAdventure is a way of teaching students important concepts and skills by involving them in a storyline about one or more characters (fictional or real). In this iAdventure, students become the main character who discover a time machine in the attic of their new home. After conducting some research, the students get to choose whether they would like to travel to England or Boston on July 4th, 1776. The students then conduct more research to determine if they would rather be a Loyalist or a Patriot.
This iAdventure is more than just learning about the Revolutionary War. Students also learn about how to write persuasively while writing an authentic declaration of independence or declaration of loyalty.
Curriculum Standards The following Missouri Show-Me Standards may be met with this activity:
Goal 1:2 Conduct research to answer questions and evaluate information and ideas.
Goal 1:4 Use technological tools and other resources to locate, select and organize information
Goal 1:5 Comprehend and evaluate written, visual and oral presentations and works
Goal 1:7 Evaluate the accuracy of information and the reliability of its sources
Goal 2:1 Plan and make written, oral and visual presentations for a variety
of purposes and audiences
Goal 2:3 Exchange information, questions and ideas while recognizing the perspectives of others
Goal 2:7 Use technological tools to exchange information and ideas
Goal 3:1 Identify problems and define their scope and elements
Goal 3:2 Develop and apply strategies based on ways others have prevented or solved problems
Goal 3:6 Examine problems and proposed solutions from multiple perspectives
Goal 4:1 Explain reasoning and identify information used to support decisions
CA:1 Speaking and writing standard English
CA: 4 Write formally
CA: 6 Participating in formal and informal presentations and discussions of issues and ideas
Resources Needed A few materials that may be useful for your iAdventure include:
Internet connected computers
Copies of included questionnaires for each student
Copy of the Scoring guide for each student
5 gallon plastic bucket (clean)
30 or so tea bags
Quill pen with waterproof ink (pencils can be used. Although not as fun. . .cleaner!)
Several large lawn leaf bags
Masking tape
Assessment Below is a copy of the scoring guide for the final project, the declaration.
Scoring Guide (Printable version: Click here) Formal Declaration
Evaluator: Student:
Missing Inc. Poor Avg. Good Excellent Student hands in all assignments on time. 0 1 3 5 7 10 Student performs all duties of assigned team role. 0 1 3 5 7 10 Student places proper and complete heading on back of document. 0 1 3 5 7 10 Student's handwriting is neat and easily read. 0 1 3 5 7 10 Student's spelling and grammar usage is correct. 0 1 3 5 7 10 Student uses 18th Century techniques to write declaration. 0 1 3 5 7 10 Student uses at least four specific examples of convincing evidence from research to support their position while not antagonizing their target audience. 0 1 3 5 7 10 Students present their declaration in a professional manner. 0 1 3 5 7 10 Students have desks cleared and listen intently while peers present. 0 1 3 5 7 10 Total Points __________ Grade _____
Creating Conclusions and Student Products The culminating event or task of an iAdventure is when students create the conclusion or product, as described in the "Create a Conclusion" page. The letter that the students create is an enjoyable project. After several revisions and group-peer editing, the letters are ready for the next step. To make the letters authentic, use tea bags to make tea in the small plastic bucket. (Note: The tea needs to be pretty dark.) If you dip the letters briefly in the tea and let them dry, they will dry to look like antique parchment. Use the plastic lawn bags as a place to allow the documents to dry. It is extremely useful to have the bags on the floor away from students. Tape is a good way (no longer than five days) to keep the bags secure while the documents dry. If you are careful, while the documents are still wet, wrinkling them and tearing them a little add to the effect! The kids love this!
Please email me photos of your class' work! I would love to see the process being completed in your room! Email comments and photos here: btippie@warrensburg.k12.mo.us.
Acknowledgements This iAdventure would not be possible without the caring guidance of Stan Smith. Other assistants include (I'd love to put your name here... so if you have any comments or suggestions to make this even better, PLEASE let me know by emailing me at the above address!
The iAdventure concept was developed in the Warrensburg, MO school district, as part of the "Learning with iAdventures" program. This program was funded by a Competitive Technology grant from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
For more information on iAdventures, visit the iAdventure Home Page.