515 technology lesson plan



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Subject: Science

Grade: 3rd

Materials:

Teacher-created logbook for each student to complete (one sample page attached), webquest activity directions (teacher-typed as the language on the webquest page may be beyond the comprehension of some 3rd-graders) and use of computer lab.

Curricular Content:

Science

4b: Students know the way in which the Moon’s appearance changes during the four-week lunar cycle.

4d: Students know…that the Moon orbits the Earth.

5e: Collect data in an investigation and analyze those data to develop a logical conclusion.

Objective:

Students work individually and collaboratively to produce an accurate logbook of information on the moon. Students understand why the moon has different phases.

Summary of the Project:

The lesson incorporates direct instruction, individual work, group work, use of “Kidspiration” to create a pictorial depiction of the moon’s phases, and related subject and integrated subject work through the “Webquest” activity pages. Webquest activity includes a motivation to find information about the habitability of the moon. Data is gathered, and a final letter is written (to the galactic space agency) stating a conclusion about the suitability of moon living.

Teacher introduces the unit of study, assigns groups and members (heterogeneous grouping), passes out teacher-prepared logbook, and assigns the nightly homework of drawing a picture of the moon. The webquest task and necessary website addresses are typed on a “mission statement” for each group. Each group will gather information about the moon to judge whether the space aliens in the webquest activity would want to vacation on the moon. Emphasis is placed on the individual’s responsibility to the group, and the necessity of harmonious group work. Each student will choose questions from the logbook to research and answer individually, and then share the information with group-mates so they can complete their charts. Weekly computer lab time is spent using Inspiration software to artistically and graphically “copy” their nightly observations. The student’s final chart will depict the moon’s phases as it orbits the earth. The students work in groups to synthesize and analyze the information gleaned in order to write a creative final letter (using proper letter format).

Motivation: “Boys and girls, who has seen the moon at night, what does it look like? Why does it look different at different times? Do you think that we could live there? What about space aliens? Could other life forms live there? We are going to be scientists by gathering information about our solar system.”

Student Directed Component:

Students work individually to record their observations of the moon each evening. Each student within a group is responsible for answering questions contained in the logbook, and reporting back to the group. Each student will work individually during computer lab time (once per week) or to chart the phases of the moon using Inspiration software.

Collaborative Component:

Groups will meet twice per week to discuss observations and share the answers to their individual “moon” questions with group members. Students work in heterogeneous groups to write the required letter required in the webquest activity.

Technology Component:

Students will use Kidspiration software to visually depict the phases of the moon. We meet at computer lab once per week, and every student has his/her own computer to work on and save work on. This should be a fun activity. We will have 6 sessions at the computer lab to complete the final picture. Webquest provided some related activities of gathering information on the moon (size, distance from the Earth, etc). Pertinent websites are listed for students to access on our classroom computers, or at home. Each student in a group is responsible for answering 3 questions from the list, and sharing the answers with group members. It is hoped that exposing students to informational and interesting websites on astronomy will pique their general interest in the solar system and science. Students will also use the classroom computers to write a concluding letter (using proper set-up) regarding the habitability of the moon.

Assessment/Evaluation:

The Webquest activity page has provided a rubric for grading the logbook and letter. Students receive an individual grade on their logbook, and a group grade for the letter.

Cite Sources:

Webquest: “Phases of the Moon” author “Slarcom” at

Lunar image, cover page: Arthur Beales, .au/gallery/ beales/moon.jpg

Astronomer image, logbook page, “Astronomer” from clipart gallery, Microsoft Word

Color graphic, first page of lesson plan, image j0301076 from clipart gallery,

Microsoft Word

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