iAdventure Teacher Page

Teacher Information Page
WHAT IS AN IADVENTURE?

An iadventure is an interactive unit designed to have the students research particular web sites for certain pieces of information in order to make informed decisions about various dilemmas presented. Each choice the student(s) make may lead them to a different path with various options.
CONTENT COVERED?

This iadventure is designed to support the integration of reading, writing, and social studies. The student is required to read a selection of historical fiction (George Washington's Socks by Elvira Woodruff) and write an historical fiction sequel to compliment a second journey back to the American Revolution specifically seeking out George Washington's famous "Battle of Yorktown" and "Valley Forge". The student will focus primarily on the narrative elements (character, plot, and setting) even though the student will use numerous narrativ elements to complete his/her sequel. The writing process will be stressed as the student writes the historical fiction sequel.
GRADE LEVEL?
This iAdventure is designed to meet curricular requirements for grades 4-6.

TIME NEEDED?

The teacher should allow 7- 40 minute sessions to complete the computer portion of this iAdventure. The prerequisite of reading George Washington's Socks will require more time.
The teacher might also have to consider in the factor of writing time allowed once the student has completed the "computer portion".

RESOURCES NEEDED?
*One George Washington's Socks book per student (George Washington's Socks by Elvira Woodruff Scholastic Inc. Copyright 1991 ISBN 0-590-44036-5)
*One computer with internet access per every two students
*Pencils
***Click on the links below to print before students start the iAdventure
*Graphic Organizer #1 (plot- 1 sheet will allow for 9 events to one sheet)
*Graphic Organizer #2 (setting- 1 sheet will allow for 3 different settings per sheet)
*Graphic Organizer #3 (character-1 sheet will allow for one character per sheet)
*Scoring Guide

Site Map

Below you will find the site map to the entire iAdventure. Simply click on the page that you would like to see. Each page will open in a new window, so when you are finished, simply close the window to return to the teacher page.

Teacher Page (You are here!)	Title Page-George Washington's Shoes
Scoring Guide	Opening Story Page (with Introduction)
	Valley Forge 2A	Battle of Yorktown 2B
Patriot 3A	Loyalist 3B	Patriot 3C	Loyalist 3D
	"Write Your Sequel" Page

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 or events. Your students have been invited to go back in time with the Adventure Club to revisit George Washington to one of two famous sites, The Battle of Yorktown or Valley Forge and write an historical fiction sequel outlining the journey back in time. The students will (individually, in pairs, or as a whole class) read the book, George Washington's Socks before going on the journey. Once your students have completed the required reading they will work in teams of two to visit various web sites in an attempt to become more knowledgeable about three narrative elements (character, setting, and plot line), George Washington, two historical sites (The Battle of Yorktown and Valley Forge), and famous patriots or loyalists during the American Revolution.    Once all of the necessary information has been gathered, the students will use this information to write an historical fiction sequel to George Washington's Socks. It should be noted that there are numerous other narrative elements that will be incorporated within this sequel, but character, setting, and plot line were chosen as the major focus for this iAdventure. Please feel free to add any needed classroom instruction on the remaining narrative elements that you may feel necessary previous to completion of this iAdventure. It may also be necessary to incorporate any background knowledge needed by your students in the study of the American Revolution. It is also recommended to follow the writing process (brainstorming/prewriting, writing the first rough draft, revising, editing/proofreading, and publishing) as this iAdventure is set up to follow this process..
Throughout this iAdventure there are two situations the students will encounter. The first part of the story line will have the students use the given web sites to learn a greater knowledge base about the famous picture of the Crossing of the Delaware and the historical figures shown in the picture. They will continue to develop a greater knowledge base as they learn more about George Washington's life and military career. The first situation the students encounter will require the students to choose between two historical events important in the life of George Washington, The Battle of Yorktown or Valley Forge. This choice will help the students develop the narrative element, setting, as well as the events important during this period of history. The second situation will have the students choose a character that they will befriend in the story. The character choices will be between a famous patriot or a famous loyalist. As this information is gathered and the decisions are made, the information is recorded on graphic organizers. Once all of the research is complete, the students will then write an historical fiction sequel about the adventures back to the American Revolution. The length of the sequel and the depth of the sequel will vary according to the time constraints of each individual classroom. It is vital to the success of this activity that the students are allowed to present each groups' sequel to an audience to complete the writing process (publication).

