What is an iAdventure? An iAdventure is an interactive site designed to have students research certain pieces of information by visiting other web sites in order to make informed decisions about various dilemmas presented. Content Covered? This iAdventure is designed to support a social studies curriculum through research on Thomas Jefferson, Harry S. Truman, Martin Luther King Jr., Ben Franklin, George Washington Carver and Thomas Edison. Grade Level? Fourth and fifth grade Time needed? 4-6 forty minute periods using the computer and an additional 2 days to design and create the final project. Resources needed? One computer with internet access for every two students,
a copy of the Information Collection Sheet for every student. (Plus additional material for the creation of the stamp.)
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.
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. In this iAdventure, Nevermails A. Thing has stolen a stamp file from the Post Master General's office. Your class has been asked to conduct research and design the new postage stamp. In teams of two, your students will visit various web sites in an attempt to make informed decisions on who should be depicted on the next stamp. Once all necessary research has been gathered, the students will present their research in the form of a stamp and paragraph explaining and justifying their choice.
Throughout the iAdventure, there are two situations that the students will encounter. The first situation requires the students to research the importance of historical figures and scientists in our society. Once they decide to honor historical figures or scientists, the students then must choose a specific person. Once all research has been conducted, the students then prepare a presentation based on the assessment requirements (see Assessment, Conclusion and Student Products below).
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), use technological tools and other resources to locate, select and organize information (4), comprehend and evaluate written, visual and oral presentations and works (5), and evaluate the accuracy of information and the reliability of its sources (7). 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 plan and make written, oral and visual presentations for a variety of purposes and audiences (1), review and revise communications to improve accuracy and clarity (2), and use technological tools to exchange information and ideas (7). 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 explain reasoning and identify information used to support decisions (1), develop, monitor and revise plans of action to meet deadlines and accomplish goals (5), and identify tasks that require a coordinated effort and work with others to complete those tasks(6). COMMUNICATION ARTS In Communication Arts, students in Missouri public schools will acquire a solid foundation which includes knowledge of and proficiency in speaking and writing standard English (1), reading and evaluating non-fiction works and material (3), writing formally and informally (4), and participating in formal and informal presentations and discussions of issues and ideas (6). SOCIAL STUDIES In Social Studies, students in Missouri public schools will acquire a solid foundation which includes knowledge of the relationships of the individual and groups to institutions and cultural traditions (6) and the use of tools of social science inquiry (such as surveys, statistics, maps, documents (7)).
The Assessment, Conclusion 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. In this iAdventure, the students will be creating a stamp and writing a paragraph justifying their choice. The page reads:
Now that you have made your final decision on who you would like to be represented on the next stamp, open the last letter.
Dear Students,
Now that you have all the necessary information, you are ready to complete the task of replacing the stolen stamp file. Your task is two-fold. Design a stamp on paper that will be provided by your teacher. You may want to include illustrations that represent contributions made by that person. In addtion to your design, you will need to write a paragraph defending your choice.
Work hard and work steady. I thank you for your continuing effort in this very serious matter. Your success in completing this last task is extremely important as it will determine the fate on Nevermail A. Thing.
Sincerely,
The Post Master General
A silence falls over the classroom as you and your classmates begin working on the final task. Much is at risk. Will Nevermails be caught? Will he go to jail? Will he be left alone to come up with another sneaky plan to disrupt the lives of people everywhere? Your product will determine his fate.
Remember that you are to design a stamp and write a paragraph. Your stamp will be scored on your ability to include three contributions of your famous person using color, neatness and accuracy. Your paragraph will be scored according to your topic sentence, the supporting details and proper mechanics. Good luck!
Scoring Rubric and Guides Rubric
STAMP PARAGRAPH 4 Three contributions clearly displayed.
Neat colorful design.
Neatness shows extra effort.
All information is accurate.Contains a topic sentence.
Three specific supporting details given.
NO mechanical errors, including correct spelling, punctuation, grammar.3 Three contributions displayed.
Contributions are somewhat hard to understand.
Colorful design.
Neatness shows much effort.
Most information is accurate.Contains a topic sentence.
Three supporting details are given, but not specific.
One or two mechanical errors found.2 Two contributions displayed.
Some effort given to neatness.
Some color in design.
Some information is accurate.Contains a topic sentence.
Two accurate supporting details given.
Three or four mechanical errors.1 One contribution displayed.
Little effort given to neatness.
Lacks color in design.Contains a topic sentence.
One accurate supporting detail given.
More than four mechanical errors.0 No evidence. No evidence. Key to Determine the Fate of Nevermails A. Thing
SCORE NEVERMAILS A. THING'S FUTURE 7 - 8 Nevermails A. Thing is caught and put in prison serving a life sentence. 5 - 6 Nevermails A. Thing is caught and serving a five year sentence. 3 - 4 Nevermails A. Thing escapes before standing trial. 1 - 2 Nevermails A. Thing is not caught and is still on the loose. Acknowledgements I would like to acknowledge free digital image sites such as Animated Gif Finder, Yahoo Picture Gallery and The Amazing Picture Machine, to name a few, for the amazing array of photos and images that are provided for use on sites such as this one.
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.
For more information on iAdventures, visit the iAdventure Home Page.
If you would like to email Stan Smith with any comments or questions about iAdventures, send your message to SSmith@warrensburg.k12.mo.us