H E L E N   K E L L E R  M I D D L E  S C H O O L

One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar...Helen A. Keller

WHERE WOULD I BE WITHOUT...?
Grade 6
Directed On-Line Study

Project Expectations and Interdisciplinary Connections

CORE PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Students will:

1. work individually to find an invention that piques his/her interest, knowing that the inventor must be American-born.
2. explore secondary sources, using the books from the Helen Keller Middle School Media Center.
3. organize information using an 2 on-line graphic organizers (1-inventor; 2-invention).
4. use the correct "Works Cited" format when citing resources.
5. create a one to two-page newspaper highlighting the invention and inventor.

Scientific inquiry requires the sharing of findings and ideas for critical review by colleagues and other scientists

SCIENTIFIC LITERACY: 

Scientific literacy includes speaking, listening, presenting, interpreting, reading and writing about science.

Communicate about science in different formats, using relevant science vocabulary, supporting evidence and clear logic.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

1. Historical Thinking:  Students will develop historical thinking skills, including chronological thinking and recognizing change over time; contextualizing, comprehending and analyzing historical literature; researching historical sources; understanding the concept of historical causation.
   Local, United States and World History:  Students will use historical thinking skills to develop and understanding of the major historical periods, issues and trends in United States history, world history, and Connecticut and local history.
   Applying History:  Students will recognize the continuing importance of historical thinking and historical knowledge in their own lives and in the world in which they live.

Students will:

• describe, explain and analyze the impact of the exchange of ideas on societies, politics, religion.
• describe human and natural characteristics of places and how they shape or place identity.

LANGUAGE ARTS:
Students will:

1. use prior knowledge and experiences.
2. create graphic organizer to organize ideas.
3. interpret text by using prior knowledge and experiences.
4. use a variety of monitoring and self-correcting methods (skimming, scanning, reading ahead, re-reading, using resources, summarizing, re-telling, re-adjusting speed).
5. gather, select, organize and analyze information from primary and secondary sources.
6. engage in a process of generating ideas, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing or presenting.
7. interact with others in creating, interpreting and evaluating written, oral and visual texts.
8. proofread and edit for grammar, spelling, punctuation and capitalization.
9. speak and write using conventional patterns of syntax and diction.
10. create a Works Cited based on the 6-8 Writing Tools.

1. use Internet (if resources in books were not sufficient) to view pre-selected websites.
2. critically evaluate the websites for relevancy to specific topic.
3. use the teacher-created template in Inspiration to organize their specific categories.
4. enhance their web y changing style, design, color and adding appropriate graphics.
5. use the "Spell Check" tool.
6. save graphic organizer (web) in the designated folder on the Network.
7. use graphic organizer as the basis for creating the newspaper.
8. enhance newspaper pages using different fonts, styles, colors and graphics.
9. insert graphics into Publisher and Powerpoint.
10. save file in designated folder on Network.
11. Use the interactive Online Outline form located on the HKMS website to track progress.