REFURNISHING ANNA FRANKS FAMILYS FLOOR IN A

CONTEMPORARY WAR
Math, humanities, and IT multidisciplinary project
Grade level range: 6th 8th grade
University of Alabama





CAT 531: Master in Education
Tycho van Kleef, MsC wi.tvankleef@gmail.com / tavankleef@crimson.ua.edu
3-7-2014
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Objectives:
- To understand how to use Google SketchUp as an example of how to make digital 3D models
- To thoroughly have contemplated how an occupational and holocaust situation would pan out in the
contemporary world
- To understand how scales, distance measures, and personal space measures can be used to create a
livable environment
- To add and present the product in an entry to your digital portfolio
Description: As you have been working on understanding the Second World War in humanities and the terrible
circumstances Jewish people had to live in, we continue by using that mind set to redo the entire floor that the
Franks lived on. What if the war would have been in the contemporary world? How would they furnish their room
then, if they had the possibilities? How would they ensure their safety, security, how would they establish contact
with the outer world and how would they receive news? Think about contemporary revolutions like the ones in
Northern Africa and the Middle-East, where people use technology to communicate and to spread ideas.
Activity preparation: The activity preparation will take place in humanities, mathematics, and IT. Using a program
called Google SketchUp, you will learn in IT how to make 3D models to scale. In Math, you will learn about using
scales, determining length, width and height of real life objects and modeled objects, as well as the concepts of
personal space necessary.
Week Class Activity Product to have finished by the next week
1 IT Introduction guide to Google SketchUp SketchUp installed on your device
1 Math Refreshing knowledge on scales,
introduction to the concept of personal
space
Finished refresher worksheet on scales
1 Humanities Discussion on what were the underlying
motivations for the things people
fleeing/hiding from the Germans did in
WW2
A list of main motivations and behavioural
explanations of people fleeing/hiding from
the Germans in WW2
2 IT Basic Google SketchUp skills, working on
getting the foundations of the floor set up,
introducing the placement of furniture
pieces
Foundations of the Franks floor laid out in
Google SketchUp, being able to show
experimentation with furniture placement
2 Math Discussing measures of personal space in
different situations (sleeping, sitting,
walking) & invisible space needed by
furniture (e.g. doors)
A rough paper sketch of the Franks floor
with furniture
2 Humanities Discussing possibilities for seen problems in
the contemporary world
A 1-sheet essay including 3 foundational
problems that fleeing/hiding groups in
WW2 had to deal with, with contemporary
solutions and their effects
3

3 IT Help with putting furniture in the model,
help with Digital Portfolio problems,
glitches
First draft of the floor done in Google
SketchUp
3 Math Reviewing sketch on placement of items
and personal space, discussing how the
documentation should be done
First draft of documentation file.
3 Humanities Review of essay, group discussion of how
the kids can apply it to the Franks
First draft of essay explaining which items
are on the floor, the reason for their
inclusion as well as their positioning. Mark
items with characteristics including
security, communication, day-to-day living
(e.g. about food, washing, sleeping), and
entertainment (Humanities).

4 IT Feedback, working on finishing, and
working on posting about the project on
the Digital Portfolio
IT requirements fulfilled.
4 Math Feedback & working on finishing. Math requirements fulfilled.
4 Humanities Feedback & working on finishing. Humanities requirements fulfilled.
Requirements:
- A 3D model of the Frank familys floor using Google SketchUp (IT)
- In the 3d model, the floor should be furnished sensibly and to scale, taking personal space into account (Math)
- The model needs to be supported with a documentation file including all items and their measurements in reality
(Math)
- The model needs to be supported with an essay including an introduction to the Frank familys situation and
fundamental motivations, explaining which items are on the floor, the reason for their inclusion as well as their
positioning. Mark items with characteristics including security, communication, day-to-day living (e.g. about food,
washing, sleeping), and entertainment (Humanities).
- A clear and understandable presentation of your project on your digital portfolio (add it to humanities, math, and
IT). You decide how you present it (video post, images, text, combination). Take into account digital citizenship
ethics and information security (IT, Math, Humanities)
- Creativity!

