8th Grade

Creating Dramatic Monologues from Grapes of Wrath

— Alisa Soderquist

8-11

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0 promising practices https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED481194 Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49

How It Works

If you are looking for a new way to involve students in literature, this is a great idea. This site offers a two-day plan for students to create dramatic monologues for different characters in Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. The lesson does require that students research sources for authenticity and suggests that students work in groups to come up with the monologues. The lesson includes standards, extension activities, vocabulary words (with audio) and links to other resources. This site requires Media Player. You can get it from the <a href="/tools.cfm ">TeachersFirst Toolbox page.</a>

In the Classroom

This site works on so many levels from teaching what a monologue is and how it suits a particular character in literature to researching primary sources and understanding what they tell you. This is a good group project that could work for other novels as well as The Grapes of Wrath. Try using an online digital recording tool such as Podomatic (<a href="/single.cfm?id=8094">reviewed here</a>)for students to record and share their monologues as a podcast.

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Tag(s): writing,

Global Voices Online

— Global Voices

8-11

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0 promising practices http://globalvoicesonline.org/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49

How It Works

In just a few short years, blogging has become one of the fastest growing means of Internet communication. This site represents a collection of bloggers whose interests focus on developing countries. These international blogs and blogs about international issues give an authentic voice to areas of the world where that voice is often suppressed or unrecognized. The site is a combination of blogs that have been collected and translated and are presented on the site itself and links to offsite blogs. The entries can be searched by region, by country, or by topic. Additionally, there is a cadre of authors sponsored directly by Global Voices itself to comment on and recommend blogs and bloggers from their geographic areas of expertise. rn rnBe aware that many school districts’ web filters exclude blogs, but the entries that are posted directly to the site itself may be more accessible. You should monitor student use regularly, however, as blogs represent the opinions and feelings of their writers and may not always be suitable for classroom use. This site requires Flash. You can get it from the <a href="/tools.cfm ">TeachersFirst Toolbox page.</a>

In the Classroom

Many social studies classes feature long term projects or units on diverse countries, and this site is a goldmine of information about places that can be difficult to research. Share the blog entries on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Why not have students create a video highlighting what they have learned about their country (or other topic). Share the videos on a tool such as <a href=" /single.cfm?id=9437">SchoolTube (reviewed here)</a>.

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Tag(s): countries, blogs,

Water on the web

— Water on the web

Mathematics

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0 promising practices http://waterontheweb.org/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49

How It Works

Understand, investigate, and solve environmental problems related to water. Use "Basic Science" for High School students to investigate through activities using technologies on the website. Use activities divided into sections: Teacher (lesson plans) and Student ("Studying" lessons and "Investigating" lessons.) Complete the "Water Science" water resource management course for undergraduates as a two semester course. Use lake and stream water quality data monitored continually throughout Minnesota and other participating areas. View the data in real time as well as information about the area, its uses, and watershed characteristics. Manipulate data characteristics to customize information needed to study in the "Data" section of the website. Use the "Understanding" section of the site to view reference materials and background information for better understanding of water issues, techniques, and sampling of data or the "Resources" section for tutorials and other references. This site requires Adobe Acrobat. You can get it from the <a href="/tools.cfm ">TeachersFirst Toolbox page.</a>

In the Classroom

Use the site to monitor data from a specific lake or stream, or compare between several different lakes or streams. Identify issues that change data and research the issues and areas of the World they impact. Follow up investigations with a trip to a water treatment center or with actual data collection in a nearby lake or stream. Create podcasts, videos, website or wiki pages (or any traditional media) to share information learned about water quality. View data as an inquiry activity for students to questions and then focus research on finding and sharing answers. Culminate the research in April in time for Earth Day as students share their findings with others in the community.

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Tag(s): data, water, data, water,

Gatsby and the Roaring 20’s Webquest

— Breanna Kemmerer

8-11

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0 promising practices http://zunal.com/process.php?w=282778 Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49

How It Works

This is an interesting, teacher-created Webquest that includes several factors. It gives the students a task that involves both individual and group requirements.There are group tasks that involve selecting four themes for their final product including the changing role of women and the influence of Hollywood. The evaluation includes a rubric. rn rnOne of the nicest things on the site is the links that each group can use to access information they might use to complete their slide show or interactive poster. These links all go to reputable sites and give students adequate information while showing the variety of sources to get information on a topic. At the time of this review, all research sites were working except one.

