NORWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Technology-Enhanced Learning Activity Summary

 
Name: Michael Tinker School: Vinal
Learning Activity Title: Rebuilding the Pyramids with Simple Machines
Grade Level(s): 4 Subject Area: Science, SS Computer Sci
Description of Activity: What is the learning experience? What will teachers and students do during the course of the activity? Through what performances or products will students demonstrate what they know and are able to do? In this exercise, students will explore the possibilities of the use of simple machines in the construction of the Pyramids of Egypt. Ideally, the lesson will be a large culminating activity for science--specifically simple machines, and social studies-- specifically Ancient Egypt. Students will be given a scenario where the pyramids of Egypt have collapsed. They are contractors hired to reconstruct the pyramids using the six simple machines listed in the activity  packet. Using the computer on a WebQuest, they will visit web sites aqnd gather information for their final presentation. The final presentation will be a three-fold brochure of their own creation from www.mybrochuremaker.com that explains how their contracting company will use simple machines in the reconstruction of the pyramids. The brochure will contain color photos and clip art that they find themselves on the web. Additionally, they will use a "Work Cited" paper to cite every website they visit. These state the date they website was accessed, one item they knew prior to visiting, and two items of information acquired after the visit. Assessments will be based on the rubric the students receive with the packet.
Technology Standards Addressed: This learning activity will allow students to develop proficiency in the following Norwell Public Schools technology standards:

  1.0 General Computing Skills

  2.0 Word Processing and Publications Skills

  4.0 Presentation skills

  5.0 Graphical Concept Skills

  6.0 Web and Online Research Skills

Skills and Concepts (see Scope and Sequence)

1.01-1.10, 1.14-1.17, 1.18.4

Curriculum Standards: Which curriculum frameworks, strands, and learning standards does the activity address?

Science:

1.1 Identify materials used to accomplish a design task based on a specific property

1.3 Identify and explain the difference between simple and complex machines

Social Studies:

Essential Questions 1-4

ELA Standard27: Media Presentation

Create presentations using computer technology

Materials & Equipment: What specific software, hardware, websites, handouts, and other printed materials are involved in this activity?  Attachments included

Websites:

www.mybrochuremaker.com

http://sln.fi.edu/qa97/spotlight3/spotlight3.html

http://www.cdli.ca/CITE/egypt_pyramids.html

http://homepage.powerup.com.au/%7Eancient/pyra1.htm

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Academy/7357/builders.htm

http://office.microsoft.com/clipart

 

 

Teacher Tips and Notes: What strategies are recommended regarding logistics, preparation, classroom management, or other implementation concerns? Be sure to give ample time for the activity--two weeks was found to be sufficient on the first trial. On rare instances, some clip art found may not be supported by the brochure website, but most photos and clip art related to the subject can be easily downloaded to the computer and uploaded to the brochure. It is recommended that the students write their presentation using Word first, and then cut and paste the document to the brochure website.
Back to Norwell Public Schools Back to Scope and Sequence
Back to Content Areas Back to Grade Levels
   

 

 Janet Eskin 11/05

  Clip Art from animationfactory.com  
 

awesomeclipartforeducators.com