This project aims to immerse 6th-grade students in a simulated professional environment where they will collaboratively plan a school event using technology. By engaging in tasks such as email communication, calendar scheduling, file management, document creation, videoconferencing, and online research, students will develop essential skills for effective communication and collaboration. The project is designed to meet key standards, including demonstrating search strategies, using technology in communication, understanding cloud services, and customizing documents with formatting elements. Through this hands-on experience, students will enhance their ability to use technology in a professional manner, preparing them for real-world applications. The project will be launched with a guest speaker from the local chamber, providing a real-world connection and inspiration. Students will also participate in a critique and revision process through a discussion board, allowing for peer feedback and idea generation. Reflection will be an integral part of the project, with daily goal setting and progress evaluation. The culmination of the project will be a group presentation to the Student Council, showcasing their event planning process and the technological skills they have acquired.

In this project, students will engage in a hands-on learning experience that integrates technology skills with real-world applications. They will learn to effectively communicate and collaborate using various productivity applications, essential for planning and executing a successful school event. Key learning goals include: 1. Mastering Online Search Strategies: Students will practice and demonstrate a variety of search strategies to conduct efficient online research, supporting their event planning process. 2. Effective Use of Technology in Communication: Students will learn to use email applications for professional communication, including creating, responding, and managing contacts. They will also explore videoconferencing tools to facilitate virtual meetings. 3. Understanding Cloud Services: Students will describe and utilize cloud services for file management, learning to create, move, copy, delete, and rename files and folders both on desktop and cloud systems. 4. Document Customization: Students will enhance their skills in document creation by using formatting elements such as alignment, spacing, borders, and lists to produce professional-quality materials like flyers and agendas. 5. Calendar Management: Students will use calendar applications to schedule meetings and milestones, demonstrating their ability to organize and manage time effectively. 6. Reflection and Feedback: Through daily reflections and peer feedback on discussion boards, students will critically assess their progress and refine their work, fostering a growth mindset. By the end of the project, students will have developed a comprehensive understanding of how to leverage technology to plan and execute a school event, gaining valuable skills in communication, collaboration, and digital literacy.

In this project, students will collaboratively plan and execute a simulated school event, such as a fundraiser or school play, using various productivity applications. The key products and accomplishments will include: 1. **Email Communication Portfolio**: Students will create a series of email communications, showcasing their ability to compose, reply, and manage contacts effectively. This will demonstrate their proficiency in using email applications for professional communication. 2. **Event Planning Calendar**: Students will develop a detailed calendar using a calendar application, scheduling team meetings, and event milestones. This will highlight their skills in organizing and managing time effectively. 3. **File Management System**: Students will organize event-related materials in a cloud system, demonstrating their ability to create, move, copy, delete, and rename files and folders efficiently. 4. **Event Documentation**: Students will produce formatted documents, such as flyers or agendas, using word processing software. This will involve customizing documents with alignment, spacing, borders, and lists to meet professional standards. 5. **Videoconference Presentation**: Students will participate in a virtual team meeting, managing their speaker, microphone, and camera settings. This will prepare them for professional virtual interactions. 6. **Research Report**: Students will conduct online research on event planning, using effective search strategies, and compile their findings into a report. This will demonstrate their ability to gather and synthesize information online. 7. **Feedback and Reflection Journal**: Throughout the project, students will engage in peer feedback sessions via a discussion board and maintain a reflection journal to track their progress and learning experiences. By the end of the project, students will present their event planning process to the Student Council, showcasing their ability to use technology effectively in real-world scenarios and reflecting on the challenges and successes experienced during the project.

To kick off the project, invite a local event planner or a representative from the Chamber of Commerce to speak to the students. This guest speaker can share insights into the planning and execution of a successful event, such as a community festival or charity fundraiser in Phelps. The speaker can highlight the importance of communication, collaboration, and technology in event planning. This real-world connection will engage students and provide context for the skills they will develop during the project. After the presentation, facilitate a Q&A session where students can ask questions and gather ideas for their own school event project. This launch activity will set the stage for students to understand the relevance of the project and inspire them to apply their learning in a meaningful way.

To culminate the project, students will host an "Event Planning Showcase" where they will present their proposed school event to the Student Council and other community members, including a representative from the local chamber of commerce. This exhibition will provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their learning and application of technology skills in a real-world context. Each team will prepare a presentation that includes: 1. An overview of their event concept, goals, and intended impact on the school community. 2. A demonstration of their use of productivity applications, showcasing email communication, calendar scheduling, and file management. 3. Samples of documents they created, such as flyers or agendas, highlighting their document customization skills. 4. A reflection on the challenges they faced during the project and how they overcame them using technology. 5. A discussion on the feedback received from peers through the discussion board platform and how it was incorporated into their final plan. The exhibition will also feature a live demonstration of a virtual team meeting using videoconferencing, allowing students to exhibit their ability to manage speaker, microphone, and camera settings. This event will not only celebrate students' achievements but also provide them with valuable feedback from community partners and peers, reinforcing the real-world applicability of their skills.