In the Classroom

This Webquest assigns both individual and group tasks, so while students are working together, they are also working individually, great practice for the workplace. You might assign roles to students within the groups to encourage cooperation, such as the director of the slide show or interactive poster, the writer, the editor, the layout editor, etc. This can isolate tasks for students while requiring them to know all the information necessary for the end product.rn rnConsider having students use slides, <a href="/single.cfm?id=16470">reviewed here</a>. This will allow students to automatically save their presentations, as well as easily share them from anywhere. Not to mention upload time is quick - a cure for the long waits in between student presentations. For the interactive posters consider using Genial.ly, <a href="/single.cfm?id=17621">reviewed here</a>, or Adobe Spark for Education, <a href="/single.cfm?id=18378">reviewed here</a>,

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Tag(s): 1920s, jazz,

Veterans History Project

— Library of Congress

8-11

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0 promising practices http://www.loc.gov/vets/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49

How It Works

The Veterans History Project is both a valuable historical resource and a terrific jumping off point for a serious student or group project. The Veterans History Project uses volunteer contributors to gather remembrances from war veterans and civilians who worked in support industries. The Project includes audio interviews, interview transcripts, letters, and other primary documents related to US wars beginning with World War I up through the present conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Use the site to search for and access already preserved accounts, or to design a student project to gather new accounts (note however that volunteers are limited to students in 10th grade or older).rn rnTo fully experience this site, you need Adobe Acrobat and Real Player. You can get both from the <a href="/tools.cfm ">TeachersFirst Toolbox page.</a>

In the Classroom

Primary documents are a vital link between the students of today and the experiences of real people from the past. Students can access these interviews and accounts through searching by time period (WWI through the present), branch of service, gender, or POW status. As your class studies a particular conflict, assign students different accounts to research and then have them "portray" that person in a panel discussion about the war. Compare the experiences of persons filling similar roles across conflicts. Examine gender differences or the differences between those serving in the Navy and the Army. For a powerful long-term project, download the site’s "field kit" and consider gathering new accounts for the project in your community.

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Tag(s): afghanistan, iraq, korea, resources, veterans, vietnam, korea, resources, veterans, vietnam, world war 2, world war 1,

Shmoop Literature

— Ellen Siminoff, et. al.

8-11

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0 promising practices http://www.shmoop.com/literature/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49

How It Works

Move over, Sparknotes! Shmoop provides students (and teachers) with so much more than summaries and character lists. This is a great site with a unique voice. Written by Ph.D. and Masters students at top universities (such as Harvard, Yale, Stanford, etc.), the book resources include such things as Booker’s 7 plot analyses, "What’s Up with the Title?" and directed links to pictures, movies, and other material on the web(some for a fee). They have a very good page on plagiarism, and this is a growing site. There are also History and Poetry sections to this site.rn rnWhile actually signing up (which is free) gives you the ability to "clip" files and keep them in a folder, you can access the majority of the information without signing up. Registration does require an email address. Tip: rather than using your personal or work email, create a free Gmail account to use for memberships.If you plan to have students register individually, you may want to create your own Gmail account with up to 20 subaccounts for each group of students (by code name or number) within your classes. <a href="/whats-hot/policy-tips.cfm#8"> Here is a blog post </a> that tells how to set up GMail subaccounts to use for any online membership service.rn

In the Classroom

Because the style of writing is informal, this is a great site to use for those difficult to explain qualities such as tone and writing style with students. Visit the site together and discuss some of the "brain snacks," experience some of the short video clips on your interactive whiteboard or projector, or talk about the constructive use of a site like this without plagiarizing. rn rnShare one of the slide shows on a projector or interactive whiteboard as you introduce a unit or allow students to use portions of the slide shows as part of their own presentations on a specific author or literature topic.

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Tag(s): poetry, literature,

JA Titan--The Ultimate Business Simulation

— Junior Achievement

8-11

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0 promising practices http://titan.ja.org Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49

How It Works

Junior Achievement presents this on-line simulation game for students interested in business and entrepreneurship. The simulation permits students to design a budget for their business that includes setting the unit price, production levels, marketing expenses, research and development costs, capital investment level, and charitable giving. Players can consult with the "virtual vice-presidents" of the company in making their decisions and can play against the computer or against other teams on-line. The site also indicates that there is a school-based version of the simulation available from local Junior Achievement offices, including lesson plans and other teacher resources. Overall, the simulation is fairly formulaic and the interface is dated compared to current video games your students may play. The concepts might be useful, though, even if students may find the process of applying them through this simulation unexciting. rnTo fully use this site, you must register. Registration requires your name and email address. Check with your administrator about allowing the students to register for this site using their own names. You may wish to set up a class registration instead of entering true data into the registration site. Another option is to create a free Gmail account to use for memberships. If you plan to have students register individually, you may want to create your own Gmail account with up to 20 subaccounts for each group of students (by code name or number) within your classes. <a href="/whats-hot/policy-tips.cfm#8"> Here is a blog post </a> that tells how to set up GMail subaccounts to use for any online membership service. This site requires Flash. You can get it from the <a href="/tools.cfm ">TeachersFirst Toolbox page.</a>

In the Classroom

Business or economic students can participate in this simulation either in groups or individually. There is the option to extend play across several sessions, and to compete against other groups on-line. Time might be allotted during class for teams to log on and play or the simulation might be assigned as a long-term homework project. If you combine this activity with extensions, such as creating spreadsheets for the mythical business or an advertising plan and multimedia materials, the project could take on a life of its own.