Curriculum Standards
This iAdventure contains activities that meet the following goals and objectives of The Show-Me Standards:
GOAL 1: STUDENTS IN MISSOURI PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL ACQUIRE THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO GATHER, ANALYZE, AND APPLY INFORMATION AND IDEAS.
    Students will demonstrate within and integrate across all content areas the ability to
    conduct research to answer questions and evaluate information and ideas.....
         2.     conduct research to answer questions and evaluate information and ideas.
            4.     use technological tools and other resources to locate, select, and organize information.
            5.     comprehend and evaluate written, visual and oral presentations and works.
           10.    apply acquired information, ideas and skills to different contexts as students, workers,
                    citizens, and consumers.
GOAL 2: STUDENTS IN MISSOURI PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL ACQUIRE THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY WITHIN AND BEYOND THE CLASSROOM.
    Students will demonstrate within and integrate across all content areas the ability to...
           1.     plan and make written, oral and visual presentations for a variety of purposes and
                    audiences.
            2.      review and revise communications to improve accuracy and clarity.
            3.     exchange information, questions, and ideas while recognizing the perspectives
                    of others.
GOAL 3: STUDENTS IN MISSOURI PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL ACQUIRE THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO RECOGNIZE AND SOLVE PROBLEMS.
    Students will demonstrate within and integrate across all content areas the ability to...
           4.    evaluate the processes used in recognizing and solving problems.
            5.    reason inductively from a set of specific facts and deductively from general
                    premises.
GOAL 4: STUDENTS IN MISSOURI PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL ACQUIRE THE KNOWLEDGE
AND SKILLS TO MAKE DECISIONS AND ACT AS RESPONSIBLE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.
    Students will demonstrate within and integrate across all content areas the ability to...
         1.      explain reasoning and identify information used to support decisions.
            5.     develop, monitor, and revise plans of action to meet deadlines and accomplish goals.
            6.     identify tasks that require a coordinated effort and work with others to complete those
                    tasks.
COMMUNICATION ARTS:
         1.      speaking and writing standardEnglish (including grammar, usage, punctuation, spelling,
                     capitalization.
            2.      reading and evaluating fiction, poetry and drama.
            3.      reading and evaluating nonfiction works and material (such as biographies,
                     newspapers, technical manuals).
            4.      writing formally (such as reports, narratives, essays) and informally (such as outlines,
                     notes).
            6.      participating in formal and informal presentations and discussions of issues and
                     ideas.
SOCIAL STUDIES:
           1.      principles expressed in the documents shaping constitutional democracy in the
                     United States
            2.      continuity and change in the history of Missouri, the United States, and the world.
            7.      the use of tools of social science inquiry (such as surveys, statistics, maps,
                     documents).

Assessment
The culminating event or task of an iAdventure is when students create the conclusion or product, as described in the "Create a Conclusion" page. In this iAdventure, the students will be writing an historical fiction sequel to the book, George Washington's Socks utitlizing the information provided about the narrative elements, character, setting, and plot, George Washington, and The Battle of Yorktown and Valley Forge. The iAdventure conclusion is to write a sequel, but the exact requirements are left open to the participating teacher according to the time constraints of your classroom, reading and writing level of your students, and the culmination of the social studies content. The assessment was designed to meet the needs of different types of learners by allowing the particulars of the method of presentation up to the classroom teacher.
Assessement scoring guides for this iAdventure can be found embedded in this iAdventure or listed in the link below. It might be easier to print a copy of the scoring guide for each of the students ahead of time, rather than letting the students
printing a copy for themselves during the iAdventure.

Student Scoring Guide
Name __________________________________

Exemplary
4 Accomplished
3 Developing
2 Beginning
1 Score

Team Responsibility

Research, Gather Information Collects a great deal of information--all relates to the topic. Collects some basic information--most relates to the topic. Collects very little information--some relates to the topic. Does not collect any information that relates to the topic.

Share Information Relays a great deal of information--all relates to the topic. Relays some basic information--most relates to the topic.. Relays very little information--some relates to the topic.. Does not relay any information to teammates.

Be Punctual Hands in all assignments on time. Hands in most assignments on time. Hands in most assignments on late. Does not hand in any assignments

Shares Equally Always does the assigned work without having to be reminded. Usually does the assigned work-rarely needs reminding. Rarely does the assigned work-often needs reminding. Always relies on others to do the work.

Cooperates with Teammates Never argues with teammates. Rarely argues. Sometimes argues. Usually argues with teammates.

Content

Completes the steps of the writing process. Completes all the required steps in the writing process. Completes most of the steps in the writing process. Completes only a few steps in the writing process. Does not follow the steps in the writing process.

