Possible Dates/Times: May

Learner Outcomes:
Students will be able to:
- work cooperatively with classmates to author and illustrate an informational book about Detroit.
- present their project to another class via distance learning.
- develop/adhere to a rubric for grading the preparation/presentation of their project.
- use the writing process when preparing their text.
- use the Google search engine to find pertinent information.

Methods/Activities:
- Read M is for Mitten text to build background knowledge for what is expected.
- Develop the rubric in a whole class format.
- Assign alphabet letters and topics for research.
- Model how a page might be written.
- Practice presentation.

Time:
1. Two weeks to prepare and practice.
2. 45 minute video conference
3. Follow-up letters to the other class.

Students will:
1. Create a rubric during whole class discussion.
2. Research their assigned topic about Detroit.
3. Use the Writing Process to prepare their portion of the story with a learning partner.
4. Practice presenting their class authored book.

Teachers will:
1. Build background and prior knowledge.
2. Model a proper entry of the text.
3. Guide students in creation of the grading rubric for product/presentation.
4. Provide encouragement for practice of presentation.

Specific Agenda:
1. Teacher will welcome the on-line class and introduce our class.
2. Students will present their 15 minute story.
3. My class will serve as the audience for the other class to present their story about their city.
4. Five questions will be asked by each class to gain knowledge that may not have been presented.

Who may participate:
A fourth grade classroom outside the metropolitan Detroit area.

Project Design:
This project is modeled after the Michigan Collaborative Project.