Recognizing+Veterans+with+Problem+Based+Learning

Recognizing Veterans with Problem Based Learning Kaitlin Burke Walden University

Dr. Larcara Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas EDUC-6713D-1 October 9, 2011

**Daily Lesson GAME Plan**


 * Lesson Title:** Go MAD for Veterans
 * Grade Level:** 7th Grade Language Arts
 * Unit:** Sentence Structure/Essay Writing

**GOALS:**
 * Content Standards:** Use technology to produce writing and cite sources as well as work with others. With some help from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, rewriting, editing, and revising. Present points and findings, emphasizing important points in a focused, logical way with important descriptions, facts, and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation. Choose among simple, compound, and complex sentences to show relationships between ideas.

1. Creativity and innovation 2. Communication and Collaboration
 * ISTE NETS-S:**


 * Instructional Objective(s):** Students will create interview questions to ask veterans. Students will create presentations and written works using the answers given. Students will improve their sentence structure throughout their writing and presentations.

**ACTION:** Students will need access to a computer with a word processing program. Computer lab will need to be booked in advance.
 * Before Class:**


 * During Class:**

Writing utensils || Word processing software || Word processing software ||
 * **Time** || **Instructional Activities** || **Materials and Resources** ||
 * 10-15 minutes || Have students discuss why interviews are done. Who are different people who would be interviewed and why would they be interviewed? || Paper to record group’s response
 * 15-20 minutes || Discuss and explain the Honor Flight. Discuss why veterans may not always be recognized as they should. Have students brainstorm ways they would be able to recognize veterans. || Concept-mapping software
 * 10 minutes || Have students brainstorm in groups a veteran they would be able to contact to interview and recognize in some aspect. || Concept-mapping software
 * 20 minutes || Working in groups, students will create interview questions that they will ask veterans. || Word processing software ||
 * 15 minutes || Groups will trade papers and give each other feedback on how to improve the wording and structure of the questions. ||  ||

**MONITOR:** Students will need to be monitored to ensure all are understanding how to write open-ended questions that exemplify the ways our veterans served our country and deserve to be honored.
 * Ongoing Assessment:**

Students who have issues typing would be able to use speech-to-text software as well as use the help of their group members. When students are finished with writing their questions, they are able to begin deciding how to present the information they gather. Students would also be able to research the time periods of the conflicts in which the veterans fought. They would be able to use the information to enrich the questions they have written.
 * Accommodations and Extensions:**

Students are able to brainstorm and write interview questions on loose leaf notebook paper.
 * Back-up plan:**

**EVALUATION:** Students will be evaluated on the number of questions written as well as the information they plan to request from the veterans. They will also be evaluated on the variety of ideas they formulate to thank the veterans.
 * Lesson Reflections and Notes:**

Kaitlin-

A fellow teacher at my school accompanied a gentleman on an Honor Flight today so this is an especially exciting lesson for me! I think it is of the utmost importance for today's youth to understand why the appreciation and respect of our veterans is so important. I have found that the majority of our veterans love talking about their life and military experiences with students and the students really flourish in the role of interviewer. Great idea!

Erin

Katlin, This is a great way to incoporate Social Studies into an English lesson. I think that my stduents would benefit greatly from this lesson. Unfortunately, so many of them either do not understand or respect the sacrifices that veterans have made for us.

Erika

Hello Kaitlin,

I am interested to read about what the students will do with the interviews after they are completed. These could be great fodder for blogging and writing poems or creating a class book or website. I think the students would be nervous at first but would be extremely proud of the results when finished. Great work.

Brandon

Hi, Kaitlin- What a great project! The students will be able to connect language arts with history as well as get some experience interviewing. Our social studies department did a similar project involving WWII veterans. The students interviewed not only the veterans but also some of the women that were back home working in the Ordinance Plants as well as other jobs. This will be a project that will remain with them long after it is completed.

