Summary
“POOF! You have magically traveled back in time to spend the day with a Famous American of your choice. What did you see? What did you talk about? What did you learn?” After hearing the authentic task, students will use an alternate form of research and reporting to further explore one of the four famous people as required in the Virginia Social Studies Standard K.1. The students, as pairs, will use Pebblego.com to research their Famous American of their choice and then construct a digital story about their visit and the things they experienced using the app, Tellagami. The students will write, illustrate the background for their story, label important people and places and narrate their story. Finally, digital stories will be shared so all kindergarteners can learn from and enjoy each others’ work.
TIPC Ratings
This lesson would score at the entry level because the students are just beginning to learn how to research and report fluently. The students have free reign when it comes to picking the research topic; however, they are required to look for a specific fact(s) for the project while using only one source to find their information.
Students work together to synthesize research information and then develop one artifact to share with the class. In partners, students organize roles that address the authentic task as they work together to create an avatar, brainstorm an imaginative story and record a 30 second description that alternates speaking parts.
Students utilize problem solving and critical thinking skills in regards to developing their end artifact. They will be responding to higher level questions as they take their knowledge of their Famous American and create an imaginary interaction that will present important information about their person.
Students make the information they gained in this lesson come alive as they create a picture/scene of “visiting” their Famous American from a blank piece of paper to serve as their background to their digital story. Once their background is created and uploaded into Tellagami, students design a speaking avatar that will deliver the information they record. Students have to be very innovative in how they present their information since they have to imagine an interaction with their Famous American.
Student Artifact
Back to the Future from Julie on Vimeo.
