Comic+Life+project


 * __Title__:** Surrounded by Simple Machines
 * __Audience__:** 4th grade Science students studying physical science
 * __Purpose__:** To explore how science concept (simple machines) impacts students’ lives and use technology to present/explain that information to their classmates

**__Learning Objectives__:** Students will learn about simple machines make a comic strip identifying examples of simple machines they see/use in their every day lives and how they make their lives easier.

**__Science__** **__Georgia__** **__Performance Standards__:**

a. Identify simple machines and explain their uses (lever, pulley, wedge, inclined plane, screw, wheel and axle). c. Use computers, cameras and recording devices for capturing information. a. Observe and describe how parts influence one another in things with many parts.
 * S4P3. Students will demonstrate the relationship between the application of a force and the resulting change in position and motion on an object.**
 * S4CS3. Students will use tools and instruments for observing, measuring, and manipulating objects in scientific activities utilizing safe laboratory procedures.**
 * S4CS4. Students will use ideas of system, model, change, and scale in exploring scientific and technological matters.**


 * __Reading/Writing__** **__Georgia__** **__Performance Standards__:**

a. Selects a focus, an organizational structure, and a point of view based on purpose, genre expectations, audience, length, and format requirements. b. Writes texts of a length appropriate to address the topic or tell the story. c. Uses traditional structures for conveying information (e.g., chronological order, cause and effect, similarity and difference, and posing and answering a question). d. Uses appropriate structures to ensure coherence (e.g., transition elements).
 * ELA4W1 **** The student produces writing that establishes an appropriate organizational structure, sets a context and engages the reader, maintains a coherent focus throughout, and signals a satisfying closure. The student **

a. Plans and drafts independently and resourcefully. b. Revises selected drafts to improve coherence and progression by adding, deleting, consolidating, and rearranging text. c. Edits to correct errors in spelling, punctuation, etc.
 * ELA4W4 The student consistently uses a writing process to develop, revise, and evaluate writing. The student **


 * __Procedures__: (to be completed over several days)**


 * 1) Students will view a PowerPoint presentation on the different types of simple machines and discuss the similarities and differences between them.
 * 2) Students will play an interactive online game about purposes and examples of simple machines.
 * 3) Students will be assigned to go on a “Simple Machines Hunt”, in which they are to find and identify as many simple machines as they can at home or school and take pictures of them.
 * 4) Students will view a variety of comic books to understand setup, organization, and other features of comic strips. Students will view teacher example of ComicLife comic strip and discuss how it is organized and how it helps present information in a particular way for a specific audience.
 * 5) On individual laptops with ComicLife software, students will receive a tutorial on how to use the program. Teacher will give tutorial on LCD projector so all students can follow along easily, and she will assist individual students as needed.
 * 6) In small groups, students will draft, edit, and finalize comic strips using ComicLife software showing and identifying the simple machines they found. (see rubric for specific requirements)
 * 7) Students will present their comic strips to their classmates and post them to a classroom blog for other viewers to see.
 * __Assessment rubric:__**
 * __Assessment rubric:__**


 * __Simple Machines ComicLife Project__**


 * __Student name:__**


 * __Teacher name:__**
 * CATEGORY || 4 || 3 || 2 || 1 ||
 * Knowledge of Simple Machines || All required content throughout the project is present and accurate. (4-5 slides about each simple machine including examples and how they are used) There are no factual errors and no requirements are missing. || Most of the content is present and accurate but one or two pieces of information that might be inaccurate or missing. || The content is generally present and accurate, but three or four pieces of information are incorrect or missing. || Required content is mostly missing or contains more than four factual errors. ||
 * Text Appearance || Font formats (e.g., color, bold, italic) have been carefully planned to enhance readability and content. || Font formats have been carefully planned to enhance readability. || Font formatting has been carefully planned to complement the content. It may be a little hard to read. || Font formatting makes it very difficult to read the material. ||
 * Spelling and Grammar || Comic strip has no misspellings or grammatical errors. || Comic strip has 1-2 misspellings or grammatical errors. || Comic strip has 3-4 grammatical errors or misspellings. || Comic strip has more than 4 grammatical and/or spelling errors. ||
 * Sequencing of Information || Information is organized in a clear, logical way. It is easy to predict the type of material that might come next. || Most information is organized in a clear, logical way. One item of information seems out of place. || Some information is logically sequenced. An occasional item of information seems out of place. || There is no clear plan for the organization of information. ||
 * Use of Graphics/Pictures || All graphics are attractive (size and colors) and support the theme/content of the comic strip || A few graphics are not attractive but all support the theme/content of the comic strip || All graphics are attractive but a few do not seem to support the theme/content of the comic strip. || Several graphics are unattractive AND detract from the content of the comic strip. ||
 * Lessons learned from this experience about myself:** Through this experience, I have confirmed something I have known about myself for a while: I am a perfectionist and a detail-oriented person. Programs like ComicLife that provide //so// many options and ways to personalize a product are so enjoyable for me to use, however, they can be very consuming for someone like me. I have learned that, while quality is important, it is not always necessary to stress over every tiny detail.
 * Lessons learned from this experience about myself:** Through this experience, I have confirmed something I have known about myself for a while: I am a perfectionist and a detail-oriented person. Programs like ComicLife that provide //so// many options and ways to personalize a product are so enjoyable for me to use, however, they can be very consuming for someone like me. I have learned that, while quality is important, it is not always necessary to stress over every tiny detail.


 * Lessons learned from this experience about learning online:** As a result of using the ComicLife program, I have learned that there are many technology tools available to me that I have yet to discover or try. It is clear to me that I need to be integrating more tools like this in my classroom, because it presents opportunities for students to work collaboratively, to construct their own learning, to be creative and use their preferred learning styles, and to learn through teaching others. I am so pleased that I now feel competent in using this software. I now feel confident in using it with my students!