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Tag(s): business,

Mrs. P.com

— Mrs. P Enterprises, LLC

-8

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0 promising practices http://www.mrsp.com Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49

How It Works

You almost want to toast marshmallows on the open fire as you cyber-curl under Mrs. P’s feet by the fireplace. No need to bring a book; she has quite a selection. This interactive site will thrill your eager readers for hours. Actress Kathy Kinney tells delightful intro stories and expertly reads the books. Best of all, it’s a breeze to navigate. Access the different areas on the site from the menu at the top, or click on Mrs. P to find links to her YouTube videos for the books, the teacher area, and activities and games. Play the Title game as an amusing way to listen to one-liners about the stories at this site. Also, check out Mrs. P’s annual writing contest from the home page. If your district blocks YouTube, rn you may not be able to view them.

In the Classroom

Teachers, check out the link for the writing contest. Submit student stories and Mrs. P. may choose to read them on this site. Be sure to get parental consent before submitting any stories. rn rnWhat a valuable tool for ESL/ELL students and teachers of emergent readers as students follow the words on the screen as Mrs. P. reads a story. Create a corner in your room to read stories the way Mrs. P. does! Use your first initial, let your imagination run wild, change your accent of course, and you can become another Mrs. P. rn rnBe sure to share this treasure on your teacher web page for students (and parents) to access outside of class. You may find students become interested in some of those "old books" in the library!

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Tag(s): independent reading,

Global Issues

— Global Issues

8-11

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0 promising practices http://www.globalissues.org/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49

How It Works

Global Issues are on the minds of students and are applicable in a variety of different classes. Use this site to find articles (frequently updated) on and related topics. Pages can be printed or emailed/bookmarked to another who is interested. Use an RSS feed to stay up to date on changes to the site. Though many of the articles are written by the site owner, the articles have extensive facts, graphs, links, and charts.

In the Classroom

Use this site to raise awareness of global issues or as material to teach critical research or expository writing. Students can research other sources for information to verify or debunk the material in the article. Students can analyze information from various sources for bias and use of facts. Have students use this as one of several sources for support in persuasive essays or letters to the editor. Use the articles to practice important reading skills, such as main idea or summarizing, marking up the article on interactive whiteboard. Students can also post findings, viewpoints, and solutions onto a personal or class blog. Have cooperative learning groups choose a topic to research and become "experts" about. Have the groups create multimedia presentations to share with the rest of the class. Have students create a multimedia presentation using ThingLink, <a href="/single.cfm?id=13216">reviewed here</a>. Challenge students to find a related photo (legally permitted to be reproduced), and then narrate the photo as if it is a news report. To find Creative Commons images for student projects (with credit, of course), try Compfight, <a href="/single.cfm?id=10280">reviewed here</a>. Have students use a mapping tool such as Zeemaps, <a href="/single.cfm?id=15592">reviewed here</a>, to create a map (with audio) where the global issues are taking place. Another option, have students create videos and share them on a tool such as SchoolTube, <a href="/single.cfm?id=9437">reviewed here</a>.

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Tag(s): news,

College Grazing

— College Grazing

8-11

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0 promising practices http://www.collegegrazing.com/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49

How It Works

This site is another entry into the college search market. Designed to provide resources to prospective students, their parents, and their teachers or guidance counselors, the site offers the usual links to financial aid information, advice on writing college essays and career guidance. Many of the links lead directly to resources developed by the US Department of Education or the US Department of Labor; reliable sources, but nothing new or innovative here. The fresh content here is a series of 13 short self-discovery quizzes that purport to help students sort out their feelings about college, and determine their relative readiness to attend. In keeping with the "grazing" theme (complete with cow logos and illustrations), these quizzes are called "munchings." It’s kind of hokey, but it may be catchy enough to be effective. Once the student has completed all 13 "munchings," the site will generate a personalized report summarizing student responses. What is produced might generate interesting discussion among students or within families.

In the Classroom

Completing the 13 "munchings" might make a good independent assignment for college bound students, followed by some sort of reflection essay. The tips for writing a good college application essay might also prove helpful in a writing class. We’ll pretend we didn’t think about what generally results when a cow digests its "munchings" and hope for a higher quality end product.

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Tag(s): college, financial aid,

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