Mary+Clare+Trainor

=**__The Thirteen Colonies Map Activities__**= ==Previous to this year I always introduced the Thirteen Colonies with maps from the textbook and had students complete a map activity that included labeling and coloring a map as well as answering questions using map their reading skills. In addition, students took a Thirteen Colonies map quiz requiring them to locate and label each colony with its name and region.== ==This year I introduced the Thirteen Colonies map activities by having pods students compare and contrast a map of North America in 1730 with a textbook map of the U.S.A. Students were more engaged in examining both maps, making more detailed observations and connections between the two maps with the use of the notebook technology.== ==﻿I created two Thirteen Colonies map review activities. Students were self motivated and actively engaged in using the first one (Slide 3). They will probably be just as interested in working on the second activity this week.== ==﻿My prediction is that student outcomes on the Thirteen Colonies quiz will be higher this year because students were able to interact with the map of the colonies. This kinesthetic experience will cement their knowledge of the colony locations on their mental map of the U.S.A.==



__Colonial Regions__
==In the past, this three day lesson has always been centered on the textbook. We would work through a Marzano process to define the word, region, and follow that up with reading and note taking on the three regions of the American colonies. Pods of students would then create a colonist to show their understanding of the colonial regions. Students were usually engaged in defining the term, region. They were somewhat involved in the jigsaw reading and note taking that we used to learn about the colonial regions. Students were very involved in creating their colonist.== ==This year I started the lesson with a slide of the regions of my classroom. The class discussed the characteristics of each region. Then students worked through the Marzano process. Students had an easier time defining the term, region, and providing examples and characteristics of regions because of their exposure to examples of regions.== ==﻿Students then examined artwork depicting colonial regions. They were to predict the colonial region and explain their choice. This activity jumpstarted their thinking regarding the characteristics of each colonial region.== ==﻿Next we will use the Classzone Chapter 4 Animated History activity to research New England and the Southern Colonies. This activity, which uses the senses of sight and sound, should make it easier for students to identify the characteristics of these two regions. Students will use the textbook to research the Middle Colonies.== ==﻿Not only will students be more engaged in their learning with the use of the notebook software, but it allows me to address a wider variety of learning styles and better prepares students to complete the assessment, Creating a Colonist.==



__**﻿Colonial Diversity**__
==﻿In the past, this lesson worked well with the use of an overhead. Students were eager to share their ancestry and how they would imagine themselves as colonists. The use of notebook software will only enhance the lesson. The imagination and writing exercise can easily be looked at one question at a time with the shade feature. Sharing adjectives describing American colonists will be easier as they can be added to the slide rather than put on an overhead. These descriptions can be saved and printed for any absent students. Again, students will be better prepared to complete the assessment, Create a Colonist.==

__**Three Branches Jeopardy**__
== I tried to create a jeopardy game on my own because I did not find a template that fit my needs. That was more difficult than I thought it would be considering my lack of experience with power points and notebook software. ==

==Subject: //Cross-curricular//, //English Language Arts//, //English as a Second Language//, //Geography//, //Health and Physical Education//, //History//, //Mathematics//, //Modern Foreign Languages//, //Science//, //Social Studies//, //Special Education//==

__**Salem Witcraft Lesson**__
==﻿This lesson was completely new for me and my students. I created a one day look at the Salem Witchcraft trials because a few students asked to learn about the topic. This lesson with the use of a read aloud, notebook software, and a video really caught and held the attention of my students. I will definitely use this again.==