Inventive Ideas Teacher Page

Teacher's Details

This activity requires that students use a little imagination and a lot of creativity! Students will turn an object into a brand new invention. Then, students will write a newspaper article to be published in the class book of inventions. Students will be using a digital camera to take pictures of their invention to include in the newspaper article.

Materials:
a box of random objects that children can use to create their invention
a digital camera
disks for the camera
a zip disk for transferring the pictures
equal access to computers for word processing

Process:
First, introduce the assignment to students. Explain that they are now inventors using the materials that are provided. Show them the web page and how to get there so that they can make reference to it later.

Next, separate the class into groups and have them select an object to make their invention out of. Now, give the groups some time to brainstorm ideas of what their new item could be.

Once a group has decided on what their new invention is, take pictures of each group using their invention with the digital camera.

After the pictures have been taken, have the group members return to their seats to work on writing their article. This may take place over the course of several class periods.

Students should word process their newspaper article. Have the students peer edit their articles before final publishing.

Standards:
Computer Technology Skills Curriculum: 1.3, 2.4, 3.1
Language Arts: 4.02, 4.03, 4.06, 4.08, 5.01, 5.02, 5.03, 5.04, 5.05, 5.06, 5.07, 5.08

GRADING RUBRIC

ASSIGNMENT BASIC
1 point DEVELOPING
2 points ACCOMPLISHED
3 points EXCELLENT
4 points SCORE

Cooperative Group Work None of the time. Some of the time. Most of the time. All of the time.

Uses Time Wisely None of the time. Some of the time. Most of the time. All of the time

News Article Lots of spelling or grammatical errors; vague description or explanation of invention Some spelling or grammatical errors; explanation of invention and uses, but creativity is lacking or details are missing. Few spelling or grammatical errors; good, detailed, and creative explanation of the inventions and its uses. No spelling or grammatical errors; contains a detailed, creative explanation of the inventions and its uses.

Publication & Presentation Neatness lacking; several errors in publication; no digital picture; presentation is lacking of creativity and information. Neat, errors in publication; 1 digital picture; bland presentation of invention. Neat and uniform; some errors in publication; 1-2 digital pictures; creative means of presenting invention. Neat and uniform; no errors in publication; 2 digital pictures; creative and entertaining means of presenting invention; well thought out.

MASTER PAGE TEACHER PAGE STUDENT PAGE EXAMPLE PAGE

ASSIGNMENT	BASIC 1 point	DEVELOPING 2 points	ACCOMPLISHED 3 points	EXCELLENT 4 points	SCORE
Cooperative Group Work	None of the time.	Some of the time.	Most of the time.	All of the time.
Uses Time Wisely	None of the time.	Some of the time.	Most of the time.	All of the time
News Article	Lots of spelling or grammatical errors; vague description or explanation of invention	Some spelling or grammatical errors; explanation of invention and uses, but creativity is lacking or details are missing.	Few spelling or grammatical errors; good, detailed, and creative explanation of the inventions and its uses.	No spelling or grammatical errors; contains a detailed, creative explanation of the inventions and its uses.
Publication & Presentation	Neatness lacking; several errors in publication; no digital picture; presentation is lacking of creativity and information.	Neat, errors in publication; 1 digital picture; bland presentation of invention.	Neat and uniform; some errors in publication; 1-2 digital pictures; creative means of presenting invention.	Neat and uniform; no errors in publication; 2 digital pictures; creative and entertaining means of presenting invention; well thought out.