Explanation for FLUSH and PREZI

FLUSH RESEARCH PROJECT

Learning Activity:

The reason behind doing this project at this time was to help support the environmental issues our main characters in the novel Flush were about to face.  They had worked on Storyworks stories regarding environmental issues and were now going to take the next step with this project. Involving students in creating media encourages collaboration, accountability, creativity, and mastery of ideas and concepts.

• Students were given a choice as to what they wanted to research.  They could choose any environmental issue that was listed or if they can up with some on their own.
• Students were then given instruction on how to use databases in the library.  Each article in the database was coded by easy, medium or hard reading levels.
• Students had to find at least 3 articles, highlight for information, transfer information into their own words and be sure to follow the check sheet to ensure they are researching the correct information and keeping a focus.
• Students then had to find a video to support what their environmental issue was or what organizations helped fight for their cause.
• Please view post titled Flush Project.  This project was created so students read, write, rephrase and compose a presentation that showcases their writing abilities, as well as their creative abilities.

Instructional Materials & Resources:

• Students were taught by both teachers and the librarian Mrs. Grabbenstatter
• Page set up by librarian for our class
• Microsoft Power Point
• Prezi
• TechNewsDaily

Instructional Groups:

Students are in a CT classroom and are not assigned specific groups for this project.  For the students who did not feel comfortable using a the new program of PREZI, they were permitted to use Microsoft PowerPoint. They were able to decide individually. Each group (Prezi or MPP) sat together while individually creating their research presentation.  This enabled them to aide on another with "tricks of the trade" or helpful hints.  As the lesson progressed, students made suggestions as to what we could change to enhance the project or make it easier to understand.

Lesson & Unit Structure:

Please see the post of attached lesson "Flush Project".
The rubric also posted was designed to have students watch a small group of their peers and grade one another based on the same rubric that we would use.  When we were finished grading one another's work, suggestions from the students were asked so we could figure out how to change this project for next year.