CONTENT AREA: ANY

GRADE LEVELS: ANY

Bring the details of an item to be studied into vivid detail with a document camera. From showing the entire class the details of computer circuit boards or items on a microscope slide, to the details of a fossil, plant, or fingerprint, a document camera allows all [...]]]> UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL  ————————————————-

CONTENT AREA: ANY

GRADE LEVELS: ANY

Bring the details of an item to be studied into vivid detail with a document camera. From showing the entire class the details of computer circuit boards or items on a microscope slide, to the details of a fossil, plant, or fingerprint, a document camera allows all students to see target details clearly.

MATERIALS

- Document camera

- Projector

- Item to be studied, such as different types of rocks

PROCEDURE

BEFORE

1. Prepare the items to be studied.

DURING

2. Use a document camera to project an image of the item to be studied.

3. Discuss students’ observations as a class.

4. Direct students to take notes regarding distinguishing characteristics of the item(s) studied.

AFTER

5. Project the image of two or more different items using a document camera.

Have students compare and contrast either in note form or as a complete paragraph.

6. Create a quiz by placing the item(s) discussed under a document camera. Point

to different parts of the item or change items as applicable. Have students identify

each target item on their paper.

ADAPTATIONS

- You can also hook up your  document camera to a microscope, allowing all

students to see the item studied in great detail.

CONTENT AREA: ANY

GRADE LEVELS: ANY

It can be difficult for students to follow processes with only verbal directions, and a demonstration is often limited to only a few students who are close enough to see.   

This use if simple but very valuable.  A document camera is a tremendous asset to help students follow [...]]]> SHOW ME HOW ———————————————————

CONTENT AREA: ANY

GRADE LEVELS: ANY

It can be difficult for students to follow processes with only verbal directions, and a demonstration is often limited to only a few students who are close enough to see.   

This use if simple but very valuable.  A document camera is a tremendous asset to help students follow procedures for many three-dimensional processes.

Use this activity to show students how to do a variety of activities, such as using a calculator, protractor, or drafting tools. You can also project images of yourself or a student demonstrating skills such as keyboarding, dissecting, creating a craft project or foldable study guide.

MATERIALS

- Document camera

- Projector

- Item to be used for demonstration

PROCEDURE

BEFORE

1. Decide which steps of the target skill will be demonstrated.

2. Depending on the project, create a series of samples that represent the individual steps ahead of time.

DURING

3. Project the image of the project step by step for students to follow.

4. Allow students to practice.

AFTER

5. On a separate day, “quiz” students on their newly acquired skills by calling them to

demonstrate the target skill for the class using the document camera.

ADAPTATIONS

- Use a document camera to show students how to fill out forms, and you’ll have fewer mistakes due to missed directions.

- Many models of  document cameras allow you to save the images to a computer, so you can keep a file of images to use when you teach the same skill again.

CONTENT AREA: ANY

GRADE LEVELS: ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, OR HIGH SCHOOL

The following activity can be used to review concepts through questions, vocabulary,

or required memorization such as multiplication tables. It is an excellent way to achieve class

participation with students such as beginning level English Language Learners or students

who may be shy to speak during a class discussion.

MATERIALS

- [...]]]> FLASHCARD REVIEW

CONTENT AREA: ANY

GRADE LEVELS: ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, OR HIGH SCHOOL

The following activity can be used to review concepts through questions, vocabulary,

or required memorization such as multiplication tables. It is an excellent way to achieve class

participation with students such as beginning level English Language Learners or students

who may be shy to speak during a class discussion.

MATERIALS

- Document camera

- Projector

- Note cards or paper cut in similarly small pieces

PROCEDURE

BEFORE

1. Create a few example flashcards that indicate to students the concepts or vocabulary

to be reviewed.

DURING

2. Direct each student to create several flash cards of the target concepts.  Students can

use index cards, or simply use small sheets of notebook paper or printer paper.

3. Have each student come to the projector and place flashcards questions, one at a time,

under the  document camera.

4. Direct the rest of the class to answer orally, either by choral response, or by selecting

individual students to respond.

AFTER

5. Choose some of the flashcards to project under the  document camera. Have

students copy these questions onto paper. Assign as homework.

6. After sufficient reviewing, select flash cards to include on an assessment.

ADAPTATIONS

- Collect all the flash cards. Choose several for a classroom mock quiz. Have students

write their answers on paper. Check together as a class.

