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E-mail contact
Jane Thom
jthom@boston.k12.ma.us
Teacher Bio
Jane Thom teaches ESL at Charlestown High School, a School to
Career school. A first time TeachNet Learn and Serve awardee,
she encourages her students, many of them new immigrants, to combine
technology with community awareness, She also hopes that with
continued interest in community structures, her students will
make their own communities better places for all. Away from the
classroom, Jane's passion for Amazon Rainforests often takes her
on South American treks.
Subject Areas
English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies
Grade Levels
9 - 12
Students
Bilingual/ESL high schoolers mentor Bilingual/ESL middle schoolers.
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Community Bridges ~ Real & Virtual
| Authenticity |
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Key Question
How does learning about bridges lead
to improved academic skills and stronger community tolerance?
Overview
Bridges! From Brooklyn,
to Madison, to the River Kwai, bridges connect shores and
highways, and bring together people. Inspired by the nearby
construction of the world's widest cable-stayed bridge, ESL
students use the Internet to research and build models of
various bridge structures. They learn about Leonard P. Zakim,
the civil rights activist for whom the bridge is named, and
visit Bunker Hill, a local national monument. Working together
to share results, they launch a Web Site on Famous Bridges
and invite middle school students to a Learning Festival where
they exhibit and explain their own models, boards, video,
and slide shows. Making real and virtual connections, these
young engineers recognize the need to build tolerance and
respect within diverse communities.
| Active
Exploration +
Applied
Learning + Adult
Connections |
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Classroom
Activities
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Community
Activities
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Career
Activities
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Agree
to study Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge & other
famous bridges. |
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Conduct Internet research. |
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Research
Leonard P. Zakim & Battle of Bunker Hill. |
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Participate
in filming an explanatory video.
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Invite peers & middle school students
to Learning Festival.
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Photograph
the Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge & the Bunker
Hill Monument. |
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Hold
discussion groups on the roles of Leonard
P. Zakim in the Anti-Defamation League of
New England & the Patriots in the American
Revolution. |
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Display posters throughout school. |
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Present
models, videos, boards & computer
slide show to peers, middle school students
& invited guests at Learning Festival. |
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Exhibit
models in school library. |
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Meet
with local librarian to learn how to conduct
research. |
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Interview
Park Ranger about National Park Services opportunities. |
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Invite pre-engineering instructor to classroom
for lesson on bridges. |
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Discuss
architects' & engineers' roles in designing
bridges. |
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Explore
jobs & skills related to building bridges. |
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Research how Leonard
P. Zakim served the community. |
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Academic
Rigor
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| Learning
Standards English Language Arts and Science |
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Use
various formats & technology to complete &
enhance work. |
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Understand
& express different point of views, |
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Word
process, desktop publish & incorporate multimedia
in published reports. |
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Make
effective presentations. |
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Understand,
analyze, evaluate & respond effectively to oral
presentations. |
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Collaborate
on project that applies learning to educate others. |
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Obtain
information from a variety of sources. |
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Understand
& use the writing process effectively. |
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Understand
how humans use technology & the design process
to respond to the natural world & to solve everyday
problems. |
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School
to Career Competencies
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Communicate
and understand ideas and information. |
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Collect,
analyze and organize information. |
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Identify
and solve problems. |
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Use
technology. |
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Initiate
and complete entire activities. |
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Act
professionally. |
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Interact
with others. |
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Take
responsibility for career and life choices. |
Assessment |
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Teacher
and students meet weekly for evaluations of Web
Site, Computer
Slide Shows and oral presentations based on
appearance, effectiveness, and content accuracy.
Software
or Materials Used For
Slide Shows, Web Site, and Video: Microsoft Word,
Microsoft PowerPoint, Dreamweaver, PhotoShop,
floppy disks, CD-Rs, digital camera, video camera,
MiniDVD tapes, VCR tapes, printer, CD burner;
for Bridge Models: tongue depressors, Popsicle
sticks, glue, and various materials for connectors,
cables, etc.; for instructional support Program:
USMA Bridge Design CD Workbook from The West
Point Bridge Design Contest, 2003: Jacobs
Civil Inc. and BSCES Infrastructure Group.
Teacher
Developed Materials Video
- Introduction of Bridges Project; PowerPoint
Directions adapted from NOVA Online.
Student
Developed Materials Computer
Slide Presentations; Microsoft Word Presentations;
Web
Site; Brochures; Posters; Games; Model Bridges.
Web
Sites NOVA
ONLINE good overview; The
Big Dig lots on Leonard P Zakim Bridge; Bunker
Hill Monument from Boston Freedom Trail: New
England Region Anti Discrimination League
tribute to Leonard P. Zakim.
Final
Words It's been
fun! Not only do we recognize bridge types wherever
they are, but we learn to appreciate these structures.
The Leonard P Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge holds new
meaning after reading about the man and local
history. This project connects the dots between
community structures and community attitudes.
We build more than models. We build bridges of
understanding.
Teacher
Tip Project success
depends on computer access so students can complete
bridge building activities. Make sure to schedule
plenty of time in the library or multi-media center.
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