Phase: | During/Explore/Explain |
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Activity: | This activity is geared for the end of a Social Studies unit focused on standard LWT2 (2) 6: Identify states, continents, oceans, and the equator using maps, globes, and technology. • Identifying map elements, including title, legend, compass rose, and scale • Identifying the intermediate directions of northeast, southeast, northwest, and southwest • Recognizing technological resources such as a virtual globe, satellite images, and radar • Locating points on a grid The students will design questions based off of the knowledge and skills learned in the unit and participate in a video conference to locate another class from anywhere on the globe. The point of the game is to use skills and strategies taught through the unit to be the first to figure out where the other class is from. Instructions: The teacher will find a classroom to connect with from anywhere in the world and designate a day and time for the session. The Google Plus community Connected Classrooms is a great place to find a teacher/class. Mystery Skype is also a great place to find classroom matches. Students should be assigned roles for the video conference prior to beginning the activity. These roles could be (but are not limited to):
Students are to design questions ahead of time that they believe will get them to the location of the other class. These questions should be able to have "yes" or "no" answers and are focused on geographic and political boundary locations as well as cultural questions about daily life. Students are to practice their roles and set the norms for expectations of these roles. On Video Conference Day: Make sure there is nothing in view of the camera that gives away your location, including shirts of students and items on the wall. Once connected, the "Questioner" then interfaces with the other class as the two classes take turns asking their questions until one of the classes finds the exact location of the opponent. It is recommended that students practice their roles before their very first video conference. |
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Assessment Strategies: | Teacher observation during question development. Teacher observation during the video conference session. Class debrief and reflection after the video conference to discuss what went well and what went wrong. Students are to come up with adjustments to make the process better for next time. Mystery Skype
Student Name: ____________________________________ Date: _______________
Comments: _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
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Advanced Preparation: | Complete this in advance: Find a classroom to connect with. The Google Plus community Connected Classrooms is a great place to find a teacher/class. Mystery Skype is also a great place to find classroom matches. Do a run-through with the technology several days before and the day of the intended Skype/Hangout session to test the sound, video, and bandwidth quality. Make sure there is nothing in view of the camera that gives away your location, including shirts of students and items on the wall. Students are to design questions ahead of time that they believe will get them to the location of the other class. These questions should be able to have "yes" or "no" answers and are focused on geographic and political boundary locations as well as cultural questions about daily life. It is recommended that students practice their roles before their very first video conference. |
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Variation Tips (optional): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notes or Recommendations (optional): | There are a lot of variations and resources out there for Mystery Skype. Research the many different ways and find one that works for you and your students. |
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