Middle+School

=Middle School Resources= These resources are primarily for the use in 6-8 classrooms, but they may be used in other classrooms.

Students will be able to correctly identify each step of the scientific method and complete a meaningful lab write-up pertinent to a completed lab. || Creates a motivating practice environment. ||< Increased test scores. Increased understanding of how to balance a chemical equation. || Visual examples provide clarity of applications. Allows teachers to use multiple realistic fresh frogs for demonstration. ||< Increase student achievement scores on End of Course exams (A refresher without dissecting a real frog). ||
 * ~ ==**Science**== ||
 * = ===Problem=== ||= ===Technology or Resource=== ||= ===Relative Advantage=== ||= ===Expected Outcome=== ||
 * < Students can not write an adequate 7- Step Scientific Method Lab Write-Up ||< On-line writing tools:
 * [|Science Buddies]
 * [|Interactive Scientific Method] ||< Students are able to be assisted through an interactive guide on writing a lab write-up clarifying any questions they may have on each step. ||< Improved understanding of the scientific method.
 * < Students fail to meet deadlines and/or are disorganized ||< * Microsoft Outlook
 * Google Calendar
 * [|Remember The Milk] ||< Information is faster to access. Information is automatically placed in an organized fashion. Reminders are sent directly to email accounts or to parents email accounts. ||< Students will become more accountable for their work in a fun and faster way. On-line databases will not be lost like a day planner. Students will automatically be reminded of deadlines so they are not to miss them. Parents will have better access to their student’s assignments and deadlines. ||
 * < Students can not see the relevance behind physical science ||< * Simulations
 * Web quests
 * podcasts
 * [|Physics Lab] ||< On line demonstrations will be there when a teacher is not available. ||< Increase understanding of the principals behind physics. ||
 * < Students have difficulty understanding the periodic table of elements ||< * Instructional software
 * On line games- such as flash cards
 * [|Periodic Table of Elements] ||< Allows a student to access information of the periodic table of elements quickly and accurately. Provides self- paced learning. ||< Provide immediate feedback to check for student understanding. Increase test scores by helping students study and increasing their understanding of the organization of the Periodic Table of Elements ||
 * < Students have difficulty remembering the scientific method ||< * [|Web-based resources]
 * [|Online communities]
 * [|Educational video games] ||< Students utilize technology supports to learn the steps of the scientific method. Via games and online discussion boards they will attain a better understanding of the method. ||< Students will be able to reproduce the steps to the scientific method either verbally or in a written exercise. ||
 * < Students have difficulty balancing chemical equations ||< * Interactive software
 * [|Tutorial on Balancing> >]
 * [|Balancing Game] ||< Immediate feedback.
 * < Students can not perform dissections || * [|Frog Dissection] ||< Provides a chance for students who can not “stomach” a dissection to perform one without being penalized.
 * Difficulty with research on 'the earth'. || * [|The Earth] || Use MyNASA to help with homework and projects relating to NASA. Online, motivating and lots of information. || Increase students interest in NASA and the planet earth. Students will show higher grades on research projects and assignments. ||


 * ~ ==**English**== ||
 * = ===Problem=== ||= ===Technology or Resource=== ||= ===Relative Advantage=== ||= ===Expected Outcome=== ||
 * < Students struggle with developing ideas for essay writing ||< * Web-based resources
 * Internet-based tools ||< Web-based resources such as search engines and catalogs of previously written material can spur the imagination and creativity in students, so that they can develop their own ideas. ||< Students will be able to develop a topic for an academic essay and process it with Word. ||
 * < Students demonstrate difficulty recalling details of story and displaying comprehension ||< * [|Educational video games] ||< Students will use different reading delivery methods via technology. Such as vocabulary building games, reading from online resources or listening to books and stories on tape. ||< Students will be able to recognize relevant facts and ideas by successfully understanding and decoding basic main ideas and themes. ||
 * < Students demonstrate difficulty diagramming parts of speech ||< * [|Interactive media] ||< Via different delivery methods, students will encounter and understand how the different parts of speech fit into complete sentences and thoughts. ||< Students will be able to diagram sentences properly on a quiz or test. ||
 * < Students have difficulty recognizing the different type and forms of poetry they will be studying ||< * [|Online resources] ||< Students can use these technological resources to attain a better understanding of the key concepts of each type of poetry. Students will be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the different types of poetry via a test or quiz. Or, writing their very own example of each. ||<  ||


 * ~ ==**Social Studies**== ||
 * = ===Problem=== ||= ===Technology or Resource=== ||= ===Relative Advantage=== ||= ===Expected Outcome=== ||
 * < Students have difficulty organizing a timeline of events ||< * [|Timeline Maker]
 * [|xTimeline] ||< Students can use these technologies to view other timeline examples; develop their own via templates or free-based creation. ||< Students will be able to produce a quality timeline of assigned events. ||
 * < Students demonstrate difficulty analyzing and reading maps, graphs, and charts ||< * [|Web-based resources] ||< To better understand and interpret maps, graphs, and charts. ||< Students will be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of map symbols, graph types, and chart diagrams. ||
 * < Grades 6-8 difficulty with basic government and history concepts ||< * [|United States government]
 * [|Timeline for Civil Rights]
 * [|Brittanica]
 * [|History]
 * [|Facts]
 * [|Atomic Learning]
 * [|Destiny Software/Follett] – research topics for History and/or Government
 * [|Social Studies for Kids]
 * [|Government] ||< Interactive, visually motivating, feedback available, self-paced ||< Recall of government and history concepts and facts, higher state standardized test scores ||


