The Artifact Box Exchange Network: Helping Students Learn About the Place Where They Live Great Lakes Social Studies Conference April 23, 2009 Brian Reid Artifact Box Exchange Network breid@schooltransformation.net Denise Reid Asst. Prof., Eastern Illinois University dereid@eiu.edu
Who are we… Brian Reid Elementary, special education, and gifted teacher Faculty, Special Ed (UAB) Director School & University Partnerships (EIU) Associate Dean, CELL - UNIDY Director, School Transformation group Denise Reid Elementary teacher (19 years – MO/CT/AL) Assistant Professor, Early Childhood, Elementary and Middle Level Education, Eastern Illinois University Methods Courses for Elementary Majors
Who are you? Introduction… Name Grade taught Subject taught Other…
Fostering “Best Practice” More experiential, hands-on, inductive learning. More active learning More emphasis on higher-order thinking More reading of real texts: whole books, primary sources, and non-fiction materials More cooperative-collaborative activity schools. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. Zemelman, S., Daniels, H., & Hyde, A. (2005). Best practice: Today’s standards for teaching and learning in America’s
Problem-Based Learning “PBL is a systematic teaching method that engages students in learning knowledge and skills through an extended inquiry process structured around complex, authentic questions and carefully designed products and tasks.” (pg. 4) Buck Institute for for Education. (2003). PBL: A guide to standards-focused project based learning for middle and high school teachers . Author.
PBLNetwork Process (heuristic) Prepare the learners (collaborative environment) Meet the problem (engages interest) Identify know and need to know (and do) Define the problem and factors for success Gather information Share information Generate possible solutions Solution of best fit Present the solution Debrief the problem
Artifact Box Exchange Network The Artifact Box Exchange is a national project to help students understand the geography, history, and nature of their region and town. Over 17,000 teachers have participated in 25 years. Each participating classroom creates a mystery box of artifacts representative of their location based on clues provided in the guide. This session will describe the process and provide time to discuss the use of this project.
What is an artifact box? An artifact box is a collection of “artifacts” representative of a geographical locale. The artifacts are selected or created by the students, and then organized and placed in a box to be sent to a “mystery” partner classroom in a distant locale. The receiving students use available reference materials and other resources to solve the clues and unearth the location of their exchange partners.
History of The Artifact Box Exchange Network Began as an assignment for a summer graduate course for in-service teachers at The University of Connecticut in 1983. The initial concept was was developed by Scott Johnson (course instructor) and Heather Holmberg, a teacher in the Department of Defense Schools in Bierbergemund, Germany. The project is a simulation activity for students to use research in a manner that is educational and engaging.
Teacher Objectives As a result of participation in this activity teachers teachers will have the opportunity to: provide their students with a meaningful activity that will allow them to transfer and apply learned research skills supplement textbook instruction in social studies and science with a hands-on activity. involve community resources with a classroom based enrichment project. facilitate student involvement in a motivating and enjoyable educational project.
Student Objectives As a result of participation in this activity students students will have the opportunity to: develop creative and critical thinking skills. compare their culture with communities in distant locations. become motivated to skillfully utilize advanced reference and non- print resources. gain knowledge of the content and processes used by geographers, archaeologists, and anthropologists. improve their attitude toward social studies and science instruction. locate and interview human resources for information finding. appreciate the importance of cooperation in group activities. appreciate the need to plan and organize one's work.
Readiness Activities (Preparing the Learners) The Lady’s Handbag (The Ziplockian Culture & Wastebasket Archaeology) The Teacher’s Artifact Box (Previous Artifact Box) Create a “Me” Box Reference Book Scavenger Hunt (Visitor’s Bureau Scavenger Hunt) Map Skills Activity Setting the Stage
The Lady’s Handbag Help students develop inductive thinking skills. Procedures *Fill handbags with assorted objects from around the house. *Students examine the contents and draw conclusions about the owner (physical features, personality, activities). *Each group shares inferences that they made about the owner of their handbag. *Explain to students that although inference is a necessary skill when examining the contents of the Artifact Box, these inferences must be supported with research and verifiable facts.
The Teacher's Artifact Box Spend a few weeks prior to the beginning of the Artifact Box project preparing your own Artifact Box. Use souvenirs from a vacation, brochures, pamphlets or posters from a travel agency. Ask students to solve the location of your box before beginning the development of their own.
Reference Book Scavenger Hunt The classroom teacher selects reference books from the Reference Section in the library and develops a scavenger hunt for each book. Each student or pair of students completes the scavenger hunt. The students then share their scavenger hunt book with the rest of the class. This way the students know what types of information they can find in the various types of reference materials. Contributed by Gail Bardsun, Dolson Hill School.
Simulation Activity How would you find the answers or verify the information for the clue that you have? What resources could you use?
Brainstorming Activity What makes your community (town, state, region, country) unique! -recreational activities -landmarks -famous places or people -festivities -food -resources or products produced -geography/weather
Select a Clue from the Artifact Box Task Cards How could you learn more information about this clue and how could you present it in a unique and challenging manner? Example: Typical Clothing Digital Camera: take pictures of your class on a typical school day, take a picture of a group of teachers, take a picture of sporting teams in uniform, etc.
Just for fun! Send a non-perishable food item representative of your locale for your exchange class to enjoy. Make a movie of your class and interesting things that you do. Send a calendar of events in your state or town. (Include a school calendar) Create a web page to share with your partner school.
Artifact Box Exchange Network www. artifactbox.com artifactbox@gmail.com abox@schooltransformation.net Current mailing address: 920 C Street Charleston, IL 61920 Phone/FAX: 217-508-4515
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