Digital Mapping: Engaging
Kids in Text Analysis
Victoriano Elementary School
Caryn Lewis
Katrina Bermudez
Lorena Manrique
Victoriano Elementary School
Students Who are College and Career Ready
• Demonstrate independence
• Value evidence
• Use technology and digital media strategically and
capably
• Come to understand other perspectives and
cultures
• Comprehend as well as critique
• Respond to the varying demands of audience,
task, purpose, and discipline
• Build strong content knowledge
Digital Literacy and Common Core
Information, Media and Technology Skills
• Access and Evaluate Information
• Use and Manage Information
• Analyze Media
• Create Media Products
• Apply Technology Effectively
Digital Mapping
Digital Mapping combines the critical
thinking and hands-on process of ProjectBased Learning with Close Reading
strategies to engage students in a rich
analysis of rigorous text. This
combination is fueled by passion and
discovery, allowing for high levels of
motivation and commitment.
Using Technology as a Tool
to Increase Learning
Project Based
Learning
Close Reading
Digital Mapping
Close Reading
In the process of Close Reading, students read
to uncover layers of meaning that ultimately
lead to deep comprehension. Close Reading
ensures the level of learning needed for
students to apply critical thinking skills and
use the information gathered to complete a
task, or create something new.
Common Goals of Close Reading
• Evaluate text structure and extract significant
information
• Examine rhetorical features and academic language
• Ask critical questions regarding individuals, events,
concepts and ideas
• Determine how ideas are interconnected and related
• Analyze key themes
• Draw conclusions and make judgments
• Analyze writing techniques
Project-Based Learning
The project-based learning model allows for
greater depth and understanding of
significant content. Originally thought of as
the “learning by doing” model, it develops
21st century skills while promoting
creativity and innovation. The collaborative
structure increases communication and
maximizes authentic engagement.
Does the project…?
• Focus on Significant Content
The project provides access to the CCSS in a way that builds mastery and deep
content knowledge.
• Develop 21st Century Skills
The project promotes awareness and literacy engaging students with the real
world. Students are able to collaborate and communicate their ideas effectively.
• Organize Learning Through Essential Questions
The project work is driven by an essential question and students develop critical
thinking skills as they learn to rationalize their thoughts and ideas. Students
engage in in-depth inquiry throughout the process.
• Encourage Leadership and Choice
The project allows individual students to expand their interpersonal and
intrapersonal skills. Students lead the learning with the teacher as a facilitator.
• Promote Communication and Presentation Skills
Students communicate their ideas using various forms of media, technology and
communication styles. Opportunities are provided for extended presentations
outside of the classroom environment.
Yes
No
Ultimate Goal: Meaningful Learning
Learning can vary from highly rote to
highly meaningful. Creativity often
results from very high levels of
meaningful learning. Digital Mapping
empowers learners to extend the
creative thinking process and access
different levels of knowledge.
Novak, 2008
What about cognitive rigor?
• Bloom—What type of thinking is needed to
complete a task?
• Webb—How deeply do you have to
understand the content to successfully
interact with it? How complex or abstract is
the content?
From “What are some of the implications for the transition to Common Core
Standards?” by Karen K. Hess National Center for Assessment, Dover, NH, 2009
Webb, 2006
Webb’s Four Levels of Cognitive Complexity
• Level 1: Recall and Reproduction
• Level 2: Skills & Concepts
• Level 3: Strategic Thinking
• Level 4: Extended Thinking
Putting it all Together
1:1 iPad Model
iPad Resource Model
Unit of Study
• Big Ideas and Essential Questions
• 21st Century Themes and Skills
• Career Link
• Performance Tasks – End of Unit Assessments
• CCSS Learning Goals
• Formative Assessments – Mini Tasks
• Language Overview
• Instructional Resources
• Daily Instructional Overview
Push Cards and Text Analysis
Expository Text
Text Prep:
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Overview of text structure and content – what are you reading and how is it
organized?
Are visuals and/or graphic images provided?
Do headings and/or sub-headings provide any clues?
Is there text located in the marginalia?
Is there a summary provided for this text?
Text Check:
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In this paragraph or section, are any words highlighted or written in italics?
What context can be used to clarify meaning?
Is there a visual image related to this content?
What is the main idea of this section and how does it relate to the overall concept?
What evidence or details can be found to support the main idea?
Do a question-connection check!
Text Wrap-Up:
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Review the main idea and details of this selection.
What final questions do you have related to this content?
How does this information support what you already know about the world?
Reread the assigned text from start to finish.
Digital Mapping Guides
Project-Based Learning Tasks
DOK 1- What word occurs often throughout the reading
using the root “part”? (Define and use this root.)
DOK 2- What physical properties are associated with
solids, liquids and gasses? (Collect and display this
information using effective organizational techniques. )
DOK 3- How can you distinguish a chemical change from
a physical change? (Compare and explain this
phenomena in terms of concepts.)
DOK 4 – What kind of a story could you design for a
young child to help them understand the changing
states of matter? (Synthesize the new content and
design your story using effective media elements.)
DOK 1 – Keynote
Student Digital Presentation
Keynote is an interactive presentation software
application designed exclusively for iPads. Keynote
enhances the organization and presentation of
student information and ideas.
DOK 2 – ShowMe
Student Digital Presentation
ShowMe is an educational application and online
learning community that allows teachers and
students to create instructional videos that align
directly to Common Core State Standards. Students
can create and post videos to share with the class.
DOK 3 – Prezi
Student Digital Presentation
Prezi is cloud-based presentation
software that offers a new approach to
previous slideshow techniques. This
organizational tool allows students to
share ideas and present information in
a multi-dimensional format. Prezi builds
critical thinking skills and encourages
students to process information in a
unique way. Students can master and
communicate critical information to a
wide range of audiences.
DOK 4 – iMovie
Student Digital Presentation
iMovie is a digital movie making application that enables
students to utilize a variety of media formats to create,
publish and share movies or movie trailers. Photos, videos,
music and text can be easily combined into movies using
either custom or preset formats. Utilizing interactive media
to perform these academic tasks increases student
engagement, provides opportunities for students to
demonstrate higher level thinking, and leads to a better
understanding of academic content.
The Role of the Teacher as a Facilitator
• Models a healthy cycle of teaching and learning
within the classroom
• Allows students to take responsibility for their own
learning
• Provides multiple perspectives of learning
• Encourages students to actively engage in their
environment and their education
Results and Findings
• This instructional model naturally increases
communication and collaboration while
simultaneously building self confidence and
presentation skills.
• Increased motivation and high levels of engagement
are realized through self-guided digital learning.
• Digital Mapping allows for differentiated learning and
a gradual increase of higher-order thinking skills.
• This model promotes self-regulatory skills and shows
a significant increase in learnable moments.
Contact Information
Victoriano Elementary School, VVUSD
• Caryn Lewis, Principal – clewis@valverde.edu
• Katrina Bermudez, Instructional Coach - kbermudez@valverde.edu
• Lorena Manrique, Bilingual Facilitator – lmanrique@valverde.edu