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Tools & resources:
Google Sketchup: http://www.sketchup.com/
School Digital Portfolio website: [to be determined]
Anna Franks floor measurements:

Standards addressed:
- ITSE & ATCoS: Creativity and innovation: applying knowledge learnt in humanities class together with
their imagination to create a livable situation in the contemporary world for the Franks
- ITSE & ATCoS: Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making: adding one item already affects
the positioning/viability of other items, therefore students have to think critically, use the tools SketchUp
has carefully to their advantage.
- ITSE & ATCoS: Digital citizenship: due to the sensitivity of the subject and the public nature of the digital
portfolio, the students are urged to express themselves in a way that honors the digital citizenship code.
- ITSE & ATCoS: Technology operations and concepts: By using Google SketchUp, the digital portfolio and
the specific (free, creative) way in which they publish their project on their project, students have to learn,
combine, and show their skills using these different technological tools.
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Grading rubrics
Due to the multidisciplinary nature of this project, different rubrics apply for different subjects.
DIGITAL PORTFOLIO ENTRY
Exceeds Expectations 10-9 Meets Expectations 8-7 Needs Improvement 7-6 Unacceptable 5-1
Buttons and Links Work Correctly All buttons and links work
correctly.
Most (99-90%) buttons and links
work correctly
Many (89-75%) of the buttons
and links work correctly.
Fewer than 75% of the buttons
work correctly.
Buttons Navigation Buttons are appropriately
labeled and all similar buttons
(e.g., Back, Home, Next, etc.)
appear in the same place on
different cards.

Buttons are appropriately
labeled. Most similar buttons
(e.g., Back, Home, Next, etc.)
appear in the same place on
different cards.
Buttons are appropriately
labeled. Placement of buttons
appears random from card to
card.
Buttons are not adequately
labeled and placement of
buttons appears random from
card to card.
Background Background does not detract
from text or other graphics.
Choice of background is
consistent from card to card and
is appropriate for the topic.
Background does not detract
from text or other graphics.
Choice of background is
consistent from card to card.

Background does not detract
from text or other graphics.
Background makes it difficult to
see text or competes with other
graphics on the page.
Graphics Sources Graphics are hand-drawn. The
illustrator(s) are given credit
somewhere in the presentation.

A combination of hand-drawn
and HyperStudio graphics are
used. Sources are documented
in the presentation for all
images.

Some graphics are from sources
that clearly state that non-
commercial use is allowed
without written permission.
Sources are documented in the
presentation for all "borrowed"
images.
Some graphics are borrowed
from sites that do not have
copyright statements or do not
state that non-commercial use is
allowed, OR sources are not
documented for all images.
Sounds Planning Careful planning has gone into
sounds. All sounds improve the
content or "feel" of the
presentation.

Some planning has gone into
sounds. Most enhance the
content or "feel" of the
presentation, but 1-2 seem to be
added for no real reason. None
detract from the overall
Sounds that are chosen are
appropriate for the topic, but
some detract from the overall
presentation.
Sounds are not appropriate for
the presentation.
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presentation.
Originality Presentation shows considerable
originality and inventiveness. The
content and ideas are presented
in a unique and interesting way.
Presentation shows some
originality and inventiveness. The
content and ideas are presented
in an interesting way.
Presentation shows an attempt
at originality and inventiveness
on 1-2 cards.
Presentation is a rehash of other
peoples ideas and/or graphics
and shows very little attempt at
original thought.
Text Font Choice & Formatting Font formats (e.g., color, bold,
italic) have been carefully
planned to enhance readability
and content.
Font formats have been carefully
planned to enhance readability.
Font formatting has been
carefully planned to complement
the content. It may be a little
hard to read.
Font formatting makes it very
difficult to read the material.

