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 teach students how to create a web page to teach Ancient American Civilizations to 6th grade students.
Grade Level? 8th Grade Students in Multi-Media Exploratory ClassTime needed? 5 week block (12 ninety minute periods.) This time includes preliminary teaching of navigating the Web, learning how to copy, paste text into word processing document and how to save and convert images into Image Folder into own folder on the network.
Resources needed? PageMill 3.0, One computer with internet access for every student; filmstrip on Aztec, Inca and Maya civilizations; it would be nice for clip art to purchase the Ancient American CD-Rom from http://www.mcguinnessdesigns.com/info_3.htm
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,The Assessment,
Conclusion and Student ProductsAn 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, students are to view different types of web pages to determine what kind they want to create. After that choice is made, students then have to choose which Ancient American Civilization they wish to learn more about. Filmstrips on Ancient American Civilizations are excellent so students will view them, plus look at a couple of web sites before they make their final choice.
After civilization is chosen, students will begin research. A stationary template in ClarisWorks Word Processing will be created to help the students organize their research (i.e., a page for art, language, food, religion, etc.). I will spend a block with the students teaching them how to rewrite and paraphrase information they have obtained. In the inner city school in which I teach, students have a difficult time writing papers without plagarizing. Depending on your students' abilities will determine how many classes you desire to let them spend researching. I plan on spending 3 blocks on research and finding pictures and clipart. I will also let the students choose whether or not they wish to have a partner or desire to create their web page on their own.
After research is complete, whole class instruction will be involved in learning how to make a web page. Together the class will visit the sites in Web Page Design and construct the basic pages of their web page. A test over Web Design should be created by you to determine the students have read the information presented. Once again, I plan on allowing 3 blocks to construct web page. The students must include information on ancient civilization that I have indicated in iAdventure.
After web page is complete, the students will share their web page with one another (1 block). Another block will be given to students to add any corrections or additions they need to make based upon the web page scoring rubric.
Finally, a 6th grade classroom will come in and each 8th grade student will share their web page with an individual 6th grade student. I will have the 6th grade teacher determine what type of assessment (learning) they want their student to obtain. In this way, the 6th grade teacher will have ownership of the adventure also. I am considering having the 6th grade classroom come into the computer lab to view the Ancient American Civilizations' filmstrips with my 8th grade students and pairing off teacher-8th grader/student-6th grader at that time. In that way, the 8th grader will have a sense of responsibility to the 6th grader and hopefully will put forth effort in completing web page.
Curriculum Standards This iAdventure contains activities that meet the following goals and objectives of The Show-Me Standards and the National Educational Technology Standards for Students:
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, selectand 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)).Performance Indicators for Technology-Literate Students
Use content-specific tools, software, and simulations to support learning and research.
Apply productivity/multimedia tools and peripherals to support personal producitivity, group collaboration, and learning throughout the curriculum.
Design, develop, publish and present products.
Select and use appropriate tools and technology resources to accomplish a variety of tasks and solve problems.
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.
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