The Alternative to the Research Project
They hate writing it, you hate reading it - so quit torturing both of you. Let them display their work in a way from which they can all benefit with nings, scrapbooks, and wikis.
Scrapbooking
Most would assume that the boys would rebel at the concept of having to scrapbook anything, but if it's a topic they are interested in - like WAR, and it's connected to their family, it actually works.
This is one of my favorite projects. We have done this on WWII. The students choose a person on which to base their scrapbook, either a family member (dead or alive), a historical figure, or a made up character based on a topic that interests them. They have to research the topic and include primary sources, authentic photographs, artifacts, a timeline, and three creative writing letters based on the content they researched in their secondary sources.
Many students and families have shared with me how much this project has meant to them. They learned more about a loved one or shared a conversation with a grandparent who survived the Holocaust. Stories that have been waiting to be told have had a tremendous impact on their views of history and have connected the in a positive way to older family members. They learned way more than a research paper ever could have told them.
Plus they still have to cite everything so the research is proven to be sound.
Project Resources:
WWII Scrapbook lesson
This is one of my favorite projects. We have done this on WWII. The students choose a person on which to base their scrapbook, either a family member (dead or alive), a historical figure, or a made up character based on a topic that interests them. They have to research the topic and include primary sources, authentic photographs, artifacts, a timeline, and three creative writing letters based on the content they researched in their secondary sources.
Many students and families have shared with me how much this project has meant to them. They learned more about a loved one or shared a conversation with a grandparent who survived the Holocaust. Stories that have been waiting to be told have had a tremendous impact on their views of history and have connected the in a positive way to older family members. They learned way more than a research paper ever could have told them.
Plus they still have to cite everything so the research is proven to be sound.
Project Resources:
WWII Scrapbook lesson
DNA Detectives: Website
Click below for Tangerine Group Website:
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In this PBL assignment, students were trying to answer the driving question "What role does DNA play in making you who you are?" Students were placed in groups of three or four and their objective was to create a "crime" scene scenario for our local Memphis Police Department's new crime scene investigators to use during their training sessions. Students created a Wikispaces site to display their project as well as a "case file" to house the "evidence". They were required to create a storyboard and script for the characters in their scenario. For their project to be successful they had to become experts in DNA analysis (DNA structure, DNA replication, DNA translation, production of mRNA and protein synthesis).
Each class came in on Crime Scene day and had a "case file" on their table. Each group worked it's way through another groups project assessing this project as they tried to solve the crime and determine who the true criminal really was. Talk about being engaged in learning, this project assesses so many different aspects of learning all at once (LA- spelling, grammar, writing; literature- setting, plot, audience consideration; putting items in a logical order; tech- building a website with multiple layers of information and navigation). |
Not all websites are created equal...
Weebly.com
In this project the students were to investigate all of the issues on an assigned candidate so they could look at each others webpages to make an “educated decision” on who to choose in the presidential primaries. Each class section had a different candidate and were assigned various topics to research and report on as a group each day. The groups changed daily. All websites were created on weebly. I continue to monitor the stats for the website and it is unreal how many people look at them daily. Links to all five webpages can be found below.
Obama Election Page
Romney Election Page
Santorum Election Page
Gingrich Election Page
Paul Election Page
Obama Election Page
Romney Election Page
Santorum Election Page
Gingrich Election Page
Paul Election Page
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Wikispaces
If you have only heard of one wiki, its WIKIPEDIA. That wealth of information we click on but forbid student from even looking at it. Well, the concept of the wiki is basically the same thing except we don’t expect other people to use our content in their research papers. Students will research a topic and then create a “wikipedia” or encyclopedia page about their topic.
It works because all of the students benefit from it. You create a glossary, text book, or encyclopedia of content for your class.
Project Resources:
Immigration Wiki
Immigration Wiki lesson plan
Life Science E Block Class Wiki
It works because all of the students benefit from it. You create a glossary, text book, or encyclopedia of content for your class.
Project Resources:
Immigration Wiki
Immigration Wiki lesson plan
Life Science E Block Class Wiki
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PSA Commercial
(Project borrowed from Mrs Robinson's 7th Grade LA Class)
Students had to research a topic of their choice and create a Public Service Announcement to educate others about the topic. |