TopicQuest Lesson Plan

Title of Lesson:
 Fun With Baby Animals

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. Computer with internet 
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: Fun With Baby Animals & URL: http://www.valdosta.edu/~kaletour/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 baby animals.  List 2 or more questions that introduce students to topic of baby animals that establish a connection to students' prior knowledge by asking them: "Have you ever studied or read a book about baby animals?"  "Can you tell me something that you know about baby animals?"   Today we are going to learn about baby animals by visiting websites on the Internet and we will do a fun activity to learn more about baby animals.  I have made a special animal 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 baby animals then you will pretend to be a rescue ranger and help rescue baby animals and return them to the right mother. 

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 "Baby Animal Rescue Game" website to use in Mission Project.)  List three or more questions.
1. What is a baby cat called?
2. Can a mother animal have more than one baby animal?
3. Can you name any more baby animals?

Practice and feedback related to the PLO
Read mission project to students.  Explain to students that they are going to be animal rescue rangers.  Discuss that animal rescue rangers help save baby animals and return them to the correct mother.  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, "Baby Animal Rescue Game."  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 about the baby animal game 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 rescuing baby animals and matching them with their mothers, pictures and information they found on the Internet about baby animals.  Tell students that your topicquest page is on the Internet and they can visit the website at school or home to learn more about baby animals.  Explain to students that you are going to put their drawings 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

2.URL: http://www.newideas.net/

3. I would make sure to ask more questions to keep this specific student involved so that her mind will not wander.  If she stays involved and interested, she will most likely be willing to participate in the activity.  I would also assist her more with thetopic quest by checking for understanding several times.

Reflections:  ( For Electronic Portfolio under Standard #1
1.  a. Describe and give examples of how your Topic Quest lesson created learning experiences and activities that made subject meaningful to your students.  The lesson taught was fun and meaningful to the students because they can relate so well to baby animals.  Most children love animals so they were completely interested in learning more and telling me what they already knew.
  
     b. Describe and give examples of how your TopicQuest lesson illustrated your understanding of content and tools of inquiry.  This lesson illustrated my understanding of content by providing interesting websites that listed relevant material for students to learn what they needed to know about baby animals.  The provided lesson demonstrates an understanding of tools by effectively allowing and teaching students to use the internat, mouse, and keyboard.

    c. Describe and give examples of how students were engaged in learning and responded during your lesson.  Students were engaged in the lesson by browsing through different websites and discussing what they learned off of each website.  They read online books about baby animals and loved looking at multiple pictures.

  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 successfully browsed through internet sites about baby animals and answered my questions with thought and critical thinking skills.
        Student Two:  Satisfactory:  The student participated in multiple research activities and followed teacher guidance instructions.  The student also successfully used the mouse and other computer devices.
 

3. Describe what you would do differently and why if you taught this lesson again.
    If I taught this lesson again, I would allow the children more time to explore the other websites listed other than the mission website so they could learn as much as possible. I would also ask more critical thinking questions so students could demonstrate what they were learning.  By allowing more time, the students are also able to become more familiar with the computer and how to use it. 
 

This is a picture of a cub I saw at Wild Adventures. He is climbing up a tree in this picture. Baby bears are called cubs, and I see them all the time at Wild Adventures.  There are lots of baby animals and their parents to see there. Picture and Comments by: Cami Taylor	I am drawing a baby dog.  Baby dogs are called puppies.  I like them because they are nice and fun to play with.  I think I will also draw a baby alligator and a baby bird from the game we played. Picture and Comments by: Kegan Graham