TopicQuest Lesson Plan

Title of Lesson:
Let's Save Our Planet!

Primary Learning Outcome (PLO):
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. Paper for drawing
2. Crayons
3. Pencil & paper (to make notes for lesson plan assessment and reflections)
4. 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: Let's Save Our Planet!   &  URL: http://www.valdosta.edu/~enwillia/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 Earth Day.  List 2 or more questions that introduce students to topic of Earth Day that establish a connection to students' prior knowledge by asking them: "Have you ever studied or read a book about recycling or taking care of our planet?"  "Can you tell me something that you know keeping the planet clean?"   Today we are going to learn about Earth Day by visiting web sites on the Internet and we will do a fun activity to learn more about Earth Day.  I have made a special Earth Day 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 web sites about Earth Day then you will pretend to be in charge of keeping Valdosta Earth friendly and draw a picture and tell some facts about how to keep Earth  safe.

Check for understanding
Have students explore and discuss the information in each of the 3 or 4 pre-selected web sites.  Ask students guiding questions about the important concepts in each of the visited web sites.  (Save "Let's Save Our Planet!" web site to use in Mission Project.)  List three or more questions.
1. Why is it important to pick up litter?
2. What are some things you can do to keep Earth happy?
3. What are some things you can ask your family to do to keep Earth happy?

Practice and feedback related to the PLO
Read mission project to students.  Explain to students that they are going to be in charge of reporting facts to the city of Valdosta.  show them the newspaper with Tell the students that the information that they will need to complete their mission project is listed and connected in the  mission activity.  Visit web site for information for mission project, "Let's Save Our Planet!"  Discuss the information in the linked web site 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 of their articles, pictures and information they found on the Internet about Earth Day.  Tell students that your topicquest page is on the Internet and they can visit the web site at school or home to learn more about Earth Day.  Explain to students that you are going to put their articles 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 observation while using 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.")  There is a child in my mentor teacher's class who is legally blind. The child can see to do work, but must be very close to it in order to see. For example, when doing a worksheet, the child puts it very close to the face. 

2. List the specific URL address of one Internet resource web site, 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.glc.k12.ga.us/passwd/trc/ttools/attach/accomm/visimp.doc 

3. Explain what you would add to this lesson plan to accommodate your special student? I would make sure the computer screen is at the child's eye level so they can put their face close to it. The accessibility wizard in the computer's programs can also magnify the screen.  

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.
Reading the story, found in one of my links, to the students helped them see the importance of not littering. They were able to see how one piece of litter could make the world ugly. Also, doing something tangible, (working on the computer; drawing pictures for their article) reinforces the ideas taught.

    b. Describe and give examples of how your TopicQuest lesson illustrated your understanding of content and tools of inquiry.
I researched a lot of information concerning Earth Day so that I would be prepared to guide the students towards correct answers. At this age, the students still have a hard time thinking critically on their own. Teaching the TopicQuest I had prepared gave me more experience in using tools of inquiry.

    c. Describe and give examples of how students were engaged in learning and responded during your lesson.
The students seemed to enjoy the online story and were able to tell me what happened in each scene we had just read. They could also tell me why some of the characters acted the ways they did. The students also quickly decided what they were going to draw, one with minimal guidance, and could tell me exactly what they wanted to report. This showed me that the students were listening and attentive during the lesson.

  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- The student easily navigated the web site and could find the sites that were most interesting to her.
        Student Two: Satisfactory- The student quickly learned how to navigate the web site. However, she pulled up the screen that comes up when      you right click several times.
 

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

I would make sure the games work on the computers that I had access to. One student was very disappointed that she couldn't play the games.