OUR PLANET, EARTH – Lesson #4

Internet search on “Earth – related topics”

DESCRIPTORS

Curriculum Areas: Science, Language Arts, Geography, and Technology

Recommended Levels: 3^rd – 4^th Grade

Time Frame: 45 minutes

Tribal Affiliation:

Geographic Location: North Central New Mexico – Santa Clara Pueblo

Developed by: Jacqueline Sanchez

Email addresses of developers: Jackie_Sanchez@teachnet.edb.utexas.edu

Date lesson was developed: 7-27-01

American Indian Standards:

The World in Spatial Terms 1A, 3D

Places and Regions 4A, C

Language and Literacy 1, 3, 7

INSTRUCTION

Goal: To become aware of the physical characteristics, components, and cultural folklore relating to Our Planet, Earth. Students will also gain practice using the Internet, computer for word-processing, scanning, and web page creation.

Behavioral Objectives: Students will:

Practice using the Web for research
Use writing process in creating an informative summary report on their web search findings
Download graphics from sites pursued in activity
Incorporate culturally relevant, community-based information in their summary report

Prior Knowledge Needed:

Students should be able to pursue a search on the web with minimal teacher guidance or assistance.
Students should be aware of their inhabitance of Earth as their home.
Students are to contribute information relevant to Earth and its characteristics and components.

Materials and Resources Needed:

Internet access
model of Earth; such as, globe
student’s Science Journals
colored pencils, crayons, or markers
drawing paper

Culture Content and Strategies: Students are to interview parents and/or grandparents on legends or folklore on Earth and/or creation. This information will be brought back to class and edited, revised, and put into final draft as a summary informative/narrative. This information and/ or summary will be allowed to be included on the class web page under our topic Earth. Student created illustrations can be added by scanning into the website.

Lesson Summary and Performance Tasks:

Each student is to pursue a web search on a selected topic identified under our subject the “Earth”.

Step 1. Brainstorm topics under our subject the “Earth”. The teacher should guide and prompt when necessary.

Step 2. After list is determined in brainstorming, work with a partner. The teacher will review the procedure in pursuing a search on the web.

a.) Log on entering given username and password.

b.) Go into Internet Explorer or Netscape, (whichever is on the computer).

c.) Enter the topic chosen from the list on the search blank and click enter, or click on search button.

d.) Next select desired link from list that comes up by double clicking on the selection.

e.) If that link doesn’t provide the information sought or needed, go back by going up on the menu bar and clicking on the back button. This will take the user back to the list of sites (links) under your desired topic in your search.

Step 3. Read and enter in your own words (summarize), the information of your choice acquired from the site. Go on and pursue additional information in other sites listed in your search.

Step 4. Continue to retrieve information; probably 5 items of new information on the topic entering this into their SJ under today’s date.

Step 5. Use this information and write up a report. At this time students will incorporate culturally relevant information retrieved as homework assignment.

Step 6. Edit the first draft, using the writing process for revising and editing.

Step 7. Word process final draft and prepare for publishing using desired font on the title and Times New Roman or Arial for the body of the report.

* Students in need of challenge can now work on the student web pages as partners or individually. This is to be student choice or decided by the teacher.

Assessment:

Students are to complete the actively participate in the brainstorming activity and complete the informative/narrative summary report including graphics and/or illustrations. Complete tasks will be assessed according to teacher prepared rubric featuring product content, organization, capitalization, punctuation, new vocabulary, graphics, and neatness.

EXTENSION

Technology Integration: Students will use the INTERNET for research and word-processing in producing final draft.

Enrichment/Remediation: Students with need will work with a partner who chooses to have a partner and complete required tasks.

Students in need of challenge will add graphics to their projects, help with scanning for display, and create student web pages on the class site.

Microsoft Power point pres. on topic – “OUR PLANET, EARTH”