Picking Pearl Projects   There's no "perfect" pearl and no "perfect" project. Each student is unique. Each class is unique. Each teacher is unique. Explore the following two projects. They provide good examples of engaging, technology-rich projects.

Activity #1: Evaluate a Project

WebQuests are a great way to get students involved with web-based resources. Use the links below to locate a webquest in your interest area. Brainstorm ideas for your own webquest. You may even want to use the WebQuest Evaluation Form.

• Matrix of Examples
• WebQuest Collections
• WebQuest Links

 

Activity #2: Locate Resources

Explore search tools for children and adults. Brainstorm ideas for a webquest and locate a couple websites that might be used in the activity.

• Searching for Kids
• Searching for Adults

KidsClick	Pinchbeck	Cyberbee
Yahooligans	Homework Central	ICCONNECT
Ask Jeeves	Kathy Schrock	EBlast
EdView	Blue Web 'n	Surfmonkey
AOL for Kids	NetMom	Schoolwork Ugh
InfoSeek	Busy Teacher	Let's Find Out
Kid's Search Tools	Education World	About.com
Searchopolis	Research It	Family.com
Early Childhood Links	Ask-An-Expert	AskA+Locator
Information Please	Kid's Almanac	Mapquest

 

Activity #3: Explore Student-Produced Projects

Select a project. Use the pearl guidelines to evaluate the project. Do you think this is a pearl or not? Why? Could you replicate this in your classroom? Why or why not?

• Size - Project Size
• Shape - Technology
• Surface - Authenticity
• Luster - Motivation
• Orient - Collaboration
• Tone - Individual Needs

Select from the following sites:

• ThinkQuest Project Directory
• CyberFair Project Intro: Categories
• Student and Teacher Projects
  • Emu Project
  • ReasonQuest
  • Sign language
  • Queen Street
  • TESAN
  • CyberStories
  • AIDS, AIDS2
  • Alaskan Wildflower
  • Birds
  • Monster project
  • Track and Field
  • Hawaii

 

Activity #4: Integrate a Project

Explore the Suessville site and activities such as the Lorax game. Brainstorm ideas to keep the games and activities authentic.

 

Explore the GORP and MapQuest. Brainstorm activities that you could do with these sites that could incorporate your content area.

 

Activity #5: Expand a Project

Pick a project you've done before. Consider how you can expand the project and make it more "natural."

• Natural Pearls are born in the "real world"
• Cultured Pearls are carefully planned to look like the "real world"
• Imitation Pearls are made of glass or wax.