- Exercise 1: Logo (Online Interactive Turtle Geometry: UNLV)
Logo is a simple, recursive, visually accessible programming language developed by Dr. Seymour Papert of MIT. Based on constructivist principles, the primary objectives of Logo are to give children concrete objects to think mathematically, develop a language to talk about mathematics, and develop children's creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Our in-class task:
- Go to UNLV's Interactive Logo Site
- Explore, create, make mistakes, challenge yourself
- Create mazes and obstacles and help your turtle move through the mazes and around the obstacles
- With a class member at the same grade level as you, discuss how you might use Logo in your classroom
- Other Online Logo Resources
- Software to Purchase
- Exercise 2: JigZone
This amazing site allows students (and teachers) to complete jigsaw puzzles interactively. There are hundreds of puzzles to solve of varying difficulty levels (6 - 247 pieces), and teachers can even use photos taken in their classrooms or on field trips to motivate students.
Our in-class task:
- Go to JigZone
- Find a Puzzle that would be an introduction to a new curricular unit (Fall Colors for a unit on seasons)
- Create a 20-piece puzzle
- Solve the puzzle
- With a class member at the same grade level as you, discuss how you might use JigZone in your classroom
- Exercise 3: Harvest of History
Harvest of History (part of the Farmers' Museum in Cooperstown, NY site) allows students to Explore the Village to find out where food comes from, how and where it grows, and compare life in 1845 with the modern world. Students can also produce their own movie with the Village Videomaker. This site also contains interdisciplinary curricular units on how agriculture has been, and still is, an integral part of life in New York State.
Our in-class task:
- To use Village Videomaker to create digital films about various aspects of life in a small 1845 New York Village.
- Working in groups of 2, choose one of the following topics to explore and create a 2 minute (or less) video about:
- Group 1: Lippitt Farm Fields
- Group 2: Bump Tavern
- Group 3: Cornwallville Church
- Group 4: Sweet Marble Barn
- Group 5: Lippitt Farmhouse
- Group 6: Cooper's Shop
- Group 7: Main Barn
- Group 8: Seneca Log House
- Group 9: The Country Fair
- Group 10: Filer's Corner Schoolhouse
- Group 11: Field Blacksmith Shop
- Group 12: Middlefield Printing Office
- Group 13: Dr. Thrall's Pharmacy
- Group 14: Lippett Barnyard
- Group 15: More House
- With a class member at the same grade level as you, discuss how you might use Village Videomaker and in your classroom
- Use this model in your classroom with your students!
- Final Treat for the Day!
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