Cognitive Tools
Photoshop - In completing this project, my students will be able to upload an image into Photoshop and doctor its size, color, template position, crop in other images and ultimately sequence those images into a coherent plot-line. These images will be related by theme or topic, and will tell a story through a sequence of events or some process. In completing this assignment, the student will become familiar with the software, and in turn be able to incorporate images into essays, reports, and/or PowerPoint.
Subject and Grade Level: 10th grade English
Estimated Time: 2 weeks (6 class periods)
Microsoft Word- Lesson Goals: In completing the research paper over the social factors of World War
II and their effects on the citizens - turning in a formal, electronically-produced, typed hard copy - the students will be able to show their fluency in a given area of emphasis (of their choice) by accurately reporting facts, rationally illustrating cause and effect, and reporting them in a formal 2-3 page paper (including an introduction, body and conclusion) with proper diction and grammar. These steps will be performed with 100% accuracy.
Subject and Grade Level: 10th grade English
Estimated Time: 3 weeks
Website -
Powerpoint - Lesson Goals: In completing a PowerPoint presentation over the research process, the students will be able to systematically recognize the organizational steps of the process, and present them in the form of a PowerPoint presentation. The students will demonstrate their fluency in both the research process and the PowerPoint program by creating at least 5 slides (each including a title and text, and no less than 4 with clipart or animation) which outline 4 of the 8 steps (given in the attached teacher’s example) of the research process. This lesson will be presented prior to any research assignments of the semester.
Subject and Grade Level: 10th grade English
Estimated Time: 2 weeks
Concept Map- Lesson Goals: Upon completing the concept map exercise, the student will be able to brainstorm ideas from scratch, relate topics, organize thoughts and adjoining issues, and use computer software to assist in doing so. The purpose of this exercise not only to demonstrate the abstract concept of brainstorming, but to actually put the skill to use to establish an area of research for a coming paper. The lesson will begin with pencil and paper for students, and on the chalkboard for myself, and the concept of brainstorming will be introduced. The next period we will begin concept mapping as a continuation of our brainstorming exercise. The remaining periods of he week will be spent researching our topics and creating our electronic maps.
Subject and Grade Level: 10th Grade English
Estimated Time: 1 week