TopicQuest Lesson Plan

Title of Lesson:
Digging Information on Your Favorite Bug!

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.  National Geographic Kids
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: Crawling Around with Bugs   &  URL: http://www.valdosta.edu/~kaevers/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 insects.  List 2 or more questions that introduce students to topic of insects that establish a connection to students' prior knowledge by asking them: "Have you ever studied or read a book about insects?"  "Can you tell me something that you know about insects?"   Today we are going to learn about insects by visiting websites on the Internet and we will do a fun activity to learn more about insects.  I have made a special insect 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 insects then you will pretend to be a reporter for the National Geographic Kids and draw a picture telling three interesting things about insects. 

Check for understanding
Have students explore and discuss the information in each of the 3 or 4 pre-selected websites.  Ask students guiding questions about the important concepts in each of the visited websites.  (Save "Let's Talk About Bugs" website to use in Mission Project.)  List three or more questions.
1.  How do you think this insect travels around? (Flying, walking, etc.)
2.  Have you ever seen an insect like this?
3.  How big do you think insects are?

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.  Discuss reporters with students and show them the newspaper with examples of articles written by reporters. 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, "Let's Talk About Bugs."  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 with their favorite insect 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 three facts, pictures and information they found on the Internet about insects.  Tell students that your topicquest page is on the Internet and they can visit the website at school or home to learn more about insects.  Explain to students that you are going to put their information 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.")  I have found one of my students to be very energetic and seems to have trouble focusing on the lesson while the teacher is speaking.  This special student has not been diagnosed with AD/HD medically, but seems to show characteristics of a child with this diagnosis.

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. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

3. Explain what you would add to this lesson plan to accommodate your special student?  In order to assure this student would be able to follow this lesson easily I would be sure to do this lesson one on one with the child to be sure the student is paying attention.  I would also ask this special students to help read the links and directions so they are involved in the learning process.  I will also try to keep directions simple so the student listens to everything I have to tell.

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.
       My topic quest lesson reviewed a variety of insects.  The students were able to see internet sites that showed insects they had already learned about and insects they had yet to see. It was a positive learning experience for them to be able to learn about insects that surround us as well as see how technology can be used for learning.  It was useful for them to gain computer technology experience while expanding their knowledge on the insect lessons they had previously heard.

    b. Describe and give examples of how your TopicQuest lesson illustrated your understanding of content and tools of inquiry.
    By teaching this lesson I was able to show students my knowledege about computers.  This was done by assisting and guiding them through the lesson.  I also was able to tell the students that I made this lesson on the computer, which demonstrates my understanding of technology.

    c. Describe and give examples of how students were engaged in learning and responded during your lesson.
    The students were completely involved in the lesson.  They were able to pick websites they wanted to visit.  I also gave them control of the mouse to maneuver through the web pages for the majority of the lesson.  Students were able to ask questions and point to things they wanted me to read to them.  They also had the opportunity to share what they saw in the lesson through the drawing portion of their mission.

  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:  This student did satisfactory moving through the web pages.  I assisted on reading the pages and explained different features of the insects to him.
        Student Two:  This student's managing of the mouse and scrolling through the web pages was also satisfactory.  He demonstrated good knowledge of how to work on the computer and I assisted again on the reading portions.
 

3. Describe what you would do differently and why if you taught this lesson again.
     I experienced difficulty with the computer I was using for my lesson.  If I were to do this again I would check the computer before to make sure everything would pull up successfully because I learned that while it worked on the other computers I had looked at it on before, it was not working on the computer my lesson was taught on.

(Three or more sentences of students' descriptions & comments) This picture is by a Kindergarten student. The picture is of a ladybug and he was to include three facts about ladybugs.  He said Ladybugs' wings have spots, Ladybugs eat leaves, and Ladybugs have six legs.	(Three or more sentences of students' descriptions & comments) This picture is by a Kindergarten student. The picture is of a butterfly and he was to include three facts about a butterfly.  He said a butterfly's wings are connected to the body, the antennae are connected to the head, and they begin as caterpillars and turn into butterfly's.