Rationale ISTE Standard 11.

3: Citizen
American Symbols Scholastic News

Introduction to Standard 11.3:

• “Educators inspire students to positively contribute to and responsibly
participate in the digital world.”
o In other words, teachers will model the responsible use of technology and
encourage children to do the same. Teachers will demonstrate how to use
technology and contribute to the digital word as well as how to use
existing resources.
• Indicator 11.3(b):
o “Establish a learning culture that promotes curiosity and critical
examination of online resources and fosters digital literacy and media
fluency.”

Introduction of the Artifact:

• American Symbols Scholastic News
o Every week, during science/social studies (typically on Fridays) the class
reads and does activities associated with a Scholastic News magazine.
Scholastic sends four magazines each month: sometimes these magazines
are more directly related to a content area we are teaching, so we plan
those magazines accordingly with our units. We co-taught a unit on
American symbols, and Scholastic sent us a magazine titled “Follow That
Eagle!” which discussed several American symbols. By subscribing to the
magazine, teachers are given access to digital copies of the magazine,
videos related to the magazine, and activities/games to extend the
content. We pull up the digital copy of the magazine as we read it as a
whole group, then show the videos. After watching the videos, we review
the vocabulary words from the magazine. When appropriate, we play the
game at the end. By aligning the “Follow That Eagle!” magazine with our
American symbols unit, we were able to make connections between the
lessons taught and activities completed in class.

Rationale:
I believe using technology to access and extend the Scholastic News “Follow
That Eagle” meets standard 11.3 because I modeled and encouraged children to
participate in the digital world. Showing magazines online displays a common
media/news format that children will see as they grow up and demonstrates a
responsible use of technology (using it to access credible information). This
connects with indicator 11.3b, because by using technology for activities like
Scholastic News magazines, we promote a culture that children can use
resources they have access to (including technology) to answer their questions.
By extending units (like I did with this magazine for our American symbols
unit) and introducing new concepts through these magazines, I am promoting
curiosity as well as the use of digital media. I believe especially for our students
who do not have much access to technology outside of school (which is the
norm for my students as many live in significant poverty), it is extremely
important to model how to use technology to answer questions but how to do
so appropriately. Scholastic News online is a great model of this in my opinion. It
is a reliable source that most children remember and get excited about.