Unusual Animals Down Under

I. Briefly review the project form. Discuss the project theme, outline and time line; review the project and curriculum objectives.

The Grade 4 Students of St. Peter's School, Upper Island Cove developed this project. They created it for those interested in the mysterious animals of Australia. Students will research the animals using the Internet, CD-ROM, encyclopedia and other forms of information, such as sending email to students in an Australia school to find out other information about the animals from personal experience. The students will obtain a picture of their animal on the Internet and write up information in a paragraph form. The teachers will then design the look and layout of the web site. The students will also check email and the guessbook on a daily basis. The students learned a great deal doing the GrassRoots project. They completed research using different forms of information, developed a web page, wrote correspondence to other schools, found photos on the web and created jpeg documents, and learned what a URL is composed of.

The curriculum involved both Technology and Social Studies. The Technology aspect involved using an operating system, becoming familiar with the keyboard, using floppy discs, running appropriate software, formatting a page, publishing a document, finding information from CD-ROM and Internet, and showing respect and ethical use of email. The Social Studies aspect involved understanding the use of interactive technologies in everyday living, effective communication using written format and email, collection and interpretation of information, cooperation with others, determining the validity of information, distinguish relevant from irrelevant, applying thinking competencies, acquiring information through listening and observing, and locating, organizing and evaluating information.

II. Show the audience the outcome of the project proposal.

Results and a tour of the project can be seen at: http://www.k12.nf.ca/stpeterselem/grade4/index.html

III. Briefly comment on any successes or problems that were encountered throughout the life of the project.

The students found out many interesting facts about animals, they sent email to students in Australia, and viewed published work on the Internet. They developed technical skills while completing the project; World Wide Web, HTML, Guestbook, Email, WordPerfect, CD-ROM, Internet search engines, Scanner, Digital camera, and the Corel Suite 8 package.

IV. Comment on any aspects of the project that you would do differently.

Would try to complete the unit more quickly. It was spread over too long a period. Make sure that each school selected has email set up. Have the class design email to Australian school on an experience chart as a class first.

V. Comment on if and how the project can be expanded next year.

Next year, the Grade 4 students will add information to the web site about the babies of these animals and other categories of Australia information. The students will answer email on a daily basis, announce the site by email to all Grade 4 classes in the school board, and email a school in Australia to find out personal experiences about animals and ask for input for the site. The students will also contribute to the look of the site, their class picture will be on the web site, and the edited versions of the research results and the pictures they found will also be incorporated.