WHAT'S THE SAME? WHAT'S DIFFERENT? Project for 2nd and 3rd Graders
Project completed between two schools in May, 1993 International Community School Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Africa and Comanche Elementary School Fort Stockton, Texas, USA Project Coordinator: Peggy Wiseman, Librarian Comanche Elementary School 803 N. Rio Phone #915-336-8339 Fort Stockton, Texas 79735 <pwiseman@tenet.edu>
Project Name What's the Same? What's Different?
Purpose * To give 2nd and 3rd graders hands-on use of computers and to view a modem as a tool for classroom use. * To illustrate to students in two widely separated schools that students are much more alike than they are different. Content Area Social Studies/Math Grade Level 2nd and 3rd graders Suggested time line Best as a three week project. * One week practice on using a word processor to key in information off-line. * One week sending and receiving information. * One week analyzing and drawing conclusions. Project requirements * Email connection between two widely separated schools, preferably in different countries. * Telecommunication software * Computer and printer * Connection to a modem * Interested and willing teachers * Enthusiastic students Guidelines 1. Teachers at the participating schools will agree upon the information to be shared and construct a pool of questions to guide students. (See attachment for possible questions.) 2. Actual dates and times to transmit information will be set in order to coordinate transmission of information. 3. Maps will be evident in each classroom to remind students of the distance between the two schools. 4. Pretest and postest of student's knowledge of distant school children and the use of a modem. 5. There will be at least two exchanges of information. A. Information about students and their schools. B. Questions about the information received. Possible Project Activities 1. Comparisons of "Sames/Differents" will be done. 2. Graphs will be made from information gathered 3. Averages and rations made from information. Evaluation Criteria Post Test for information gained and teacher observation of computer/modem use. Other Benefits An exchange of information on a personal basis should make each group of people more real to the students. The exchange between teachers as they prepare for the project should give them a wider perspective of the whole educational and learning process. Suggested items of information for each student to send to the other school (Some information which can be used for graphs, averages and ratios) Name: Boy or Girl: Birthday: Birth City: Birth State: Birth Country: Eye Color: Hair Color: Best toy/game: Best Book: Job of Father: Job of Mother: Who lives w/you: Other information: Possible Questions One best answer as decided by the students, prepared in small groups or total class. Not all questions have to be answered. 1. What time do you usually get up in the morning? 2. What do you usually eat for breakfast? 3. Describe typical school clothing for boys. 4. Describe typical school clothing for girls. 5. Describe the weather in May at your school. 6. What time do you go to school? 7. How do you travel to school (bus, car, bike)? 8. How many students go to your school? 9. What grades are in your school? 10. What is the 1st thing you do when you get to school? 11. What do you like to study best at school? 12. What is the hardest thing you study at school? 13. What do you like to play at school? 14. What is the name of your principal? 15. What is your favorite lunch menu? 16. What time do you finish the school day? 17. What do you like to do after school? 18. What do you usually do after school and before supper? 19. What do you usually do after the evening meal? 20. What time do you usually go to bed? Group Questions (or at least many answers) 1. What is the average distance students travel from home to the school? 2. Give a typical school day's schedule in your school. 3. What do your teachers do that you like best? 4. What do your teachers do that you like least? Possible Questions For Pre/Post Test. (Selected questions from the information the students will send to each other) Teachers should select information they believe will surprise the students the most. 1. What do you think the children in_____________ wear to school? 2. What do you think the children in ______________ eat for breakfast? 3. How do you think the children travel to the ____________ school? 4. What do you think the children at the ________________ school like to study? 5. What do you think the children at the _________________ school like to play? 6. What is a modem?
