Project+Proposal


 * Abstract**

In the upcoming school year, seventh grade students will participate in a comprehensive study of Ancient Africa. There study will culminate in the creation of a collaborative Google sites page centered on one of the geographical regions of Africa. The unit will utilize multiple instructional strategies and technologies to allow students to study Ancient Africa and draw comparisons to present day Africa. Students will collaboratively work together to create a Google sites page that highlights the history, geography, culture and present day conditions of one geographical region in Africa. Each student will be delegated an area of focus within their group and be responsible for researching and creating that portion of the Google site.
 * Rationale**

The rationale for the study of Ancient Africa is for students to be able to make high level connections and see the effect and growth regions of Africa have had. Students of the 21st Century at times lack the understanding of how places, people, ideas, and things have come to be. This unit aims to take students back to the beginnings of Africa and have them make connections of how Africa has come to evolve into the continent it is today, with all of its successes and struggles. Students will also garner an understanding of how another culture lives as compared to theirs. Students will be creating a Google site as their culminating project. The 21st Century learner can visit the past while being able to produce an end project that has purpose in the present and future. This unit will be student centered and will take place collaboratively. Small groups working together to bring together an end product in the form of a Google site. Using twelve objectives students will answer three essential questions throughout the unit; 1. What were the regions in Ancient Africa like, what was the culture and geographical landscape?, 2. How are present day regions of Africa effected by Ancient Africa?, and 3. What future success or problems do the regions of Africa face in the years and centuries to come?
 * Objectives:**

**Desired Outcomes** Students will:
 * 1) **Student Centered**-In this unit of study students will be given the task of creating much of the curriculum to fit their final project. Working both individually and collaboratively students will be guided by the three essential questions mentioned above in the rationale. These questions will be starters and guides only, students will have the option to further expand them or create extensions of them. Students will also be given the ability to study topics and areas that they are interested in, allowing them to make personal connections to the information. To further connect students to the topic, students will have say in what region they would like to study during the unit.
 * 2) **Learning and Doing**-Students will be introduced to all four regions of Africa and be responsible for the in-depth study of one. Introductory information will be presented and students will then be using several different sources to further their understanding of a given region. Differentiated activities will be completed to allow for the gathering of information students will need to complete. Students will be working towards the culminating project of which will be a collaboratively created Google site that will be shared with follow classmates.
 * 3) **Using Information**-Throughout the unit students will be exposed to a substantial amount of information in a variety of ways including but not limited to; written works (magazine articles, full text readings, transcripts, and newspapers), science experiments, personal interviews, videos, and websites. Students will be called upon to gather the information pertinent to their area of focus and apply knowledge gained. Information gathered will be the basis for the culminating Google site.
 * 4) **Facilitator**-As the teacher I will be the facilitator throughout the unit. My role will be to carefully observe collaborative groups, provide information in different outlets, keep students aligned to the essential questions, motivate collaborative groups and individuals, and ensure students are progressing at a pace comfortable to both them and the completion of the assignment.
 * 5) **Multiple instructional and learning modalities to include all students**-It is understood that students will need to gather a wide variety of information and diverse materials will be provided to students. Instructional materials and opportunities will be provided to ensure all students learning styles are accommodated. Collaborative groups will be created with regards to student’s interest and learning level to ensure all student learning styles are being satisfied.
 * 6) **Higher order thinking skills**-Students will be called upon at the culmination of the project to demonstrate their understanding of one of the regions in Africa as well as predict the future of that region based on their research of the past and current trends. To accomplish this, students will need to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information gained through their research and inquiry. There will be a section on their Google site dedicated to their understanding of the trends and there implications.
 * 7) **Interdisciplinary**-To fully understand all areas of African culture students will be completing activities in subjects not just in history, but also art, science, and writing. The respective teachers in the areas of art and writing have agreed to incorporate a study of Africa to enhance student understanding. With regards to science students will complete a lab to recreate the salt mines that once spotted the African landscape in class.
 * 8) **Collaboration**-This unit will have a very heavy focus on collaboration. With respect to the facilitator (myself) I will be collaborating with other teachers within the building and also students at the high school level. Students will be collaborating with high school students and each other during the completion of their Google site. Collaboration will be closely monitored to ensure fair and equal collaboration is taking place within the student groups.
 * 9) **Performance based assessments**-Students will be graded on their final project, with check points of completion made throughout the unit. Two analytical rubrics will be given at the beginning of the project one for the Google site and another for a self evaluation. Students will have input into the final grade received on the rubric as not all collaborative groups will focus on the exact same information in their final projects.
 * 10) **Multiple sources of information, including technology**-Students will interact and be exposed to multiple technologies that will help them to complete their final projects. Students will also be encouraged to research technologies and information that is relevant to their study and understanding of their chosen region. Ultimately students will be required to complete a Google site which is accessible only via the internet.
 * 11) **Technology fully integrated into the classroom**-Throughout the completion of the unit students will have access to all available technology both in class and after school for an hour under teacher supervision. Students will be 1-1 with laptops on a daily basis as well as have access to all library resources. I have been approved to be provided with a laptop cart for the duration of the project.
 * 12) **Learning how to learn**-For the majority of this unit students will be presented with the task of constructing their own understanding given the guiding essential questions. Students will have the option to obtain the information needed in the way that they prefer. All groups will need to make weekly reflections on the class blog, including successes and setbacks felt during the week. This reflection and sharing of ideas will allow for students to have the ability to learn from each other as well themselves.
 * 1) Understand the geographical regions of Africa.
 * 2) Be able to collaborate and work effectively with peers.
 * 3) Conduct research using both internet and printed research.
 * 4) Learn and utilize Google sites.
 * 5) Utilize and master technology tools and websites.
 * 6) Understand past and future trends of a region in Africa.
 * 7) Be assessed using analytical and reflective rubrics.