Name:Sands of the World
Brief Description of the Site:
This site means just that. There is an inviting graphic that asks the site visitor to identify an image. One can choose the "Hint" or go right to the "Show Me the Answer" for those who simply can't wait to find out. The sounds of waves lapping at the shore accompany the answer in this very appealing site on sand. Sands of the World is the work of fourth grade students in the M.I. Smart! Program (Multiple Intelligences Program) in the Chariho Regional School District of Rhode Island. In order to expand knowledge about sand, site visitors are invited to send sand from a local beach to Charlestown, Rhode Island with specific labeling instructions. The sample is to be accompanied by a drawing or photographic of the beach from which the sample is taken. In a display of reciprocity, there's an offer to send site visitors Rhode Island sand. An interesting Home Page offers links to all kinds of sand for study. This exploration of sand offers ideas for pursuing sand studies through multiple intelligences with links to a sand museum, and the option to join a sand project with students of other schools. Lesson plans for teachers are also available for download. . As classes join the project with their own research, the web site is updated to reflect new information and additional participation. Site expansion hopes to include any new and unique ways of incorporating multiple intelligences in the unit.
There is also a Photo Gallery to look and examine all the different sands of the world. On the site map, you can learn about common rocks and minerals or read about "sand-sational" facts for students of all ages. There are answers to questions about how sand is made and information about quartz and granite sand. Looking to include songs about sand? Explore "Singing Sand" or sing a ditty about different kinds of rocks as a way to include music in sand studies.
How to use the site:
The home page has links to "Join Our Project", "Project Description and Unit Lessons", "What is Sand?", "Main Index of Sand Photos", "Rhode Island Beach Sand", "Singing and Booming Sand", "Location of Singing Sands", "Lessons Using Multiple Intelligences", "Nima Sand Museum", "Frog Sand", "Rock Song", "Why Teach Using M.I. and Technology?", "Sandy Sediments", "Sand-sational Facts", "Analyze Your Own Sand ", "Additional Links", "Common Mineral Properties", "Common Rocks and Minerals", "Sands Photo Gallery", and "Contact Us". Activities are accompanied by information and there's even a page on how to say sand in many languages. Science and social studies units are listed by grade within each contributing school and range from kindergarten through fifth grade. The bibliography offers resources for further research and there are interesting software suggestions listed according the they intelligences they address. Site navigation is very simple with the main links on the home page. A Contact Us offers site visitors the option to leave comments, suggestions and questions. The idea of studying sand and comparing sands from different local beaches is an interesting one, and one that invites participation throughout the elementary grades. Younger grades might enjoy sharing their findings with the site's creators, or simply launch a similar "sand study" project easily on their own using the site as a resource.
Submitted by:
Jane Carlson-Pickering
West Kingston, RI
Edited by Doci Mou (student of PS 56)
