Brief Description

Monster Exchange is designed to encourage the development of reading and writing skills while integrating Internet technology into the classroom curriculum.  Classrooms from a variety of schools worldwide are paired together; the students in each classroom are split into groups, each of which designs an original picture of a monster.  The students must then write a description of the monster.  The partnered classes then exchange their descriptions via email and the Internet.  These students are then challenged to use reading comprehension skills to read the descriptions and translate them into a monster picture.  The true challenge involves creating a redrawn picture as close to the original picture as possible without looking at the original and using only the written description of the monster.

Standards and Frameworks

Technology Standards

• 3T-F3. Use prescribed technology tools for publishing and presenting information
• 4T-F2. Use technology tools for individual and collaborative communication activities to share products with audiences inside and outside the classroom

• W-R1.  Relate a narrative, creative story or other communication by drawing, telling and writing.
• W-F6.  Write well-organized communications, such as friendly letters, memos and invitations, for a specific audience and with a clear purpose

Academic

Using the Monster Exchange web site, students will write a detailed description of their own monster drawing and email it to a buddy classmate with a maximum of 5 errors in their description.

Technological

Using a word processing program, the students will write their using correct formatting. Using a scanner, the students will scan the original monster picture and redrawn monster picture and upload it to the website with 100% accuracy.

Pre-Requisite Technology Skills

Teachers and students need to be familiar with an email communication system and accessing a URL on the Internet.  Teachers and students also need to be familiar with using a scanner or digital camera and saving the image as a JPG or GIF.  Keyboarding skills and word processing skills are also necessary.

Materials

• Computer(s) with Internet access and an Internet browser
• Scanner or digital camera
• List of questions for each student
• Pencils, pens, markers, and paper

• Gifted students – This lesson allows students to explore a variety of monster drawings in depth if they so choose.  They may elect to research various other sources of monster drawings of their choice along with the given assignment.  If they finish early, students also have the option of helping another student with answering questions, helping with word processing skills, or the technology process.
• SEI (Sheltered English Immersion) students – students may be paired up with another student to help them move around the website.  Students will be given the opportunity to record their own monster drawing and associated description, even if given help by another student.
• ADD/ADHD students – Break down the task.  Have students complete a portion of the assignment.  Students can use headphones to help block out distractions.  Instead of typing directly in a word processing document, students may want to tell it into a recorder first, then listen and write it down.
• Special Education students – Break down the task.  Work with a buddy and complete the assignment together.  When writing the description, have the student talk through their ideas with a buddy, or have them record it in a tape recorder and then write it down.

Project Timeline

 Days 1-10
 Days 11-20
 Days 21-31
 Days 32-55
 

Days 1-10
Go to the signup form at http://www.monsterexchange.org/ , enter your information, and wait for the signup confirmation -mail containing your username and a link to the Gallery Maker, where you will be guided through the Project.  (NOTE: You must be registered for the project before you may begin.)

Day 11-20
Once you have completed the signup process and you have a project username, click on the link in the confirmation email that will take you to the Gallery Maker page, where you will identify a class with whom you would like to partner.  Once you have selected a class, you may contact the class via email using the E-mail Wizard provided.  An automatic email will be sent to the class with your information.

If the list of matched classes does not match your preferences or if you want to see an updated list, you can go to the Partner Matching Area and complete another search.

Once you have chosen a partner from the list or from the "Partner Matching Area," email them and make an agreement to become partners.  Once the agreement has been made, remove your information so other people who are doing match searches do not contact you thinking you are unmatched.

Communicate with your partner class to get to know one another.  Create a time schedule that you both can meet, and work out vacation dates, long weekends, test dates, or any conflicts.  Finally, decide how many groups (monsters) each of your classes is going to draw.  (TIP: The fewer the easier)

Day 21-31
Begin incorporating the Monster Project into your curriculum by having your students draw their original monsters and then write and/or type their descriptions following the descriptive writing process.  Remember to label the author and monster names on each picture to avoid confusion

Exchange your students' descriptions with your partner class using email.  Next, distribute your partner's descriptions to your students and have them read and draw the monsters based on the descriptions.
 
Day 32-55
Writing the Original Monster Description

Have your students’ type their original descriptions using a word processor.  It is much easier for you to create your monster galleries by cutting and pasting the descriptions from the word processor into the description text box in the "Gallery Building Process."