Source: http://www.rubriclibrary.com
DOCUMENTATION FILE
Exceeds Expectations 10-9 Meets Expectations 8-7 Needs Improvement 7-6 Unacceptable 5-1
Text Font Choice & Formatting Font formats (e.g., color, bold,
italic) have been carefully
planned to enhance readability
and content.
Font formats have been carefully
planned to enhance readability.
Font formatting has been
carefully planned to complement
the content. It may be a little
hard to read.
Font formatting makes it very
difficult to read the material.

Consistency - 100% of the items in the 3D
model are included in the
documentation file
Between 100-90% of the items in
the 3D model are included in the
documentation file
Fewer than 90% items in the 3D
model are included in the
documentation file.
Precision No items differ in scale between
the documentation file and the
3D model, the furniture
placement is sophisticated and
well thought out.
No items differ in scale between
the documentation file and the
3D model, the furniture
placement makes sense.
A maximum of one item has a
different scale between the
documentation file and the 3D
model. The furniture placement
leaves some questions.
The scale is different between
more than 2 items in the
documentation file and the 3D
model. And the furniture
placement leaves a lot of
questions and are very
unpractical.
Formatting source: http://www.rubriclibrary.com

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3D MODEL
Exceeds Expectations 10-9 Meets Expectations 8-7 Needs Improvement 7-6 Unacceptable 5-1
Precision The scale of the foundation is
done in line with the real
measures, the placement of
items is done with wit and with
extreme care.
The scale of the foundation is in
line with the real measures, the
placement of items is carefully
done.
The scale of the foundation
shows small but consistent
faults, the placement of items is
not done carefully but is not
hindering.
The scale of the foundation
shows significant or inconsistent
faults. The placement of items is
done hinderingly carelessly.
Completeness The floor is very thoughtfully
furnished it is clear that a lot of
thought is put in the placement
and the items, considering the
personalities of who they will
belong to
The floor seems to be
thoughtfully furnished all
characteristics (e.g. security,
entertainment) are taken care of
for the persons living there.
The floor is scarce on furniture
not all characteristics (e.g.
security, entertainment) are
taken care off for all the persons
living there, but more than the
basics is there.
The floor lacks furniture/items
the Franks could not live like this.
Formatting source: http://www.rubriclibrary.com

SUPPORTING ESSAY
Exceeds Expectations 10-9 Meets Expectations 8-7 Needs Improvement 7-6 Unacceptable 5-1
Content completeness Everything included in the
previous slot, but very detailed,
careful and thoughtful item
justifications, and umbrella ideas
on what the items mean to the
family. Clearly thinking beyond
the obvious, creative.
The essay includes a clear
introduction to the
circumstances the Frank family
lived in, their foundational
motivations as well as a sound
reasoning for the majority of
items (or at least the type of
items, being characterized by
security, communication, day-to-
There is a minimal introduction
to the circumstances the Frank
family lived in, their foundational
motivations, as well as a clear
reasoning for at least 60% of the
items. All item characteristics are
covered (security,
communication, day-to-day living
and entertainment)
There are not enough items
covered (less than 60%) or the
introduction is lacking, or not all
item characteristics are covered
(security, communication, day-
to-day living, and
entertainment).
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day living and entertainment)
Text Font Choice & Formatting Font formats (e.g., color, bold,
italic) have been carefully
planned to enhance readability
and content.
Font formats have been carefully
planned to enhance readability.
Font formatting has been
carefully planned to complement
the content. It may be a little
hard to read.
Font formatting makes it very
difficult to read the material.

Comments:
The teachers need to work together carefully and continuously to ensure all students are on the same page. All teachers also need to understand what the
others are doing merely understanding their own part of the project is not enough to understand the whole, and to understand what is being asked of the
students. Scales and WW2 should be/have been discussed before this project starts and should be mastered.