Utilizes Narrative Elements (plot, setting, and character) Utilizes all the required narrative elements. Utilizes 2 out of the required 3 narrative elements. Utilizes only one of the required narrative elements. Does not utilize the required narrative elements.

Demonstrates expanded knowledge of the American Revolution on final copy. Demonstrates an expanded knowledge of the American Revolution on the final copy. Demonstrates knowledge of the American Revolution on the final copy. Demonstrates limited knowledge of the American Revolution on the final copy. Does not show knowledge of the American Revolution on the final copy.

Participates in the Publishing Process. Participates willing in the publishing process. Participates in the publishing process. Limited participation in the publishing process. Does not participate in the publishing process.

Web Site Use. Integrates knowledge gained from web sites to make choices and /or writing. Integrates some knowledge gained from web sites to make choices and/or writing. Integrates limited knowledge gained from web sites to make choices and/or writing. Does not integrate knowledge gained from web sites to make choices and/or writing.

Total      /40

Creating Conclusions and Student Products

The culminating event of this iAdventure is to write an historical fiction sequel to the book, George Washington Socks by Elvira Woodruff. Following the writing process for completing the sequel is the key to this iAdventure.   To complete the brainstorming stage the student utilizes the three graphic organizers (plot, character, and setting). The student must write a rough draft of his/her sequel using the graphic organizers. The teacher may use the "Content" section of the scoring guide to drive the editing process, or the teacher may set a more specific set of guidelines for this process (grammar, mechanics, punctuation, capitalization, etc.). The final stage in the writing process would be incorporated during the presentation of the sequels to the class.
Additions to the iAdventure may include the use of illustrations in the final copy. Online publishing, web page publishing, or collaborative writings would be a positive addition to this project.

Acknowledgements

This concept was developed by Stan Smith in the Warrensburg, MO school district as part of the "Learning with iAdventures" program, funded by a Competitive Technology grant from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Stan has invested hundreds of hours in developing and implementing this program. His knowledge and patience is the main reason you are able to have access to this Iadventure. I's also like to thank Stan and my classmates for the friendship and the laughter. Computer technology has never been more fun.

For more information on iAdventures, visit http://www.warrensburg.k12.mo.us/iadventure/index.html

If you would like to email Stan Smith with any comments or questions about iAdventures, send your message to:
Ssmith@warrensburg.k12.mo.us

	Exemplary 4	Accomplished 3	Developing 2	Beginning 1	Score
Team Responsibility
Research, Gather Information	Collects a great deal of information--all relates to the topic.	Collects some basic information--most relates to the topic.	Collects very little information--some relates to the topic.	Does not collect any information that relates to the topic.
Share Information	Relays a great deal of information--all relates to the topic.	Relays some basic information--most relates to the topic..	Relays very little information--some relates to the topic..	Does not relay any information to teammates.
Be Punctual	Hands in all assignments on time.	Hands in most assignments on time.	Hands in most assignments on late.	Does not hand in any assignments
Shares Equally	Always does the assigned work without having to be reminded.	Usually does the assigned work-rarely needs reminding.	Rarely does the assigned work-often needs reminding.	Always relies on others to do the work.
Cooperates with Teammates	Never argues with teammates.	Rarely argues.	Sometimes argues.	Usually argues with teammates.
Content
Completes the steps of the writing process.	Completes all the required steps in the writing process.	Completes most of the steps in the writing process.	Completes only a few steps in the writing process.	Does not follow the steps in the writing process.
Utilizes Narrative Elements (plot, setting, and character)	Utilizes all the required narrative elements.	Utilizes 2 out of the required 3 narrative elements.	Utilizes only one of the required narrative elements.	Does not utilize the required narrative elements.
Demonstrates expanded knowledge of the American Revolution on final copy.	Demonstrates an expanded knowledge of the American Revolution on the final copy.	Demonstrates knowledge of the American Revolution on the final copy.	Demonstrates limited knowledge of the American Revolution on the final copy.	Does not show knowledge of the American Revolution on the final copy.
Participates in the Publishing Process.	Participates willing in the publishing process.	Participates in the publishing process.	Limited participation in the publishing process.	Does not participate in the publishing process.
Web Site Use.	Integrates knowledge gained from web sites to make choices and /or writing.	Integrates some knowledge gained from web sites to make choices and/or writing.	Integrates limited knowledge gained from web sites to make choices and/or writing.	Does not integrate knowledge gained from web sites to make choices and/or writing.
				Total	/40