Belton Intermediate- Through Our Eyes
Developed by: Amy Turkiewicz
Summary:
Before a student can begin to completely understand the scope of the world of which he/she
is a part, he/she must first know and appreciate what is here at home. Students will
be spending time developing a slide show of the highlights of their community.
Positive aspects of living in Belton will be emphasized as well as problems facing the
community will be explored. Embedded in the creation of the slide show will be
activities related to the exploration of the careers of cartographers, engineers, city
planners, and city officials as well as the use of a GPS (Geographical Positioning
System).
Connection to the Curriculum:
This is an integrated social studies and language arts unit.
Time:
6 to 8 weeks
Season:
Anytime of the school year, weather permitting
Materials:
City street map of Belton
Map of Bell County
Digital Camera(s) and plenty of batteries
Geographical Positioning Software (GPS)
ArcView GIS Software
PC (350 megahertz; 4 gig hard drive-minimum necessary to operate GIS software)
Microsoft Office/Powerpoint
Zip Drive/zip disks for storage of completed projects or writable CD-Rom
Objectives:
TAAS Reading Comprehension
Objective 4: The student will perceive relationships and recognize outcomes in
variety of texts.
Objective 5: The student will analyze information in a variety of written texts in order
to make inferences and generalizations.
TAAS Written Communication
Objective 1: The student will respond appropriately in a written composition to
the purpose/audience specified in a given topic.
Objective 2: The student will organize ideas in a written composition on a given topic.
Objective 3: The student will demonstrate control of the English language in a written
composition on a given topic.
Objective 4: The student will generate a written composition that develops/ supports/
eleborates the central idea stated on a given topic.
Grade 6- Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
6.11 The student expresses and supports responses to various
types of texts.
6.12 The student analyzes the characteristics of various types of texts
(genres).
6.13 The student inquires and conducts research using a variety of
sources.
6.14 The student reads to increase knowledge of his (her own culture,
the culture of others, and the common elements of
culture.
6.15 The student writes for a variety of audiences, purposes, and in a
variety of forms.
6.20 The student uses writing as a tool for learning.
6.23 The student analyzes and critquest the significance of visual
messages, images, and meanings.
TEKS- Technology
1a Acquire information from various
sources including print as well as electronic.
1a Review of terminology
1b Keyboarding practice
1b, 1c Classroom etiquette/netiquette
2c Evaluation of Information
1a Search Strategies
Procedures
1. Students will brainstorm a list of places in and around
Belton.
2. Students will learn to use the digital camera and GPS unit to
photograph and record geographically the exact locations of schools, landmarks, city
buildings, historical markers, and other points of interest within the city of Belton and
close proximity to it. It is to the advantage of the teacher to train his/her
students in the use of these two pieces of software prior to the field trip(s).
Suggested GPS Activities:
A. Select and plot a route. Have students follow the route using the
navigation aspect of the GPS unit to locate specific points outside of the school building
(i.e. playground equipment, parking lot, etc.).
B. Given a list of places, students will use GPS to plot exact coordinates.
Students will need to record the data collected and store the route. GPS units may
then be handed to a second team of students who can follow the created route. Both
theams may photograph selected points ans use the visual record as well as the documented
one to verify accuracy.
3. Using the gathered data and the ArcView Software, students will create a map showing
the exact location of these points with links embedded to the photographs and other
information of interest that was gathered about the different locations.
4. Students will use Microsoft Office/Excel in conjunction with the ArcView Software to
develop a database of the information that was collected.
5. Students will utilize Microsoft Office/Powerpoint to create a slide presentation about
Belton. The presentation will have links to both the phtotgraphs collected as well
as the map(s) created from the database. The slideshow will be narrated with a
script written by the students.
Evaluation
1. Completion of the gathering/ recording/ downloading of the information on
the various sites visite.
2. Completion of the ArcView map(s).
3. Completion of the slide presentation.
Expanding the Lesson
1. Include interviews with local officials, city planners, engineers,
cartographers, lifetime residents to highlight changes in and around Belton.
2. Identify a problem found within the students' city. Work to document the evidence
of the problem and formulate solutions to the problem.
3. Posting the slide shows to district and/or chamber of commerce web page.
Resources (bibliographies, reference Internet sites)
Bell County Museum: museum@vvm.com
BellNET: http://bellnetweb.brc.tamus.edu
Belton Chamber of Commerce: http://www.beltontxchamber.com/belton.html
Bell County Expo: http://www.bcexpo.com
Stampede Hockey: http://www.stampedehockey.com
Parks and Recreation: http://www.cityofbelton.org
Bell County: http://www.bellcountytx.com/home.html
© BellNET
Last Edited: 11/23/99