TopicQuest Lesson Plan

Title of Lesson:
The Sensational Seasons

Primary Learning Outcome (PLC):
The primary learning outcomes to be achieved with this lesson include:
A. With teacher guidance students will be able to use the computer to research information on the Internet.
 

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

Materials and Equipment:
1. Construction paper (Blue)
2. White Paper
3. Scissors
4. Colorful Markers
5. Pencil & paper (to make notes for lesson plan assessment and reflections)
6. 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: The Sensational Seasons  &  URL:  http://www.valdosta.edu/~elwade/topic.html

Procedures:
Step One: Introduction
Have a small group of students go to a computer.  List 2 or more questions that introduce students to topic of seasons that establish a connection to students' prior knowledge by asking them: "Can anyone name the four seasons? Which is your favorite season? Does anyone know what type of weather we have in spring, summer, fall, or winter?"  Today we are going to learn about the seasons by visiting websites on the Internet and we will do a fun activity to learn more about the four seasons. We need to know about the seasons because we will need to know how to dress at certain times of year so we do not get too hot or too cold. We also need to know about the seasons so we will know when we can plant and harvest food so we will be able to eat.  I have made a special seasons  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 the seasons we will become weather investogators for our class and figure out why we have different seasons. 

Check for understanding
Have students explore and discuss the information in each of 3 or 4 pre-selected websites.  Ask students guiding questions about the important concepts in each of the visited websites.  (Save website to use in Mission Project.)  List three or more questions.
1. Why do the leaves turn color only in fall?
2. Why is snow white and how is it formed?
3.  How come beautiful flowers bloom in spring and not in any other time of the year?

Practice and feedback related to the PLC
Read mission project to students.  Explain to student that they are going to be investogators for their class  Discuss investogators with students and explain that they are used by police stations to help catch bad guys. 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, "Snow"  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 written and pictures cut out 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 of their information and picture and information they found on the Internet about snow.  Tell students that your topicquest page is on the Internet and they can visit the website at school or home to learn more about snow.  Explain to students that you are going to put their inforamtion and pictures 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 K-10
Student will be assessed through the use of the computer with teacher guidance to do research and find information for the mission project.
Satisfactory: Student is able to use the computer with teacher guidance to do research and find information for the mission project.
Unsatisfactory: Student is not able to use the computer with teacher guidance to do research and find information for the mission project.
 

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.") Oneof my students I have seems to have a learning disability. She seems to be distracted by other things and staying on task for her school work is a hard job.

2. List the specific URL address of one Internet resource website, where you found information to assist you to work with your special needs student. Information for assisting special students:  Links for Accommodations for Special Students or you can do a search. http://www.rit.edu/~easi/easisem/ldnoelbw.htm

3. Explain what you would add to this lesson plan to accommodate your special student?  I would read each web site to them and help them by explaining the web site in terms that they are able to understand. I will also help them write what they say about their snowflakes since they may not know how to write a certain word.

Reflections: (For Electronic Portfolio under Standard #1 Knowledge of Subject Matter)
1. a. Describe and give examples of how your TopicQuest lesson created learning experiences and activities that makes subject matter meaningful for students.
-The students seemed to learn alot more about the seasons through the activity and the web pages. Alos, they answered the questions very intelligentlly because they seemed to learn about the topic. Also, whuile doing the art activity, each student had to describe snow, and each of the students gave me sentences about snow and how snow is formed.

    b. Describe and give examples of how your TopicQuest lesson illustrated your understanding of content and tools of inquiry.
          -I realized that I did not know as much about the seasons as I should have. By doing this lesson, it allowed me to research the information and helped me to learn some things about the four seasons. This helped me so that I could answer the students questions with a batter understanding of the subject matter.

    c. Describe and give examples of how students were engaged in learning and responded during your lesson.
        -The students answered the questions that I asked with correct answers. The students also did the activity and seemed to enjoy the learning expireence.

  2. Describe and give examples of how the students achieved the assessment of your lesson. Give the achievement level (satisfactory or unsatisfactory) for each assessment for each of your students.
    A. Technology Integration:
        Student One: Satisfactory; he answered the questions I asked and gave good sentences for the activity.
        Student Two: Satisfactory; she answered the questions I asked and also gave me good sentences for the activity.
 

3. Describe what you would do differently and why if you taught this lesson again.

   -I would make the lesson shorter. I would also ask the students more questions about the topic and the lesson. 
 

The student told me sentences that described snow. These are the sentences that he told me. When it rains, snow is formed. Snow is wet. Snow can feel like ice.	Here is a brief description of the students picture. She told me a few sentences about snow. When snow melts, it turns to water. Snow can be hard or soft. Snow is cold.