CyberFair Project ID: 4792

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International Schools CyberFair Project Narrative
Title: Welcome To Christiana, Delaware
Category: 6. Historical Landmarks
URL: http://www.dcet.k12.de.us/teach/cyberfair/lenihan
Bibliography: http://www.dcet.k12.de.us/teach/cyberfair/lenihan/team.htm

School: Albert H. Jones Elementary School
    Newark, DE, United States

24 students, ages 9-12 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on March 13, 2007. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): 2007

Classes and Teachers: Jill Lenihan and Fourth Grade Students

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://www.christina.k12.de.us/jones

Project Overview

1. Description of Our Community

The community of Christiana, DE includes persons of various races, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The community is accurately mirrored in the school’s population. Homes in the area range from the historical structures pictured on the website to typical suburban neighborhoods, to townhouses, and apartments. Christiana is a section in the city of Newark, DE. A large part of Christiana is comprised of retail centers including strip malls, shopping centers, and one of Delaware’s largest malls, The Christiana Mall. This makes Christiana a popular destination for citizens of surrounding states as Delaware is “the home of tax-free shopping.”

2. Summary of Our Project

This CyberFair project is all about the historical significance of the town of Christiana, DE. Our town is on The National Register of Historic places. There are homes, schools(including our own), and businesses that maintain a place in Delaware’s history all located in Christiana. The project addresses the historical facts surrounding these places, as well as the current state of some of the town’s revival efforts.

3. Our Computer and Internet Access

A. Percentage of students using the Internet at home:more than 50%

B. Number of workstations with Internet access in the classroom:2-3

C. Connection speed used in the classroom:dedicated connection

D. Number of years our classroom has been connected to the Internet:more than 6

E. Additional comments concerning your computer and/or Internet access (Optional):

Students in this school are from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Though many have computers and Internet access at home, they are still behind their more affluent peers in the use of the computer as a tool for instruction and/or research. This project had assisted my students in making gains to catch up to their peers in the area of technology.

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

The first problem that we faced was not being able to find the information we were looking for. There was very little information to be found on our topic- Historical Landmarks in our Community. Then, once we tapped into some information, we found that the reading level was too high for fourth graders. One of the ways that we overcame this barrier was contacting the president of the Christiana Historical Society. He was able to explain the history of the town, and different landmarks in a student friendly manner. It was necessary to work around his schedule, though. Another obstacle became time. Once it was realized that students would need a significant amount of scaffolding through their research it became difficult to accomplish any large amount of work in one sitting, or class period. This had to be overcome by spending more than one class period at a time on research; which unfortunately, meant missing a few other subjects at times.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

Participation in this year’s CyberFair competition has helped to put the little town of Christiana, DE “on the map.” Research of the town has shed light on many interesting facts that citizens of the school community, and community at large had not previously been aware of.

6. How did your activities and research for this CyberFair Project support standards, required coursework and curriculum standards?

This project tapped into many curriculum requirements in different disciplines. The Social Studies Standards include Geography 4 the study of regions; and History 2 gather, examine, and analyze historical data. It should also be noted that a main component of Delaware’s fourth grade Social Studies curriculum is Delaware History. This CyberFair project also addresses all four of Delaware’s English/Language Arts standards. ELA1: Use Written and Oral Language; ELA2: Construct, examine, and extend the meaning of informative and technical text; ELA3; Access, organize, and evaluate information gained through reading listening, and viewing; ELA4: Use literary knowledge gained through print and visual media to connect self to society and culture.

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Project Elements

1) What information tools & technologies did you used to complete your CyberFair project?

Computers are the tool that was used most often to accomplish various tasks throughout the project. The Internet was used for research on the topic; Historical Landmarks in Christiana, Delaware. Digital camera was used to photograph landmarks in the community. Photoshop Editor was used to edit and enhance the photos. Older pictures were scanned into a digital format using a scanner. A micro tape recorder was used during a presentation by the president of the Christiana Historical Society. The tape was then played back for review, and note taking. Students worked primarily on desktop computers researching and word processing while the teacher used a laptop and multimedia projector for whole class instruction at various stages throughout the project.

2) In what ways did you act as "ambassadors" and spokespersons for your CyberFair project both on-line and in person.

The most impressive way in which students acted as ambassadors was simply by telling their families about the work which they’ve been doing in class. Students have been excited about this project, and the number one question has been, “when can my parents see it online?” A couple of parents have stopped in to learn more about the project. The response has been overwhelming, in fact. Parents have been amazed at what the students have found out in their research. Many parents, most of who live in the community had no idea of the historical significance of the town they have been living in! One of the families who lives in one of the historical homes featured on the website provided us with pictures of their home and a book about the town.

3) What has been the impact of your project on your community?

First and foremost, this project has made a difference in the lives of the students and their families. These people are the community. The students have grown an interest and appreciation for the buildings, structures and landmarks in their town. They now understand the historical significance of the places they travel by each day. Furthermore, the project has helped shed light on an important organization in the community, The Christiana Historical Society. The organization is working towards a revival in the town, and hoping to gain support and assistance within the community to restore some of the forgotten landmarks.

4) How did your project involve other members of your community as helpers and volunteers?

Mr. Ken Baumgart, from The Christiana Historical Society was the main community helper on this project. His contributions have included photographs from both the past and the present. More importantly, he shared historical knowledge and enthusiasm for and about Christiana, it’s landmarks and it’s place in history. Additionally, a family who lives in one of the oldest homes in Christiana shared information about the history of their home and provided us with a copy of the book, A History of Christiana, Delaware.

5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

There were many surprises and discoveries made along the way. There were several key players in American history who traveled through Christiana like George Washington and Mason and Dixon. It is also hard to picture Christiana, a very small town located on what are now considered back roads, as a bustling shipping port. Though the research indicates as such. One of the big lessons learned was that people are living and/or altering history each and every day.

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