Submitted by: Hill/Hooker
Collaborators: Price/Ruffa
School: Pinchbeck
Summary
Our 3rd graders worked on an in-depth study on the similarities and differences between Ancient Greece and Rome. The students began the unit with a research activity using One Search to gain background knowledge on Greece and Rome.
The unit continued with extensive use of an Interactive Notebook. The notebook was divided into 3 sections: Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, and Comparing/Contrasting section on both civilizations.
The children also researched an artifact from either Greece or Rome, wrote a short script about their artifact, and created a movie. The premise of the movie was that they were museum curators at the Pinchbeck Museum of Antiquities. They were opening up 2 new wings in the museum – Ancient Greece, and Ancient Rome. Boxes of ancient artifacts had been delivered, and as the curators, they had to unpack the artifacts, describe what was in the box, and what wing it needed to go in.
Lastly, the children used their movie, information from their Interactive Notebooks, and library research to create a digital presentation called Museum Box.
Emphasis was placed on research, collaboration, and creativity.
TIPC Ratings
Entry – teachers provided students with resources necessary for the students to gather information. Students acquired information using provided resources. The students used Britannica Elementary Online Encyclopedia and Mr. Donn’s website. Related books were also used as resources. This enabled the students to gather more information if they wanted to.
Developing – teachers selected groups that would allow the students to be successful. Students used Internet searches such as Mr. Donn’s, pre-selected images/Wikipedia, and Museum Box. Students chose and collaborated with their partners what artifacts they wanted, and created their own scripts that would later be incorporated into the movie and Museum Box for the final project.
Developing – student’s reflections in their Interactive Notebooks required critical thinking and problem solving. For example, students had to decide if they wanted to participate in the ancient Olympic games or present day games and tell the reason why. In addition, students needed to be able to compare and contrast Ancient Greece and Rome and apply that knowledge to their Interactive Notebooks, to their scripts, and to the Museum Box digital presentation.
Approaching – Interactive Notebooks allowed the students to express their own ideas and process the information presented in class. The Interactive Notebook allowed them to create meaningful, original work w/in the assignment parameters. Teachers gave the students opportunities to reflect in their Notebooks during class and as a free choice activity. Developing –Interactive Notebook, Pinchbeck Museum of Antiquities movie, and Museum Box digital presentation enable the students to generate original ideas and products.
