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** Daily Lesson Plans **   **Lesson Snapshots:** **// [|Tweet a Little Tweet] //**// (Grades 6-8, 9-12 ) In this lesson, students consider the impact of microblogging and engage in this type of communication in an academic context.(December 17, 2008) In this lesson, students analyze global food consumption then take a “food challenge” to create a nutritious menu on a limited budget. Then, students prepare inexpensive, healthful foods to be shared together as a class. (November 11, 2008) In this lesson, students examine the effects of multitasking and evaluate its impact on their own efficiency.(October 29, 2008) In this lesson, students learn about Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman's major economic theories through a scavenger hunt.(October 15, 2008 //
 * Projects developed by: ** [|New York Times]
 * Level:** middle, senior
 * Project dates:** On-going. A new rich task is added every-day
 * Description:** Every day the ‘New York Times’ creates a [|rich lesson] focused on an article from the current day’s newspaper. The lesson archive contains hundreds of free lesson plans for grades 6-12. You can search by keyword or browse the archive by subject. Many lessons are generic in nature so would be appropriate as is. A great springboard for your own ideas and to integrate with local current events. Subjects include: [| Civics][|, Current Events][|, Economics][|, Fine Arts], [| Geography][|, Global History][|, Health][|, Journalism][|, Language Arts][|, Mathematics][|, Media Studies][|. Science][|, Social Studies][|, Technology].
 * Examining the Rise of Twitter and Microblogging and Applying It to the Classroom**
 * [|On the Menu] ** (Grades 6-8, 9-12 )
 * Surviving the Economic Downturn: Eating Healthy on Less**
 * [|Pay Attention, Please!] ** (Grades 6-8, 9-12 )
 * Evaluating the Costs and Benefits of Multitasking**
 * [|I’ll Trade You] ** (Grades 6-8, 9-12 )
 * Researching a Nobel Prize-Winning Economist's Theories Through a Scavenger Hunt**

 
 * Project Link: **http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/archive.html

48 hours of Furious Film-making 2009  **<span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Project developed by: **Ant Timpson <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Description:** “[|48HOURS] is officially NZ's largest film competition! It's a cinematic bootcamp but instead of drill sergeant screaming obscenities at you, it's the constant tick-tock of the countdown clock drilling into your mushy brain. 48HOURS is a serious challenge for both first time filmmakers through to experienced directors. Simply put, filmmaking teams have just one weekend to make a short film. Filmmakers don't know what genre (thriller/romance etc) they will be shooting until the start of the competition. All creativity: writing, shooting, editing and adding a musical soundtrack, must occur within the 48 hour window beginning Friday evening at 7pm and ending Sunday at 7pm. To add to the mayhem, they must also include some random elements. In previous years they have included lines of dialogue, props and characters. In 2009 - who knows. A few days later, the completed films are all screened in heats to an eager audience. The best films are selected by judges to compete in the City finals. Then the City Finalists and Peter Jackson's Wildcards compete in a massive Grand Final on C4 offering fabulous prizes and glory. Well thats what happened in last year.. this year there maybe some changes! **WRITE. SHOOT. CUT. SURVIVE.** 48HOURS is a filmmaking competition that just has to be experienced”.<span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">
 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Level: ** open to everyone (last year over 600 teams entered)
 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Project dates: ** May 8th - 10th 2009.
 * Ideas for Use:**
 * encourage your students to get in a team and go for it. Great support material available for first-timers: http://www.48hours.co.nz/2009/help/


 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Project Link: ** http://www.48hours.co.nz/2009/

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<span style="font-size: 140%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 140%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Book BackChat **<span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Project developed by:   **<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> [|English Online] <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Description:** [|Book Backchat] is an online discussion about various books. Students join the discussion which is facilitated by an independent coordinator. The coordinator posts questions and the students respond to these questions then begin a discussion about the book. You can choose to have the questions and responses emailed to you, or you can read them on this web site. All the participants can read each others’ replies, and they may ask their own questions and respond to things that others backchatters have said. To get started classes or reading groups must register. This is a quick task: http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz/bookchat/register.php <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Ideas for Use**: <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">*Whole class shared book <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">*One reading group could read the selected text and become involved in the ‘back-chat’ <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">*Students can coordinate their own book backchat. See [|unit] for step by step details.
 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Level: ** Y1- Y10   <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">
 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Project dates: ** on-going - new books are introduced each term of the NZ school year


 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Project Link: ** http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz/bookchat/

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<span style="font-size: 140%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 140%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Great Book  <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 140%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Stories  <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> **<span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">

Project developed by: **<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> [| Karen Montgomery], [|Vicki Allen] and [|Wesley Fryer] Project dates: **<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">  <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> ongoing <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Description:** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Basically electronic, collaborative book reviews. Through a wiki students can access stories, created by students, about great books. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Students can also create and share stories with a global audience about their favorite books. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> This project is already well supported with children all over the world contributing. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> The site contains straight-forward [|story guidelines] and [|help resources]. For a similar project: http://booksgoglobal.wikispaces.com/ <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Ideas for Use**: <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">*Individuals or groups could submit a digital story aimed at convincing others to read their favorite book. Create digital stories using freeware such as photo story, voice thread or bubble share. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">
 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Level: ** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">All **<span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">
 * Have students create small group book reviews based on their leveled reading ability.
 * All students in the class could contribute to the one review . Other classes + whanau can watch and then comment and collaborate.
 * Have several classes collaborate together to create one book review on a commonly read book.

