Thursday, March 11, 2010

Grades 3-10: 5th Annual Wild Weather Project

Description:
The Wichita Public School's Instructional Technology Department is proud to announce our 5th Annual Wild Weather Project. We would like to invite any classroom that has access to H.323 video conferencing equipment to join us in this collaborative project.

The purpose for The Wild Weather Project is to allow you the teacher to use this project to reinforce the concepts and standards that you have already taught or will be teaching in your classroom. The activities will help enrich your curriculum, while at the same time engage your students in the learning process. During this project, your classroom will observe the weather and collect this data for your region. You will then share your results with other classrooms from all over the world. Participating classrooms will share data and project by using this site or by video conference. This will allow everyone the chance to investigate the different climates in different regions. The results will then be available so you and your students can analyze this data. This project will also allow your students to work collaboratively and see those participating schools and also get the chance to reach outside their school walls. Who knows, maybe along the way you will get a chance to meet a real meteorologist through a video conference.

We have created very simple projects the can be integrate into your own classroom activities.


Outcomes: ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
How does the weather in your region compare to the weather in other parts of the World?

PROJECT OBJECTIVE:
To use technology to record and predict the weather
To graph and compare daily, weekly, and monthly, and seasonal weather observations
To use maps to locate participants location
To use technology to build a global learning community


STANDARDS:

Math
Data Analysis and Probability
All students will use appropriate statistical methods to collect, organize, display,
analyze and synthesize data; apply and evaluate concepts of probability.

Mathematical Communication/Representations
All students will communicate mathematically by selecting, applying, and
translating mathematical representations to solve problems.

Writing
The student writes effectively for a variety of audiences, purposes, and
contexts.
The student writes narrative text using the writing process.
The student writes expository text using the writing process.
The student writes technical text using the writing process.
The student writes persuasive text using the writing process.

Geography
Applies geographic tools to construct and interpret maps
Understand political and physical features on a map, and locates major political
features
Locates oceans and continents

Earth and Space Science
All students will apply process skills to explore and develop an understanding of
the structure of the earth system, earth’s history and earth in the solar system.

Technology (ISTE Standards)
Social, Ethical, and Human Issues
Students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong
learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.

Technology Productivity Tools
Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and
promote creativity.
Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology
enhanced models, preparing publications, and producing other creative works.

Technology Communications Tools
Students use telecommunications to collaborate, publish, and interact with
peers, experts and other audiences.
Students use a variety of media and formats to communicate information and
ideas effectively to multiple audiences.

Technology Research Tools
Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a
variety of sources.
Students use technology tools to process data and report results.
Students evaluate and select new information resources and technological
innovations based on the appropriateness to specific tasks.

Visit our site at - http://wildweatherproject.pbworks.com
Dates:April 1st 2010 to April 30th 2010
Sign up method:Website http://wildweatherproject.pbworks.com
Grades:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Subjects:Elementary All Subjects, Language Arts/English, Mathematics, Science (Life), Science (Physical), Science (Earth), Social Studies/History, Technology/Information Science

Brad Niessen
bniessen@usd259.net
316-973-4743
WICHITA

Grade 2: Compare/ Contrast US Communities

Description:We are a suburban community in West Virginia looking for 2nd grade classes in urban and rural communities that would like to video conference with our students about the similarities and differences in the ways that we live. This could be a one time chat, or a series of conversations. Thanks to Daniel Warren K-1 School for the project idea!
Dates:April 2010
Sign up method:Email: sbarracl@access.k12.wv.us
Grades:2
Subjects:Social Studies/History

Sara Barraclough
sbarracl@access.k12.wv.us
304-208-1263 (mobile)
Cabell County Board of Education

Friday, March 5, 2010

Grades 6-8: Bullies Rule--Or do They?

Description:We would like to talk with middle school students about bullying--what goes on at their schools, what they do about it, how they stop it, deal with it, etc. Then we want to compare this to ours AND then take a tip or two from each!

We are all reading the book Schooled, by Gordan Korman and will use this discussion to tie in with that book BUT reading the books is not necessary.
Dates:March 30--April 27 between 3 and 4 East Standard Time Tues-Thurs
Sign up method:Email: skowalski@esmschools.org
Grades:6, 7, 8
Subjects:Elementary All Subjects, Family & Consumer Science
Outcomes:We want students to be successful users of ideas and information that comes their way in all forms--words, virtual communities, actions, and media.

To empower students to be ethical citizens in and out of the classroom.
Preparation Time Frame:a week to get kids focused about what to talk about
Methods and Activities:Students should be prepared to share what types of bullying occurs, what they do about it, what they WISH others would do about it. They should be prepared to share new ideas WE can try to combat bullying in our schools and our communities.
Responsibilities:Students will share ideas

Teachers will facilitate and help students prepare for discussion and be aware of students need to be HONEST.
Agenda:Pine Grove will introduce the book we are reading and the theme of the book (new student who is victim of bullying)

Pine Grove will share 2 types of bullying we have witnessed at school.

PineGrove will ask questions to the other school about what they see at their school and what they do about it.

We will both gather a list of strategies to counter negative actions of others.

Sue Kowalski
skowalski@esmschools.org
315-434-3050
PINE GROVE MS

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Grade 4: Mystery Animals Writing Project

Description:My class will share our writing project on mystery animals.  We described an animal without using its name.

Your class can share something similar related to animals.
Dates:Between March 22 and 26 at 12:30 Eastern / 11:30 Central / 10:30 Mountain / 9:30 Pacific
Sign up method:Email: janine.lim@berrienresa.org
Grades:4
Subjects:Science (Life)

Janine Lim
janine.lim@berrienresa.org
269-471-7725x1101
Berrien RESA

Grades 5-6; Literature and the Arts

Description:Our drumming circle has created drumming accompianment to an african folk tale "The Royal Drum" retold by Mary Dixon Lake. We are looking to share our story and music with another class/club.

We would like the partner class to present either a story with drama or something else that incorporates literature and the arts.
Dates:Between March 22-31
Sign up method:Email: jwardlaw@mail1.scdsb.on.ca
Grades:5, 6
Subjects:Elementary All Subjects, Language Arts/English, Performing Arts

Jocelyn Wardlaw-Tucker
jwardlaw@mail1.scdsb.on.ca
705-792-1796
W.C. Little Elementary School

Video Conference Demonstration

Description:
A campus in my school district is having a community night and they would like to showcase their video conference system. I am looking for a site to that would be will to connect with me so that parents see the potential video conferencing offers their students.
Dates:May 11th from 6:30-7:30 Central
Sign up method:Email: Jennifer.Wivagg@comalisd.org
Grades:
Subjects:

Jennifer Wivagg
Jennifer.Wivagg@comalisd.org
830-221-2632
COMAL ISD

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Alex's Virtual Lemonade Stand Project

When life gives you lemons... make lemonade! Inspired by the journey of Philadelphia-area hero Alex Scott, the Alex's Virtual Lemonade Stand Project celebrates the idea that just one kid can make a difference. Join schools from around the world to raise awareness and money for pediatric cancer research, all while participating in standards-based projects that make the process both inspiring and fun. It's all about kids helping kids - - and we want you to get involved!

As part of this two week program, each participating school will hold their own lemonade stands to help raise funds for pediatric cancer. Schools can hold one big lemonade stand day or a series of lemonade stand events throughout the two weeks. They will be able to communicate and interact with one another through a project blog, student-created videos, poster contest and special videoconference events!

Questions? Please contact Heather Weisse Walsh at hweisse@magpi.net

This program is brought to you by MAGPI in partnership with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

More Information/Registration: