We chose "fall" as our project theme.  What changes occur in the fall?  Are there signs we can look for each year?  (As each season approaches will there be signs for each season?)  Are there holidays we observe in the fall?  What do those observances include?
     

We plan to do the following:
 

• Lesson 1- Fall Brainstorm Web- 

Using their senses the children will brainstorm "signs" of fall.  We will make a theme web on the computer (using the large screen in the media center) and add the children's suggestions.  This will be their introduction to "webbing." The students were able to create their own web as a result of this lesson. The students were also able to recognize how the world around them changes as seasons change.

• Lesson 2- Adopting a Tree-

We will adopt a tree on the playground.  We will observe the tree each season and draw it, beginning with summer and then fall.  We will use the digital camera to remind us about our experience.  using Kid Pix we will draw it again and add our words describing what the tree looks like. the children were able to describe accurately changes in the adopted tree between the two seasons.  The children opened the Kid Pix program and redrew their pictures adding their own descriptions.

• Lesson 3- Fall Slide Show-

We will create a slide show using the children's ideas about fall and adding their voices as they read their description of signs of all.  The children will be able to watch and listen to the slide show during center time. The children learned to use the microphone on the computer to record their account of the pictures.  They read with enthusiasm and a sense of accomplishment.  They were even able to access the slide show to show to parents during conferences.

• Lesson 4- Apple Orchard field trip book-

We will take a field trip to the apple orchard/pumpkin patch where the children will pick an apple and select a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch.  We will take pictures, then scan them into the computer.  Each child will be able to select a picture and add the caption for a class book. After scanning the pictures, the children were able to retell the story of our field trip which was then put into a class book.

• Lesson 5- Thank-You Letters-

After discussing the meaning of Thanksgiving, the children will use the digital camera to take a picture of someone who they want to thank.  The children will write that person a thank you letter attaching the picture. The children learned about Thanksgiving and as a result of that discussion were able to think of someone in our school who they would like to thank.  They wrote letters to those people and helped take digital pictures.  This was also made into a class book.

As a result of this project, the children were exposed to several forms of technology including working in the Kid Pix program, using a digital camera, and creating a slide show.  They were also able to share their knowledge of fall with others.

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