Grades 4-8: Mystery & History Quests

You are invited to participate in several upcoming videoconferences using the MysteryQuest format:

HistoryQuest 8th grade: Civil War
April 22 and 23 (lots of time choices)
FREE
http://historyquest8.wikispaces.com/
Description: This project is designed for 8th grade students studying US History. Through video conference technology, students are able to meet other students while learning about United States history. Prior to the video conference each classroom will create a presentation with clues about a mystery person, event, invention, issue/problem or section from a document. The other classrooms, using maps, the Internet, textbooks, and other resources, will try to discover the history mystery presented by each participating classroom.

MysteryQuest USA (4th or 5th grade)
Lots of time choices between April 21 to May 13
$35 per class
http://mysteryquestusa.wikispaces.com/
Description: This project is designed for 4th or 5th grade students studying US geography. Through video conference technology, students are able to meet other students while learning about cities and states in the United States. Prior to the video conference each classroom will create a presentation with clues about their state and city. The other classrooms, using maps, the Internet, textbooks, and other resources, will try to discover the mystery location presented by each participating classrooms.

HistoryQuest5: Beginnings to 1800
Lots of time choices between May 17 to May 21
$35 per class
http://historyquest5.wikispaces.com/
Description: This project is designed for 5th grade students studying US History. Through video conference technology, students are able to meet other students while learning about United States history. Prior to the video conference each classroom will create a presentation with clues about a mystery person, event, invention, issue/problem or section from a document. The other classrooms, using maps, the Internet, textbooks, and other resources, will try to discover the history mystery presented by each participating classroom.

Hope you can join us! Email me if you have any questions.

Janine


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Janine Lim, PhD janine.lim@berrienresa.org
Instructional Technology Consultant Ph: (269) 471-7725x1101
Berrien RESA Fax: (269) 471-1221
711 St. Joseph Ave. Web: http://www.remc11.k12.mi.us/dl
Berrien Springs, MI 49103 Blog: http://vcoutonalim.org

TWICE Board Member
ASK Coordinator 2006-2009 http://www.twice.cc/
RAP Verification Coordinator http://www.twice.cc/read/
TWICE Collaborations Around the Planet http://projects.twice.cc/
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Grades 6-12: Lord of the Flies Book Sharing

Description:	Our small 12th grade class read Lord of the Flies by William Golding. We would like to do a video conference for 45-60 minutes to discuss the book with another class or group of students. We would like to share our impressions about the characters, themes and symbols.
Dates:	March 24 from 1:00-2:00 MDT
Sign up method:	Email: joanna.jones@k12.sd.us
Grades:	6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects:	Language Arts/English, Social Studies/History

Joanna Jones
joanna.jones@k12.sd.us
605-347-4770
Meade School District

Grades 9-12: Studying Macbeth?

Description:	I have a British Lit teacher who would like to videoconference. We need two partner classes. Our class is studying Macbeth, so we're hoping you are too. The teachers can then discuss further what to share during the VC. We would like to do April 13-20; preferably on Friday, but we can be flexible. We need a partner class for these two times: 10:15-11:00 Eastern; 9:15-10:00 Central 1:15-2:00; 12:15-1:00 Central; 11:15-12:00 Mountain; 10:15-11:00 Pacific
Dates:	April 13-20 10:15 and 1:15 Eastern
Sign up method:	Email: janine.lim@berrienresa.org
Grades:	9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects:	Language Arts/English

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

Grades 4-8: Battle of Bulbs

Description:	LED bulbs provide the most efficient source of light, far more efficient than incandescent or even fluorescent bulbs. However, incandescent bulbs are used most often in homes due to the higher initial cost of purchang LED or Fluorescent bulbs. In this activity, our middle school science club will use an "Energy Bike" to generate electricity and compare the three types of bulbs using their muscle power.
Dates:	March 22 through April15 from 3:30 to 4:30 pm EDT
Sign up method:	Email: beverly.mcdavid@carter.kyschools.us
Grades:	4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Subjects:	Family & Consumer Science, Science (Physical), Social Studies/History
Outcomes:	1.Understand that light bulbs convert electrical energy to radiat and thermal energy. 2.Compare and contrast the energy efficiency of LED, Fluorescent and Incandescent bulbs.
Methods and Activities:	We will involve your students in an inteactive demostration during the lesson to keep them interested and engaged.
Responsibilities:	There are three handouts that can be faxed to you before the presentation.

Beverly McDavid
beverly.mcdavid@carter.kyschools.us

EAST CARTER MIDDLE SCHOOL

Grade 5: Destination Discussion: Let's Talk About Mexico!

Description:	We are a fifth grade class in Poughkeepsie, New York who is studying Mexico. We would like to videoconference with another classroom that studies the same content to discuss and share what we have learned about this country’s geography, history, and culture.
Dates:	Between May 3 and 27 from 2:00-3:00 EST
Sign up method:	Email: mandy.dwight@wappingersschools.org
Grades:	5
Subjects:	Language Arts/English, Social Studies/History

Mandy Dwight
mandy.dwight@wappingersschools.org
845-298-5000 ext. 157
Wappingers Central Schools

Grades 5-7: Literature Discussion- Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse

Description:	Adapt the literature circle format to create a collaboration that involved student-led discussions of a novel. Students will have a discussion about Out of the Dust in terms of the content of it, and also the genre of Historical Fiction. Students will compose their own guiding questions to collaborate on building a conversation.
Dates:	Between May 10th-21st Times to be determined
Sign up method:	Email: laura.salazar@comalisd.org
Grades:	5, 6, 7
Subjects:	Language Arts/English, Social Studies/History
Outcomes:	Conduct presentations using available technology Read and Comprehend literary text and genre specifics Provide evidence to support understanding Analyze structure and elements of Historical Fiction
Preparation Time Frame:	Four to eight weeks to read the book; weekly videoconferences for the literature circle.
Methods and Activities:	Preparation: Decide on a book and negotiate with your partner teacher which jobs will be taken by each class. You might trade off each week. Each week the student leaders may need to communicate via web or email ahead of time in preparation of the videoconference.
Agenda:	Agenda: 35-50 minutes 5 min. Welcome and introductions. In the first session, take some time to get to know the other class and share about your location. In subsequent sessions, you may wish to have a brief weather report or other introduction. 25-40 min. Discussion. Using the Literature Circle format, students lead a discussion of the book. 5 min. Debrief and Conclusion. After the discussion, teachers may wish to debrief and comment on the process and discussion. Students may wish to debrief on use of the videoconference technology as well.
Other:	Follow-up: Students may also enjoy creating and sharing a final project response to the book. Inspiration for this template: Through the Wardrobe: The Magic of Reading: http://litcircle.notlong.com Additional Resources: http://litsite.alaska.edu/workbooks/circlereading.html http://www.litcircles.org/

Laura Salazar
laura.salazar@comalisd.org

Grade 4: The Iditarod: What a Race!

Description:	Description: We are a fourth grade class in Poughkeepsie, New York who is studying the Iditarod. We would like to videoconference with a classroom in Alaska to discuss and share information about this exciting sled race.
Dates:	Between April 12 to April 29
Sign up method:	Email: mandy.dwight@wappingersschools.org
Grades:	4
Subjects:	Language Arts/English, Mathematics, Science (Physical), Social Studies/History

Mandy Dwight
mandy.dwight@wappingersschools.org
845-298-5000 ext. 157
Wappingers Central Schools