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These resources are designed to be used
as resources for teaching the Technology Applications Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills
(TA TEKS). The TA CED wants to share these resources, but is not responsible for any
changes to external sites. Please note that the TEKS listed may not be the only TEKS that
a particular activity could address. In addition, many activities may be modified to a
different grade level. |
| # |
Activity or Project |
TEKS |
| 1 |
Virtual Trips
The class is divided into groups with a set amount of "money" they are
allowed to spend on an imaginary vacation. They use the Internet and/or CD-ROMs to
research travel information and distances. Route and distances are plotted on a map.
Expenses are recorded in a spreadsheet. Expenses could include: gas, food, lodging,
admissions, tolls, entertainment, etc.
Extension(s):
Each group creates a slide show, newsletter, or advertisement (print, web, or video)
with graphics and final expenses displayed in a chart. TA (6-8) 5A
7DEG 10AE 11B
Contact the Chamber of Commerce or Travel Bureau for information. |
TA (6-8) 4A 5B 7BJ 10C
MA 6.11BD
MA 7.13BD
MA 8.14BD
SS 6.3A 21AC 23A
SS 7.8A 21ACH 23A
SS 8.10A 30ACH 32A
|
| 2 |
Survey Research
Survey research is discussed and students are shown examples of simple surveys. Students
develop surveys to be administered in various locations (within the school or community
depending on subject and grade level). Topics could include environmental issues, trivia,
upcoming political elections, favorites, etc. Data are tabulated and entered into a
spreadsheet for analysis. Mean, median, mode, and range are calculated. Students learn
formulas, choose appropriate charts, and graph the results.
Extension(s):
Present the results at a school or community meeting. TA (6-8)
10A 11B
Collect data in collaboration with a class in a different town and compare/contrast data. TA
(6-8) 8AB SS 6.22D 7.22D 8.31D |
TA (6-8) 7B 10CE
MA 6.10D 11AD
MA 7.11AB 12.A 13D 14 AB
MA 8.12ABC 13 AB 14AD 15AB
SS 6.23A
SS 7.22C 23A
SS 8.30BC 32A
|
| 3 |
Texas Jigsaw
7th grade research project on the historical heritage of Texas. |
Listed on Texas Jigsaw. |
| 4 |
Discovering Pi
Students measure and record the diameter and circumference of circular objects in a
spreadsheet. Students divide the circumference by the diameter to find the ratio. Student
then test their conclusions on other objects and write their own definition of pi.
Kenneth Cole, McKinney ISD, more
instructions |
TA (6-8) 7B
MA 6.2D 3ABC 4B 5 6C 8B 10D 11D
MA 7.2D 4AB 5A 9 13AD
MA 8.3B 5A 14AD |
| 5 |
Stock Market
Students, in small groups, are given $1000 in imaginary funds to invest. Groups
meet daily to locate stock quotes and make decisions. Daily results are recorded in a
spreadsheet and trends are determined by creating charts. Previous ThinkQuest contestants
have created an information page: http://tqd.advanced.org/3088/
The following web sites have stock information. Additional sites will need to be consulted
to compare information. Use a search engine to located additional information.
Resource(s):
http://www.amex.com/
http://www.stockmarketroundup.com/ |
TA (6-8) 4A, 6AB, 7B, 10C
SS 6.8B 21ABCF
SS 7.13B 21ABCGH 23AB
SS 8.30ABCGH 32AB
MA 6.10ABD 11ABCD
MA 7.11AB 13ABCD
MA 8.13A 14ABCD |
| 6 |
Anne Frank
After reading The Diary of Anne Frank and/or watching the movie, student
read/listen to propaganda from the same era from multiple countries. Students evaluate the
varied media as to author's purpose and try to discern fact from opinion. |
TA (6-8) 6AB
LA 6.2ABC 8A 13G 23ABCD
LA 7.2ABC 8A 13G 23ABCD
LA 8.2AB 8A 13G 23ABCD |
| 7 |
Weather and Latitude
Groups of students are assigned lines of latitude and locate cites on or near it. Students
use the Internet to find weather information (highs, lows, rainfall, length of sunlight,
etc.) at their cities. Information is recorded in a spreadsheet and appropriate statistics
are calculated. After reviewing the information gathered, the class hypothesizes about how
latitude affects different aspects of weather. Discussions could include other factors
which influence weather.
Extension(s):
Compare longitude and rainfall. |
TA (6-8) 4A 7B
SC 6.2E 4AB
SC 7.2E 4AB 13A
SC 8.2E 4A |
| 8 |
A Shapely Idea
Students create a presentation based on a shape (e.g., trapezoid,
triangle, square, circle, etc.). Presentation requirements: 1) Include graphics, text, and
audio, 2) Explain how to find perimeter/circumference/area, 3) Example - how shape is used
in buildings, 4) Example - how shape is used in nature, and 5) Example - how shape is used
in food. Fernando Rosa, San Benito CISD |
|
| 9 |
Poetry Party 
Class throws a Poetry Party. Poems are written by students and printed on colorful
paper. The poems are used to decorate party hats and tablecloths. Poetry
displays include 1) limericks, 2) concrete poems, 3) formula sentence poems, and 4)
patterned poems. Students create personalized party invitations on the computers. |
|
| 10 |
Book Newsletter
Students produce a multicolumn newsletter based on readings within classes. The
newsletter contains original articles about events, locations, and historical figures
located within the readings. It should contain appropriate graphics and follow
accepted publishing practices. The newsletter will be used as the summary of the
story in relation to setting and characters. |
|
| 11 |
Raising the Belle
Groups of students research the excavation of the Belle shipwreck and present information
to the class via an electronic presentation.
