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Destination: Combining local knowledge with technology to teach literacy skills in an ELL classroom
Standards
I used the Alaska state standards for my project.
Science
Throughout the school year we focused on climate change and how it was affecting local regions and regions around the world. We also learned how diseases can be spread and how with adequate healthcare and living situations can lead to devastating effects on a population. That is why I wanted to include these topics into the game. The game also focuses on indigenous knowledge and how it can be utilized in a classroom setting.
Recognizing that species survive by adapting to changes in their environment.
Investigating the basis of local knowledge (e.g., describing and predicting weather) and sharing that information.
Writing
I want the students to work on a variety of types of writing for a variety of audiences. The students worked on journals to share with me and "people in the future". The wrote notes for their peers, and they created digital stories to share with the community.
Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to create a piece of writing
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1–3 up to and including grade )
Include multimedia components (e.g., graphics, images, music, sound) and visual displays in presentations to clarify information.
Language Standards
I chose these standards based off what I was seeing in students' works that they needed help with.
Use verb tense to convey various times, sequences, states, and conditions.
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language: Interpret figurative language including similes and metaphors in context.
Use intensive pronouns(e.g. myself, ourselves)
Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives.
Vary sentence patterns for meaning, reader/listener interest and style.
Speaking and listening standards
I chose these standards because they correlated to the activities the students will be doing throughout the project.
Interpret information presented in diverse media and formats and explain how it contributes to a topic, text or issue under study
Present claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using pertinent descriptions, facts, and details to accentuate main ideas or themes; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.
Include multimedia components and visual displays in presentations to clarify information.
Cultural Standards for Teachers
I chose to include the cultural standards for teachers because my project focuses on indigenous knowledge, and I believe it is important for all teachers to learn how to appropriately incorporate students' culture into their classrooms.
Recognize the validity and integrity of the traditional knowledge systems
Utilize the Elders’ expertise in multiple ways in their teaching
Provide opportunities and time for students to learn in settings where local cultural knowledge and skills are naturally relevant
Regularly engage students in appropriate projects and experiential learning activities in the surrounding environment
Provide integrated learning activities organized around themes of local significance and across subject areas
Promote extensive community and parental interaction and involvement in their children’s education.
Seek to continually learn about and build upon the cultural knowledge that students bring with them from their homes and communities
Seek to learn the local heritage language and promote its use in their teaching.