Sixth Grade Core Subjects

Learning Problems	Technologies	Relative Advantage	Expected Outcomes
Social Studies: Students have trouble learning the locations of countries from a map.	Web-based resource: Ex. Europe Map	Instead of just using a desk atlas or textbook, the students will be able work individually, in small groups or as a class and learn the various countries through an interactive map.	Students will be able to identify the locations of European countries and name the capitals more quickly and confidently after working with the web-based resource.
Social Studies and Language Arts: Students have difficulty in citing sources for their research papers.	Web-based resources: Bibliography Formatting Duke Library  Multimedia Software: PowerPoint tutorial on the subject.	Despite having students look at worksheets describing how to cite work or listening to a teacher’s speech on how to properly cite sources, it is advantageous for students to be able to use the online resources in which they can plug in the necessary information for their sources and watch them become properly formatted.  A PowerPoint presentation showing how to cite work is also a nice way for the visual learners to grasp how to cite sources.	Students will be able to under-standing of how to properly cite sources in a research project through using our online resources as well as a PowerPoint presentation.
Social Studies, Math, and Science: Students have difficulties in interpreting charts and data.	Microsoft Excel: Reading charts and graphs is vital in our social studies class as well as our math courses.  Web-based resources: http://www.math.umn.edu/~garrett/a08/Graph.html http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/default.aspx	Many students have a tough time in understanding and interpreting the information from charts and data sheets.  The skill of being able to read charts and data is necessary in the sixth grade.   Using the web-based resources as well as having students create their own charts through Microsoft Excel will provide a new perspective for learning these concepts rather than just answering questions from a textbook.	Students will be able to read and understand charts and data by both creating their own chart/graph as well as interpret charts/graphs created by others.
Social Studies, Language Arts, and Speech: Students have a difficult time with public speaking.	Microsoft Word: for typing speeches. Web-based resources: SPEAKING TIPS Video Cameras: to help students practice and work on areas of difficulty that they find in watching their speeches.	Students will type their speeches and have the confidence of having their words before them (as opposed to hand-written and often difficult to read).  The video camera will give the students a chance to practice their speech and self-critique.	Students will be able to write and perform a speech before an audience with confidence, an easy-to-understand speaking voice, and in a manner that will keep the audience’s attention.
Any subject in which you have to write papers: Students need to be able to increase their ability to type more quickly and accurately.	Microsoft Word Software/Tutorial Typing: http://www.letterchase.com/ http://www.powertyping.com/ http://www.freetypinggame.net/	It is much easier to teach typing skills to students if they are able to play some kind of an interactive game while learning.  Mavis Beacon has been a favorite of my students, but there are several great tutorial games available for students.	Students will be able to increase their typing speed and accuracy through the use of software or online interactive tutorials.
Any subject: Students need to learn how to effectively study for tests.	Web-based resources: Kidzworld http://www.how-to-study.com/ Software to help review for tests. Interactive Study Games: Class Jeopardy and Hollywood Squares	Teachers can spice up ways to study in which students are having fun and don’t realize that they are preparing themselves for an upcoming test.	Students will be able to increase their test scores and learn fun ways and helpful tools to prepare for exams and quizzes.
Math: Students have difficulties in learning the greatest common factor.	Web-based Video: Greatest Common Factor BrainPOP http://www.brainpop.com/math/problemsolving/ greatestcommonfactor/preview.weml Interactive Calculator: http://www.internetfamilyfun.com/calculators/ greatestcommonfactorcalculator.htm Software Math Games	BrainPOP videos sometimes can teach a topic better in five minutes than some teachers can do in an hour.  It is a great tool to use In the classroom.  Interactive calculators as well as educational software can present lessons in a new light and learning about the greatest common factor is one of those lessons that many students need extra help in learning.	Students will be able to know the greatest common factor when give two, three, and four different numbers with at least 90% accuracy.
Social Studies and Science: Some students have difficulty understanding the concept of human-environment interaction.	Digital Camera: to take pictures of their environment. Internet: students can research various environments and how people must adapt to live in these places. Educational Software PowerPoint or other multimedia presentations.	It is much easier to teach the concept of human-environment interaction using technology rather than just through a lecture or reading it in a book.  Students need to see pictures and be given multiple examples.	Students will be able to understand and give examples to how people interact and adapt to their environment in various locations.
Science: Students need a more exciting way of learning about the periodic table.	Web-based resources: http://www.webelements.com/ http://www.chemicalelements.com/ http://www.touchspin.com/chem/DisplayTable.html Multimedia presentations, Software learning games,   PowerPoint, iMovie, Moviemaker BrainPOP: http://www.brainpop.com/science/matter/ periodictableofelements/preview.weml	When I taught science, learning elements on the periodic table was important, but often very difficult for many students to memorize.  There are some nice resources available that will help students learn in whichever way is best for them.	Students will be able to learn the names, symbols, and uses for pre-determined elements on the periodic table and the students will know these names, symbols, and uses with 80% accuracy.
Social Studies: Some students need an alternative way to learning state capitals.	Microsoft Excel: students can create a spread sheet. Computer software games. Web-based resources:  http://www.liberty-ca.org/online/statecapitals.htm http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/states_experiment_drag-drop_Intermed_State15s_500.html http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games.htm	In lieu of reading the name of a state and its capital, online games or computer software can increase a student’s knowledge of state capitals quickly and in a positive format.  The students can create and maintain an Excel spreadsheet of these states and capitals instead of just being given a worksheet.	Students will create an Excel spreadsheet with 100% accuracy listing all 50 states and their capitals.  The student’s interactive state capital games will serve as their learning resource in obtaining their information.