Tech Integration Activities in Middle School

Subject: Language Arts
Grade: 7
Technology tools: Computer, Projector, Interactive Whiteboard
Tools used: PowerPoint, Interactive website
Activity type: Lesson

I am using my Mimio Teach to do Daily Grammar Practice. I also uploaded a PowerPoint into the Mimio so that I could use the pad.

We also just completed a project using the computers. The students had to create an online poster about a poet using Glogster.

Heidi Eveland,  Grandview Middle

Learning about pH

Subject: Science
Grade: 8
Technology tools: Computer
Tools used: Interactive Website, Video
Activity type: Lesson, Assessment

On Thursday I am planning an activity on pH involving interactive websites Brain Pop, Study Island, and Alien Juice Bar. On Brain Pop, we will be watching a short video and completing a group quiz on the pH scale.

On Alien Juice Bar (http://scienceview.berkeley.edu/showcase/flash/juicebar.html), students will manipulate data to create acids and bases. We will access the Alien Juice Bar website through the use of Study Island.

 

Jeopardy Review

Subject: Science, Math
Grade: 6
Technology tools: Computer
Tools used: PowerPoint
Activity type: Assessment



I am reviewing this week with my students for a chapter test next week by playing Jeopardy. My Jeopardy review questions will all be on the test and the students love playing this “game” and studying at the same time.

Arnold Knight, Grandview Middle

Catching Fire Commercial Video

Subject:  Language Arts

Grade: 6

Technology tools:  Computer

Tools used:  Social media tool, Video

Activity type:  Lesson, Project

After reading the second book in The Hunger Games series, Catching Fire, students created a video commercial depicting some of the events and challenges faced by the characters in the book.

Math at Grandview

Subject:  Math

Grade:  7

Technology tools:  Computer(s), Laptop(s), LCD Projector, digital cameras

Tools used:  Simulation, Digital manipulative, Digital text / ebook, Word processing, Communication tool, Collaboration tool

Activity type:  Lesson, Unit, Project, Teacher presentation, Assessment, Research, Tutorial

Unit Topic: Math at Grandview

Learning Target: Create and present a presentation with peers showing math shapes and concepts  found at Grandview

Curriculum standards and objectives:

·         All 7th grade math standards and objectives were covered:  Goal 1...Number and Operations, Goal 2...Measurement, Goal 3...Geometry, Goal 4...Data Analysis, Goal 5...Algebra

·         Info and tech standards: Assimilate and evaluate information

 

Students were to create a PowerPoint presentation using shapes and measurements found at Grandview.

·        Step 1: Students were divided into groups and given the rubrics necessary for the project.

·        Step 2: The groups were  given a stop watch and digital camera. Following the rubric they were to take up to 15 pictures to use on their slides.

·        Step 3: Following the rubric they created a PowerPoint presentation to present to their class and parents at PTA night.

Students were assessed using a rubric that included  a group grade for content and presentation. The participation grade was for each individual (each group member graded the members of their group according to a rubric and I averaged these together to get the individual's participation grade).

This activity was extremely successful. The discussions that were generated when the projects were presented were amazing. Students asked each other probing questions and pointed out things that were in the slides that the presenters did not notice.  Students were also able to point out mistakes in a nonthreatening manner.

Changes for the future: The one change that I would make would be to I sign up for the computer lab for an extra day. (The students became so involved that they wanted to do the same project again but take different pictures.)

Ellie Wilson,  Grandview

Integrating Technology in Music

Subject:  Music (Arts)

Grades:  6, 7

Technology tools:  Computer(s), Laptop(s), Tuners, Phones

Tools used:  Interactive website, Video creator / editor, Audio creator / editor

Activity type:  Unit, Assessment

Learning Targets:

I can tune my instrument accurately

I can perform_________ in tune and with a steady beat.

We use digital tuners and smart phone apps to check our accuracy when we tune.

We also are using the interactive SmartMusic program for a SmartMusic review challenge with 6th and 7th graders.

Students use their phones and my iPhone to record tests and to send home recordings to practice with.

Tuners were purchased with a grant from DKG Sorority.

Students assess their progress on a daily basis with tuners and SmartMusic.  Test scores are about 20% higher for students who use their own phones to record tests and retests are higher for those who send their tests home to review using my iPhone.

We will continue to use all these strategies.

Technology Vocabulary Activity

Subject:  CTE

Grade:  8

Technology tools:  Computer(s)

Tools used:  Spreadsheet

Activity type:  Lesson, Tutorial

Goals and Objectives: 

• Evaluate the changing role of technology and its effect on society.
• Discuss security, confidentiality and ethical issues as related to computer usage.
• Utilize spreadsheet software.
• Identify and explain spreadsheet terminology.
• Create and save basic spreadsheets and apply formulas.
• Retrieve, edit, manipulate, and print various spreadsheets.
•  Using spreadsheets to create crossword puzzles for vocabulary review.

This activity was shared at our CTE professional development day when teachers shared best practices with one another.  I decided to try it and it was a great integration activity that could be used in any subject area.

My CTE classes were studying the effects of technology on society.  Our current topic was viruses.  Vocabulary terms included virus, worm, trojan horse, antivirus software, firewall, hackers, etc.

Students were to divide into groups of 2 or 3.  Each group worked together to create a crossword puzzle using the vocabulary terms for the unit.  We utilized spreadsheet software to develop the crossword puzzle.  Students were instructed on how to change the row and column sizes, create textboxes for the clues, and how to create borders for the crossword boxes. Students were to create a crossword using at least 10 vocabulary terms.

Students were learning the vocabulary as they created the crossword puzzles and they also reviewing the vocabulary as they worked the crossword puzzles created by other students.

Students printed their crossword puzzles as the answer key.  The students then cleared the answers and printed the crossword puzzle as a worksheet.  The crossword puzzles were distributed to students in my other two classes to complete.  As the students worked the crossword puzzles, they noted any errors in spelling, context clues, or other mistakes that might have been made with the crossword puzzle.  I used this information to assess the project and grade it.

Students seemed to enjoy this activity and worked the entire class period.  One student made this comment at the end of class, "This was fun, I can't believe it is already time to go."

Sherry Shuford,  Grandview