General Information

  Project Overview

As the Grade 3/4 students study "Communities Around the World" in their Social Studies, internet access will be invaluable in providing current information relative to culture, climate, resources, animals, economy, etc. This data can enable the students to compare the specific countries throughout the world to their own country, Canada or their own local community. Students can access the general information, as well as communicate with specific organizations, embassies, individuals, etc. via e-mail, to obtain information they are unable to find elsewhere. Students will be given specific areas to research but will also have the opportunity to report any interesting facts they may uncover through their search.

  Curriculum Connections

Social Studies:

• Map and globe skills - locating the country on a map/globe.
• How people earn a living.

Language Arts:

This project will develop skills in the following areas:

• reading/interpreting
• online and oral communication
• discussing
• writing and presenting reports
• information literacy skills (accessing/retrieving/analyzing/synthesizing/presenting)

Intended Learning Outcomes:

Social Studies:

• Identify environmental factors, such as climate, that influence the location and activities of communities.
• Identify local natural resources and how they affect people’s work and recreational activities.
• Recognize what culture is.
• Examine how cultures are expressed locally.
• Recognize how people use economic resources.
• Recognize that communities use modes of transportation and communication appropriate to their needs and wants.
• Describe the impact of modern technology.

Language Arts:

Students will:

• Use the "Writing Process" as outlined in the ILO’s i.e. Prewriting, first draft, editing and publishing.
• Use technology in writing processes (e.g. computer thesaurus).

Technology Education:

Students and teachers will:

• Identify environmental factors, such as climate, that influence the location and activities of communities.
• Identify local natural resources and how they affect people’s work and recreational activities.
• Recognize what culture is.
• Examine how cultures are expressed locally.
• Recognize how people use economic resources.
• Recognize that communities use modes of transportation and communication appropriate to their needs and wants.
• Describe the impact of modern technology.

  Resource Connections

• Wordprocessor - including spellcheck.
• Print with Electronic Encyclopedia (e.g. Encarta).
• Atlases, globes, maps, etc.
• E-mail with individuals/embassies from other countries.

  Evaluation

The intended learning outcomes previously listed will be used to determine the extent/level of achievement of the students. In addition, anecdotal records, samples of student’s work and teaches observations on research skills utilized by students will also be used.