It has occured to me (thanks to the intervention of my Tech Coordinator) that I haven’t yet described exactly how Peggy and I are going about structuring this project. There has been significant back end planning that I have glossed over here on the blog. In this (and future) post(s), I’m going to try to…

Social Studies Focus Start up Activity: Review articles posted for homework. Justify your choices to a partner. Clarify what is acceptable and what is unacceptable using a chart with criteria listing created by the class. As a class: Go over Assignment Sheet HW: Choose an article posted by another student and describe why it is…

Peggy and I had our first integrated lesson on Friday. It was excellent! The kids were so receptive and excited about blogging. At the very last minute we decided to test out the comments feature on our blog by having the students research one “acceptable” current events article and one “unacceptable” article and post their…

Social Studies Focus: Intro to Current Events • What are current events- define • What are appropriate events Appropriate news story topics include: Politics: (assassinations, elections, treaties), including terrorism; historical discoveries/new information; science & technology; education, law, SOME social/cultural issues {issues that will make HISTORY} (religion, the Arts, human accomplishments, large-scale disasters). Inappropriate news story…

Peggy and I have been working non-stop for the past week gearing up to start the first sixth grade social studies / IT integration project of the year. I’m a firm believer in the principle that an excellent project is all in the planning. Since this is the first time I’ve ever done anything quite…