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Living in the US Lesson Plan
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Living in the US - Lesson Plan

Objective

Create interactive books about living in the The United States.

Equipment

ThingLink is a versatile tool that works on any device across all platforms, so you can enjoy using any device that’s handy at the moment. Grab the app for working on mobile devices if you can, it’s fantastic! If not, ThingLink works in the web browser of an iPad too.

Project Duration

8 Weeks. Participate as often as you can.

Overview

Each Monday we will ask a new question for your classroom to answer, such as “What kinds of plants grow on your schoolyard?” or “What do you eat for breakfast?”. You class will create one or more ThingLink images to answer the question. Images will be and submit it through our Creative Challenges Tool.  ThingLink’s editorial team will collect each week’s submissions and create an interactive book that reflects differences and similarities in the way we live and in different parts of the the US.

Steps at a Glance

  1. Take photos of your school (e.g. school yard, buildings, special characteristics that are unique to your school)
  2. Add images to ThingLink
  3. Annotate your school photos with images on top of images, video, notes, even audio, or Google Docs if you like!
  4. Choose one main image of your school, and link all the other ThingLink images of the different parts to the main image
  5. Add a tag to include the following information to identify your school
  1. Classroom Name
  2. School
  3. City | State | Zip
  4. Date
  5. Use the hashtag #LivingInUS
  1. Bonus - Create a Custom Icon for use to identify your classroom. See Avatars & Internet Safety resources
  2. Submit your main image to the Classroom Creative Challenge through the Creative Challenges Tool.

Grouping Suggestions

There are several ways to organize the creative challenge in the classroom. Here are some ideas and tips for management, depending on if you are working in small groups with several iPads or with individual students.

Small Group Activity: Power Up Your Project with Student Jobs

Assemble teams of students and assign them jobs to help them create and collaborate to build a ThingLink. This work plan helps establish individual student accountability when working in a group. Utilize students strengths and learning styles when assigning jobs and help them contribute their best to the whole. Here is an overview of some suggested jobs.

Jobs Overview - Get PDF for viewing on an iPad or printing.

Project Manager

Logs in to a device to create the ThingLink. Manages the collection of links from the team. Oversees communication and decision-making throughout the group project.

Photographer 

Collaborates with the group to determine what type of photographs should be used on the ThingLink. Takes photos and sends to the Graphic Designer & Project Manager. Works with Copy Editor to write text for images.

Copy Editor 

Collaborates with the group to determine what type of photos should be included on the interactive image to answer the question of the week by telling a story. Works with the Photographer to write clear and concise text to explain each of the photos and adds it to a tag on the image. Works with the Multimedia Engineer to write clear and concise text to label multimedia tags.

Graphic Designer

Collaborates with the group to determine how photos and graphics can enhance the interactive image. Works with the Photographer to creates collages or background images. Works with the Project Manager to place icons and photos on top of the image. Can explore creating Custom Icons with EDU Premium accounts.

Multimedia Engineer

Collaborates with group to determine how video and audio recordings can enhance the image. Records video and audio OR searches for video and audio. Shares links with Project Manager.

Whole Class Activity - Use One iPad or Computer

  1. One student or the teacher takes a picture of the school and adds it to ThingLink using the teacher account.
  2. Students brainstorm about what to include in a photo to highlight their school as teacher adds tags with ideas to the school photo projected on the screen.
  3. Students take pictures to illustrate their ideas and shares them with the teacher.
  4. The teacher or a designated student adds the photos to the existing ThingLink tags using a mobile device.
  5. Extensions to get you thinking...  
  1. Work on rewriting the text generated on the spot during writing instruction. Analyze text (CCSS)
  2. Use a writing prompt to launch the activity and have students write the text for tags individually.
  3. After the image is created, share it with younger students and use it during a reading buddies lesson.

Individual Student Activity

  1. Each student can create their own image and add it to a channel for the classroom. Teachers can select an image that answers the question best through images and well written text and submit it to the book channel.  
  2. Channels created by classrooms will be added to the big map
  3. Extensions
  1. Work on rewriting the text generated on the spot during writing instruction. Analyze text (CCSS)
  2. Use a writing prompt to launch the activity and have students write the text for tags individually.
  3. After the image is created, share it with younger students and use it during a reading buddies lesson.

Evaluation

Start with a simple rubric. Customize it to fit your learning goals.

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