II.
Lesson Plan and Activities The Rainforest ArtLink Videoconference
Activity Description and Important Points Materials
e. Review with class their completed Rainforest ArtLink Partner Response Forms to determine if there are any responses they would like to share. f. Brainstorm a list of“ open discussion” questions( favorite music, food, books, movies, games and sports, clothes, nature, social issues, etc.) to ask any individual artist or the whole class. Personal information on the Artist Description Sheets may inspire questions. Define which students will ask these questions. g. Prepare a two minute song or dance that represents your culture for your partners. Assign one student to introduce it, including background information.
The completed set of Rainforest ArtLink Partner Response form
General Tips for the Videoconference
• Before the conferences, we will test the videoconference system with your school and your partner’ s school. However, fluctuating internet connection speeds, greater or lesser demand on available internet bandwidth, equipment malfunction, firewalls and even the weather can affect technical quality. Students should think of this videoconference as an adventure. Caution them that we may have to work through arising technical challenges at the start or in the middle of the conference. Our fallback is to run an audio-only teleconference between the classes.
To be most effective, students should not think in terms of giving short, rehearsed presentations. Work with them to prepare thoughtful questions that can lead to a more in-depth dialogue and discussion and to be prepared to ask follow-up questions. For older classes, encourage questions that delve deeper into their partners’ culture and values. For example these might include:
• The part of family life they like and / or dislike the most
• Those traditions that mean the most to them and why
• The aspects of their countries’ history they value
• Social problems that concern them
• Gender roles as carried out in their families and communities
• The value of nature and what they could do more to preserve it
• The best videoconferences come from classes that are focused and relaxed. Many students have never experienced a videoconference before, so they may be nervous. With your help, we will do what we can to help them feel comfortable.
• A staff member at Creative Connections will facilitate the videoconference, but we encourage you to take an active role in calling on and working with students throughout the session.
US Learning Standards Addressed
Grade 3 4 5 6 7 8 9-10 11-12
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2018 Rainforest ArtLink Program“ HighLight” Page 52