We're On A
Mission!
Project
URL:
http://teachersnetwork.org/teachnet-lab/ps101/chornik/mission/missionindex.htm
How it works:
After completing shared activities to
learn about the United States' Mars Exploration Rover mission, students
work in cooperative groups, study a NASA mission, and design a mission
into space as part of a Web Quest. Students organize information gathered
from related Web sites to write a persuasive essay convincing the United
States President and Congress to approve and fund their project as the
country's next mission into space. Students also design a space vehicle
and astronaut mission patch as part of their presentation. Projects will
be shared in the form of oral presentation.
Standards
addressed:
Students uses information technology to
navigate, gather, analyze, organize, and present information related to
United States space missions; participate in group meetings to research,
discuss, and evaluate their findings; and interpret and synthesize
information to produce a narrative account in the form of a persuasive
essay regarding a future mission. They demonstrate a basic understanding
of the rules of the English language in written and oral work, analyze and
revise work for clarity and effectiveness, and prepare and deliver oral
presentations regarding an originally designed space
mission.
Materials
used:
This program requires computers with Internet
access, speakers and video players, printers, and scanners. Software
needed will be a word processor, draw/paint program, and presentation
software if you'd like the students to create a multimedia show to
accompany the oral presentation.
The students:
We're On A Mission! is
designed for fifth grade students working in a computer lab. It can be
adapted for grades six through twelve and may be done in a classroom or
library setting. Students use a group checklist to evaluate their
progress. This program can be taught in conjunction with Rocketry
In Motion, another TeachNet unit.
Overall
value:
This Web Quest results in students developing a sense of
pride and accomplishment as they synthesize and organize information found
via Web-based research and design a future space mission. Students use
their writing and word processing skills to create a persuasive essay
while employing their art skills to draw and label a spacecraft and
mission patch. Video and photographic resources excite and motivate the
students.
Tips:
Teachers need to preview all the Web
resources that the students will be using. Some sites may need to be
adapted or edited for your student population.
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Carolyn Hornik has been a New York City public school teacher for twenty five years (12 years as a classroom teacher in third, fourth, and fifth grades and 13 years as a technology coordinator.)
She teaches in-service courses for the New York City Board of Education After School Professional Development Program and on-line courses for new teachers through
Teachers Network.
Chornik@aol.com
Estimated Class Periods To Complete: 10
or more
Subject: English, Social Studies
Beginning Grade Level: 4
Ending Grade Level: 8
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