Revolutionary War: Observation Charts

Before I start a unit (especially social studies or science) I always use an observation chart to get my students thinking, brainstorming, and discussing. It is a great way to get my students focused and motivated. The observation chart is a GLAD (Guided Language Acquisition Design) strategy.

An observation chart is a type of inquiry chart that stimulates a student's curiosity, builds background information while providing the teacher with a diagnostic tool, it also provides opportunity for language support from peers.

• I find real photos in color (if possible) on the Internet, magazines, and books that pertain to the topic of study. 
• I then glue the photos on a large piece of construction paper. Usually no more than five on one page. I laminate the charts so I can use them year after year.
• I attach a white piece of paper on the chart for students to write their observation, question, or comment.
• I have my students work in groups to discuss the pictures. Once they have finished their discussion they choose to write down: an observation, a question, or a comment on the white paper. Each group has a specific color marker (this allows me to visually see what the groups are coming up with and make sure each group is represented on the charts).

The charts allow me to assess the background knowledge they are coming to the lesson with and what their interests are in regards to the topic. I keep the charts posted throughout the unit and we constantly revisit the charts to monitor growth.

ABC's of the American Revolution

I wanted to share this super fun ABC's of the American Revolution activity I found on Teaching with a Touch of Twang's blog. My students LOVED this activity!

We are in the midst of the unit, so they already have some knowledge about the causes of the war and events that happened during the war. I gave them a  12x18" sheet of paper and they folded it five times. Each box had to have a vocabulary word and a sentence or two that either defines the word or gives information about the vocabulary word. I wanted them to add a few illustrations on their poster, but the boxes were a bit too small. I guess there is always next year!

It was great walking around and hearing them discuss certain events of the war that they were going to use for their poster.

How to Copy and Save a Youtube video to your computer and an awesome 50 states song/video!!

I finally learned how to save a Youtube video to my laptop!! Thank goodness! I was about ready to tear my hair out. The wireless connection at my school (at least in my room) is nonexistent. It will work for a second and then poof it's gone.  I have an ethernet cable in order to access the internet on my laptop at work. Unfortunately, there are times in which it still doesn't work. When I try to show videos to help support the unit we are studying, the video starts and then stops and buffers FOREVER.

But his gal is a happy one, because now I have those videos downloaded onto my laptop and never have to worry about the internet connection again! I love it because now I can put the videos into folders and everything is organized. Ya, I had my playlist on Youtube, but it is much more manageable for me to have my videos in folders. Another bonus to saving the videos to your computer...no more adds/commercials that play on Youtube. Definitely easier to make sure nothing inappropriate pops up on the screen.

I'm linking up with Fourth Grade Flipper for Tried It Tuesday!

I came across this really cool song/video, "Tour the States" about the 50 states and their capitals last year. It is definitely kid approved, because my students beg me to play it for them on a daily basis. Check out my previous post about the state floats, research paper, and Power Point presentation my students worked on.


Here is how you can save Youtube videos to your computer (It is SO simple too!):

1. Find the video you want to save on Youtube

2.  Go to the URL link and type the letters "ss" right before the word youtube.

3. Then pause the video and press enter and it will take you to a new screen that looks like this:
    (A couple times it took me to this screen and said something to the extent of the video/file could not
     be found for a few of the videos I was downloading. I just went back and entered the "ss" again and
     it always worked.)

4. Under the download links title, you can choose the quality of the video you would like to download (I usually just choose the lower quality MP4 360p. It takes less time to download and the quality is fine. Just click the blue file size link and you are almost done! 

5. Once you click the file size, this box below will show up. Click the "Save File" button and then "OK". Your video should start downloading.

Super easy!! I hope this helps out!

State Projects ::: Research Paper, Power Point, & State Float

This research project is a huge task for the students, but they always do such an amazing job! Last year, I had my students work on the project towards the end of the year. This year, I had my students work on it in the first trimester. In hindsight, that may have been too early for such a big project. Especially the research report aspect of the project. So next year, I will hold off until the 2nd or 3rd trimester.

The project consists of a research paper, a state float, and a Power Point presentation.

I tell my students about the project a few weeks before we get started. I created a Power Point that shows examples of projects from last years students. This visual really helped them understand what was expected. I also showed some of the Power Point presentations that my students created last year.

Now last year, my 5th graders were also my previous 3rd graders. So they were familiar with creating a Power Point. I worked with them on creating a Power Point in 3rd grade for the plant/animal adaptation unit. So the Power Point aspect of the project was a piece of cake for them. However, this year was a different story. Most of my students haven't had the experience of creating a Power Point. I pulled back groups of students and modeled/taught them how to create slides, add transitions, etc. Luckily the kids today are so technologically savvy they catch on quick!

I asked me students to think about three states they would be interested in researching. A few days later they chose their states. I don't allow the students to research the same states. I tell them, there are 5o states and 29 of us!

