Tasks

= = =Tasks to accomplish this project =

__Prior Knowledge__: Students have previously defined, described, and applied the five themes of geography (place, region, location, human-environmental interaction, and movement) to a specific state in the U.S

__Task 1__: Determine location Students chose their Island coordinates and plotted them on a world map. Islands had to be on an existing body of water and could not touch another students’ island.

__Task 2:__ Identify physical features Students began to identify their island’s climate, physical features, elevation, temperature, precipitations, and natural resources based on the surrounding countries/continent. Students answered focus questions for each topic

__Task 3__: Create maps After researching all topics and comparing them to the surrounding area, students used their prior map skills to create climate, temperature, precipitation, elevation, physical features, and natural resource maps. Elevation/physical maps were scanned as picture files.

__Task 4__: Create 3D models Students build 3D models o of their island. This is an optional activity that may be completed at home.

__Task 5__: Identify culture Students analyzed their research of the surrounding area’s culture (religion, language, recreation, education), economy (trade –imports/exports based on natural resources), and government in order to develop their own. Students researched using an Atlas and pre-selected internet sites.

__Task 6__: Locate island on GoogleEarth Students were introduced to GoogleEarth and how to use the various menu options and navigation and sidebar tools. The project and rubric were explained so that the students understood that they were expected to create a virtual island incorporating all of their research topics. Students explored and asked clarifying questions. Students located the coordinates for the island created an introductory placemark on GoogleEarth

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">__Task 7__: Create virtual island on GoogleEarth <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Students created an overlay using their scanned maps which allowed students to strategically place their information. Students created their GoogleEarth project using their research notes, maps, and focus questions. They referred to the rubric and researched for more details and multimedia content.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">__Task 8__: Edit and Revise <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Students completed their research. Students edited each other’s projects and made necessary changes. Students were encouraged to be creative. Some chose to develop trade routes with surrounding islands, others created a website or made a commercial to promote tourism to their island, while others created a GoogleEarth tour.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">__Task 9__: Present projects <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Students presented their islands to the class using a SmartBoard. Students made comments, checked for errors, and asked questions. They had time to make the corrections.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">__Task 10:__ Merge islands <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">All islands were saved as one class file. Students could visibly see the islands together on earth; trade routes were visible so they could see who they were doing business with. We reviewed the project as a class and discussed the impact that location, surrounding countries, and movement of people, goods, and ideas has on the development of a civilization and culture.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">__Task 11:__ Conclusion <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Students wrote an in-class essay answering the essential question. Students wrote an outline and chose the format (letter, journal, geographer)

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">__Task 12:__ Reflection <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Students reflected on the project and gave feedback about what worked and what they did not like