Additional resource(s):
La Salle Shipwreck Project
Raising the Belle |
|
| 12 |
Texas Trivia
Use statistics from the Texas Historical Commission's Texas Trivia web site to create a
spreadsheet showing how many years each of the six flags have flown over Texas. Create
charts and graphs showing this information another way. Use a paint/draw program to create
a sample poster incorporating graphics and the information listed above.
Additional resource(s):
Texas Trivia |
|
| 13 |
Plenty O'Poems
Students compose poems using a word processor. The following poetry types are included: 1)
Acrostic poem, 2) Cinquain, 3) Diamante, 4) Formula Sentence Poem, 5) Haiku, 6) Lantern,
7) Limerick, 8) Patterned Poem, 9) Picture Poem, 10) Pyramid Poem, and 11) a
Tanka. Poems are compiled into a poem books with a cover and table of
contents.Students pick five poems and paste the files into a presentation program.
Graphics, animation, video, and audio are added. Presentations are looped together
to make a kiosk for open house. |
|
| 14 |
Wanted Poster
Students study villains from a certain time period. Photos, drawing, and information are
found on the Internet. Wanted posters, that include picture, name, description, deeds, and
reward, are designed on the computer. Posters are placed around the school to inform other
students. |
|
| 15 |
Book Advertisement
Design a tri-fold brochure using desktop publishing techniques to convince other to read a
book. Include information about characters, problems, goals, events, and reviewer's
recommendations. |
|
| 16 |
Shapes
2D - Students draw two dimensional geometric shapes using a draw/paint
program. Students use the program to duplicate a mirror image of each shape.
Cover each decorated pattern with clear contact paper and leave a small space for
air. Insert a straw into the space, place the reversed image on top and seal up to
the straw. Blow into the straw to inflate. Quickly remove the straw and seal the
hole. Punch small holes in the contact paper and attach to straws to make mobiles.
3D - Teacher supplies students with miniature plans for making 3D
geometric shapes, such as cube, cylinder, cone, prism, pyramid, tetrahedron, octahedron,
or dodescadhedron. Students create the pattern on the computer using a drawing
program. Students print out the design and assemble the shapes.
Extension(s):
Explore rotations, slide, transformations, etc with draw/paint program. |
|
| 17 |
Civil War Letters
Letters from an Iowa Soldier
contains letters home from a Civil War soldier to his sweetheart. Compare and
contrast the soldier's account of the battle with historical facts from a history book.
Extension(s):
Compare the letters written by the sweetheart with historical accounts. |
|
| 18 |
Seafarers Database
Each student researches one explorer, finding information on country of origin, number of
ships, number of men, months at sea, destination, etc and enters the data into the class
database. Sort the database to discover general facts.
Resource(s):
Discoverers Web |
|
| 19 |
International Current Events
Students use international newspapers and web sites to gather information on a current
events. Students select one article of interest and use word processing and desktop
publishing techniques to produce a newspaper on international events.
Resource(s):
Internet Public Library: Online Newspapers |
|
| 20 |
Tessellation
Students research tessellations on the Internet. Students create a tessellation on
the computer using a draw/paint program.
Resource(s):
Tessellation Tutorials
|
|
| 30 |
Autobiography
Students write an autobiography using the word processor. The autobiography is
written in chronological order. Students research on the Internet to find out and
present what also happened in the world on corresponding dates of significant personal
events.
Resource(s):
This
Day in History |
|
| 31 |
Classroom Penpals
Secret penpal letters begin with a random drawing of penpal names. The class develops
penpal guidelines (i.e., length of projects, number of letters per week, how delivered,
etc.) Postcards are written on the word processor to hide identity. |
|
| 32 |
Missing Lab
Science students set up a video camera and videotape the lab. Tapes are available for
students absent during the original lab. Teacher generated questions are placed in a
presentation format and students view the videotape and answer the questions via the
computer. |
|
| 33 |
Running a Restaurant
This activity allow students to use word processing, desktop publishing, and spreadsheet
skills. The teacher brings in a number of menus from the community and discusses with the
students how menus are typically designed. Students decide on the food that will be
offered in their restaurant and then research typical prices and offerings via the
Internet. Guest speakers provide information about budgeting and billing requirements for
a restaurant. Students construct a spreadsheet listing revenue and expenditures for one
month of operation.
Extension(s):
Include reports or a food demonstration day. |
|
| 34 |
What's in a Name?
Many famous authors use pseudonyms. Students are provided a list of authors.
Students work cooperatively on the Internet and multimedia encyclopedias to research
authors. Student groups input data about the authors (date of birth and death, famous
works, nationality, and pseudonyms) into a database.
Extension(s):
Research presidential or celebrity nicknames. |
|
| 35 |
Book Share
Students present a book to the class and add it to a database. Other students in the
class read one of the presented books and add their review to the database. Students can
consult the database anytime they are looking for a good book. |
|
| 36 |
Electronic Newspaper
Divide students into news teams. Assign each team a component of the school (grade
level, subject area, etc.) Each team interviews people in the assigned area to find
news. Each group writes news article detailing "what's happening in the
school" and prepares a brief slide show on the events. Slide shows are combined
and the completed presentation is distributed to classrooms in the school.
Extension(s):
Keep track of class activities in a slide show and share with parents at the end of the
year. |
|
| 37 |
Millionaires
Students are divided into groups to "spend" exactly one million dollars given a
specific number of items. First students, work on the activity using paper and
pencil. The second time, students use a calculator. The final time, the students use
a spreadsheet with formulas. |
|
| 38 |
What's my Grade?
Students develop a simple spreadsheet to keep track of test and daily grades in class. A
duplicate spreadsheet is made to allow students to manipulate future grades to see changes
in average. |
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