Summary
This school is implementing the “Leader in Me” character education program, so for this project, students studied a famous American and predicted how that person would show the 7 Habits at their school. Students were grouped into pairs and decided which famous American they wanted to research (Helen Keller, Jackie Robinson, Martin L. King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, George Washington or Susan B. Anthony). The students then used PebbleGo, BrainPop Jr., biographies, or any other source to gather information. They notated and evaluated their sources, then they took their research and completed a four square planning sheet for their presentation. Next, partners decided what digital program to use to present their research online. Pixie and Comic Life were their top choices since those were the two programs they had learned so far this year. The students took turns putting their research into the comic strip or Pixie. They had to include the famous American’s contribution, one new fact, how that person would be a leader at the school, and any other interesting facts of their choice. The finished projects were presented to the class and published online via Flipsnack. Afterwards they evaluated how well they worked as partners by filling out a Partner Work Reflection Sheet.
TIPC Ratings
This project scores in the Approaching range of Research and Information Fluency. The teacher modeled how to read a book and gather research about a Famous American. Students worked together to gather research from multiple sources (online and print) to fill out a four square organizer in order to make sure they had all of the necessary information. They also recorded and rated their sources.
This project scores in the Approaching range of Communication & Collaboration. The students worked together in pairs choosing what famous American to research and what type of digital program to use to show their research. Their work was published online for others outside the classroom to access. Students reflected on their roles using the partner work reflection worksheet.
This project scores in the Developing range of Critical Thinking and Problem Solving. Students had to think of how the 7 Habits from the “Leader in Me” program were displayed in the life of their famous American. They had to apply what they have been learning in character education to a new historical situation and predict how their person would be a leader at their school. Their project was authentic because reinforces the school-wide “Leader in Me” program, and it will be used as an example of how the school is implementing the “Leader in Me” program.
This project scores in the Developing range of Creativity and Innovation. Students could choose which digital tool they wanted to use to display their information. They were able to select their own pictures and special effects. They predicted how their character would respond in a new situation.
Student Artifact
Download Files
- Lesson Plan (Word)
- Partner Evaluation Rubric (PDF)
- Sources Evaluation Sheet (PDF)
- Four-Square Writing Planner (PDF)
- Student samples (PDF & PNG)
- Links: Class1Book, Class2Book, Class3Book
