Google Earth

Keeping with the whole authentic problem thing, I couldn't really think of anything authentic to introduce the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains to my class with. I had some ideas, but really nothing I could use as few of my students have really ever been out of the immediate area. The only thing I could think of was using Google Earth for them to adventure through the two mountain regions. Using the smart board we were able to really get a great perspective of the two ranges. Students were able to interact with the site by zooming in and out as well as traveling in all directions within the mountains. There were several pictures linked to areas on Google Earth that provided images of the actual mountains. Students were easily able to compare the two ranges. Not only were we able to identify the location of both ranges, but students were able to gain an appreciation for the terrain. I may now be able to incorporate some authentic problems to go along with these mountain ranges for different curricular area.

Authentic problems

I have been trying to incorporate more authentic problems as I am introducing and carrying out my lessons. I have found students to be more responsive and motivated to what the lesson was all about, I am yet to see results in assessments, but it should all come to light very soon. Stay tuned.