Comments Regarding The Explorers Project

1. Prior to researching in the library -- students should have taken notes on their explorer from their text, as well as from an encyclopedia.

2. Have students use podium for presentations.

3. Give teachers cameras to take pictures of kids after their presentation.

4. Model the note-taking format -- cause-effect and character traits.

5. Teach students how to format their letters on the computer, i.e. using tabs, flush right for date, etc.

6. In the rubric, under Oral Presentation, divide the presentation grade into speaking and the visual -- make a separate line concerning the quality and appropriateness of the visual.

7. When introducing the rubric, have the students examine the rubric and then write the rubric in their own language as a lesson.

8. Re-iterate district plagiarism/cheating policy.  After the Ethical Use lesson by the library staff, distribute a copy of the district's policy, have students put it into their own words and sign it.

9. Note addition of standard 4.7-8.3 On Applying History concerning causes and effects of movements of people.  We had this on our original list of standards, but I forgot to put it on the Trends in Exploration handout (I have since added it).