Brief Description

Our Understanding Geometry through the Study of Architecture unit begins with a study of famous architects. In groups of two, students will be required to develop a presentation sharing biographical information regarding a famous architect of their choice. During this five-day lesson, the students will choose an architect whose work appeals to them, research information regarding that architect (i.e. vital statistics, style of architecture), and develop and present a PowerPoint® presentation sharing this information with the whole class.

Standards and Frameworks

Technology Standards

Standard 5: Technology Research Tools
5T-E1 Locate information from electronic resources.

• PO2 Define and devise a search strategy.

5T-E2 Evaluate the accuracy, relevance, appropriateness, comprehensiveness and bias.

• PO2 Gather research from a variety of electronic sources.

Standard 3: Technology Productivity Tools
3T-E3 Publish and Present

• PO 1 Design a multimedia presentation or Web page using sources.
• PO 2 Publish or present the above presentation

Strand 3: Comprehending Informational Text (Grades 6-8)

Comprehending Informational Text delineates specific and unique skills that are required to understand the wide array of informational text that is a part of our day to day experiences.

•      PO 1.  Restate the main idea (explicit or implicit) and supporting details in expository text.
•      PO 2.  Summarize the main idea (stated or implied) and critical details of expository text, maintaining chronological, sequential, or logical order.

Concepts and Generalizations

Every student will be able to research information regarding a famous architect and prepare a PowerPoint® presentation featuring information regarding the life of the chosen architect.

 

Objectives

Academic

The students will be able to share information from Internet resources regarding a famous architect. Through their research, the students will be able to share information regarding the life of a famous architect and the work created by this architect.

Technological

The students will be able to use the Internet to gather research. In addition, the students will be able to create a PowerPoint® presentation as a tool for presenting information gathered from the Internet.

Pre-Requisite Technology Skills

• A basic understanding of using the Internet to gather research information.
• A basic understanding of creating PowerPoint® presentations.

Materials

• Famous Architect Biography paper (see attached)
• Access to United Streaming (you must be a member of United Streaming to access this site).
  http://www.unitedstreaming.com/index.cfm?unique=D942F271-F20F-79F8-     4115CCE9686A6E1F
• Access to the Internet with specific websites regarding famous architects.
  http://architecture.about.com/library/bl-masters.htm (architect chosen by name)
  http://www.archpedia.com/Architects.html (architect chosen by picture)
• Access to PowerPoint®
• Television with Aver Key for PowerPoint® presentations.
• One box of 3 ½ inch disks in order for students to save their work.

Lesson Differentiation

            Strategies

• In order to provide for lesson differentiation, allow students to use their imagination and creativity when developing a PowerPoint® presentation.
• Group students in pairs based on their readiness level. It is very helpful to use the results of the MAP testing to place students in working pairs for this particular activity.
• Provide differentiation by allowing students to choose the architect they prefer to research based on interesting characteristics of the architect and/or interesting work completed by the architect.

Procedures

Day One: (This portion of the lesson will take place in the classroom.)

1. Discuss the architecture packets that include a list of the standards, sections for vocabulary, notes, and drawings, a template for the famous architect research including a page for a rough draft of the PowerPoint®, and various geometry worksheets covering topics included in the Arizona State Standards.
2. Prepare the students for tomorrow’s research of a famous architect by watching the United Streaming video:

Careers for the 21st Century: Professional Specialty Occupations: Architects
(http://www.unitedstreaming.com/index.cfm?unique=D942F271-F20F-79F8-4115CCE9686A6E1F)

3. Because the students will be working in pairs for this activity, have these groups preset or allow the students to choose their own partner. This is solely up to the teacher and what works best for his/her students.
4. Ask students if they have any questions regarding today’s discussion and tomorrow’s plans.

 

Day Two: (This portion of the lesson will take place in the computer lab.)

1. The students will meet in the computer lab for today’s lesson. Make sure all students have their Famous Architect Biography sheets. This might entail bringing them to the computer lab prior to the beginning of classes.
2. Discuss today’s activity, “Researching a Famous Architect” and show the students where they are to write the information on their Famous Architect Biography papers.
3. Allow the students to begin their research. Two helpful sites with lots of information regarding famous architects are listed below. It would be helpful, if the teacher has a webpage, to include these two sites directly on the homepage.
   
   http://architecture.about.com/library/bl-masters.htm (chosen by name)

http://www.archpedia.com/Architects.html (chosen by picture)
 
4. Assist students, as necessary, while they are gathering information from the Internet. The research should take no more than 40 minutes to complete. Remind the students that they should be looking for basic information regarding the famous architect.

    

Day Three: (This portion of the lesson will take place in the classroom.)

1. Review with the class the previous day’s work. Ask students to share a brief bit of information regarding their famous architect. This might be one interesting fact gathered from yesterday’s research.
2. Discuss with the students the creation of a PowerPoint® presentation and share with them a presentation you have created. Discuss the purpose of using PowerPoint® and ask the students to discuss what is important in any presentation.
3. Share with the students the Evaluation Rubric for PowerPoint Presentation. Have the students review the components and ask questions for clarification.
4. Working in the same groups as yesterday, have each pair of students create a “rough draft” PowerPoint® presentation in their Architecture booklet (see attached), focusing on the information first and the decorations later.

 Day Four: (This portion of the lesson will take place in the computer lab.)

1. Have the students meet directly in the computer lab for this portion of the lesson.
2. Review yesterday’s work on creating a “rough draft” of a PowerPoint® presentation regarding information gathered about a famous architect.
3. Ask students if they have any questions. This might be a great time to take a poll as to how many students have ever used PowerPoint® to create a presentation.
4. Allow the remainder of the period for students to work on creating a PowerPoint® presentation of no more than six slides. The students should make sure that they work on the text first before moving to formatting of the presentation with graphics.
5. Have the students save their work on the 3.5 inch disks made available by the teacher.

 Day Five: (This portion of the lesson will take place in the classroom.)

1. Review with the students yesterday’s work in creating a PowerPoint® presentation. Ask the students to share any particular problems they encountered and elicit student assistance in combating these problems next time.
2. Have the students begin to share their PowerPoint® presentations with the whole class. Each presentation should take no more than five minutes.
3. As each pair is presenting their information, use the Evaluation Rubric for PowerPoint Presentation to assess their presentation.

Assessment (tied to the objectives)

The students will be assessed on their ability to gather research and create a PowerPoint® presentation regarding a famous architect. The PowerPoint® that is created by each pair of students will be assessed using the Evaluation Rubric for PowerPoint Presentation.

Teacher Name: Polly Kimminau
Email:  pkimmina@amphi.com
Site:  La Cima School
Grade Level:  8/Pre-Algebra
Date Submitted:  January 24th, 2005