Subject: Science/Technology
Grade Level: Second
Materials: The required materials would be both word processing and multimedia presentation applications. Students should have some prior knowledge about how to use these applications and also access to the Internet. The majority of the work is completed in a computer lab setting.
About: This lesson incorporates Science, Computer Skills, and Writing.Students will do research on the Internet to gather information about the different types of rocks and the rock cycle. Students will be directed to specific websites where they will read about the 3 different types of rocks and how the rock cycle works. The projects address different learning styles, providing students with a variety of choices depending upon their specific needs. Upon completion of the tasks, they will become certified junior geologists and be prepared for their annual field trip to the rock museum.
Students will complete a poster or powerpoint presentation describing the 3 types of rocks and how the rock cycle works.
The overall value of this unit is that students will learn to use computer skills while reinforcing the content information presented in the classroom. The Internet is the primary source for this project. Because it is designed for lower elementary, all searches are done using specific websites, monitored by the teacher. Students will be able to add sense and meaning to their learning as they continue through the website by completing specific tasks. These tasks will prepare them for the field trip they take to the rock museum, providing real world experience for them. Students are told they will become a junior geologist upon completion of their tasks,
The teacher should go through the website to make sure all links are working. Collaboration with the classroom teacher is also necessary as students should have some prior knowledge about rocks. The students will also need basic computer skills in word processing and powerpoint. The skill level will determine the amount of time needed to complete the project. There is a teacher page at the end of the website with extension activities and what learning styles are addressed.
http://mset.rst2.edu/portfolios/a/aitken%5Fc/toolsdev/thesis/
| Students will demonstrate knowledge of Microsoft Word |
| Students will demonstrate knowledge of Microsoft PowerPoint. |
| Students will be able to cite references. |
| Students will use technology to enhance learning and promote creativity. |
| Students will conduct research using Internet Explorer. |
| Students will identify the characteristics of rocks. |
| Students will identify the 3 major types of rocks. |
| Students will use technology to explore the rock cycle. |
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| Standard 3.2 (Writing) |
| All Students Will Write In Clear, Concise, Organized Language That Varies In Content And Form For Different Audiences And Purposes |
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| Standard 3.4 (Listening) |
| All Students Will Listen Actively To Information From A Variety Of Sources In A Variety Of Situations. |
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| Standard 3.5 (Viewing And Media Literacy) |
| All Students Will Access, View, Evaluate, And Respond To Print, Nonprint, And Electronic Texts And Resources. |
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| Standard 5.1 (Scientific Processes) |
| All Students Will Develop Problem-Solving, Decision-Making And Inquiry Skills, Reflected By Formulating Usable Questions And Hypotheses, Planning Experiments, Conducting Systematic Observations, Interpreting And Analyzing Data, Drawing Conclusions, And Communicating Results |
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| Standard 5.8 (Earth Science) |
| All Students Will Gain An Understanding Of The Structure, Dynamics, And Geophysical Systems Of The Earth. |
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| Standard 8.1 (Computer And Information Literacy ) |
| All Students Will Use Computer Applications To Gather And Organize Information And To Solve Problems. |
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| Day 1: Rocks, Rocks, Everywhere! |
| to introduce the web search to students |
| to review gathering and synthesizing information |
| to review the components of Microsoft Word |
| to review the components of PowerPoint |
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| Internet access |
| Word processing application, multimedia presentation software |
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| Explain to students how to access the Internet by modeling. |
| Demonstrate how to use the hyperlinks and print out worksheets. |
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| Day 2: The Task and Activities |
| to gather information about the 3 types of rocks |
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| Internet access, printed worksheets |
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| Use worksheets and specific websites to define the 3 types of rocks |
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| Worksheet, teacher observation in a computer lab setting |
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| to gather information about the rock cycle |
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| Internet access, printed worksheet |
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| Use worksheets and specific websites to define the rock cycle |
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| Worksheets, teacher observation in a computer lab setting |
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| demonstrate knowledge of the 3 types of rocks and the rock cycle |
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| Word processing and multimedia presentation software, Internet access |
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| Using the information collected, create a poster or PowerPoint presentation following the checklist given |
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| Students will give oral presentations to class. |
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Carol Aitken
caitken@bloomingdaleschools.org
29 Captolene Avenue
Bloomingdale, NJ 07403
Carol has been teaching in the Bloomingdale School District since 1988. She earned her BA in English from Ramapo College and just completed her Masters of Educational Technology. For the past eight years she has been the computer teacher/technology coordinator for grades K-4. Carol publishes a quarterly newsletter providing teachers with tech integration ideas and lesson plans. She has provided the staff with several workshops including “Using Digital Photography” and “Creating Rubrics”. Along with her regular classroom assignments, she teaches several computer enrichment classes and a fourth grade immigration unit. When she is not teaching, she trouble shoots all the computers and peripherals in the district to make sure all technology is up and running for staff members to use. |
