Overview
Project: Me
Designed by Gretel Patch, K-12 Technology Integration Coordinator
Grades 6-8
Social Studies/History
Duration: 4 weeks
Designed by Gretel Patch, K-12 Technology Integration Coordinator
Grades 6-8
Social Studies/History
Duration: 4 weeks
Project Idea
This project will take students on an exploratory journey both close to home and far away. Initially, students will be asked to consider the characteristics, cultural background, language, social issues, family traditions, holidays, and history that make them unique. They will explore various ways they use technology and how technology has an impact on the way they interact with the world. They can do this through interviews, writing prompts, group discussions, and other ways. Students will work collaboratively with another classroom in a different geographic location that is implementing the same unit, and they will communicate about similarities and differences. Both classes will participate in a one-day photo essay where each student takes several photos throughout the day that represent various aspects of his/her life. Data can be integrated into charts and diagrams for comparison or incorporated into their multimedia presentations.
For their culminating activity, students will develop a multimedia project (blog, presentation website, Glog, etc.) that showcases their findings, including elements such as art, photos, music, recipes, poetry, writings, and a timeline. Through research, comparative analysis, and critical thinking, students will explore what makes them who they are and their own uniqueness.
For their culminating activity, students will develop a multimedia project (blog, presentation website, Glog, etc.) that showcases their findings, including elements such as art, photos, music, recipes, poetry, writings, and a timeline. Through research, comparative analysis, and critical thinking, students will explore what makes them who they are and their own uniqueness.
Driving Question
What makes my life unique?
- What are some of my physical characteristics that make me uniquely me?
- What are some of my daily rituals, or in other words, what does a Day In The Life Of Me look like?
- What is my ethnic background and how does it affect who I am?
- What role does my culture play in making me who I am?
- What language(s) do I speak and how do I communicate with others?
- What types of social issues are found in my community, neighborhood, or school and how do they impact me?
- What family traditions are important to me?
- What impact does technology have on the way I interact with the world?
- What are some historic events that have occurred (either in my lifetime or before) that have shaped the world around me?
- What are some similarities and differences with someone else my age who lives in another geographical location?
Content Standards
National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies (www.socialstudies.org/standards)
1. Culture
Through experience, observation, and reflection, students will identify elements of culture as well as similarities and differences among cultural groups across time and place.
3. People, Places, and Environments
During their studies, learners develop an understanding of spatial perspectives, and examine changes in the relationship between peoples, places and environments.
4. Individual Development and Identity
Personal identity is shaped by an individual’s culture, by groups, by institutional
influences, and by lived experiences shared with people inside and outside the individual’s
own culture throughout her or his development.
Questions related to identity and development, which are important in psychology,
sociology, and anthropology, are central to the understanding of who we are.
8. Science, Technology, and Society
Science, and its practical application, technology, have had a major influence on social and cultural change, and on the ways people interact with the world.
There are many questions about the role that science and technology play in our lives and in our cultures.
Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects 6–12 (www.corestandards.org)
Production and Distribution of Writing
4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
5. With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.
6. Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and present the relationships between information and ideas clearly and efficiently.
Research to Build and Present Knowledge
7. Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.
8. Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard
format for citation.
9. Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis reflection, and research.
1. Culture
Through experience, observation, and reflection, students will identify elements of culture as well as similarities and differences among cultural groups across time and place.
3. People, Places, and Environments
During their studies, learners develop an understanding of spatial perspectives, and examine changes in the relationship between peoples, places and environments.
4. Individual Development and Identity
Personal identity is shaped by an individual’s culture, by groups, by institutional
influences, and by lived experiences shared with people inside and outside the individual’s
own culture throughout her or his development.
Questions related to identity and development, which are important in psychology,
sociology, and anthropology, are central to the understanding of who we are.
8. Science, Technology, and Society
Science, and its practical application, technology, have had a major influence on social and cultural change, and on the ways people interact with the world.
There are many questions about the role that science and technology play in our lives and in our cultures.
Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects 6–12 (www.corestandards.org)
Production and Distribution of Writing
4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
5. With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.
6. Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and present the relationships between information and ideas clearly and efficiently.
Research to Build and Present Knowledge
7. Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.
8. Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard
format for citation.
9. Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis reflection, and research.
21st Century Skills
ISTE NETS for Students (www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-students.aspx)
1. Creativity and Innovation
a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes
b. Create original works as a means of personal or group expression
c. Use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues
d. Identify trends and forecast possibilities
2. Communication and Collaboration
a. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media
b. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats
c. Develop cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with learners of other cultures
d. Contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems
3. Research and Information Fluency
a. Plan strategies to guide inquiry
4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
a. Identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation
b. Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project
c. Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions
d. Use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions
5. Digital Citizenship
b. Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity
The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (www.p21.org/overview)
Core Subjects and 21st Century Themes
Global Awareness
Using 21st century skills to understand and address global issues
Learning from and working collaboratively with individuals representing diverse cultures, religions and lifestyles in a spirit of mutual respect and open dialogue in personal, work and community contexts
Understanding other nations and cultures, including the use of non-English languages
Communication and Collaboration
Collaborate with Others
Demonstrate ability to work effectively and respectfully with diverse teams
Exercise flexibility and willingness to be helpful in making necessary compromises to accomplish a common goal
Assume shared responsibility for collaborative work, and value the individual contributions made by each team member
Life and Career Skills
Social and Cross-Cultural Skills
Work Effectively in Diverse Teams
Respect cultural differences and work effectively with people from a range of social and cultural backgrounds
Respond open-mindedly to different ideas and values
Leverage social and cultural differences to create new ideas and increase both innovation and quality of work
1. Creativity and Innovation
a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes
b. Create original works as a means of personal or group expression
c. Use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues
d. Identify trends and forecast possibilities
2. Communication and Collaboration
a. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media
b. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats
c. Develop cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with learners of other cultures
d. Contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems
3. Research and Information Fluency
a. Plan strategies to guide inquiry
4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
a. Identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation
b. Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project
c. Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions
d. Use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions
5. Digital Citizenship
b. Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity
The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (www.p21.org/overview)
Core Subjects and 21st Century Themes
Global Awareness
Using 21st century skills to understand and address global issues
Learning from and working collaboratively with individuals representing diverse cultures, religions and lifestyles in a spirit of mutual respect and open dialogue in personal, work and community contexts
Understanding other nations and cultures, including the use of non-English languages
Communication and Collaboration
Collaborate with Others
Demonstrate ability to work effectively and respectfully with diverse teams
Exercise flexibility and willingness to be helpful in making necessary compromises to accomplish a common goal
Assume shared responsibility for collaborative work, and value the individual contributions made by each team member
Life and Career Skills
Social and Cross-Cultural Skills
Work Effectively in Diverse Teams
Respect cultural differences and work effectively with people from a range of social and cultural backgrounds
Respond open-mindedly to different ideas and values
Leverage social and cultural differences to create new ideas and increase both innovation and quality of work
Entry Event
Students will be introduced to this unit by discussing the following two items:
2. This video gives a brief overview
of genetics and will help students think about their own uniqueness and spark interest and discussion about the project |
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