The End is Near: Week of April 23, 2012

Hi Capstoners,

As the end is coming to a close, Capstone students should be completing the following: blog update, How to video, Social Problem work, and their creative piece connecting their six areas of research.

We look forward to seeing everyone's finished products.

Good luck,
Brad and Tamara

By Friday, March 23rd, 2012

Hi Capstoners, Just a reminder that by Friday, March 23rd your group should have the following:  1.) a 3-5 minute video (posted on your blog) about the individual research you have written about in your paper, 2.) your group plan for your 'How To' video, 3.) your plan for your Social Change video.  Good luck and let us know how we can support you, Brad and Tamara

Using our study of the past to create change today

Hi Clark Montessori Capstoners,

8th grade students have now completed their research and written a paper on one of their topics.  Students will now begin developing a plan to use their research of the past to help instigate social change today.  Some questions to think about:  What are the social issues in today's world?  How can our study of the past help us solve a social problem in today's world?  How can we use social/multi-media to then create social change today?

Research Paper Rough Draft

Hi Capstoners,

Your informational research paper on one of your specific topics is due.  Be sure your paper is informative, interesting and cites sources. We look forward to reading your papers.  Community 200's drafts are due 2/29 and Community 100 drafts are due 3/7.

Thanks, Brad and Tamara

Upgrading your blog: Video Assignment

Hi Capstoners

For your next blog entry, please include a 3-5 minute video where each group member discusses what they have been researching. Students may use notecards if they need to.  This assignment is due Friday March 10th, 2012. Some tips: 1.) Be sure that group members have planned our what they are going to say (you may use notecards), 2.) Be sure every group member speaks, 3.) Be sure that members can be heard. 4.) you should include pictures of your topics as people speak.

Good luck,

Brad and Tamara

Project-Based Learning Video

Here's a great video on the importance of project-based learning and why it ought to continue to drive education. Brought to you by our friends at Edutopia. Enjoy.

 http://www.edutopia.org/project-based-learning-overview-video

Seminar #4: What does it mean to be American?

Hi Capstoners, For this seminar students will be investigating the question, "What does it mean to be American?" Your task is as follows: 1.) Find a document, article, movie, song, and/or interview that helps define the term "American."  Read, watch or listen to it and annotate it. Create 5-7 questions for it. 2.) Interview and ask at least 5 people, "What does it mean to be American?". At least 3 of these people must be adults that are not your teachers. Spend at least 5 minutes with each person. Record their responses. 3.) How are the people, events, inventions you are researching American? Jot down some notes. 4.) Finally, create a paragraph definition that answers the question, "What does it mean to be American?". The work for this assignment is due Tuesday, February 21st.  We will meet in small groups to discuss your work on this day as well. Good luck!

Capstone Work for the Week of February 6, 2012

Hi All Capstoners,

Each group this week is responsible for: 1.) Selecting a primary source from their time period and conducting a seminar on that primary source.  Tamara and I have already spoken with some groups about their selections:  The Declaration of Independence, The Chinese Exclusion Act, and The Emancipation Proclamation. We look forward to hearing your conversations. 2.) Your 2nd blog post. Most of the groups have been doing many more than the required one blog post per week so that's great. 3.) Further research on your given research topics.  At least 2 hours of work is expected each week.

NOTE:
Before you can move forward with the synthesis of this information students must have a grip on the comprehension of the information.

Great history websites for researchers

Here are some excellent resources for researching U.S History:

1. http://www.besthistorysites.net/index.php/american-history  

2. http://www.pbs.org/topics/history/

3.  http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/

4. http://edsitement.neh.gov/

5.  http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/students/index.html

6. www.archives.gov

7. www.ourdocuments.gov

Seminar 2: Why Study History?

Hi Capstoners,

Here is Seminar #2.  You can find it at the following website: http://www.historians.org/pubs/free/WhyStudyHistory.htm

This is due Friday morning. Be sure to read this ahead of time and more than once as it is definitely much more academic than you are accustomed to.  Happy reading. Why do we study history???

-Brad

Evolution of Species: Adam, Sam, and C.J.

Learning to blog

I don't Facebook, Tweet, or use any other social media. Learning how to blog is a new process for me.  I think it will be an interesting way to connect with my students and have them connect with one another.

Beginning the Process of the Capstone

What do students need to do in week one?

1. Meet with group members to assign roles and responsibilities. Who will be the organizer, tech coordinator, and recorder? Be sure to exchange contact information with all group members.

2. Decide who is going to research what.  Who will research leaders? Who will research inventors/innovations? Who will research events? Remember you have to choose at least 6 in each area.

3. Begin the research process. Remember that you are aiming to become an expert in your area.

4. Great websites/resources I have found for researching: http://besthistorysites.net/. From there, one can find a plethora of AMAZING websites for use when conducting historical research.

21st Century Learning Seminar

Here is the seminar on 21st Century Learning. Are you ready to work, live, think and exist in the 21st century?
http://www.21stcenturyschools.com/What_is_21st_Century_Education.htm

Beginning the Capstone Project

Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Getting started with the Capstone Project.  I am excited about the opportunities that our student's will have to connect their work across the curriculum while integrating technology.