I give my students a month and a half to complete the project and created a calendar that gave walked them through on what they should be working on each day and tentative due dates for certain parts of the project.

We first tackle the research paper. Most of their papers ended up being 10-12 pages! Of course, I am modeling each step of the way.  During our writing time, I pull back groups and teach mini lessons on what the following should include and how to correctly set them up:  a cover page includes, table of contents, bibliography, etc. We discuss the different means of obtaining research, how to paraphrase, etc. Students are given a packet (in English and Spanish) that explains in detail the components to the research paper and state floats. Students are also given the rubric for all three parts of the project.

Once, they are almost finished with their state research paper, they start gathering materials and creating their state float. This year I had quite a few students put wheels on it so the float actually moved!

         

                          

The state research project and state float are mostly completed at home. The Power Point presentation is created in class, but those students who have access to computers at home worked on it there too.

Since the students already researched their states, creating the Power Point wasn't too difficult (once I showed them the in's and out's of creating one).

One everything is finished, I invite the parents to our classroom to watch their children present their projects using their Power Point presentation. They also discuss their state float and their research papers are on show throughout the room for others to view.

I must say, it was A LOT of work and when I first rolled out the project, they looked at me like I was crazy! But, to see the joy of accomplishment in their faces once they were done was awesome! I keep telling them, that I am trying to prepare them for middle school, high school, and ultimately college. These are definitely skills they will need!

Head on over to Fifth in the Middle's Social Studies Linky for more nifty projects!

I found a great 50 State Video/Song on Youtube that my kids LOVE!

***Now I just need to figure out how to make a little smiley face symbol for their faces instead of a black dot!***

Explorer Trading Cards and Timeline!

             

Gosh what would I do without all you fabulous teacher bloggers out there! I've learned so much from all of you and have become a better teacher due to all the sharing of ideas that goes on!

I got this idea from Jordon over at Life is Better Messy Anyway.  She even has the lesson plan available (for free) via download. If you haven't checked out her blog you should do so, she has so many wonderful ideas!

I was in need of another explorer activity and this was perfect! I followed her lesson plan and tweaked a few things to tailor it to my students.

My students chose the name of an explorer from a paper bag (I made it look old and raggity). From there we discussed the features of a trading card and what it was. I brought in a few basketball cards as an example. Then, they cracked open their social studies books and got online to gather information on their explorer. Once they had all their information, they were ready to draw out their explorer (I think they did such an amazing job!) and wrote important information on the back of the card.

Since I didn't have a nice big photo of a ship, I had to draw one. I think it turned out pretty good...my anchor needs some help...but my kids think it's perfect! Gotta love them!

I have run out of wall space inside my classroom, but I do have some wall space on the outside of my room in the hallway. So it became our Explorer Trading Card Timeline! It adds a bit of pizzaz to our otherwise dreary hallway. My students also love to have their work being showcased for other to see as well.

The Age of Exploration:::Explorer Simulation Project

Hello all!! It's been awhile since my last post...seems to be a trend of mine. :)

We are finishing up our "Age of Exploration" unit and I wanted to share a fun activity that my students love! All they talk about is when they can get into their explorer groups. I love making learning fun for them!

Last year I came across this great book by scholastic: Easy Simulation: Explorers, By Tim Bailey.
This simulation is a teacher directed, student driven activity that provides life-like problem solving experiences through role playing and reenacting. It allows the kids to "relive" and "experience" a critical period in history by becoming one of the brave explorers in search of the "new world" during the 15th century.

I must say that last year, it was a learning experience and the simulation was a bit confusing (you will definitely have to read ahead and prep a few things ahead of time). This year the simulation went so much smoother. One nice thing is how fast the students catch on.

I started off with allowing the kids to get into groups of 5-6 explorers. Once they were in their groups, they were to discuss a name for their ship and construct a flag for their ship. I allowed them to go online in order to get ideas.

Discussing a design for their ship flag.

 

 

Working as a team!

  

Once they had their flags completed, they made their Explorer Journal (this is to be used throughout the week long simulation). This year I used the materials I had on hand...yellow and brown construction paper and yellow yarn.  The simulation book comes with blackline masters for the journal pages. I had the kids decorate their journal and then weave yarn through it.

Once this is done, you are ready for action! Their are 5 episodes (It is supposed to take a week to get through. I finished in 7 days, you know how it is :)

I also like how the book incorporates some primary documents (Christopher Columbus journal entries). Of course his entries can be confusing because the language was different during that time. Allowed for another great discussion.

The students really get into the storyline and have some great discussions and possible solutions to any problems that may arise during their adventure to the new world.



Discussing what their next step will be.

 



Time for a spin!

Scholastic has a few more simulation books. I have the Revolutionary War one and didn't get the opportunity to use it last year. I am planning on doing it this year so stay tuned for how that went!

  Check out Fifth in the Middle for more awesome ideas!