OBJECTIVE
By the end of this activity:
1) Students will be able to identify four different groups of California Indians.
2) Students will be able to identify their different environments and lifestyles.
Most native tribes in California developed and thrived based on their geographical environment.
Environments such as find dry deserts, cooler coastal ranges, mountain areas, and also wet forests. Naturally, the environment had a big influence on native American living.
Select on of the following tribes:
- The Pomo - North-Central California
- The Paiute - Owens Valley
- The Hupa - Northwestern California
- The Shasta - Mount Shasta, Northern California
Welcome to the American Indian Alliance Ceremony. You are invited to be representatives of your tribe at this spectacular Indian ceremony. Being part of this alliance is very important for the survival of your tribe. You must think of ways to best represent your tribe in order to gain a membership in this great alliance. Each representative will bring artifacts with them to demonstrate the various aspects of their tribe and their region. Each tribe will create a PowerPoint presentation to help describe the strengths of their tribe and present it at the ceremony. The Great Chief of North America will decide which tribes will be permitted to join the alliance. You must be convincing!
PROCESS
Each member of your tribe will need to research a topic and report back at the American Indian Alliance Ceremony. Together, you will assemble a report, a PowerPoint Presentation, and design and create artifacts that illustrate your research. Your teacher will tell you which tribe you are to represent.
1. Begin by browsing the Internet resources and books for information about your topic. Your teacher will tell you what tribe you will be in. Your tribe will need to decide on who will research the various topics. (Topics are in the matrix.)
2. Take notes, write a rough draft, and final copy. This is the writing process. Your teacher will help you through this. (Report Questions)
3. Using a story board, plan what you will have on your Power Point slides. You must have facts with corresponding pictures.
4. Design and create an artifact which represents the topic you researched. You will present a brief (2 to 3 min.) oral presentation on your artifact at the ceremony. Remember, your artifact must be a demonstration of your research.
Blogging is a powerful tool that can improve teaching and learning. Two books help clarify the value of application of this tool.
- Classroom Blogging by David Warlick (2nd edition)
- Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms by Will Richardson
Picking an appropriate theme is important to establishing your blog's purpose and functionality. Be mindful that some themes don't support all of your gadgets (widgets) or your layout desires. Make sure to backup your current theme before you "re-theme" it.
BACKUP THEME
To backup your theme, select Layout > Edit HTML. Click to "Download Full Template" to save your theme on your hard drive.
CHANGE THEME
Download a new theme from a reputable website (see sample sites below). Upload theme from Layout > Edit HTML tab. Test is out, make sure everything works, fits, looks good. If it does not suit your needs then return to Layout > Edit HTML and upload your old theme.
Images are powerful forms of communication. Consider using them often to enhance your message. Finding a good royalty-free photo, however, can be time consuming. Here are a few sites that may help:
- http://copyrightfreephotos.com
- http://creativecommons.org/image/
- http://www.freeimages.co.uk user account required
- http://www.sxc.hu stock exchange, user account required
- http://freefoto.com user account required
- http://pics4learning.com pre-screened for educational use
- http://www.flickr.com/creativecommmons
Middle School Computer Lab Teachers
Professional Networking – October 6, 2008
AGENDA
Welcome (please sign in)
Meeting Goals
- Update collaborative map for beginning computers
- Renew the vision for Moodle to implement in the fall
- Exchange tech/teaching ideas & tips
- Surface common site level technology issues and discuss possible solutions
VO - new exploring tech room/configuration leading to video student
DI - student video bulletin produced after school when bulletin is ready; but not yet shown, waiting for classroom equipment
LJ - student video news bulletin in Barry's hands by 6th period; production is 20 minutes after school.
GA - new lessons with photoshop elements
A tale of two rails - reviewed the districts vision to focus on student achievement while also helping students to feel connected to school. Discussed the role technology can play to support both rails.
keyboarding – Ron shared custom keyboard cover to support practice/tests;
Barry shared a number ideas using photoshop elements
video files saved on the server, student videos need to stay on the workstation, thus need a thawed space.
Bob shared several lessons in Word/synonomys, text wrapping clipart, writing for description.
Bob's computer class website: http://visalia.k12.ca.us/teachers/bkersey/
Collaborative mapping - visited begining computer map inviting each instructor to add specific lesson details during the course of the year.
All about moodle
All about gaggle - Kim Randall from Gaggle gave a 40 minute training on how to roll out Gaggle to all our students. Ideas included class bulletins, setting up groups, using email to promote thoughtful questions/replies rather than texting level of communication.
Power lunch
Key projects to get involved in
· Google Learner Institute - Carl.
· CyberQuest -
· Slick Rock - Ron will get a hold of a copy of video curriculum from GW to support the Multi Media elective; scott will put together a Visalia middle school film festival to raise the bar of VUSD student film work; Marco Torres curriculum that Carl shared.
Evaluation
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=G6CmBOx8Ux4L9zZ5ezPe0A_3d_3d
Blogging is a powerful tool that can drive student success. CUEtoYOU hosted a "Build a Blog Workshop" for educators to learn how to build their own blog to drive student success, the theme of the 2009 CUE Conference.