On the other hand, there are a few lessons or units that I do differently every year. One of those is the study of the regions of the United States. I've never been crazy about the way it's "supposed" to be taught (the whole class looking at each region of the U.S. individually, reading books and watching movie, and then taking a test on each region). I've done this unit lots of different ways - splitting them into groups and jigsawing the regions, having them create posters, videos, maps, etc.
This year I knew I wanted to use the iPads somehow, and I really do like what I came up with. Instead of starting with the regions and then looking at the individual states, I started by having students research one state each.
I created the above worksheet for them to use to research their states (which, consequently, can be found for sale here) and gave each group a page of QR codes leading them to good websites for state research (there are a ton!)
So here's the good part: what did I want them to create after researching their state? Like I said, in the past it has always been a presentation of some sort (poster, video, etc). But, I've always had the idea and wanted to do a postcard, so that's what I decided on - my students are creating a photographic postcard, and then writing a letter about an imaginary trip to their state.
The students are using the app PicWall to create their postcard, by collecting photos from the internet. This is a very simple app, just making a collage out of photos from the camera roll, with some fun features like adding in stickers and text.
I am amazed at the results that my students are coming up with! Take a look...
Gorgeous, right?? That definitely makes me want to go to Hawaii...
As if that weren't cool enough, the next step in the project is for the students to imagine that they have taken a trip to their state, and, using their research, write a letter to a friend describing their trip. They are then using the Pages app to put it all together - insert their postcard, and type their letter beneath it.
I am really enjoying this project! The students are creating some awesome designs on their postcards, and very clever letters.
My next step: put them together in region groups based on the state they researched, and look at what all their states have in common - what makes them a region! :)
