Everybody Eats Bread
Subject/Content Area
Social Studies-World Cultures

Purpose/Goal
Students will discover and understand similarities and differences in global communities by corresponding by e-mail with people in different countries to determine their traditional bread and its main ingredient. They will then locate the countries on a map, and use Kid Works Deluxe to publish a page for each country in a class electronic book titled Everybody Eats Bread, which will then be published on the Internet.

Context/Setting/Environment
This project was designed to accompany the third grade Roots and Wings Global Communities Unit emphasizing the similarities and differences of cultures in various parts of the world. It addresses four of the District #303 Student Outcomes:

• Communicate Effectively
• Exhibit Creativity
• Access and Use Information Effectively
• Demonstrate Global Responsibility and Cross Cultural Understanding

It also addresses the National Standards for Social Studies:
As a result of their schooling students will

• Explore and describe similarities and differences in the ways cultures address human needs.

The electronic book part of the project addresses two of the National Standards for Language Arts: As a result of their schooling students will

• Communicate clearly using both verbal and non-verbal methods.
• Use written, oral, and kinesthetic symbols to clarify and express meaning.
  

The technology portion of the project addresses the District #303 Technology Outcomes:

• Students will use word processing programs appropriate to their age.
• Students will incorporate graphics using paint tools and clip art.
• Students will have experience with telecommunications.

The setting is Ferson Creek Elementary Schoolin District #303.There are 625 students. Each class has a computer, CD-ROM, and printer. There is also a cluster of computers in the LRC, one of which has internet access. The wiring is in place for each room to have an on-line connection by the end of June. Staff development will take place in the fall. Teachers and LRC Director have had a great deal of practice and success planning and incorporating integrated technology projects.

Time Frame for Carrying Out Project
This project will be carried out during the last nine weeks of the year. Students will spend an hour a week sending and receiving e-mail, exploring related sites, and creating pages for their electronic book. The project will be presented to parents at the Cultural Fair which takes place at the end of the unit.

Learner Description
This project was done with 27 third grade students in heterogeneous groups, economically advantaged, with lots of parental involvement and home resources. A recent survey of parents indicated 75% have home computers and 25% are connected to the internet. A number of families have their own home pages. By third grade students are comfortable with and familiar with the computer as a learning resource.

Learner Outcomes

• Students will be able to send and receive e-mail.
• Students will locate the countries with which they communicate on a world map.
• Students will use the information received to publish an electronic book, one page per country. Information will be written and spelled correctly, and artwork will enhance the written work.

Project DescriptionLink to Everybody Eats Bread project

Assessment of Students
As is the practice in our school, the students will work with the classroom teacher to develop a rubric with which to assess their project. The project will be described to them and the Learner Outcomes will be given. Students can easily assess their own progress at any time.

Evaluation of the project The Project will be evaluated by both the classroom teacher and the LRC Director. Because of a late start and limited access, the project was done on a limited basis. Next year, with increased access and staff development, we should be able to expand the project. As we discover new links appropriate for eight-year-olds we will add them.

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Project