Wally+Mammoth

=Wally Mammoth Project=

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AlKQY8IBm-cxdHY4V21nVHJwTUNBQ1IzRWlTUE1NU2c&hl=en
 * Click here for the BIG UNIT PLAN:**

http://wallymammothproject.blogspot.com
 * Project BLOG:**

**Wally's Back Story** The woolly mammoth was long thought to be an extinct species, dying out during the ice age. Years ago, while digging in some frozen tundras, scientists made an amazing discovery... these mammoths were actually frozen alive! Arduous scientific efforts were taken to thaw the species and, although it has taken years, these furry, friendly creatures are alive and well today. What makes this story even more incredible, is that the mammoths have actually adapted to human civilization! They eat like us and dress like us. Can you believe it? These mammoths are living among us incognito! You may have even passed one on the street and didn’t know it!

In the wake of this amazing discovery, scientists asked for help to find new homes for these mammoths and our class responded. We were able to prove to the scientists that our home state of Pennsylvania would be a great place for a mammoth to live.

Our furry friend arrived in January, 2009, and we named him Wally. We took him everywhere with us and taught him all about his new home state.

Wally has a new classroom full of friends this year and, although he loves them dearly, Wally has developed a bit of the travel bug! He has expressed a desire to visit new places and see how they are the same and different from Pennsylvania.

Help out Wally the woolly mammoth today:) **
 * Are you willing to host Wally for a visit and teach him about your home state?

=**Teacher Guide **= = = =** What is this project about? **= = = =** Who should participate? **= = = =** Why should "YOU" participate in this project? **=
 * Project Objective:** Wally is a traveling Wolly Mammoth who will be visiting all schools participating in the project. Wally is "real", and lives among the humans (read his interesting backstory). While living in the beautiful state of Pennsylvania, Wally has acquired the "traveling bug" to go and explore other states (and beyond) to learn and explore. Wally, and the classes he visits, will BLOG about his wonderful travels and experiences, all the while, encouraging creative uses of multimedia on the BLOG. THIS IS A BLOGGING PROJECT!
 * Any 3rd through 5th grade class around the world, not just in the US
 * If your class wants to buddy, or have multiple classes participate as one (within your school), that is acceptable. We ask that you maintain a limit of approx. 50 students per school.
 * Small class sizes are also encouraged to join!
 * to teach and learn from others about your home state and beyond
 * to showcase your state geography, natural resources, regions, influential people, it's history
 * to use this project as an extension to your curriculum (Literacy, Writing, Social Studies, 21st Century Learning Skills)
 * to communicate with other schools around the US and beyond
 * to foster creativity through the use of technology
 * To bring EXCITEMENT into your classroom
 * **This is NOT just an "interesting facts" project. Please follow the guiding questions to help prepare how your students will respond to the BLOG:**
 * **Guiding Questions:**
 * WHY is your state is so great?
 * WHY do people live there?
 * HOW have the people, resources and geography impacted it's rich history?

=** How would your class participate? **=
 * VIEW the project BLOG daily (or a few times a week minimum)
 * WRITE a blog comment (when Wally is visiting somewhere other than your school) at least once a week
 * CREATE a blog post daily when Wally is visiting "your school". **//Creativity is greatly encouraged - use a variety of multi-media to embed on the blog such as video, audio, widgets, images, and of course....text! Wally loves to have his picture taken!!//**
 * Your **TASK** is to showcase your state's geography, natural resources, regions, influential people, history, etc, through the BLOG- **//BE CREATIVE!//**
 * Utilize this project to help make connections as to WHY your state is so great; WHY people live there; HOW the people and geography have impacted it's rich history.- __not just interesting facts!__
 * __**You must agree to SHIP WALLY to the next school wherever he may go!**__

=** When, or how long does the project last? **=
 * This project will begin in January, 2010
 * Wally will begin BLOGGING from his home school in Pennsylvania as participating schools join the project
 * The project will last through May, 2010, but the blog will always remain intact to showcase your students' work
 * Depending on the number of participating schools, the timeline of Wally's stay at your school will vary. We are targeting for Wally's visits to be a minimum of two weeks and a maximum of 4 weeks per school.
 * There is a calendar link that will include the timeline of WALLY's school visits.
 * Technical Requirements**
 * You __MUST__ have access to BLOGGER and WIKISPACES!
 * Teachers __MUST__ be able to communicate to us via email- we use a gmail address!
 * Glogster/EDU is __optional__, although not required.
 * There will be some video content that classes post using platforms such as youtube, viddler, or vimeo. We will try to make sure all schools use the same platform once we get underway. Uses of video in encouraged, although images are acceptable.
 * There also might be a few creative uses of embedded widgets that other schools may use in their blog posts. You'll have to cross that bridge when you get to it and keep communications open with your IT people.