Multimedia in Muller's Curriculum
Lesson Plan by Carolyn Tyson         2001

Grade level: 4th - 6th

Primary curricular area:   Social Studies

Connected curricular areas:  Language Arts

Curriculum objective:  The students will gather, analyze and process information relating to the Pre-Columbian inhabitants and their living conditions in what is now the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Time Line: One school term
Resources:
   Indigenous peoples in Caribbean Pre History
   The Umbilical Cord
   The Great Food Migrationî, Newsweek Magazine, 1991
   World Book Encyclopedia CD ROM, 1998
   Inspiration Program, PowerPoint Program
   Multimedia Computer, overhead projector
Activities:
       1.   Use Inspiration  software as a graphic organizer while brainstorming subtopics (such as origins, food, lifestyles, forces of decline, etc.) relating to the Pre Columbian Period in the Virgin Islands  and discuss the nature of information that needs to be gathered for each subtopic.
     2.  Students, in groups of 3 to 4 will select a subtopic in which to investigate.  They will use books, pamphlets, magazines and electronic medium to complete their research. Notes may be kept on file cards or by using Inspiration software.
     3.  Each students will create a PowerPoint slide in which their information will be organized into  a concise narrative of important points.  They will add a selection of graphics to enhance the presentation of their information.
     4.  A small group of selected students will merge the individual slides into one PowerPoint presentation, create a menu, and link the menu to the appropriate slide.

Assessment:
Each team of students will present their completed product to their classmates using the SlideShow option.  Assessment will be based on the following criteria:
       1.  Accuracy of information
       2.  Clarity of narrative
       3.  Esthetic quality of the slide
Enrichment:
Students may use the Internet to search for graphics that support their narrative.

Navigation guide for Teachers:
When using Inspiration, teachers will need to be familiar with adding and editing text, changing and formatting symbols, and using the rapid fire option.  When using PowerPoint, text and graphic manipulation skills are required as well as a familiarity with linking.  Muller School teachers have short, one page guides to both these programs.
 

Navigation guide for Students:
Teachers will guide their students through creating and formatting text and graphics when using both Inspiration and PowerPoint.
 
 

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