Week 34: Selecting a Multimedia Product (Project)

Homework for the Teacher
This week, students select a product idea that will serve as a communication tool for sharing the information they have gathered. They will also have the opportunity to choose a presentation format that appeals to them most. This entire selection process will reveal a multi-hued kaleidoscope of interests, strengths, learning styles, and personalities within your classroom. Students who understand the concept of learning styles and multiple intelligences are better able to grasp their own learning profiles and to set realistic goals about minimizing their weaknesses and building on their strengths. "Research on the importance of metacognitive thinking supports the notion that instructional approaches that help students reflect on their own learning processes are highly beneficial to their overall learning and tend to stimulate motivation to improve as learners." (Brown, 1989; Marzano et al., 1988)

Take this opportunity to develop an informal map or snapshot of the varied ways your students may express themselves. Here’s how: Link to Multimedia, MI Way and print/laminate the eSmartz Alien Trading Cards. After giving students plenty of time to choose an Alien, tally their final selections on this form.

As you know, it is important for students to know what is expected of them as they design and create their products. Rubrics can make this job a breeze!

Why Multimedia and Multiple Intelligences?

If you have the time and patience to walk students through 80 online questions (explaining concepts, defining words) in LDRC’s Multiple Intelligences Inventory, you will be rewarded with a Multiple Intelligences graphical Profile for each child. (Free)

  • Please note: When you first link to the inventory, DO NOT try to enter a user number. A user number will be assigned at the completion of the first few questions.
  • Suggestion: Only 10 users can take the inventory at a time. Consider asking a parent volunteer to take small groups of students to a lab setting to complete this online inventory.

Reading Strategy Spotlight
Empower! Help students use a variety of "fix-it" strategies to repair comprehension breakdowns independently. Listen to students describe their reading problems and then respond by modeling techniques to address the problems. Ellin Keene and Susan Zimmermann, authors of Mosaic of Thought, describe reading problems that go beyond the failure to decode words and understand their meanings. Refer to their chart, on pages 201-204, to understand the more subtle features of reading obstacles and to see examples and practical classroom solutions for each of those problems.

Student Activity Sheet
Download a sample Reading Conference Form developed by Cheryl Sigmon to assist you in the identification of your students' reading obstacles.

BBs: Weekly Nuggets of "Best Practices" and "Brain Research"
Inspirational Quotes for Classroom Walls or for Creative Writing

TechKnow Disaster Preparedness Page
Printable Computer Skills Mini-Posters & activity sheets for those times when the network crashes or equipment is unavailable. You can print a different page each week.

Fifth Grade Computer Skills Test Item Bank
Please retain the security of this test to maintain its validity. Contact your local Media and/or Technology Director for the user name and password to access the item bank.

NC WiseOwl Featured Web Sites
NCDPI Resources

 

Check your progress with computer and information skills.

Go back to the Loop Coaster.