Friday, October 9, 2009

Getting to Know Our Friends, the Madagascan Hissing Cockroaches.


Author(s):

Sara Hall and Lisa Underhill Block 3 Option 1

Grade Level: 3rd

Timeframe: 1 hour

Lesson Description or Explanation: Students will engage in scientific exploration through web-based research prior to next week’s hands on inquiry with live Madagascan Hissing Cockroaches.

Indiana Curricular Standards

Science Standards

3.1.2 Participate in different types of guided scientific investigations, such as observing objects and events and collecting specimens for analysis. (Core Standard)

3.1.3 Keep and report records of investigations and observations using tools, such as journals, charts, graphs, and computers.

3.1.4 Discuss the results of investigations and consider the explanations of others.

3.1.5 Demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively while respecting the ideas of others and communicating one's own conclusions about findings

ISTE Standards

Technology Operations and Concepts

Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts,

systems, and operations. Students:

o understand and use technology systems.

o select and use applications effectively and productively.

o transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies.

Digital Citizenship

Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to

technology and practice legal and ethical behavior. Students:

o advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of

information and technology.

o exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports

collaboration, learning, and productivity.

o demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning.

o exhibit leadership for digital citizenship.

Assessments

Formative/Summative

Assessment/Documentation:

Each group will share their answers and explanations so that the whole class can complete the investigation sheet in Microsoft Word in anticipation of Day Two’s hands-on exploration with the cockroaches.

• Have the students print and keep their investigation sheet for the day two exploration.

Show Madagascan Cockroach pictures and encourage children to look at books during reading and free time. (http://yucky.discovery.com/flash/roaches/pg000327.html)

Prior Knowledge

Curricular Knowledge or Skills:

The students have been discussing in class what it means to be a scientist and characteristics of animals, this lesson will give them a chance to participate in research and scientific exploration while exposing them to insect life that they may not be familiar with.

Technology Knowledge:

The students are very familiar with the classroom Smartboard. They also go to computer technology class once a week and use the laptops to take their reading counts and benchmark assessments.

Technology

Internet Resources: (please list URLs) http://yucky.discovery.com/flash/roaches/pg000095.html

http://yucky.discovery.com/flash/roaches/

http://yucky.discovery.com/flash/roaches/pg000327.html

Hardware:

1 Smartboard

1 Smartboard Laptop and Projector

28 Student Laptops

Software:

Smartboard Software

Internet Capability

Procedure

Launch/Minilesson:

• Read Martina the Beautiful Cockroach.

• Ask the students what they know about cockroaches. (Make list on smartboard)

• Read My Diary: A Day in the Life of Ralph Roach (http://yucky.discovery.com/flash/roaches/pg000095.html)

Exploration:

• Split the group into two parts. ½ answer questions 1-5 on Madagascar Hissing Cockroach Web-Investigation Sheet and ½ answer questions 6-10 using the Yucky Roach World Website and laptops. (http://yucky.discovery.com/flash/roaches/)

• Pull students back in for a class congress. Have the groups report their answers back to the class. While they are answering have one student go to the Smartboard and show the class where on the website they found the answer.

Differentiated Instruction

ESL

If the students are not yet able to read in English they could use the website translation feature that Google has.

Challenge/Extend

As an extension students will be making a book of facts and illustrations about the Madagascan Hissing Cockroaches.

Special Needs

There are many ways to adapt for special needs including adjusting the computer’s display for visually impaired students and turning on captioning for any video clips for those students that are hearing impaired.

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