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November 1, 1999
From Persimmons to
Astronauts: A Successful Research Project
by Muggs Murphy
Have you ever heard the expression
"Success breeds success"? I have found that it
is true. For the past two years, I have used HyperStudio
with my fifth-grade Gifted and Talented classes to create
long-term class projects. I first show them the basic
components of the program and then let them explore for
themselves. I developed a step-by-step plan to implement
the use of this program in research projects that allow
the students to work together cooperatively and take
charge of their own learning.
This past school year, our topic was
where we live, Lawrence County, Indiana. We called it
"From Persimmons to Astronauts." The students
divided into technology groups to begin the research.
They brainstormed what they wanted to tell people about
their county, then they did the research and created
their projects. While working with the program, the
students learned new skills and techniques as they needed
them. The best part of watching the kids during this
project was seeing how their pride in their work took
over. They did a great job, and they knew it!
When the students completed the
project, it was time to share. First they shared it with
other children within our school. Then as their
presentation skills improved, they branched out. The
local Rotary Club invited the students to present
"From Persimmons to Astronauts" during one of
its meetings. The club members were so impressed with the
project and the presentations that they donated $500 to
the school to purchase a CD-ROM recorder.
Outdoor Indianamagazine
visited us to learn about the project and featured the
class and its work in the May issue. All of this success
made the students feel that their work was important
because people were really interested in it. The icing on
the cake was entering the project in the Media Fair,
sponsored by the Association of Indiana Media Educators.
The class won at the district- and statewide contests.
The students now qualify for the Association for
Educational Communications and Technology's International
Media Festival.
All of these successes built upon the
others. The children experienced the feeling of knowing
that their production was valued by others. It was unlike
the typical school projects that are made, graded, and
thrown away. They know that their work will continue to
be used to help others learn about our county.
Email: Muggs Murphy
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