1. So What About Mindtools??? Project Team Members: Kristen Hull Jennifer Fulmer

2. Lesson Titles So What About the United States?So What About the United States? So What About Europe?So What About Europe?

3. Unit Focus 5 th Grade: United States 6 th Grade: Europe For both unit plans we will be focusing on The Five Themes of Geography.

4. Mindtools Incorporated Databases (Semantic) Microsoft Word (Knowledge Construction) Internet (Interpretation) Epals.com (Conversation) Microsoft Publisher (Knowledge Construction) Microsoft Powerpoint (Knowledge Construction) CD Rom software Packages (Interpretation) Kidspirtation (Semantic & Knowledge Construction)

5. North Carolina Standard Course of Study Goals 5 th Grade NCSCS *Technology: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/computer.skills/5.html http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/computer.skills/5.html *Social Studies: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/socialstudies/2003- 04/033fifthgrade.html http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/socialstudies/2003- 04/033fifthgrade.html 6 th Grade NCSCS *Technology: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/computer.skills/6.html http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/computer.skills/6.html *Social Studies: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/socialstudies/2003- 04/040sixthgrade.html http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/socialstudies/2003- 04/040sixthgrade.html

6. Objectives 5 th Grade- United States 1)5 Themes of Geography 2)Use of the Internet 3)Databases 4)CD Rom Software Packages 5)Location of States/Capitals Activities 6)Kidspiration- Concept Mapping 7)Epals.com 8)Journal Entries using Microsoft Word 9)Student created presentations using Microsoft Publisher & PowerPoint. 6 th Grade- Europe 1)5 Themes of Geography 2)Use of the Internet 3)Databases 4)CD Rom Software Packages 5)Edible Maps of Europe 6)Kidspiration- Concept Mapping 7)Epals.com 8)Journal Entries using Microsoft Word 9)Student created presentations using Microsoft Publisher & PowerPoint.

7. So What Are We Gonna Do? (Procedures) 1) Locate the countries/capitals on a globe 2) Use KWL to activate prior knowledge. 3) Introductry Activities 4) Create & explore databases using Microsoft Access 5) Internet Research using a variety of search engines 6) Use CD ROM Software Packages 7) Use Kidspiration to create concept maps 8) Communicate with students from other areas using Epals.com 9) Student created presentations using Microsoft Publisher & Powerpoint 10) Complete KWL Chart of what each student has learned.

8. Closure The Students… 1) Examined the similarities & differences among (European Countries/ 50 United States) and compared those differences and related them back to our own (country/state) 2) Understood important issues of a technology based society. 3) Demonstrated knowledge and skills of computers and other technologies. 4) Accessed, analyzed, interpreted, synthesized, applied, and communicated information using a variety of technologies.

9. Things to Share  KWL Chart KWL Chart  Introductory Activities * U.S. Bingo * Musical States * Edible Map of Europe  Databases * United StatesUnited States * EuropeEurope  Internet Searching * Boolean SearchingBoolean Searching * Fifty States Websites to ExploreFifty States Websites to Explore *Evaluating WebsitesEvaluating Websites *www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbookwww.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook  CD ROM Software  EPALS.COM EPALS.COM

10. Student Work

12. Kristen & Jennifer’s Goals Goals:  To explore the “mindtools”  To increase personal knowledge of how to use the various “mindtools”  To increase personal knowledge of the features available when using the various “mindtools”  To implement the use of various “mindtools” into classroom instruction  To reflect upon the effectiveness of the manner in which we incorporated the mindtools into our instruction

13. Kristen’s Reflections  Goals Met  Unit Plan  Implemented “mindtools” into instruction to develop more understanding of things to consider when using the “mindtools” with my students’  Biggest Revelation: Past: Specific guidelines for students’ to follow when using technology Now: Student Choice of “mindtool” to show learning WHY? (A) Students’ were more involved (B) Projects more creative and interesting (C) Collaboration with peers to “learn” (D) More evidence of what student really learned (as opposed to students’ just giving me the “required information”)

14. Jennifer’s Reflections  After It’s All Said & Done… I have a better understanding for myself how to use each of the different mindtools so that I may incorporate them into my classroom. I am now more confident implementing the different mindtools I have learned to use in a variety of activities my students participate in. I have an excellent unit plan that has been developed with lots of technology integration to use next year to start off the year. It’s obvious that using mindtools instead of textbook, pencil, & paper allows for more student engagement and success for learning.