Standard+4


 * Standard 4:**

The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies, including the use of technology, to encourage children's development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.
 * Teachers know how to teach.**


 * Evidence: Google EarthProject**

In this project, student must use Google earth to plan a trip to a Spanish speaking country. They needed to show the class the route while explaining the details of the trip in Spanish. They needed to work out the details of the plane tickets, hotel accommodations, transportation and activities. They also had a budget that they could not go over. I love this project because it teaches them how to plan a trip. Many students realized that their Spanish skills greatly helped them in finding the best deals. Also, because they had to budget everything, they needed to plan their trips as if they were locals. Students learned a great deal about the culture of the country they chose.
 * Rational: **

This project fits into standard 4 because many students had never used Google Earth before and needed to learn the program and help each other in order to finish the project. Google earth is a very exciting program in the technological world. My students had a lot of fun focusing on the areas that they were traveling to. They could figure out the exact directions to and from their hotels, because of the capabilities of Google Earth. Technology definitely made learning Spanish as real life as possible, without actually going to the country.

As a teacher, I learned that even though there is much technology available to the students, they do not necessarily know how to use it. Many of my students do not have high speed internet at home and therefore do not have a lot of time to experiment with the new programs.

**KSD**

**7.K.3 The teacher knows when and how to adjust plans based on student responses and other contingencies **  During the course of this unit, I had to adjust my plans several times. I incorrectly thought that students had a lot of experience with Google Earth. I ended up giving them 2 extra class periods to finish the project. In the end, I was happy about this, because the projects exceded my expectations.

** 6.S.2 The teacher supports and expands learner expression in speaking, writing, and other media. **  This unit requires the students to write about their trip, tell the class about the trip and use Google Earth to visually show us the route from Wisconsin to the destination.

** 5.D.4 The teacher recognizes the value of intrinsic motivation to students’ life-long growth and learning. ** I want my students to realize that being able to speak Spanish will be an asset to them in the future. This project opens their eyes to different cultures and shows them the basics of planning a trip to a Spanish speaking country.