Jean

Kaitlin, Last year, my school district raised money to sponsor an Honor Flight, and we actually ended up raising enough for two flights. It was such an amazing experience for the entire community. We had a huge celebration for the send offs, and it was neat to see the veterans, community, and students celebrating the sacrifice these men made so many years ago. I am glad that you are incorporating interviews because students struggle with this important life skill. I would recommend modeling a good interview. You could either do this with another teacher, or video tape an interview ahead of time to show students. I find that they often struggle with how to properly lead into their key interview questions. Just this week I talked to students about asking some basic questions at the beginning to get the interviewee thinking about the topic, and then they should get into the more in-depth questions after that. Also, emphasize the importance of staying flexible with the interview and asking questions that are not on their paper. I really think your project will have a lasting impact with students, and it is a great outreach to the community as well.

Katy

Recognizing Veterans with Problem Based Learning Kaitlin Burke Walden University

Dr. Larcara Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas EDUC-6713D-1 October 16, 2011 **Daily Lesson GAME Plan**

**Lesson Title: Go MAD for Veterans - Sharing Their Stories** **Grade Level: 7th Grade Language Arts** **Unit: Sentence Structure/Essay Writing**

**Goals:** Use technology to produce writing and cite sources as well as work with others. With some help from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, rewriting, editing, and revising. Present points and findings, emphasizing important points in a focused, logical way with important descriptions, facts, and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation. Choose among simple, compound, and complex sentences to show relationships between ideas.
 * Content Standards:**


 * ISTE NETS-S:**
 * 1) Communication and Collaboration
 * 2) Information and Research Fluency
 * 3) Digital Citizenship
 * 4) Technology operations and concepts

Students will improve their social skills by contacting organizations outside of school and assuming responsibility to interact with others to share the veterans’ stories publicly. The students will also collaborate using a social network site called Wiggio to share ideas and use the Internet to contact people from other parts of the country or world to seek help publishing their stories.
 * Instructional Objective(s):**

**Action:** The computer lab will need to be booked in advance. The students will need to have signed up for the class Wiggio page.
 * Before Class:**


 * During Class:**

Students will work together using Wiggio to facilitate discussion and update one another on the findings of their research. || Computers with Internet Access
 * **Time** || **Instructional Activities** || **Materials and Resources** ||
 * 10-15 minutes || Students will be collaborating in groups to decide how they will publish and honor the veterans they interviewed. || Computers with Internet access ||
 * 40-45 minutes || Students will use the Internet to find websites to publish their interviews as well as look into publishing a book containing their interviews and stories. They will also use the Internet to contact the local Honor Flight organization to find more ways to honor the veterans and help the upcoming flights.

Phone access if needed ||
 * 10-15 minutes || Students will debrief and work together to create a plan to honor the veterans they interviewed and to share their stories publicly. || Computers with Internet access

Word processing program ||

**Monitor:** The students will be assessed by their group participation. They will also be assessed on their successful completion of contacting outside organizations and creating a plan to share their stories publicly.
 * Ongoing Assessment:**

Students will be able to connect with others throughout the world if they choose, in order to learn new ideas and information. Students who need extra time would be able to use the Internet and Wiggio site outside of the school day.
 * Accommodations and Extensions:**

Students will be able to use a phone book and phones to contact the local Honor Flight organization. They will also be able to use notebook paper and writing utensils if the technology is down as sometimes happens in our labs.
 * Back-up plan:**

**Evaluation:** Students will be evaluated on the variety of ideas they create to share their stories. They will also be evaluated, as stated above, by their completion of the project. Communication is extremely important and it is important to know how to appropriately communicate online, so when the students are comfortable and have completed this part of the lesson, they will be evaluated on completion.
 * Lesson Reflections and Notes:**

Hi Kaitlin,

This is a great idea. Will you provide a list of publishers for students to contact, or will they need to find some on their own? Does having their work published affect their grades?

Brandon

Kaitlin,

I like the idea of having the students research websites that would be appropriate for publishing their work. They will get practice analyzing as well as authenticating the proper venue for their work. I think this is an excellent project for helping students to realize the importance of honoring the past.

Jean Smith