The+Lessons

=The Lesson:=

 OLD WAY:
== Text book - handouts with images - circle or draw images and shapes - use manipulative blocks of shapes for hands-on-learning. Assess by taking a test or quiz for understanding. ==

NEW WAY:
==The purpose of this lesson is to provide students with a integrated real-world project that teaches students to identify geometric shapes in their environment. As a result of this lesson, students will learn how to create a Podcast, use a digital camera and present their creations to their peers. This project also provided them with opportunities for choices, for interactions with technology resources, and develop collaboration skills.==


 * GOAL:** Students work cooperatively with peers to locate geometric shapes in their environment, identify the shape, take digital images of the shapes, recall names of shapes, upload and manipulate images and create voice recordings naming the images.

Prerequisite Skills:
Should be familiar with basic computer keyboarding skills, connecting camera to computer, and iLIfe software package. Familiarity with a computer projector to share the Podcasts with the class and possibly post to web for sharing of work with the world could be an extended activity.
 * Students** : Should be able to recognize the basic geometric shapes including a circle, square, triangle, rectangle, rhombus, and oval.
 * Teacher** : Experience in using a digital camera, uploading photos into a computer, placing photos into Grageband tacks, and sharing of projects.

Time Frame:
This project will take about six 45 min. classes to complete. (Depending on student's previous technology skills) Session 1: Review the basic shapes through a classroom activity. Session 2: Introduced students the digital camera. Taking pictures and downloading to iPhoto. Have everyone take pictures and uploaded the photos so all students learn the skills. Session 3: Students (in groups) spend time within the school and school grounds taking picture of shapes. Rules are paramount for success. (Depending on each school and location - you may want to have parent helpers or older student mentors help with this part of the activity.) As the teacher, you should be taking notes on how the groups are working together. If time permits, begin transfer of images and rotate as needed. Session 4: Transfer images from camera to iPhoto and edit any that may need rotated. Open Grageband and start a new Podcast project. Demonstrate how to drag and drop images onto the Podcast track. (Great time to share how to adjust image lengths in the show) Session 5: Continue working on Podcast by adding voice recordings of what the images and shapes represent. If time, add jingle, opening slide, and/or credit slide. Session 6: View presentations and assessment.

Introducing the Lesson
 Session 1: Activate their prior knowledge of geometry by discussing the basic shapes of geometry. Refresh their memories by showing the shapes on an overhead projector and going around the room having students locate objects with that shape. Have students work in pairs to created a picture demonstrating the (6) six different shapes on colored paper they think can be found around the school. Draw the shapes and cut the objects out. (circle, square, triangle, rectangle, oval, and rhombus). Go outside for about ten minutes to observe and write down ideas of what they found. Students are to be observers just like real photographers and try to plan and think about what they want to photograph. Get students into groups and have them discuss what they want to photograph. Before the end of the class period, each group should narrow its choices to six good ideas.

Introduction to Digital Imagery
Session 2:  Demonstrate to students how to use the camera and how to frame shots. The teacher must model responsible behavior for the second graders in taking care of the equipment and following safety rules. Set up students for success by telling them they must be excellent observers just like "real photographers" and to plan and think about what they wanted to photograph. Divide students into groups of... (depends on the number of digital cameras available). Every student working in the group must take several pictures of the 6 geometric shapes they find in the classroom as practice for using the digital cameras in the next session.

The Activity
Session 3: Each group will brainstorm where they might find the images they need to complete this activity. Each student must have a turn at taking several images. While students are taking pictures, teacher serves as an instructional guide and mentor, visiting each group, listening to their conversations and answering questions. Notes are taken for later assessment of the cooperative learning skills. Return to classroom and connect/download images into iPhoto and rotate as needed. Before the end of the class period, each group must narrowed its choices to six great images. (one rule: must use at least one image from each students images)

Project Creation
Session 4:  Finish importing/downloading images from previous session, if needed. Demonstrate how to open Grageband and create a new Podcast project. Demonstrate how to drag and drop images from iPhoto onto Podcast track. Adjust length of time for each image if needed (about 10 sec. per image). Working in same groups as before, have each group open and create a new Grageband Podcast project. (Pick a group name for the project) Work with groups as they use the 6 shapes picked from the previous session that is a great shot of the determined shapes for their Podcasts. Continue to note group collaboration.

Project Creation/Podcasting
Session 5:  Continue working to drag and drop the six pictures from iPhoto to the Podcast track. Demonstrate the voice recording buttons and then have the students take turns recording their voices. They should be saying the name of the shape being displayed. Extending the project would be to embed a Title at the beginning and credits at the end as well as pulling in a jingle from the loops.Use the Share tool to create a QuickTime movie of the Podcast.

Presentations
Session 6: Share the finished projects (Movies) with the class. Extending the activity: Post the podcasts to the web for parents, etc. to listen to.