Connecting to the Curriculum

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Participation in the I Have a Dream program will give students an opportunity to practice many skills and concepts in a variety of subject matter areas. There may be additional connections to the curriculum depending on the dream projects that students develop.

Art and Graphic Design

1. Analyzing and comparing web pages to find examples of good design
2. Choosing the best web elements to represent the philosophy of the dream
3. Analyzing colors and their meaning in a web page
4. Using appropriate fonts and colors for readable text
5. Using effects such as textures and shadows in pictures or graphical illustrations
6. Creating and locating beautiful and useful images for web pages

Language Arts/Writing

1. Writing for different audiences and purposes: to inform, to express personal ideas, to persuade
2. Using the steps of the writing process to create text for dream project web pages
3. Publishing interviews, news and other content related to the main topic in interesting and dynamic ways
4. Comparing and contrasting ideas from several sources
5. Using appropriate vocabulary to ensure a clear presentation of text
6. Searching for appropriate quotes for dream web pages
7. Updating, revising and maintaining web pages to ensure quality

Library Science

1. Searching for information using printed and electronic media
2. Evaluating reliability of information
3. Gathering ideas from human sources - peers around the world

Math

1. Planning for real time interactions across time zones
2. Using logical structures to define the organization of web pages
3. Calculating the size of text files and images to allow easy navigation in the pages
4. Using a spreadsheet to manage a budget
5. Using graphic organizers when planning strategies
6. Revising dream project timelines

Other Languages

1. Developing strategies for overcoming language barriers in global communication
2. Engaging in conversation with students in languages other than the native tongue
3. Practicing grammar and syntax in a real world situation
4. Increasing vocabulary

Science

1. Investigating environmental issues and solutions
2. Developing a sense of inquiry while seeking explanations for environmental solutions
3. Promoting interviews with scientists and researchers through KidSpace, KidCom, or other interactive tools
4. Searching for experiments around the world with results relevant to the context of the dream
5. Sharing procedures and results of experiences around the globe that could bring input to the development of the project

Social Studies

1. Identifying and highlighting the unique social and cultural issues of the dream plan on a web page
2. Creating a channel between the dream team and the web audience
3. Reaching a global audience with a clearly defined dream plan
4. Building a multicultural area on dream plan web pages to highlight the team's diverse roots
5. Learning to communicate, understand and work collaboratively with students from other cultures and countries

Team Management Skills

1. Communicating ideas clearly
2. Identifying goals and values important to the team
3. Identifying and using individual abilities and strengths to reach common objectives
4. Demonstrating respect for others on the team
5. Contributing to the development of a supportive climate in a team
6. Identifying and dealing with causes of conflict and misunderstanding in a team
7. Evaluating the overall progress of a team toward a goal
8. Establishing guidelines and rules for negotiating and follow the steps of the dream plan
9. Resolving conflicts of interest despite differences among team members
10. Challenging processes that are not working towards the goals of the team dream
11. Identifying strategies to deal with unexpected situations
12. Negotiating effectively and with respect
13. Identifying possible times for discussions with other participants using KidCom
14. Working well with various groups to ensure development of web pages that reflect a multicultural interest
15. Providing feedback to team members in a constructive manner
16. Locating outside support and funding for the dream plan

Technology

1. Creating web pages using HTML and graphic editors
2. Using the right tools inside the pages
3. Making attractive, informative, and convincing web pages that are also technically robust
4. Engaging in efficient and productive web searching
5. Participating in Kidlink's multimedia environment, KidSpace, to enrich web interaction
6. Participating in Kidlink's KidCom
7. Transferring files using FTP when publishing and updating web pages
8. Respecting copyright, creating original text and crediting references appropriately
9. Building interactive web pages that allow for feedback and input from users thus providing a means for the web site to grow in value over time