1. Kimberly Dyar Cecil County Public Schools kdyar@ccps.org Kimberly Dyar Cecil County Public Schools kdyar@ccps.org Using Student-Built Websites to Promote Critical Thinking

2. Background: School Data / Low MSA scores for reading expository text / AYP status / Technology Literate by Grade 8 (TL8) standards / Tech resources at school / Low MSA scores for reading expository text / AYP status / Technology Literate by Grade 8 (TL8) standards / Tech resources at school

3. Collaborative Instruction / Provides insight / Improves teaching & learning / Adds resources / Shares work / Taps unique skills / Generates fresh ideas / Provides insight / Improves teaching & learning / Adds resources / Shares work / Taps unique skills / Generates fresh ideas

4. Classroom Background

5. Historical Newspaper Project Challenge Surface understanding No context Lack of authenticity Focus on appearance (tea-stained paper) Add-on to unit Challenge Surface understanding No context Lack of authenticity Focus on appearance (tea-stained paper) Add-on to unit Solution Deeper understanding Contextualized in history & literature Authentic language, imagery, details Focus on information Enriching unit

6. Process / Reading/writing workshop / Research / Written articles / Website construction / Reflection / Reading/writing workshop / Research / Written articles / Website construction / Reflection

7. Use of Primary Documents

8. Class-Generated Word Bank Categories were posted on the wall. Students used sticky notes to add examples from their books & online resources. Clothing Technology in everyday life Weapons Ways of speaking Transportation Games and recreation Food Events Famous people

9. Website Index Banner Feature Story Editorial Letters to the Editor Advertisements Obituaries Reflection Links

10. Key Teaching Points / Content “construction” / Voice / Audience / Reading strategies for primary sources / Search skills / Content “construction” / Voice / Audience / Reading strategies for primary sources / Search skills / Complimentary images & text / Technical aspects / Multimedia layout / Web design & analysis / Copyright guidelines / Using available tools

11. Structured Thinking / Project overview at start / Schema development / Vocabulary / Class structure / Shared responsibility for content / Multiple resources / Primary sources as models / Research skill support / Project overview at start / Schema development / Vocabulary / Class structure / Shared responsibility for content / Multiple resources / Primary sources as models / Research skill support

12. Interactive Thinking / Conferences - peer, teacher / Coaching: research, visual, text features / Focus lessons & immediate application / Error monitoring & corrections / Constructivism / Choices made explicit / Student “think alouds” / Shared problem-solving / Conferences - peer, teacher / Coaching: research, visual, text features / Focus lessons & immediate application / Error monitoring & corrections / Constructivism / Choices made explicit / Student “think alouds” / Shared problem-solving

13. Teacher-Student Conferences / Promote critical thinking / Individualize instruction / Make connections / Address questions / Suggest improvements

14. Student Conferences

15. Common Challenges / Multimedia vs. linear thinking / Attention to tedious details / “Period” mindset - texts & media / Sharing information / Personal preferences vs. authenticity / Locating & connecting visuals to text / Multimedia vs. linear thinking / Attention to tedious details / “Period” mindset - texts & media / Sharing information / Personal preferences vs. authenticity / Locating & connecting visuals to text

16. Ingredients for Success / Choice / Creative freedom / Personalization / Novelty / Hands-on learning / Transferable skill / Multimedia / Accommodations / Choice / Creative freedom / Personalization / Novelty / Hands-on learning / Transferable skill / Multimedia / Accommodations / Scaffolding - group resource creation & use / Mentor texts / Primary source references / Discussion & problem-solving

17. Teacher Feedback

30. Student Feedback

31. ccps.org/teachers/kdyar Grade 8 Websites

32. Student Reflections