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Topic Mini-Research Lesson Plan

Title of Lesson: Fun with Plants and Bugs

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 an 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 Topic Mini-Research Web page included with this lesson plan. 
• Topic Mini-Research Web page Title: Fun with Plants and Bugs &  URL: http://www.valdosta.edu/~srfowler/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 plants and bugs.  List 2 or more questions that introduce students to your Topic Mini-Research that establish a connection to students' prior knowledge by asking them:
1. "Have you ever read any books or seen any movies about bugs or plants" 
2. "Can you tell me what you know about bugs and plants?"  
Today we are going to learn about plants and bugs 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 plants and bugs, you are becoming research scientists and picking your favorite bug to write fun facts. 

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 are the names of some of your favorite bugs?
2.  Can you tell me the names of some unusual plants?
3.  What are some characteristics of a pest?

Practice and feedback related to the PLO
Read mission project to students.  Explain to students that they are going to be inventors for their class and find out information about plants and bugs.   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 Topic Mini-Research 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

Accommodation:
Links for Accommodations for Special Students
1. After completing the contextual factors for your class, 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.")  Describe your student and his or her needs.

I have a student who is in speech. The student sometimes has a problem articulating his words.

2. Explain what you would add to this lesson plan to accommodate your special student?  Explain what you would add to this lesson to accommodate your special student.

To accomodate this student, I would focus on question and answers repetitions to help the child in his articulation.

Assessment the Primary Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
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.
(QCC- Technology Integration- Research- K10)

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.
(GPS- English/Language Arts- Comprehension- ELAKR6)

Evaluation of Students

Comments & Reflections:

1. Comment on your teaching of how your Topic Mini-Research lesson created learning experiences and activities that implemented the use a variety of resources and technologies. 

Students liked the fact that they were building on prior knowledge of plants and bugs to gain new knowledge about the subjects. Students were able to navigate through the websites on their own (with little guidance), to learn new material.

2. State evidence in two or more sentences to show that your students gained knowledge during your Topic Mini-Research lesson.

When asked what was special about the moths they have chosen, students were able to recall from the website the fact they wished to choose. Students were able to answer questions after hearing information from the page they chose to view.

3. Give at least one suggestion that would lead to improving your teaching practices and student achievement.
 
Thoroughly examining the websites before teaching. There were a few pieces of the page that I was unable to explain without examining the page for a minute or two.

Student 1 Kindergarten from Berrien Primary School.

Student 2 Kindergarten from Berrien Primary School

1. Write two or more sentences of student's description of project. Student thought the website was "cool" and loved my dog on the front page. Student enjoyed learning about plants because she already had prior knowledge about them (students learned about plants the previous week). 2. Write two or more sentences of student's comments about his/her Topic Mini-Research project. Student enjoyed the colors of the moth. Student was excited about the pictures beside each weblink.

1. Write two or more sentences of student's description of project. Student enjoyed navigating through the website. Student was excited about learning new facts about the bugs, especially the butterflies. 2. Write two or more sentences of student's comments about his/her Topic Mini-Research project. Student was excited about the bug section of the mini-research page. Student liked learning facts about different and unique flowers.