Take A Walk On The Wildside

How It Works:   

The primary goals of  this exciting  thematic unit are to teach young children how to acquire scientific ways of thinking, how to better observe the world, and how to communicate. All of the activities listed in this unit are centered around the learning style of Bloom's Taxonomy. The students will:

  • Make a mobile of facts about a big cat of their choice

  • Take a virtual field trip online and learn more about lions living in their natural habitats

  • Design a space in a zoo for big cats, making sure that they have everything a big cat would need

  • Make a big cats' web page using Web Workshop by Sunburst

Standards: 

National Educational Technology Standards for Primary Grades PreK-2

  • Use a variety of media and technology resources for directed and independent learning activities

  • Use developmentally appropriate multimedia resources to support learning

  • Use input devices and output devices to successfully operate computers, VCRs, audiotapes, telephones, and other technologies

Estimated Class Periods To Complete:  10 or more

Software Materials Used: 

Computers with Internet connection, Science-based interactive CD ROMs, Overhead projectors, E-mail, Web Design software

Keywords: 

Science, Animals, Big Cats, Lions, The Lion King, Big Cats' Sounds, Big Cats' Classification, Big Cats' Area of Location, Camouflage, Saving Big Cats From Extinction, African animals

Students:  The students who were involved in this project are in the first grade. The ability levels of this group ranged from high to low. Nevertheless, paired off into cooperative groups, the students were successful and completed their tasks.

Overall:  The best feature about Take A Walk On The Wildside is that it is geared to promote higher level thinking skills as it is based on the learning style of Bloom's Taxonomy.

Tips:  There are many activities listed in each lesson. Pick and choose only the ones that you want to use. For some of you, there may not be enough classroom time to complete all assignments.

About the Teacher:  I have been an educator of early childhood children for the past fifteen years. It has always been my fundamental principle to ensure that every child that I teach is given the opportunity to learn in a motivating and nurturing environment, while also instilling the love of learning in them. 

In my thematic units I try to engage my students in critical thinking and hands-on inquiries. I feel that young children need to be introduced to investigative-based science at an "early" age, and that they  get  first hand experience with science that will challenge them intellectually and exercise their minds.

Subjects:  Science and Social Studies

Grade Levels:  1 through 2

Email Carol

 

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