Vivid Visual Vocabulary

Process (detailed)
OBJECTIVES
• Students will participate in technology-driven project-based learning
• Students will participate in collaborative groups
• Students will utilize several types of presentation software to create an electronic project
• Students will utilize the internet to access root word definitions and the definitions of words
containing roots.
• Students will apply understanding of vocabulary to writing through sentence development.
• Students will share their presentations with peers to enhance the student-as-teacher experience
BENCHMARKS
• LA.910.3.5.1 The student will prepare writing using technology in a format appropriate to the
purpose (e.g., for display, multimedia)
• LA.910.6.3.2, The student will ethically use mass media and digital technology in assignments
and presentations, citing sources according to standardized citation styles
• LA.910.6.4.1,The student will use appropriate available technologies to enhance
communication and achieve a purpose (e.g., video, digital technology) which fall specifically
under writing skills utilizing technology.
TECHNOLOGY
• A computer connected to an LCD projector, TV monitor, or electronic whiteboard.
• Laptop cart or 5 computers (or one computer) with internet access and presentation software
such as Powerpoint/Keynote, iPhoto/Picassa, and Garage Band/Audacity.
• An external drive or flash drives to save projects.
TIME
• One 60-90 minute class period for technology instruction if needed
• One 60-90 minute class period for creating and collating slides and music.
MATERIALS
• 5 – 2-4G Flash drives
• 1- portable drive 120G- 1 T
• Scanner if using original artwork
• Root word project sheet
• List of root words or vocabulary words
• Drawing materials if using original artwork
• Flip cameras or headsets for Voice overs
PROCEDURES
• Divide class in groups of 2-4 students
• Each group decides on a particular project theme
• Instructor assigns particular root words to each group, preferably enough for one per student
OR choose eight root words and have all groups do the same words all presented in different
themes.
• Each group will fill out the root word worksheet which will include
- root word and definition
- a word that contains the root word and its definition
- the part of speech of the word containing the root word
- the word used in a sentence
• Students will either use computers to find and download an appropriate picture that displays word and theme or draw and color a picture and scan it to a flash drive as a .jpg
- Public domain picture websites include:
• www.freefoto.com • www.freedigitalphotos.net • morguefile.com
• nationalgeographic.com/siteindex/photogallery • http://etc.usf.edu/fde/
• Students will used PowerPoint or Keynote to create a slide that includes:
- root word and definition
- a word that contains the root word and its definition
- the part of speech of the word containing the root word
- the word used in a sentence
- the picture of the word
- a voice over stating the word, definition and sentence
• Students will combine slides into one PowerPoint and add music from an MP3 and a voice over created in Garage Band.
• Students will present the project to the class.
• This project can be replicated using any vocabulary suitable for the class.
USING POWERPOINT
Because PowerPoint is a program available on both PCs and Macs, it is probably most successfully used with this project, particularly if students wish to take their projects home to finish. It is important to note that projects created on Macs should not be save in pptx but rather ppt. It is then possible for students to move back and forth between PCs and Macs. Another important part of this project is that although an MP3 may be attached to this project, it will not work if presented on another computer unless a folder is created that contains both the PowerPoint and the MP3 of the music. These should be saved as project folders on the large drives. Even if the project is made into a PowerPoint movie, the original MP3 must be in the folder. If the entire project is converted to a QuickTime movies or a Windows Movie Maker movie with the music included, only then will the MP3 in the folder be unnecessary.
PowerPoint steps
1. Open PowerPoint and choose a slide theme.
2. Type in Title on opening slide
3. Text size and type can be changed by clicking on Format.
4. To insert a picture click on picture.
5. Choose a picture (or jpg) previously found and put into a photo collection (iPhoto, Picasso) or from your drive or desktop.
6. Insert and size the picture.
7. To add more text or change size, color, or font, click on Format.
8. To animate text click on Tool box and choose type and speed of animation within a slide.
9. For transitions between slides click on Transitions
10. To insert music or sound, click on Media
11. Choose music from iTunes, Garage Band, or MP3 list. Use Garage Band to add music and create a voice over. (A flip camera or headsets can be used for this)
12. Choose slide where music plays or begins.
13. Click on Tool Box and then on the name of the music.
14. Click on Media Options and choose the number of slides for music to play.
15. To time entire slide show click on Slide Show
16. Adjust timing if necessary.
17. While creating a PowerPoint SAVE after every slide, every action. SAVE SAVE SAVE
SAVE!!!!
18. For a class project, save to a flash drive for later collaboration. When adding this
slide to another presentation you will go to INSERT and SLIDE FROM and ANOTHER
PRESENTATION.
19. Click on the jump drive image and choose slide to add. Make any necessary music or timing adjustments.

Teachers should have as much fun with their assessments as student do with their presentations. Including entertaining pictures such as the man probably cleaning but looking like his head is inside the rear end of a 20 foot statue is a wonderful example for "fulsome" or "sycophant." I use Mimio votes with a projector to give quizzes containing such visuals. Needless to say, vocabulary comes alive and quizzes are fun.