 * ~ ==**Math**== ||
 * = ===Problem=== ||= ===Technology or Resource=== ||= ===Relative Advantage=== ||= ===Expected Outcome=== ||
 * < Students show weakness with basic arithmetic ||< * [|Instructional software]
 * [|Web-based resources] ||< The ability to enter and manipulate data to produce expected results. Students will use the software and web-based resources to practice concepts until they have mastered them. ||< Students will be able to foster, support, and bolster their understanding of basic math concepts though repetitive practice and use of available technologies. ||
 * < Students have difficulty constructing and interpreting graph relationships ||< * [|Online Graphing Calculator] ||< Students will utilize web-based resources and graphing calculators to gain a better understanding of graphing in math. ||< Students will be able to express an understanding of graphing concepts in math. And, be able to produce graphs based on given relationships. ||


 * ~ ==**Computer Courses**== ||
 * = ===Problem=== ||= ===Technology or Resource=== ||= ===Relative Advantage=== ||= ===Expected Outcome=== ||
 * < Students have difficulty understanding HTML code ||< Online Tutorials
 * [|Daves Site]
 * [|W3Schools]
 * [|Goodell Group]

Web Authoring Software* Microsoft FrontPage
 * Adobe Dreamweaver ||< Web based tutorials allow students to learn about and practice new tags. They can be used as initial instruction or as reinforcement/practice exercises. Students can work at their own pace and create a site that is interesting to them.

Tools like Notepad and WordPad allow students to practice without an Internet connection.

Web Authoring Software can be used for advanced students and as a final evaluation task to develop a more in depth website ||< Students will be able to create a website from code and understand the framework from which the Internet was and is built on. ||
 * < Students have difficulty in understanding and using proper file management ||< * [|Expert Village Tutorial - Microsoft Window Explorer]


 * YouTube Video – [|Mango Computer Tuition] ||< Tutorials can be used to introduce the topic as an attention getter or in addition to teacher guided instruction.

Video provides instruction when the teacher is not available.

Microsoft Window Explorer will provide as a platform for students to practice expected outcomes. ||< Microsoft Window Explorer will allow students the practice of locating, selecting, moving, renaming, deleting, and opening files within their computer. Students will also learn to create, move, rename and delete folders and sub-folders. ||
 * < Students have difficulty understanding copyright law, plagiarism and academic integrity. ||< * [|Comic Strip]
 * [|Fair Use Video]
 * [|Plagiarism Video]
 * [|UCLA Library] ||< Students using web-based content allows them to research material from any web connected computer.

The videos provide a good way to supplement teacher instructor or to introduce the lesson. They can provide instruction when the teacher is not available.

Microsoft word allows students a means to collect information and write what was learned. ||< Students will learn about copyright law, infringement and plagiarism in a fun and interesting way as compared to direct teacher instruction.

Microsoft Word can be used to create a report on what was learned from the lesson. Students are able to write about what they learned and quickly site sources using the Manage Sources tool build in to Word. ||
 * < Students demonstrate difficulty in understanding reading maps, map elements and map concepts ||< * GPS Handheld
 * Garmin MapSource
 * [|MapQuest]
 * [|Google Earth] ||< The handhelds and MapSource will provide students the opportunity to practice elements of instruction taught in class. The hands on experience will reinforce elements as well as practicing a technology that is increasing in use.

The use of web hosted maps and interactive maps will provide a greater understanding of mapping features, elements and the relation of students community to larger features. ||< Students will learn how to read map features, elevations, distance as well as entering waypoints and creating a route. Students will also gain a better understanding of the size of community compared to the state, nation and globe. ||
 * < Students struggle with working collaboratively ||< * Blogs
 * Wikis
 * PowerPoint
 * Internet Resources
 * Email
 * Publisher ||< Using online sources students will learn to share ideas and ask questions working together toward a common goal. Students will be more aware of differences between students as they communicate with other students from around the world. ||< Students will be able to work collaboratively, sharing ideas and communicating thoughts with other students in other regions of the state, country or world.

They will also gain appreciation for people of different races and cultures after working with them. || Keyboarding games helps maintain interest || Speed and accuracy improves and benefits the students in future computer classes ||
 * < Students do not pay attention to classroom instruction, but instead, continue to work on their computers. ||< * [|Classroom Spy] ||< Students are forced to focus on the instruction. ||< Students spend more time on task ||
 * < Students abuse Internet privileges by visiting inappropriate sites. ||< * [|I safe] ||< Students will be unable to access most inappropriate sites ||< Students use the Internet appropriately ||
 * Students have difficulty in using correct technique at the keyboard. This limits their speed and accuracy. || * [|microtype]
 * [|Keyboard games] || Software helps students achieve typing goals