Sharing Our Ideas Through Media

Note: In a 5 part series of previous lessons the children made towers from just newspaper and tape.  This is an extension of that series.  However, this lesson could be adapted to about any subject in which you would like the children to create a presentation to share with others.

*You will probably want to consider breaking this activity into two different sessions.  I like to have them fill in their 4-square organizer on the first day and then rewrite and record on the next day.

Activity Overview

In the second grade science performance expectations, the students are expected to effectively communicate information.  This activity does that in an exciting way!  With their  partner, the children write down the steps they used to create the tower that they have previously designed and built.  Then they create a cartoon-like Tellagami and a voice recording telling about their process.  The Tellagami can be sent to an email and viewed by the whole class!

NGSS/Common Core Connections

Materials

Tellgami app--FREE; you can use it with a phone or ipad--not the computer.  In the free version your students can record for 30 seconds.  If you purchase the app for $4.99 you get to record for 90 seconds.  If you use the free app, your children will have to create a shorter presentation, but it is feasible.

ipads--1 per team, or as many as you have

four-square organizer-1 per student

regular writing paper-1-2 per student

finished towers from previous lesson--1 per team

index cards--1 per team

Advanced Teacher Prep

In order to use this fantastic technology, I first went to the website and familiarized myself with the program.  The Tellagami application only works on an iPad or a phone, not on a computer.  So I went to the site, followed the site's directions and downloaded the app (see resources Tellagami link).  On the iPads that we have at our school, I had to go and add my email to each one, since that's the media that the final product will be sent.  Please make sure to do this beforehand.  

Once on the app you push the "create" button.  It will show you a general overview and how it works.   Once you're set, go on ahead and PLAY!  Boy, is it fun!  It's kind of reminds me of paper dolls, only a lot more "high-tech!" First you customize your character's gender, skin tone, eye color and even the head size!   Then you can change your character's mood.  Last, you can choose a background.  (For this project, your students will be taking a photo with their tower, so the photo is the only background you will need). Then you click on "share."  Click save and it automatically creates your Gami.  Click on the Gami itself and a speech bubble will appear.  Touch the triangle to record your voice.  You only have 30 seconds! Once I had the hang of it, I created my own Tellagami to show the class as a model.  You will want to do the same.

I have the same pairs of students that were partners for building towers work together for this activity.  

Today you are going to have the chance to share how you built your towers with others.  Engineers share their ideas so others can learn from them.  You will be doing the same thing.  The first task for your partner team is to name your tower.  You might want to name it from its shape or size, what it looks like or what it reminds you of.  You will need to talk your ideas over with your partner and make a decision.  

This is another opportunity for the children to be creative and also to listen to others.  They will have to come up with only one name, so the kiddos might have to make some compromises.

Once you have made that decision, I would like you to write the name of your tower on an index card.  Since the name of your tower will be a proper name, what do you need to remember?

Note:  They cannot get too detailed since when they use the Gami app, they only have 30 seconds of record time! If you buy the app for $4.99, you get 90 seconds of recording time.

I am kind of a stickler about things, so I want the children to recopy their work.  It makes it easier for them to read when they are recording their voice and it just adds more completeness to the project.  It is definitely worth the time and effort.  Click here for a super short clip showing a boy recopying from his 4-square.  I asked the class why they think I had them use 4-square organizers, click here for a girl's response.  Please see the reflection for why I like to teach the children to go back and reread their writing.

Click here for a sample of a child's procedural writing page.