So What About Mindtools???

Project Team Members:Kristen Hull

Jennifer Fulmer

Lesson Titles• So What About

the United States?

• So What About Europe?

Unit Focus5th Grade: United States

6th Grade: EuropeFor both unit plans we will be focusing on

The Five Themes of Geography.

Mindtools Incorporated

• Databases (Semantic)• Microsoft Word (Knowledge Construction)

• Internet (Interpretation)• Epals.com (Conversation)

• Microsoft Publisher (Knowledge Construction)• Microsoft Powerpoint (Knowledge Construction)

• CD Rom software Packages (Interpretation)• Kidspirtation (Semantic & Knowledge

Construction)

North Carolina Standard Course of

Study Goals5th Grade NCSCS

*Technology: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/computer.skills/5.html

*Social Studies: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/socialstudies/2003-04/033fifthgrade.html

6th Grade NCSCS*Technology: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/computer.skills/6.html

*Social Studies: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/socialstudies/2003-04/040sixthgrade.html

Objectives5th Grade- United States

1)5 Themes of Geography2)Use of the Internet3)Databases4)CD Rom Software

Packages5)Location of

States/Capitals Activities 6)Kidspiration- Concept

Mapping7)Epals.com8)Journal Entries using

Microsoft Word9)Student created

presentations using Microsoft Publisher & PowerPoint.

6th Grade- Europe1)5 Themes of Geography2)Use of the Internet3)Databases4)CD Rom Software

Packages5)Edible Maps of Europe6)Kidspiration- Concept

Mapping7)Epals.com8)Journal Entries using

Microsoft Word9)Student created

presentations using Microsoft Publisher & PowerPoint.

So What Are We Gonna Do? (Procedures)

1) Locate the countries/capitals on a globe

2) Use KWL to activate prior knowledge.

3) Introductry Activities4) Create & explore databases

using Microsoft Access5) Internet Research using a

variety of search engines6) Use CD ROM Software

Packages7) Use Kidspiration to create

concept maps8) Communicate with students

from other areas using Epals.com

9) Student created presentations using Microsoft Publisher & Powerpoint

10) Complete KWL Chart of what each student has learned.

ClosureThe Students…

1) Examined the similarities & differences among (European Countries/ 50 United States) and compared those differences and related them back to our own (country/state)

2) Understood important issues of a technology based society.

3) Demonstrated knowledge and skills of computers and other technologies.

4) Accessed, analyzed, interpreted, synthesized, applied, and communicated information using a variety of technologies.

Things to Share KWL Chart Introductory Activities

* U.S. Bingo* Musical States* Edible Map of Europe

Databases* United States* Europe

Internet Searching* Boolean Searching

* Fifty States Websites to Explore*Evaluating Websites*www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook

CD ROM Software EPALS.COM

Student Work

Student Work

Kristen & Jennifer’s Goals

Goals: To explore the “mindtools” To increase personal

knowledge of how to use the various “mindtools”

To increase personal knowledge of the features available when using the various “mindtools”

To implement the use of various “mindtools” into classroom instruction

To reflect upon the effectiveness of the manner in which we incorporated the mindtools into our instruction

Kristen’s Reflections Goals Met Unit Plan Implemented “mindtools” into instruction to

develop more understanding of things to consider when using the “mindtools” with my students’

Biggest Revelation: Past: Specific guidelines for students’ to follow when

using technologyNow: Student Choice of “mindtool” to show learning

WHY? (A) Students’ were more involved (B) Projects more creative and

interesting (C) Collaboration with peers to

“learn” (D) More evidence of what student

really learned (as opposed to students’ just giving me the “required information”)

Jennifer’s Reflections

After It’s All Said & Done… I have a better understanding for myself how to use

each of the different mindtools so that I may incorporate them into my classroom.

I am now more confident implementing the different mindtools I have learned to use in a variety of activities my students participate in.

I have an excellent unit plan that has been developed with lots of technology integration to use next year to start off the year.

It’s obvious that using mindtools instead of textbook, pencil, & paper allows for more student engagement and success for learning.