Brief Description

Students will create an on-line poster (http://poster.hprtec.org/) dealing with specific topics from the era of the Great Depression.  Topics will range from the 1929 stock market crash to ditties that were used as cash to purchase food staples.  Each student will design the text of the poster to include title, definition and example as it related to the Depression years. Students may include pictures, personal diaries, and writings or statistics that they have researched and feel would enhance the appearance and objective of the poster.

Standards and Frameworks

Technology Standards

• 1T-E1. Communicate about technology using developmentally appropriate and accurate Terminology
• 1T-E2. Demonstrate increasingly sophisticated operation of technology components
• 2T-E1. Discuss basic issues related to responsible use of technology and information and describe personal consequences of inappropriate use
• 3T-E1. Use formatting capabilities of technology tools for communicating and illustrating.
• 3T-E3. Publish and present information using technology tools
• 4T-E2. Use technology tools for individual and collaborative writing, communication and publishing activities to create curricular related products for audiences inside and outside the classroom.
• 5T-E1. Locate information from electronic resources

• 1SS-E8. Demonstrate and apply the basic tools of historical research, including how to construct timelines, frame questions that can be answered by historical study and research, and analyze and evaluate historical materials offering varied perspectives, with emphasis on PO6.

Academic

• Using a computer and working independently, students will research an assigned topic demonstrating their ability to decipher information by taking notes and organizing it in a manner that is logically presented.
• Individually, students will design an online poster that illustrates their topic, and explains its importance to the Great Depression era.

• Using the Internet, students will research an assigned topic that deals with the Great Depression.
• Students will interpret the research from various sites and different points of view and sort information while defining which information to include in their posters.
• Students will design and post a poster online.

• Students will know how to type and locate search engines for research, as well as, know how to search various sites for visual images that can be cut and pasted into other formats.
• Students will be able to search the Internet and type information in an open Word document.
• Students will know how to save files and print materials such as photos that they need.

1. Students will be provided with a topic to research by teacher.
2. Students will require a computer with Internet access.
3. Students must have a signed permission form (parent/guardian) to allow Internet publication.  Teachers should check their district’s policy as restrictions may vary.
4. Students will require a hard copy of directions from the website to follow during the review in class, and once they are at the publishing website and ready to post.
5. Students will need a copy of the poster rubric. (http.//rubistar.4teachers.org/view_rubric.php3?id=519445)

Accommodations for Special Needs

Special Education students will be provided with a general topic that relates to the Great Depression.  Utilizing a search engine that is familiar to them, the student will locate three facts and then type in an open Word document.   The student will work with a buddy in posting the poster on-line or may choose to work independently.

Gifted students will research two topics and discuss the impact that they both had on the financial and social aspects that occurred during the Depression years in the form of a separate five-paragraph essay.

Procedures

1. Students will be given a topic from the Great Depression era along with an assignment sheet that outlines in detail the criteria for the project. Additionally, students will receive a hard copy of the poster website which details the procedure to follow in designing a poster for publication.  Teacher will review procedure in class, as well as, teacher expectations.
2. Students will begin researching online by accessing their favorite search engines.
3. Students will locate sites that provide different points of views for the subject that they are researching.
4. Students will organize their research into a format that ranks topic from the most important facts (or points) to the least important.
5. Students will access http://poster.hprtec.org/
6. Students will click on Build My Project button and complete the form using research information.  The form is an easy to follow, line by line, question and answer sheet that students will fill in without difficulty.  Images that will be included should reflect the subject matter.  Spelling and punctuation should be checked at this time.
7. Remind students not to include last names or e-mail addresses on their posters.
8. Students may bookmark the URL of their poster upon completion.

• Were students able to access favorite search engines and locate information on assigned topics and sort into an organized and informative manner?
• Did students locate appropriate images to include on poster as a visual aid?
• Did students publish their posters online and self-assess using the poster rubric?
• Were notes organized and turned in along with the poster rubric?