Scanning - Original Monster Picture

Scan the original monster pictures that your students drew.  Save them in GIF or JPEG format with an approximate height and width of 4 centimeters.  The size is important because large images experience an extended download period in the gallery and an extended amount of disk space on the Monster Gallery Server.  It is suggested that you name the files using a labeling system.

Scanning - Partner Redrawn Monster Picture

Scan the redrawn images of your partner class's Monsters.  As you did with the original images, save them in GIF or JPEG format with an approximate height and width of 4 centimeters.  It is suggested that you name the files using a labeling system that incorporates the monster's name; this can make the process of managing many monster files easier and more organized.  (NOTE: File names should have no spacing and/or non-alphabetic characters.)
 
STEP 1.
Gallery Building

Adding your class' monster description.
Complete the first step of the Gallery building process. Adding your classes' monster descriptions.  You will need to complete this step once for each of your students' original monsters.  The information you are required to enter for each monster is: the monster's name, the author(s), and the description (copy and paste from your word processor).

To ADD a monster:
1. Click on "Add/Edit Monsters" on the Gallery Maker page.  You will be taken to the class information page where all monsters will be listed, once submitted.
2. Click "Add a New Monster."  You will see the Monster Gallery page.
3. Type the monster's name, the name(s) of the author(s), and the description of the monster.
4. Click "Submit Description."

To EDIT a monster:

1. Click on "Add/Edit Monsters" on the Gallery Maker page.  You will be taken to the class information page where all monsters will be listed, once submitted.
2. Click "Edit" in the row where you see the monster's name.
3. Make your edits.
4. Click "Submit Changes."
 
STEP 2.
Gallery Building
Uploading your class' original monster pictures.

Once you have done STEP ONE for each of your student's original Monsters, complete STEP TWO for each Monster.  This step requires you to complete it once for each of your student's original Monster pictures that you scanned.  Follow the steps by choosing the Monster name that you are uploading the picture for and by clicking the browse button to select the scanned Monster GIF or JPEG file.

STEP 3.
Gallery Building

Gallery Building- STEP 3.
Uploading your partner classes' redrawn Monster pictures.

Once you have completed STEP TWO for each of your students' original monsters, complete STEP THREE for each of your partner's redrawn monsters.  (Please note that your partner must have completed at least STEP ONE for each of their original monsters in order for you to complete STEP THREE.)

For each of your partner class' redrawn monster pictures that you scanned you will need to go through Step 3.  Select your partner class' name, the monster name for which you are uploading the picture, and click the "Browse" button to select the scanned monster that you have saved on your computer either as a GIF or as a JPEG file.

1. Click on "Upload Class Partner's Pictures" on the Gallery Maker page.  You will be taken to the Partner Class information page where all the monsters will be listed, once submitted.

2. Click "My Redrawn Monster" in the row where you see the monster's name.

3. Click "Browse" to upload the image.  NOTE: You will need to locate the file on your local machine or server.  You will need to type in the filename ".jpg" or ".gif" if your file does not support file extensions.

4. Click "Upload Image" to upload your image to the Monster Exchange Gallery.

5. Click "Submit Description."

1.  Students will exchange their artwork with the person at their table group.  Each student will then rate the artwork using the Monster Exchange Rubric.
Go to the following URL: http://rubistar.4teachers.org/view_rubric.php3?id=730261
View and print the rubric so students have their own copy.

2.  Use the following prompts to help students rate the artwork.
 
Elements of Design:  Students need to be aware of the elements and principles of design, as well as how colors can really emphasize a picture.
 
Creativity:  Students need to try several ideas before settling on their final design idea.

Effort:  Students need to put forth the maximum effort and see the picture through to completion.

 Craftsmanship:  Students need to do the best job they are capable of.
 
3. Teacher will also assess each student’s artwork using the above rubric.

4. The prompts below are a guide for work to be displayed on the Monster Exchange website.

Monster image:

• The drawing is colorful
• The image size is correct (200 pixels by 200 pixels)
• Images and drawing details are clear
• Images are cropped properly to eliminate stray markings

Description of Monster:

• Description demonstrates competence with general writing skills
• Description demonstrates competence in strategies of the writing process
• Description excludes weapons, blood or gore