Activity Summary

Unit theme: Time Grade level(s): 5 Time to complete: Week long activity. Presentations should be no more than 5-10 minutes per group. Total time of presentations will depend on class size and number of timepieces researched.

Summary of activity: Students will work in groups to research different time pieces, sundial, clepsydras, pendulum clocks, atomic clocks, etc. The groups should use power point to make their presentations. The entire class will be responsible for the information in each presentation. If desired, the teacher can make a similar presentation to model the project for students.

Media and technology used by the TEACHER:

	Newspapers		(Digital) camera		Word Processor
X	Periodicals		Video camera		Spreadsheet
X	Books		Flatbed scanner		Database
X	Video/DVD		Slide projector	X	PowerPoint
	CD/Cassette		Overhead projector		Web page editor
	Audio file (MP3)	X	Search engine		e-mail
	Bulletin board	X	Web browser		Educational software

Other materials to be used by the teacher (e.g. paper, glue, scissors):

Media and technology used by the STUDENTS to complete the activity:

	Newspapers		(Digital) camera		Word Processor
X	Periodicals		Video camera		Spreadsheet
X	Books		Flatbed scanner		Database
	Video/DVD		Slide projector	X	PowerPoint
	CD/Cassette		Overhead projector		Web page editor
	Audio file (MP3)	X	Search engine		e-mail
	Bulletin board	X	Web browser		Educational software

Other materials used by the students (e.g. paper, glue, scissors):

Step-by-step instructions for completing the activity:

1. Divide the class into groups of three to four students, depending on the size of the class and types of clocks to be researched.
2. Assign each group a type of clock to research and present to the class.
3. Students should use computer lab time, and some class time to work as groups to research when/where the clock was invented. Who invented the clock, how accurate the clock was, and how it worked. (Assigning the project on Friday should give students some time to work on the research over the weekend.)
4. Give groups 20-40 minutes to compile information and decide on a plan of action.
5. During computer class one day, show students how to use Microsoft Powerpoint.
6. Students will use powerpoint to design a presentation to be given to the class. Since students will have to use lab time or computer time in class, let them have the entire week to make and practice their presentation
7. On Monday, have students make their presentations to the class.
8. Evaluate presentations according to quality of information and organization
9. Students should be given worksheets that ask them to write down the major points of the presentations.

References used and sources of additional information:

Burns, Marilyn. This Book Is About Time. Boston: Little, Brown, and Company. 1978.

Landis, David. Revolution in Time: Clocks and the Making of the Modern World. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. 1983

Clocks. . .Teaching Time. Franklin Institute Online. February 16, 2003

http://www.fi.edu/qa00/attic3/index.html