Capstone Project

The purpose for this site is to explore ways that third grade students can become more globally aware. Throughout this inquiry, I investigate different ways to use technology to help students communicate with students in different countries in a meaningful, authentic way. I also explore different ways to incorporate technology into the classroom. This includes technology I can use to teach and explain the unit and technology students can use to complete their projects.

GOALS
-Explore ways students can use technology to communicate with students around the world.
-Explore ways I can incorporate technology during this unit.
-Explore ways students can use technology during this unit.
-Help students to see similarities and differences between other cultures and their own.
-Have students display their findings using online technology.

Language Arts
6. With guidance and support from adults, use technology to produce and publish writing (using keyboarding skills) as well as to interact and collaborate with others.

Social Studies
4. Physical and political maps have distinctive characteristics and purposes. Places can be located on a map by using the title, key, alphanumeric grid and cardinal directions.

5. Daily life is influenced by the agriculture, industry and natural resources in different communities.

7. Systems of transportation and communication move people, products and ideas from place to place.

8. Communities may include diverse cultural groups.

Lesson 1
-Students should begin to understand the meaning of the word culture.
-Students will be able to talk about their own culture.
-Students will understand how their culture it is similar or different from their classmates.

Lesson 2
-Students will learn about the different maps and what is included on maps.
-Students will begin communications with the global pen pals.
-Students will be able to locate where their pen pal lives on a map. We will have a class map that shows where all of the pen pals live.

Lesson 3
-Students will begin communicating with pen pals using epal.
-Students will learn about their pen pal’s culture.
-Students will use blog to discuss their own culture.

Lesson 4
-Students will understand how to use an online blog.
-Students will have a good understanding about what culture means.
-Students will be able to point out similarities and differences between their culture and another culture.

 

 

Click here for access to capstone unit website

Video One

Video Two