by Sandra Montejano
When working with one topic and several other disciplines, one develops a new way of looking at learning. It becomes a whole unit rather than a single discipline.
The opening lesson for our eighth graders was a new vision for our students. Their attitudes towards learning changed and they became involved in the Olympic Games
The students used Hyperstudio Software, Internet Access, Encyclopedias and a classroom atlas. For presentations of the research a TV Connector was used.
Pictures and a video were taken of the field day and classroom activities. These pictures were scanned to be used for our Sierra Home Page.
Social Studies
Students worked in cooperative groups. Each group selected a country involved in the Olympics. This is the country they will research and refer to in all classes.
Activity: Student will place themselves in the shoes of the competitors for the Olympic Games. As they pretend to be an athlete they will answer questions about their country to share with other Olympians.
My country is _______________________.
Draw a flag.
What is the population?
What is the Capital ?
How large is your country?
How do people earn a living?
What are some of country's products that are shipped around the world?
Write a brief history of your country.
What language is spoken in your country?
What food would you eat in your country?
Does this country have traditional dress for holidays?
Write three facts about their government.
Each group will be responsible for a poster, a large flag or banner, a map and a five card hyperstudio presentation. They must also show two web sites they visited to find information on they country.
Challenge Activities for Social Studies
1. Research the History of the Olympics.
2. Create a Centennial Olympic timeline.
3. Map the progress of the Olympic torch.
4. Choose an Olympic sport to research and compare the event's rules past to present
Language Arts
Select a city to host the next winter or summer Olympics--searching for information on the internet. Write or E-Mail the city to obtain information. Be prepared to debate in class and defend/promote your city.
Research a famous American athlete.
Publish information sheet about the athlete.
Math
Graph all the countries according to gold, silver and bronze medals.
Science
The mini-metric Olympics AIMS.
This activity was successful because the entire team participated in the activities for several weeks the last day a team field day took place
Hints
Technology can change the classroom environment. It allows opportunity for a new vision of learning. Preparation for setting up a project center is absolutely the key to success. Make it fun, evaluate their progress often. The teacher becomes the learning facilitator and the student take more responsibility for their learning.
|
|
|
|
| |
| ||
