Peter
the Butterfly
Peter
the Butterfly is an interdisciplinary unit on
caterpillars and butterflies. Students enhance
their reading and mathematical skills in symmetry;
observe and discuss the stages of a butterfly;
enhance their creative thinking and map skills;
and identify cardinal directions. The students
read The Very Hungry Caterpillar by
Eric Carle, recall information from the story,
learn about a butterfly’s wings, draw a
symmetrical wing on paper and then on either KidPix
or Kidspiration software, learn about the life
cycle of a butterfly, create a life cycle of a
butterfly at an art center, play online interactive
butterfly games, and learn about the Fall migration
of a Monarch butterfly.
Subject
Area
Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies,
Technology and Art
Grade Levels
1-2
Objectives
Students
will be able to recall information; draw a symmetry
butterfly; demonstrate observations of symmetrical
wings on butterflies; identify all four stages
of the life cycle of a butterfly; identify where
butterflies in North America travel; and navigate
through a variety of online butterfly games..
Internet Used
The majority of the Webquest unit requires students
and their partners to navigate through designated
websites and perform a multitude of tasks such
as research, interactive games, interactive recalling
of information, art projects, and math symmetry.
Through this, students perform tasks that are
aligned with the stated standards below.
Materials Used
Required materials include a computer with Internet
access, a printer, KidPix or Kidspiration Software,
the books The Very Hungry Caterpillar
by Eric Carle and Roly
Poly Caterpillar by Barbara Ann
Novelli, teacher-created worksheets, silk butterflies,
photographs of butterflies, a symmetrical butterfly
worksheet, a large map of the United States, a
toilet-paper tube, a tongue depressor or ice-cream
pop stick, heavy paper, a 6" (150 mm) piece
of pipe cleaner, markers or crayons, scissors,
and glue.
Standards Addressed
Students select and use strategies they have been
taught for note-taking, organizing, and categorizing
information; ask specific questions to clarify
and extend meaning; make appropriate and effective
use of strategies to construct meaning from print;
observe basic writing conventions; read aloud
accurately and fluently, using phonics and context
cues to determine pronunciation and meaning; take
turns speaking and responding to other’s
ideas in conversations on familiar topics; use
the computer as a tool for generating and drawing
ideas; use simple logical reasoning to develop
conclusions; ask “why” questions to
seek greater understanding concerning objects
and events; describe the major stages in the life
cycles of selected plants and animals; experiment
and create art works in a variety of mediums;
and use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate
their understanding of the geography of the interdependent
world in which they live--local, national, and
global.
Assessment
Students are assessed from a variety of teacher-student
rubrics, one-on-one conferences, and a partner
rubric.
Students Involved
This unit is suitable for a diverse population
of students in grades 1-2. The only requirement
is that students must have the ability to read
and click on directed areas. Students are paired
in groups to complement each of their skills to
ensure a successful Webquest experience.
Teacher Tips
Go through Webquest as if you were a student to
get an understanding of what they will be experiencing.
Make sure you have all of the necessary materials
including books and poems. Check that all websites
are fully functioning before you start each lesson.
This unit will take between 2-3 weeks.
Overall
Value
The overall value of this unit is twofold. First,
students gain a deeper understanding of the Internet,
its informational capabilities, and how to navigate
effectively through it. Secondly, teachers will
want to adapt it for their classes as it ties
in a multitude of disciplines such as Language
Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Technology,
and Art.
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Jennifer
Meschi
Jennifer
Meschi is the Technology Integration Specialist
for Frank J. Carasiti Elementary School
in Rocky Point. She earned an Advanced Masters
Certificate in Educational Computing in
addition to her Master’s Degree from
Stony Brook University.
In
her current role, Jennifer provides teachers
the resources to effectively integrate technology
into their curriculums. Through staff development
she has helped to increase the staff’s
proficiency of the available applications
and hardware. In addition, Jennifer works
directly with the students teaching technology-based
lessons in her classroom as well as by pushing-in.
Finally, she provides basic trouble shooting
to help keep the tools running properly
and smoothly. |
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