After loading up the time machine and returning to ancient Egypt, students resumed their study of mummies. We examined our mummified apples from the experiment we started last week and determined that we needed to repack the apples in the salts and baking soda mixtures in order to get accurate results. After fall break we will weigh our apples and determine which mixture was the best for mummification. This is always a fascinating topic and young archaeologists are always interested in learning about how mummies were prepared and preserved. Currently, students are creating "How to Make a Mummy" books and are researching the steps involved with the process. We also watched a few video clips about the process and the history of mummies.
In addition to learning more about mummies, students also worked with Egyptian Number Symbols. This week we learned about the larger symbols used to represent 100, 10,000, and 1,000,000. Students practiced writing numerals in the Egyptian script and figured out how many Egyptian characters it would take to write various base 10 numerals.
Students are very excited about completing the final phase of research for their "Raiders of the Lost Civilization" research/movie project. At this point, they have taken notes on 4 of the 5 elements of the culture they are researching, and this week is the final week of taking notes. There is a two week window for these final 12 facts/4 pictures since we have fall break next week. My suggestion is that students work on their facts a little bit tonight and then put them away until the Sunday or Monday after the break. I don't want anyone having to do homework during fall break- we all need a little time to rest and relax.
Important Project Information
The week we return from break, we will begin working on the storyboards for the movies. I have posted a sample storyboard below and students will have some time to start working on their storyboards in class. The steps to creating the storyboard are as follows:
1) Print out small (approximately 2 inches tall and 3 inches wide) copies of the pictures that have been saved on the flash drive. On the back of each picture write which element of culture the picture represents (government, religion, etc...).
2) Write the exact script that will be read for the movie. If students have "copy/pasted" their notes, they will need to make sure their scripts are in their own words so they aren't plagiarizing. The movies should include an introduction, interesting information on each of the 5 elements of the culture, and a conclusion. The script can be written in small paragraphs on the lined section of the storyboard.
3) The picture that goes with each paragraph of the script should be glued or taped in the box next to the written words.
When students have a completed storyboard they will have the whole script for their movie and they will know the order for all the pictures in their movie. The storyboard is somewhat time consuming, but once it is complete, the rest of the project flows easily. Currently, on our long range planner, I have allotted 2 weeks for the storyboard, and that may not be enough time. I don't want the kids spending an unreasonable amount of time on their homework. So, if we need it, I will be happy to give students an extra week to finish the storyboards. What this would mean on our long range planner is that the final storyboard would be due on 10/22,the imported pictures and voice by 10/29, the transitions, timing and titles by 11/5 and added music and final project on 11/19. That timeline would give students 2 extra weeks to finish their projects (one extra for the storyboard and one extra in case they get behind or need any help when we start working with Photostory).
So we can make the most of our class time with the project, please make sure your child has all of his or her fact sheets in the Target notebook so we have something to work from. Also, if you have time and want to go ahead and help your child print out the pictures, then your child would be able to start organizing which pictures will go best with each paragraph. As a reminder the whole movie should be 4-6 minutes long and include 17-27 pictures. The breakdown for that is 1-2 introduction pictures, 3-5 pictures from each element of the culture, and 1-2 conclusion pictures. It's probably a good idea to look over the grading rubric with your child over the next couple weeks so everyone is clear on how the project will be graded.
I hope everyone has a wonderful fall break and I'll look forward to seeing the kids again in October!
1. Behavior chart signed
2. 12 facts (written on research grid) & 4 pictures (saved in folder on flash drive) about 3rd element of your culture/ LRP signed
3. Download October Target calendar
3. Have a wonderful fall break!
Parent Homework
1.Sign behavior chart
2. Please check your child's 12 facts to make sure they make sense and will "tell a story" about the 2nd element of the culture your child is researching. Also please check to make sure your child saved at least 4 accompanying pictures to his or her flash drive. Once these 2 tasks are complete, please sign the long range planner
3. Download October Target calendar