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Program Dates/Times
Grades 2-3
Wednesday, November 5, 2008 * 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET
Grades 4-5
Thursday, December 18, 2008 * 1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. ET
Program Description
Have your students explore American History as they research and portray famous Americans as part of this engaging, interactive videoconference! Each participating class will give three "60 second" presentations about three different famous Americans. Snapshots should include pertinent facts about the famous American - - and the student representing the famous American should be dressed like the person they are portraying. After the presentations, there will be a 5 minute "reflection period" where teachers can facilitate classroom discussion and students can deduce which famous Americans were being portrayed.
Each school will get a turn to present. After schools select which three Americans they will research, presentations will be grouped by category. For example, three different schools might present as part of the "Famous American Women" category and those same schools might also have a presentation as part of the "American Explorers" category. Categories will be determined at least one week prior to the videoconference event.
This project is adaptable for whatever content area you are covering as part of your social studies curriculum. If there is a famous American that you would like your students to investigate - - and he or she is not already on the list - - we'd be happy to add that person!
Videoconference Outline
- Welcome/Introductions
- Category 1 (10 minutes)
- Presentations
- Reflection Period
- Guess!
- Category 2 (10 minutes)
- Presentations
- Reflection Period
- Guess!
- Category 3 (10 minutes)
- Presentations
- Reflection Period
- Guess!
- Category 4 (10 minutes)
- Presentations
- Reflection Period
- Guess!
- Wrap-Up
Teacher Resources
Biography Research Worksheet: Have your students complete this worksheet as they research their famous American.
Program Credit:
Many thanks to Delaware Valley School District for suggesting this program!
Curriculum Connections:
The following Pennsylvania Academic Standards are met through participation in this program:
History
Pennsylvania’s public schools shall teach, challenge, and support every student to realize his or her maximum potential and to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to:8.1.3.A – Understand chronological thinking and distinguish between past, present and future time, including: calendar time, time lines, continuity and change, events.
8.1.3.D – Understand historical research.
8.3.3.A – Identify contributions of individuals and groups to United States history.
Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking
Pennsylvania’s public schools shall teach, challenge, and support every student to realize his or her maximum potential and to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to:1.1.5.A – Select texts for a particular purpose using the format of the text as a guide.
1.2.5.A – Read and understand essential content of informational texts and documents in all academic areas.
1.2.5.B – Use and understand a variety of media and evaluate the quality of material produced, including: use a variety of media for research and use established criteria to design and develop a media project for a targeted audience.
1.6.5.A – Listen to others, including: ask pertinent questions, distinguish relevant information and take notes when prompted.
1.6.5.C – Speak using skills appropriate to formal speech situations, including: use complete sentences, use appropriate volume, pace speech so that it is understandable, adjust content for different audiences and speak with a purpose in mind.
1.6.5.D – Contribute to discussions, including: ask relevant questions, respond with relevant information, listen to and acknowledge the contributions of others and give reasons for opinions.
1.6.5.E – Participate in small and large group discussions and presentations.
1.8.5.B – Locate information using appropriate sources and strategies, including: evaluate the usefulness and qualities of the sources, select appropriate resources, use tables of contents, indices, cross-references and appendices and use traditional and electronic sources.