Ch. 7 Reflections

          Ch. 7 provides many practical guidelines and examples for teachers when planning and overseeing projects. The book outlines that teachers should determine the level of their involvement based on the ability of the students but in general, it should be mostly supportive (give clear instructions, help identify roles of students within the group and goals). Also, it describes that good projects have stages: preproduction stage (set clear guidelines and a general plan), production stage (creation of project) and postproduction stage (edit, respond to feedback and finalize project). After reading the chapter it seems to me that it is very important for teachers to plan the project guidelines thoroughly and be very organized but open to student suggestions and criticisms. (pp. 182-192)

(http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/gastudiesimages/Oglethorpe%20and%20Tomochichi.htm)

Project Idea:

8th grade Georgia History students will work in groups of 5 to create a video intended (and will show to) for elementary school children (authentic audience) on different interactions between Oglethorpe and Native Americans. 

Guidelines: 

• Choose one interaction between Ogelthorpe and a Native American that your group thinks is historically significant (Stage 1). 
• Research using internet and library sources (Stage 2). 
• Student begin writing script of the video (Stage 3). 
• Before production, the students will have opportunity to peer review and receive peer reviews from two other groups on their script. After corrections from peer reviews have been made, teacher will go over script and ideas. (Stage 4).  
• Students will create sets, props, costumes and record video. The video should be edited and burned to a DVD. (Stage 5)
• The students will present their videos to the elementary students on Georgia Day (February 12th).   
• Video must be at least 5 minutes in length but no more than 10 minutes. 
• Re-creation must be historically accurate. 
• After students complete video and present to intended audience, they will write a 2 page paper explaining their role in the group and their thoughts on the experience overall. 

For more ideas on creating class projects, please visit:  http://www.edutopia.org/mountlake-terrace-geometry-design-how-to