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Teacher CommentaryInquiry-based Multimedia Literature |
Unit of Study SummaryOur purpose was to have students create nonfiction interactive literature books for the children in the primary grades using HyperStudio. We also wanted our fifth graders to develop and improve upon these skills: Strengthen and extend our students' skills as creative and critical thinkers through inquiry based research and technology; Develop research and notetaking skills; Teach the use of various reference materials; Teach the use of the Internet; Teach the use of HyperStudio as a presentation program; Provide a library of student created non-fiction literature for our primary students. What should students know and be able to do?School District of Philadelphia Standards: Writing Content Standard #4-Conduct and document inquiry-based research using oral, print, and communications systems resources. What were students asked to do?Students were asked to select a topic of interest that they would like to research. They were to garner information from various reference sources and present their material in a report or HyperStudio presentation. Then they were to use this information to write a non-fiction literature book for primary grades using HyperStudio. Our first lessons took place in the school library and classrooms where the students had the opportunity to review, share, and discuss non-fiction literature at fifth and primary grade levels. The students were given access to many non-fiction works in a wide range of subject areas. The students brainstormed topics they thought they would like to learn more about and research. In small groups, and then as a class, they discussed topics they thought would interest a primary grade student. These topics were then compared to the research topics. The students then determined the topic they would research and write about. Our fifth grade teachers, along with the TTL and school librarian, introduced research skills and techniques to the students. Research was conducted in the regional libraries, the school library, classroom, and computer lab. Appropriate lessons were taught in notetaking, research techniques, and the use of reference materials. Lessons in the use of electronic reference materials were given in the computer lab. Discussions on ethics were also held. Students were made aware of the proper use of copyrighted materials. Lessons in paraphrasing and quoting material were taught. One class wrote research papers, while the other presented their research in the form of HyperStudio stacks. Creating the reports provided the students with experiences in cooperative learning, and individual peer tutoring. Throughout the project, the students were active learners. The information gathered in the research reports was then simplified for our primary grade students. After computer lab lessons on HyperStudio, the students created electronic non-fiction primary level books. These books were then shared with the first and second graders for whom they were written. Hard copies of the electronic books, HyperStudio stacks, were made into books with our book binding machine and placed in primary classroom libraries. What story does the work tell?The students' research was driven by their own interest. They learned to paraphrase a document. Using HyperStudio as their presentation medium, and various electronic reference sources, the students incorporated photographs, used the video camera to create a QuickTime movie, and used the Internet. They do need more information in properly citing their sources. The HyperStudio project, Polar Bears, was assessed using the enclosed teacher/student created rubric. Content: The students scored a 2. While presentation reflected knowledge of the content area, the students could have included more information on their topic to score a 3. Resources sources need to be cited correctly. The students did not include all asked for information in regard to citing sources. Writing: The students scored a 3. The HyperStudio research stack was appropriate for the fifth grade level. They were well organized. The focus was clear and there were few usage and/or mechanical errors. The Writing Content Standard #4 was met; the students conducted their inquiry-based research using the appropriate resources. Technology/Presentation: The students scored a 3 in both areas. They did a wonderful job using HyperStudio to create their research report and create a primary book. They showed a mastery of basic HyperStudio. The presentation was well planned and executed. The graphics, colors, and fonts selected are eye-catching and of interest to a young child. |
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