- Collect all the flashcards after the class activity. Choose one flashcard to project each

day as bell work.

- Hold a class competition by dividing students into two teams. Direct each team to

create questions for the opposing team. Students from one team place questions under

 document camera, while students from the opposing team must answer the

question correctly.

Flashcards become a truly communal experience

CONTENT AREA: GEOGRAPHY

GRADE LEVELS: ANY

Being able to correctly label a map with key features is an essential skill in geography.

Using a document camera to project a large image allows students to collaboratively practice their recall of geographic places large enough for everyone to see.

Simple - Yet Effective

MATERIALS

- Document camera

- Projector

- Outline map [...]]]> MAP IT ——————————————

CONTENT AREA: GEOGRAPHY

GRADE LEVELS: ANY

Being able to correctly label a map with key features is an essential skill in geography.

Using a document camera to project a large image allows students to collaboratively practice their recall of geographic places large enough for everyone to see.

Simple - Yet Effective

MATERIALS

- Document camera

- Projector

- Outline map of target geographic area

- Whiteboard or large sheet of paper that students can write on

PROCEDURE

BEFORE

1. Prepare a paper with an outline map of the target geographic area.

DURING

2. Project the image of the outline map using the  document camera.

3. Call students to the projected image and direct each student to add another feature to

accurately to the map, i.e. continent, country, city, state, capitals, mountain ranges,

lakes, rivers, oceans, etc.

4. Discuss as a class, making corrections to student labels as necessary.

AFTER

5. Review with students by covering key features and names with removable sticky

notes. Lift the notes to reveal if students have given the right answers.

6. Create a quiz by covering target feature with removable sticky notes with numbers

written on them. Have students write their answers on their own paper and turn in.

ADAPTATIONS

- Instead of labeling with words, students can draw in geographic features, cultural

highlights, and landmarks onto the map. If students have drawn on a large sheet of

paper, the image can be saved and posted in the classroom.

- Using a document camera virtually eliminates the need to purchase costly

classroom maps that may quickly become outdated. Use a document camera to project

maps of any kind for students to use.

- As an icebreaker activity in a class of English Language Learners, have students pair

with a partner, interview each other about their culture, and add their partner’s name

to the correct location on a world map as they introduce their partner to the class.

And don’t forget the great Web 2.0 tools like Google Earth and Microsoft Worldwide Telescope, which augment the above process and are especially useful on interactive whiteboards (IWBs).

CONTENT AREA: ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS, READING

GRADE LEVELS: MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

Reading strategies such as underlining and taking notes in the margin help students

process texts for high-stakes reading tests. However, students are frequently issued reading

textbooks that they are not allowed to write in, vastly limiting the opportunities to practice

active reading strategies. A document camera [...]]]> ACTIVE READING    —————————————————————

CONTENT AREA: ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS, READING

GRADE LEVELS: MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

Reading strategies such as underlining and taking notes in the margin help students

process texts for high-stakes reading tests. However, students are frequently issued reading

textbooks that they are not allowed to write in, vastly limiting the opportunities to practice

active reading strategies. A document camera can make active reading possible for

any text!

MATERIALS

- Document camera

- Projector

- Text selected for analysis

- Whiteboard or large sheet of paper that students can write on

PROCEDURE

BEFORE

1. Choose the text to analyze in class. 

DURING

2. Project the text selected for active reading analysis using the  document camera.

3. Direct students to decide, either cooperatively in small groups or individually, what is

the main idea of the chosen selection.

4. On their own paper, students should write which key words and phrases they would

underline, and what notes they would take in the margin.

5. Choose students to write directly over the projected image which text they have

marked and what notes they would write in the margin.

Help Students Prep for Reading Tests

6. Discuss accuracy as a class.

AFTER

7. Using a document camera, project a text selection that students have not seen

before. As bell work, review, or assessment, have students write on their own paper

which key words and phrases they would underline, and what notes they would take

in the margin.

ADAPTATIONS

- For practice reading poetry, assign students to bring in a copy of appropriate song

lyrics. Project the image of the lyrics and discuss poetry conventions such as

figurative language, meter, and rhyme scheme together as a class.

- Use a document camera to project any text that is being read or referenced

during instructional time. This will help all students, especially students with learning

disabilities or English Language Learners, keep up with the lesson. This will vastly

reduce the number of students who will “get lost” during group reading.