After a productive summer, I'm preparing for a new school year. I'm really excited, I've got some projects ready to go. One project is based on the 'Survivor' television series, and I call it "Elemental Survivor". Each group of students will be assigned an element to research. They'll have to classify it, find as many uses as they can for it, get some background information on the element's discovery and history, find out where it's found in nature and how it's isolated, and lastly, why it's necessary. We'll consider future possible uses for the element. We'll determine the cost of obtaining the element in whatever form is most beneficial. I obviously chose these elements carefully, there are some listed that just aren't that vital for life on this planet. The tech piece for the project involves a blog. The kids will share their findings with each other by posting to the blog. I'm hoping they generate a friendly competition as they evaluate each other's posts. Eventually we'll vote to narrow down the field, and finally vote one off completely. Well, at least in our little virtual corner of the island.
The second project will be researching the structure of the atom, using an MP4 format. More about that later.
Now, sadly, several of my computers are unusable (although they are all new), and I have some full classes this year. Tech support in my district is...shall we say....unsupportive? So I'll looking forward to dealing with that issue. I guess we'll be doubling up on computers for a while. It's frustrating to put so much time into building curriculum and putting these projects together, trying to make the most of the fabulous technology I have at my disposal, only to be stymied by the powers that be. Oh well.
And finally, our contract is expiring, and I doubt we'll be starting the school year on time. Keeping my fingers crossed though.
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