Baseball: A Game for Every Subject

I read an article today by Matt Davis that prompted me to update my Baseball Unit.  It's baseball for every subject in this unit...even English class! 

Here are the details of the Out of Bounds Baseball Unit, if you don't want the PDF:

Back Story

Integrating GIS into core content is easy if you take advantage of preexisting content.  This unit was born out of a baseball theme in English Language Arts (ELA) class.  As the four core teachers talked about what we were doing in ELA class, they wanted to get on board.   Over time, we incorporated all four classes at the same time to create a powerful experience for our middle school students.  This is an outline of what each class did as their part of the baseball unit.  The GIS activities were incorporated in ELA, Science and Social Studies classes.  Perhaps you can play out of bounds and integrate!

English Language Arts / Reading

• “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” song by Jack Norworth
• “Strong Men Weep” short story by Benedict Cosgrove
• Excerpts from Wait Till Next Year a novel by Doris Kerns Goodwin
• “Who’s on First?” play by Abbott and Costello (videos available at YouTube)
• “Casey at the Bat” poem by Ernest Thayer (videos available at YouTube)
• “Baseball in April” short story by Gary Soto
• Shakespeare Bats Cleanup by Ron Koertge

Science

·         Ball analysis (measurement, physics, experiment procedures)

Math

·         Baseball statistics and spreadsheet formulas

Social Studies

·         Games and sports in cultures around the world

Projects

·         Build a baseball Museum

·         Research baseball topics

GIS

·         Play Ball! Spatial Analysis of Baseball (http://edcommunity.esri.com/arclessons/lesson.cfm?id=334)

·         Baseball Radio Station Analysis (http://edcommunity.esri.com/arclessons/lesson.cfm?id=390)

·         Where should you put the next MLB team?

·         Demographic patterns related to baseball

Resources

• Matt Davis’ Blog Article: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/world-series-classroom-activities-matthew-davis
• Negro Baseball League Museum Lessons: http://www.coe.ksu.edu/nlbemuseum/resource/lessonplans.html
• Baseball Hall of Fame Lessons: http://baseballhall.org/education/school-programs/curriculum
• Baseball Stats: http://www.baseball-almanac.com/bstatmen.shtml
• Baseball and Music: http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/interactives/perfectpitch/
• Around the Field: http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/educators/lessons/grade-3-4/All_Around_The_Baseball_Field.aspx
• http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/baseball/teachers/lesson4.html
• Teaching Ideas: http://community.prometheanplanet.com/en/blog/b/blog/archive/2010/10/27/5-great-ideas-for-teaching-with-baseball.aspx#.UImMjkSkAew
• Lessons from Teachers Corner: http://seasonal.theteacherscorner.net/baseball/

Story Maps #1: Kids' Interviews

Grandview Hills Elementary Library Online

I just returned from my annual pilgrimage to the Esri Education Users Conference in San Diego, CA.  Aside from the lovely weather, the event is full of creative and insightful educators and professionals sharing the cool stuff they are doing.  Adding to the fun is the usual catching up and networking with colleagues, one in particular is the highlight of today's blog, Dee Porter.  


Dee is a librarian and media specialist in Leander, TX at an elementary school.  She's using ArcGIS online to curate a collection of interviews from students who have traveled to or were born in other countries.  Each point takes you to the student's map and then links you to a recording of their interview.  These charming little travelers are proof that maps can connect kids of any age to their own story. What story is your map telling?

GIS: An Essential Tool for Any Classroom

This week I had the honor of presenting in the 1 Tool at a Time Series sponsored by the ISTE SIGms and SIGilt.  In the short 30 minute session I shared what GIS looks like for the classroom and demonstrated how you can access maps and curriculum quickly.  You no longer need lots of time and expertise to infuse your classroom with geospatial technologies.


If you'd like to check out the recording, go the GIS in Education page at the 1 Tool at a Time Series wiki. http://1toolatatime.wikispaces.com/GIS+in+Education  While you're there, you'll find a handout of the links shared.


Also, Katie Christo, the SIGilt chair, put together the links along with some of her own on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/katiechristo/gis-mapping-in-education/.


And that's not all!  If you're still interested in learning more about how to get started with GIS in Education, join the folks at NCGE for a free webinar this coming Wednesday!  Charlie Fitzpatrick, Esri Education Manager, will be sharing his perspective on where to begin with GIS in Education.


Happy Mapping!