Thursday, November 10, 2005
Weaving a Project on the Web
One of our main assignments for this blog is to create a classroom activity relevant to our studies at Florida Gulf Coast University and applicable to technology. For me, this will involve teaching Social Sciences to older students. Since my strengths are History and Psychology, I am seeking to develop a task that involves one of these subjects; however, I have no idea where to begin. Since I am still learning about teaching and education, I don't know much about curriculum or how to formulate a lesson plan. I've been doing some research on the Internet in an attempt to see the types of activities teachers have organized for their students, but I have a difficult time understanding their directions and the intended result - what their students would learn from the assignment. I am also unsure of how complicated this assignment should be and how I should incorporate technology in the Social Sciences.
When I try to think of a Social Studies activity I could develop, I think of having my students write a paper and do research, but isn't this boring? Some of the more creative ideas I've thought of are: 1) Organize a pen pal interaction in another country or state, 2) Create a fundraiser for people in other parts of the world that are in need, such as Louisiana or our troops in Iraq. With both of these assignments, I could have my students do research on the Internet regarding the specific area. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions?
When I try to think of a Social Studies activity I could develop, I think of having my students write a paper and do research, but isn't this boring? Some of the more creative ideas I've thought of are: 1) Organize a pen pal interaction in another country or state, 2) Create a fundraiser for people in other parts of the world that are in need, such as Louisiana or our troops in Iraq. With both of these assignments, I could have my students do research on the Internet regarding the specific area. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions?
# posted by Catherine @ 11/10/2005 05:57:00 PM 
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Catherine,
Looks like you're up to something interesting. A blog (http://thoughtsforteachers.blogspot.com/) in my other class has links to lesson planning which you may find helpful. I think you got some good topics to pursue. But you need to think first what you want your students to learn -- what are your instructional goals or objectives?
Looks like you're up to something interesting. A blog (http://thoughtsforteachers.blogspot.com/) in my other class has links to lesson planning which you may find helpful. I think you got some good topics to pursue. But you need to think first what you want your students to learn -- what are your instructional goals or objectives?
Thank you everyone for the input. I've given it some thought, and I realized that the reason why I came up with these ideas is that they reflect my interests. The pen pal idea came to me because I am very interested in learning about another culture. Likewise, the fundraiser idea seemed purposeful, and with all of the horrible events that have been taking place recently, I feel as though I should do something. I suppose I would like to show my students another culture or give them the opportunity to help someone. At Daniela's suggestion, I should probably narrow my target audience. I believe these assignments would be great for middle school students of any grade (Plus I am leaning more towards teaching middle school due to my small stature). In the end, I would like for my students to obtain either respect for another culture or develop compassion for those who are in need.
Meredith:
Thank you. I feel more confident about pursuing the pen pal idea. I believe this would be a great project for children in middle school who may be going through a difficult stage in their lives. I'm thinking about confining the pen pal project within the county. I don't know how I would establish one in another country, much less one that speaks a different language. I don't know any other languages, and I would feel guilty assuming that the students in my target country speak English. Although, maybe I could do it in England. Hmmm...
Thank you. I feel more confident about pursuing the pen pal idea. I believe this would be a great project for children in middle school who may be going through a difficult stage in their lives. I'm thinking about confining the pen pal project within the county. I don't know how I would establish one in another country, much less one that speaks a different language. I don't know any other languages, and I would feel guilty assuming that the students in my target country speak English. Although, maybe I could do it in England. Hmmm...
Daniela:
Thanks for all your help. I looked at the website you provided for me, and I think it will certainly provide me with some ideas for this pen pal project. I also thought about limiting my project within the country. Like you said, children in Florida and those from up north would have a lot to say about differences in climate, culture, and even history! I am still contemplating what I should do. I'll try to come up with something before my next class activity posting.
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Thanks for all your help. I looked at the website you provided for me, and I think it will certainly provide me with some ideas for this pen pal project. I also thought about limiting my project within the country. Like you said, children in Florida and those from up north would have a lot to say about differences in climate, culture, and even history! I am still contemplating what I should do. I'll try to come up with something before my next class activity posting.
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