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TopicQuest Lesson Plan

Title of Lesson:  Eating Apples for Knowledge

Primary Learning Outcomes (PLOs):
The primary learning outcomes to be achieved with this lesson include:
A. With teacher guidance student will be able to use the computer to research topic information on the Internet. (QCC- Technology Integration- Research- K10)
B. With teacher guidance student will be able to listen to information to gain knowledge.  (GPS- English/Language Arts- Comprehension- ELAKR6)
 

Assessed Standards
Georgia QCC
A. Grade: K
Subject Area: Technology Integration
Strand: Research
10 Topic: Research
Standard: Uses basic research techniques with teacher guidance.

Georgia Performance Standard (GPS)
B. English/Language Arts Performance Standard
Grade: K
Comprehension
ELAKR6:  The student gains meaning from orally presented text. 
a. The student listens to and reads a variety of literary and informational texts and materials to gain knowledge and for pleasure.

Materials and Equipment:
1. Have example of your mission project to show students
2. Paper for drawing
3. Crayons
4. Pencil & paper (to make notes for lesson plan assessment and reflections)
5. Modification of a  lesson developed by Dr. Diane L. Judd
 

Technology Connection:
Technologies that will be used in this lesson include:

• Computer with Internet connection. 
• Students will use computers to research information on the Internet.  
• Copy of my TopicQuest Web page included with this lesson plan. 
• TopicQuest Web page Title: Eating Apples for Knowledge   &  URL: http://www.valdosta.edu/~adgoolsb/topic.html

Procedures:
Step One: Introduction
Have a small group of students go to a computer.  Explain to students that you are going to use the computer to find out information about apples.  List 2 or more questions that introduce students to your TopicQuest that establish a connection to students' prior knowledge by asking them:
1. "Do you know what an apple is?" 
2. "Can you tell me something that you know about apples?"  
Today we are going to learn about apples by visiting websites on the Internet and we will do a fun activity.  I have made a special Web page for your class.  (During discussion have students turn around away from the computer to interact.)

Estimated Time for Step One:
5 minutes

Step Two Teaching the Primary Learning Outcomes:
(Have students sit at the computer where they can control the mouse and computer.)  (Explain to students the process of the lesson.)  After we visit several websites about apples then you will pretend to be a reporter for the National Food Society and draw a picture tell some interesting things about apples. 

Check for understanding
Have students explore and discuss the information in each of the 3 pre-selected websites.  Ask students guiding questions about the important concepts in each of the visited websites.   List three or more questions.
1.  What is an apple?
2.  Where are apples grown?
3.  Is an apple healthy for you?

Practice and feedback related to the PLO
Read mission project to students.  Explain to students that they are going to be reporters for their class and find out information about apples.   Tell the students that the information that they will need to complete their mission project is listed and connected in the  mission activity.  Visit website for information for mission project.  Discuss the information in the linked website in the mission activity with the students to emphasize interesting and important information students will need to complete mission project.

[Students will write (or dictate to teacher) information to be included in the articles and draw pictures for the mission project.  While students are completing mission project, teacher will observe students and give assistance when needed.]

Step Three
Closure:
Have students discuss their mission project and information they found on the Internet.  Tell students that your topicquest page is on the Internet and they can visit the website at school or home.  Explain to students that you are going to put their pictures and information on the Internet and they will be able to share their mission projects with their friends and family.  (If possible teacher should take brief notes during the lesson and concluding discussions to be added later to the assessment and reflections in lesson plan.)

Estimated Time for Step Three:
5 minutes

Assessment:
A. Technology Integration 
Student will be assessed through observation while using the computer with teacher guidance to do research on the Internet for topic information.

Assessment Rubric

B. English/Language Arts
Student will be assessed through observation and oral discussion to evaluate if student with teacher guidance is able to listen to information to gain knowledge.

Assessment Rubric

Accommodation:
Links for Accommodations for Special Students
1. Select one of your students that needs special attention.  Describe the student in your class with special needs. (Do not use the student's real name.  You could refer to the student as "the special student.")  We have a special student who has a visual impairment.  She doesn't wear glasses but she has problems seeing from a distance.

2. Explain what you would add to this lesson plan to accommodate your special student?  I will make the font and pictures bigger on the computer for her.  When drawing I will give her bright paper with large crayons.

Comments & Reflections: For Electronic Portfolio Principle #1 Content and Curriculum: Teachers demonstrate a strong content knowledge of content area(s). Describe how your TopicQuest project is evidence that shows how you understand concepts of knowledge.  Also tell how you used the tools of inquiry to develop and implement your TopicQuest for your elementary students in your field classroom

1. Describe how you developed the mini-research TopicQuest lesson for your students.  Include your process of researching and selecting web sites for your pre-k/elementary students.  I did search through search engines and evaluated the sites for age appropriateness and valid information.

2. Comment on your teaching of how your TopicQuest lesson created learning experiences and activities that implemented the use a variety of resources and technologies.  We used the computer for our technology and using the computer we searched various websites.

4. Examine and describe your teaching of this TopicQuest lesson.  First I introduced the lesson, told what the lesson would be about.  Next I taught the lesson to the students using the computer for technology.  We surfed the Internet.  Last was closure, We completed a mission statement and steps.  The students drew a picture of their favorite 3 apples from 3 different trees. After that I did my reflections.

5. Give at least on suggestion that would lead to improving your teaching practices and student achievement.  I would give the students a chance to explore the net and work the mouse before jumping into the lesson.  I would work in a computer lab instead of a regular room to try and not have as many distractions.
 

With my first student  it was a little difficult to teach the lesson because this student was younger and couldn't use the mouse without guidance.  This is his picture that he drew.	With my second student , he didn't listen well beause he was a little older than student 1 and was able to use the computer with little guidance.  This is the picture of the three apples that this student drew.