TopicQuest Lesson Plan

Title of Lesson:
The School Reporter and Dinosaurs

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. Newspaper
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: Exploring the World of Dinosaurs   &  URL: http://www.valdosta.edu/~djudd/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 dinosuars.  List 2 or more questions that introduce students to topic of dinosaurs that establish a connection to students' prior knowledge by asking them: "Have you ever studied or read a book about dinosaurs?"  "Can you tell me something that you know about dinosaurs?"   Today we are going to learn about dinosaurs by visiting websites on the Internet and we will do a fun activity to learn more about dinosaurs.  I have made a special dinosaur 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 dinosaurs then you will pretend to be a reporter for the National Weekly Reader and draw a picture tell some interesting things about dinosaurs. 

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 "Dinosaur Worlds" website to use in Mission Project.)  List three or more questions.
1.
2.
3.

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, "Dinosaur Worlds."  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.]

Mission Project     You are a reporter for The National Weekly Reader.  The editor, your boss, has given you a special assignment.  You get to ride the "Time Capsule" back to the Ages of the Dinosaurs.      Your editor wants you to tell about your trip and report on 2 dinosaur time periods for your article.  You will need to describe the 2 dinosaur periods and compare their types of dinosaurs and environments.       In addition, your editor wants you to draw a picture of each of the dinosaur periods to put with your article in The National Weekly Reader.         The TopicQuest Page has some links you might want to stop at in your Time Capsule for dinosaur information. The Dinosaur Worlds website tells about dinosaurs during different periods of time.  Have a Good Trip! Mission Steps 1. Explore with your teacher Dinosaur Worlds for information to write article and draw pictures for The National Weekly Reader. 2. Write or describe to your teacher 2 dinosaur periods and compare their types of dinosaurs and environments for your article.  3. Add the drawings of the 2 dinosaur periods to your article. 4. Give your article and drawings to your teacher to scan and publish on the Internet.

Step Three
Closure:
Have students discuss their mission project of their articles, pictures and information they found on the Internet about dinosaurs.  Tell students that your topicquest page is on the Internet and they can visit the website at school or home to learn more about dinosaurs.  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.")  Describe your student and his or her needs.

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. List the specific URL information for your special student.  Be sure it links.

3. 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.

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 made subject matter meaningful for your students.

    b. Describe and give examples of how your TopicQuest lesson illustrated your understanding of content and tools of inquiry.

    c. Describe and give examples of how students were engaged in learning and responded during your 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:
        Student Two:
 

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

(Three or more sentences of students' descriptions & comments) A kindergartner drew a picture of the food that he said was served at the Pilgrim's first Thanksgiving.  He included in his picture venison, bread, lobster, berries, fish, pumpkin, and plums.  He drew the food on a large table for the Thanksgiving feast.	(Three or more sentences of students' descriptions & comments) This is a picture by a kindergartner.  He said that the food was served at the Pilgrim's first Thanksgiving.  He included bread, venison, pumpkin, berries, plums, lobster, and fish.  He drew the food on a large table with many chairs.  He also included an Indian and a Pilgrim at the Thanksgiving feast.