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 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Project Link: ** http://greatbookstories.pbwiki.com/

<span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 140%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Tell a  <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 140%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Story in 5 Frames  **<span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">

Flickr Project developed especially for children by: ** Amanda Signal <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Description:** This project has two key parts. The first part is creating and telling a story through visual means with only a title to help guide the interpretation. [| See guidelines for telling a story.] The second part is the response of the group to the visual story. See the[| site]for examples and clear instructions on how to submit a project. <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Ideas for Use**: <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> a)In groups or with the whole class, view the submitted story examples and reflect on the ability of each author to get their message across. Colloboratively develop a response to each story and post it to the site. b) What makes a great story? Develop a  <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">class/group   <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">criteria for a quality digital story. What materials will we require? What skills/knowledge do we need to complete this? c) Action:  <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Students may like to develop a story from scratch or choose to 'digitize' a story that they have already written.
 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Level: ** All
 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Project dates: ** ongoing


 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Project Link: ** http://flickr.com/groups/tellyourstorykids/

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<span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 140%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Find a Story, Map a Story, Tell a Story. **<span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">

Project developed by: ** Brenda Dyck <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Description:** Great for personal recount. This project makes use of online mapping tools such as __[|Google Maps]__, to create a Story Map that places the events in your story within a geographical context. Students attach images, audio and text memories to the place markers found on the mapping tool to tell their story. See example:__[| ‘My First Neighbourhood’.]__ [|Assessment rubric and other detailed teacher material included.] <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Ideas for Use:**
 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Level: ** mid / snr
 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Project dates: ** ongoing
 * A publishing option for a writing task.
 * An extension activity / GATE students


 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Project Link: ** http://www.rebooting.ca/place/

<span style="font-size: 140%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 140%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Adventure Island **<span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Project developed by: **<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> [| Kids on the Net] <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Description:** Explore the islands that other classes have made or register to create your own. Great for creative writing as you can create descriptions for each area of your island. A hypertext format allows you to write your own interactive story without any coding knowledge. A fairly involved project but clear, step-by step instructions exist here: http://www.kidsonthenet.com/adventureisland/hypertext.htm <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Ideas for Use:**
 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Level: ** mid/ snr
 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Project dates: ** ongoing
 * Motivation for students' own creative writing.


 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Project Link: **http://www.kidsonthenet.com/adventureisland/islandcreate.htm

<span style="font-size: 140%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">E Pals **<span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Project developed by: **<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'AvantGarde Bk BT',sans-serif;">[|Epals Global Community] <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Description:** This is a leading site for setting up rich and authentic email exchanges between students. A proven tool for motivating reluctant writers. Lots of support material available including topic starters. Get started by [|registering]and submitting your group/class profile and then use the [|search] function to locate a partner group/classroom. <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Ideas for Use:** Class to class or individual to individual. Use you pals to exchange ideas on topics of interest and build understanding of other cultures.
 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Level: ** all
 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Project dates: ** ongoing


 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Project Link: ** http://www.epals.com/

<span style="font-size: 140%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Headliners **<span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Project developed by:  **<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> [|UK - Dept. for Children, Schools and Families] <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> mid/snr <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Description:** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> A UK wide news agency producing news, features and comments by young people for everyone. Students research and write stories on issues that are important to them. All students can comment on any article. The [|story library] is also a great resource for finding authentic topics of interest to students. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Ideas for Use:** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">*Make connections with an article of interest and own life. Craft and post an online response. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">*Identify language features that the author has used when writing his/her article.
 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Level: **
 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Project dates: ** ongoing

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**<span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Project Link: ** http://www.headliners.org/

<span style="font-size: 140%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">My Baby Monster <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 160%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">  <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> =<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> = <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**<span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Project developed by: ** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Michael Baumgarte <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Description:** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> A simple, collaborative storytelling site that allows children to add their own words to an existing story. More than 500 stories to choose from all organized into topic categories. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">** Three easy steps: ** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> 1. Find a story you love. 2. Click "WRITE NOW." 3. Add your own words. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Ideas for Use:** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> A literacy activity to aid student motivation for reading and writing.
 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Level: ** junior
 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Project dates: ** ongoing

http://mybabymonsters.com/
 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Project Link: **

<span style="font-size: 140%; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">

<span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Description:** <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Ideas for Use:**
 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Project developed by: **
 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Level: **
 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Project dates: **


 * <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Project Link: **