CEClang.87


TITLE:  OLYMPIC SHADOW BOXES

AUTHOR:  Penny Sexton, Okemah High School;
         Okemah, OK

GRADE LEVEL:  Grades 9-12;
              Library Science/English/Art

OVERVIEW:  We wanted to introduce several of our
reference materials that were not being utilized by
students which would be very useful if they were aware
of their availability.  These are materials found in
almost every media center.

PURPOSE:  The reference materials introduced will be
the type students will use for a lifetime.  As always
we are attempting to make our students life long
learners.

OBJECTIVE(s):
1.   Locate reference materials to answer one of four
     questions.
2.   Interpret that information and rewrite into their
     own words or art work.
3.   Demonstrate knowledge of the information
     concerning their question by developing a visual
     display.
4.   Organize all four visual displays into one visual
     display (shadow box).

RESOURCES/MATERIALS:
Almanacs, Sports encyclopedias, standard encyclopedias,
     sports section of Dewey collection (796),
     Periodicals/Fiche, T.V. Guide, Biographical
     Dictionaries, etc...
Supplies
Boxes, construction paper, markers, scissors, glue,
     colored cards, white paper, cotton, paper cups,
     foil, etc...
Typewriters, computers (with word processing and
     printers), copy machine.

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
     This is a cooperative lesson, best if organized
with Library Media Specialist and either Art or English
instructors.  I work with our English instructors,
during one of the weeks of the Winter Olympics.
     We have one English class per grade level per
class period.  So we do this activity in one week, with
each grade level completing the activity each day.
Friday is reserved for celebrating.

1.   Before the students come to the Media Center I
     do some preliminary activities:
     a.   Randomly assign a sport from the Winter
          Olympics to each class.
     b.   Prepare a folder with one of four
          questions and any special instructions.
          1b.  Current medal contenders?
          2b.  Past winners?
          3b.  History of the sport?
          4b.  Rules of the sport?
     c.   Prepare a table with all supplies students
          would need for their visual display.
     d.   Prepare boxes for the number of classes
          participating. I spray paint boxes which
          you can find in the super market holding
          can soda.  I paint them black.
2.   We start with our Senior English class during
     their regular class period on Monday.
3.   Divide class randomly into four groups.
4.   Distribute folders with questions and give any
     instructions necessary.
5.   Students research their question and develop their
     part of the overall visual display.  (Remember:
     Only one box per class--everything must go INSIDE
     the box for this class period.)
6.   Students must utilize ONLY supplies that are on
     the supply table, they may not leave the Media
     Center to obtain any additional supplies.
7.   As each class completes their box, they must leave
     the Media Center clean and you must put the shadow
     box away so other groups can not see them.
8.   Repeat with Junior English classes on Tuesday,
     Sophomore classes on Wednesday, and Freshmen
     classes on Thursday.
9.   Judges, using whatever criteria you wish, rank
     boxes by class, and overall.
10.   Winner at each grade level is announced at a pep
     rally and receives a "Free Day" in the Media
     Center.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:  This is such a fun way to
introduce some of these resources.  Students come back
repeatedly to these sources after this activity and
your Library Media Specialist will probably be thrilled
to assist.  However, you can do this in your own
classroom with as many or as few groups as you choose.
And you will be surprised at the students who are most
creative as well as the "leader" that emerge.