Tara+Takano

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In this lesson plan, students will learn regional location of the fifty states. Each student will be assigned to two states in a certain region of the U.S. They will be given time in the computer lab to research their states and find out general facts about the state. They will then be divided into groups by region and will invent a game that involves learning about each region and the states located there. Their game is supposed to be a typical board game involving dice, spinners, cards... etc. The students play the game they have created once through and then play other groups games while filling out a feedback sheet with their thoughts. The final part of the project is to have the students share their game, rules, and facts with the entire class. Assessment is done through watching how the group interacts together and making sure each member contributes as a part of the team. Also the teacher wants to make sure all the criteria outlined for the students is met and evaluate the student's feedback sheets.

This seems like a great activity/project for the students. It allows them to feel responsible for their own specific parts (specific states as well as specific roles within their group). I think that once the board games are completed then each day (maybe every other day) a time should be allotted for each group to play to an assigned game or two. This assures that each groups game is played and that each student learns about each of the states. Once each group has played all the games I would maybe advise that some type of trivia game be completed (by the teacher) which takes facts from each game so that the kids can review the material and hopefully retain more information during their time playing the games made by their peers.
 * Catherine's Response:**

Anything involving games is a good use of time and energy. Being responsible for two states rather than just one helps ensure that each student will have a job to do. The feedback sheets require student to stay on task while they play each others' games. They also provide direction for students as they design their own games. The most prominent flaw in this activity is the nature of peer-assessment based grading criteria. When students are asked to evaluate each other they often end up focusing more on thinking of what they will say than the information presented. Thus, retention is sacrificed in the process of completing the graded task. Rather than asking for the students' thoughts, the feedback sheets should be used to summarize what they have learned about each state, or something to that degree.
 * Allison's Response:**

I like this lesson because there are a lot of opportunities for discussion. I believe discussions allow children to absorb the information being thrown at them better, and makes them feel more equal. Another advantage from this lesson plan I like are the kids being in groups and given a chance to be independent and make up their own "lessons", or games. I also like the idea of a trivia game being arranged for after the games have been played so the children don't take away only the facts they learned about their own states.
 * Blaze's Response:**