Lesson 7:
Techno-Savvy Kids Uncover Nigeria
What’s on for today and why?
In this lesson, students will go to the computer room to blog their journals, discuss in chat rooms, read articles on the Internet, search the Internet for information, and create collages.
Blogging is
the easiest way for the students to write their journal responses if they are
in the computer room, there is no point in taking out paper. Having them go to the sites lets the teacher
have a chance to evaluate the computer knowledge of the students and again, it
is pointless in printing out what is so easy to get to. Students are comfortable with Internet chats
and it gives them a way to discuss without actually talking, which may benefit
the students who are not as inclined to share opinions in class. They can say what they want, but they are in
a state of comfort “hiding” behind their computers. Further, letting them quickly do a little research and then
collage their findings gives students creative liberties and it is getting them
ready to do more intricate things that can be applied to their presentations
and/or Webquests.
What to do?
1.
Journal:
In the computer room have students log on to their blogs and answer the journal prompt on there, labeling it “in-class journal.”
Journal Prompt:: As you are walking down the street you see a man jump into a bonfire and burn alive, or someone juts out in front of your car like a squirrel and you strike him. Those things do not happen here, but they are common occurrences in Nigeria. Are we extra sensitive to such events? Why? Analyze your culture versus the culture we have read about so far in Graceland.
2.
Nigerian Buses:
Have students go to http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4712657.stm and read the article. In the class chat room, the teacher will pose questions for the students to discuss in the chat
Question: How it this relevant to what we are learning about Nigeria? How do we feel about these sorts of things? How do we think Elvis feels? Is Elvis removed from his society if he isn’t used to such events? Is he more like us than we realize? How?
3.
Dickens and Graceland:
Read the section in Graceland that mentions Dickens (page 111) and have them go to http://www.litrix.com/twocitys/twoci001.htm#1 Dickens described a place much removed from Lagos in the 1980s, but Elvis believes Dickens hits the nail on the head. Why? Why is it that Dickens is able to sum up so well what Lagos is like/about? What does this say about Lagos? About Dickens? This will also be discussed in the chat.
4.
Brainstorming:
Students are to search the Internet looking for other books, movies, or television shows that can sum up or explain in some way what Elvis is going through. Make a quick collage of some sort in “Paint” or another program that that can use easily (it is up to them). Have them save the file to their blog and print out a copy of the collage to go into their portfolios.
5.
Homework:
Read Chapter 13
How’d it go?
If students are excited about the change of environment, that will get their attention. If students feel comfortable chatting and some students talk more than they do in class, it shows that they are analytical, the classroom just might not be the best atmosphere for them to share. If students are challenged by the Internet assignments given, they are learning something new, which they can pick up on and soon they will be going beyond what the teacher knows in something that was recently new to them. The students will be assessed on the thoughtfulness and time that they put into searching the internet and the collage that they create, according to the Portfolio checklist. They will also be graded for participation if they took a meaningful role in the chat they receive full credit, down to none if they did not say anything.