Digital Art and Media Literacy · Quarter 3

Introduction to Digital Drawing Tools

Students will learn basic functions of digital drawing software, experimenting with brushes, colors, and layers.

About This Topic

Major industries today are the engines of our state's economy. Students identify the key products and services our state provides to the world, from high-tech software to agricultural crops to tourism. This topic connects to economic standards by showing how our state fits into the global marketplace and how industries have changed over time.

Students also explore the skills that are needed for the jobs of the future in these industries. This topic comes alive when students can use collaborative investigations to 'research' a specific industry and discuss how it has evolved and what it might look like in the next 50 years.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: Industry Profiles

Groups are assigned a major state industry (e.g., technology, agriculture, manufacturing). They must research what the industry produces, where it's located, and how many people it employs, then create a 'State Industry' poster.

⏱ 50 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Gallery Walk: Made in Our State

Post images of products that are made or grown in our state. Students walk through and identify which industry each product belongs to and one way that product is used by people in other places.

⏱ 30 min·Individual

Generate mission

Think-Pair-Share: Jobs of the Future

Students think about a job they might like to have in one of our state's major industries. They pair up to discuss what skills they think they would need for that job and share with the class.

⏱ 20 min·Pairs

Generate mission

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Our state only has one or two industries.

What to Teach Instead

Explain that most states have a diverse economy with many different industries. An 'Industry Profiles' project can help students see the wide range of businesses in their state.

Common Misconception

Industries never change.

What to Teach Instead

Teach that industries are constantly evolving as technology and people's needs change. Discussing how an industry like 'farming' has changed with the use of computers and drones can help students see this evolution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most important industries in our state today?

This varies by state. Common examples include technology (like software or aerospace), agriculture (like corn, cattle, or citrus), manufacturing (like cars or machinery), and tourism. Identifying your state's top industries is a great way to understand its economy.

How have our industries changed over the last 50 years?

Many industries have become more high-tech, using computers and robots to do things that used to be done by hand. Some old industries may have shrunk, while new ones, like renewable energy or biotechnology, have grown.

What skills do people need for the jobs of the future in our state?

In addition to basic skills like reading and math, many future jobs will require skills in technology, problem-solving, and working together in teams. Learning how to learn and being adaptable will also be very important.

How can active learning help students understand major industries?

Active learning through 'Industry Profiles' and 'Made in Our State' gallery walks allows students to see the real-world impact of these industries. By researching and then sharing their findings, they develop a much deeper and more personal connection to the state's economy, making the concept of 'industry' much more concrete and interesting.

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