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Road Trippin’ Across the United States Part #2

(Creating a Visual Virtual Field Trip)

A 5th Grade STEM lesson

Felisa Alberts

June 28th, 2024

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Notes for teachers

Notes

For this project to be successful, it is highly recommended that some type of state research be completed. Students Part #1 be completed. Alternatively, research could be completed separately.

The goal of this project is to create a visual representation of the Road Trip they planned in Part #1. This could be shortened to fit time constraints within your classroom. I recommend completing this project towards the end of the year when students have a good grasp on technology, computer and google slides.

List of Materials

Chromebook/Laptop for each student with internet access

Each student will need the following powerpoint: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1HO8928YlLjjL2unXiXJl5gP-FYZ491rbNaLIQV9Ymko/edit?usp=sharing (It is recommended to share through Google Classroom, create an assignment, and select ‘create a copy for each student’ from the dropdown menu)

Completed Road Trippin’ Planning Sheet
Pencils/Scratch Paper
Copy of Oral Rubric Presentation for to assess each student or technology rubric

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Engineering Standards

6.1 Apply technical writing skills and use visual aids to present critical information in reports (i.e., results/outcomes, conclusions, future work recommendations, etc.)

6.2 Utilize the three stages of oral presentation (e.g., planning, practicing, and presenting)

6.3 Apply communication skills, including listening skills, with project teams, project managers, clientele, and/or contractors

Standards Documents:

https://www.azed.gov/sites/default/files/2021/01/EngineeringTSs15000000N.pdf

Arizona Technology Standards

Standard 1. Empowered Learner - Students leverage technology to take an active role in choosing, achieving, and demonstrating competency in their learning goals, informed by the learning sciences.

Standard 6. Creative Communicator - Students communicate clearly and express themselves creatively for a variety of purposes using the platforms, tools, styles, formats and digital media appropriate to their goals.

Standards Document: https://www.azed.gov/sites/default/files/2021/08/Final%20Draft%20Arizona%20Educational%20Technology%20Standards%20-%20August%202021%20%28002%29.pdf

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Objective(s):

Students will use technology to create a visual representation of their virtual field trips.

Students will apply communication skills to technology and engineering presentations.

Students will plan a speech and presentations.

Students will orally justify their budget and explain finances of their virtual road trips.

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Agenda

Day 1- Introduction (20-35min)

Days 2-5 (minimum of 1 hour per day)- Students create virtual road trips through Google Powerpoint

Day 6- Presentations (1-2 hours)

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Intro/Driving Question/Opening (Approx. 20-35 min)

Day #1- Introduction

Probing Questions- Do you like or dislike presentations? Why? (Talk with a neighbor)

Have a class discussion to gauge how students feel about presentations. What could be some pros of doing presentations?

Show students the following video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRs4wFGPQ0o about presentations. Explain that in Step #1, we planned a road trip. Similar to how Engineers make a plan before building something. Or how cooks plan and make a grocery list before they actually cook.

We made a plan, now we’re going to put the plan into action! We’re going to create virtual road trips and present them.

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Days 2-5 (minimum of 1 hour per day):

Students should use the powerpoint template to create their Road Trip, from the Road Trippin’ Packet. Students will insert pictures and type a brief description of each location for each day. Some students will progress faster than others, extra slides are provided on the slideshow in case they would like to plan extra days to road trip. This timeframe could be extended depending on student progress.
As students finish their projects encourage them to plan their speeches for presentations.

Day 6

It is recommended that students present their virtual road trips. I invited 2nd-4th Graders to see our presentations. During these presentations, students had to present their budgets from the Road Trippin’ Packet, explain how their money was spent and orally explain their Google Slide Presentations.

CLICK HERE TO SEE AN EXAMPLE OF A COMPLETED VIRTUAL ROAD TRIP STUDENT PROJECT

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Assessment

There are several oral presentation rubrics online. Here is a printable rubric to assess oral presentations https://www.readwritethink.org/sites/default/files/30700_rubric.pdf– In my classroom, I used this as a “Speaking and Listening” Grade.

Additionally, if assessing for a technology grade you could use the following rubric to critique the google slideshow presentation https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WURoWFHjg9SsUaMVUsPeGP0IqORWdVAvp2Twtil9rr8/edit?usp=sharingeadsheets/d/1SqnsDm-1ZYs1e99EVOD58XE72EWPg9fIRdXz2Mnj-Ok/edit?gid=0#gid=0

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Differentiation

For students who may struggle with technology and become frustrated, offer the opportunity to create a poster, trifold or alternative presentation.

For students requiring Special Accommodations, it is highly recommended they complete a shorter agenda. Instead of #7 Days, of a virtual field trip, offer the opportunity to complete 1-2 Days.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

This project could be extended for two weeks and/or shortened.

Writing Extension: Students could create an essay about their roadtrip. This could include a persuasive component, regarding why their road trip is the best or could be written as an informative essay.