Monster Exchange 2009 - Grades 5-8

Page history last edited by Lori Colwill 1 mo ago
 

Monster Exchange Project

 

for Grades 5-8

  

 
Practice reading and writing through an interactive videoconference.
 
Two classrooms will be paired up and each class will create a monster using materials that can be obtained from school —bulletin board paper, poster board, construction paper, markers, cotton balls, yarn, etc. This monster will be created BEFORE the videoconference.
 
The class will then write a description of their monster and post the description on the wiki page linked on the schedule. Each class will then recreate the other class’ monster by following the emailed directions. Both classes will meet via videoconference to compare the original monsters with the recreated monsters.
 
This project will enable students to improve their descriptive writing skills and their ability to follow directions.
 
Timeline:
  • Sign up using this wiki. Please enter your name, school, grade on your preferred date and time. Registration closes October 12.
  • October 13 — Classroom pairing confirmations. You will receive the email address of your partner. It is your responsibility to communicate with your partner!
  • October 14 - 21 — Create Monster and description. Post description on the wiki page linked in the schedule. 
  • October 21-27 —Recreate Monsters based on description.
  • October 28, 29 & 30—Videoconference to share monsters

 

Click Here to Register.

Videoconference AGENDA (20 - 25 mins)
 
Welcome and Introductions: Each class will introduce themselves in some way - sing the school song, recite a cheer, show pictures of your school etc
 
Classroom A:
Read the monster description you were sent and show the monster.

 

Classroom B:
Show the original monster.
 
Repeat, switching roles.
 
Closing: Classes exchange compliments. Say Goodbye
“Best Practices for Monster Match” What Works Well
1. Have students practice reading their parts before the videoconference.
2. Show the monster as someone reads the description.
3. Make sure that the monster is stationary during the videoconference.
4. Use two presets…one on the monster and one on the whole class. You can also set one on a place where students will be reading.
 
MONSTER MATCH - SAMPLE DESCRIPTION
(Use Butcher Block Paper - Draw Two Dimensional Monsters)
1. Our monster is about 18 inches tall
2. His head is shaped like a plain paper plate
3. His body is a purple rectangle
4. His legs are skinny, blue rectangles
5. He has five red and pink striped arms
6. His face has 24 big orange polka dots on it
7. His hair is made of string
8. Each hand has only three fingers
9 He is wearing green and yellow striped shoes with pink shoelaces
10. He has three, yellow eyes
11. His teeth are showing
 
Adapt this to your grade level and content that you are teaching. If you are teaching color or shapes, use those in making the monster so they will be reinforced in the writing and reading process. Use the numbered list for all the descriptions as that will help me in asking questions of the students after I see the monsters.
 
 
For more information please contact:
Lori Colwill, 972-925-8077,lcolwill@dallasisd.org

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