Carla Bell, Bandys High
Honors English III – They are beginning research papers on controversial topics. I taught them the following:
- Using Destiny to find books on site and at other schools
- Using Destiny to find web resources (WebPath Express)
- WorldBook online
- NCWise Owl (including Britannica and InfoTrac)
- How to use Advanced Search in Google (limiting to .edu and .gov)
- Stressed the importance of using vetted resources
Jenny Blevins, Fred T Foard High
Foods I - They were doing a cultural foods project and had to present background information on various countries around the world. I showed them the World Factbook website, the Lands and Peoples database and the print resources available.
Jenny Blevins, Fred T Foard High
Health/PE - They were doing research on STDs. I will show them how to limit Google to .gov and .edu sites using the advanced search and citing websites.
Rebecca Porter, Bunker Hill High School
Biology - Scientific Method Experiment - Skype Activity
We partnered with my son's fifth grade class for this activity. His fifth grade class was getting ready for the science fair. By watching one of our biology classes, they were able to see the scientific method implemented into an actual experiment. I used a flip camera to video parts of the biology lesson and lab because the lab took 4 days to complete. The fifth grade class viewed the video on their own time. They developed questions that they would like to ask the Biology students. We pulled a few students from the Biology class to skype with the fifth grade students. This allowed them to ask their questions and receive answers.
Carla Bell, Bandys High
Math - Choosing a University/College Project
Which college is best for you? There are more than 36,000 universities, colleges and junior colleges in the US. Therefore, you have a wide range of options. Do you prefer a small, intimate college or do you prefer a large university? Are there schools with special programs in the field you wish to pursue? Do you need financial assistance? Is it available to you? There are many variables to consider and they require investigation and foresight.
Activity 1: Develop a description of the college you desire to attend.
Determine the qualities and characteristics of a college that are important to you. Factors such as size, location, proximity to your home, academic credentials, college majors, etc. are just a few examples that may be considered. After brainstorming, write a description of the university/college you would like to attend.
Activity 2: Develop an algorithm or rubric to use as you research and select the university/college that is best for you.
Utilize the information from Activity 1 to help you create this model. Characteristics that are of more importance to you should carry more weight. All of the algorithms/rubrics should be unique. Be creative and thorough.
Activity 3: Research
Extensively research the top five schools that interest you. You may elect to research more than five schools. Five is simply a minimum number. Utilize your algorithm/rubric from activity 2 and determine the three schools that are most compatible to your needs and desires.
Activity 4: Presentation
Present your findings to the class using some form of media. Include the description of the desired university/college (Activity 1), the algorithm/rubric with an explanation (Activity 2) and the 5 schools listed in preferential order. Be explicit in showing the connections between the university and the factors most important to you.
Scoring Rubric
93-100 The selection of colleges is compatible with the description of your desired college and show careful reasoning. The algorithm/rubric is appropriate and mathematically correct. Presentation contains all required components, is creative and interesting and is organized.
85-92 The selection of colleges is mostly compatible with the description of your desired college and show reasoning. The algorithm/rubric contains minor errors. Presentation contains all required components but lacks in creativity and organization.
77-84 The selection of colleges is not compatible with the description of your desired college and lacks reasoning. The algorithm is not mathematically correct and/or doesn’t represent your desires. Presentation contains most components.
Below 77 The selection of colleges is not compatible with desires. Algorithm/rubric is not appropriate. Presentation and project are missing major components.