SUBJECT: Science

GRADE: Fifth

TECHNOLOGY: Internet

BY: Kathleen Dumm, Laia Gresham, Erin Kerby and Leah Reyna

 

Target Grade and Subject

This lesson, designed for a standard fifth grade science class, provides the students with the opportunity to become adept at using online encyclopedias and various search engines. This lesson also provides students with an opportunity to practice their research skills and search for information. The activity gives students the opportunity to apply their knowledge to different activities involving the Internet. Also, students get the opportunity to learn in an active environment because they learn from hands on experience. Technology helps facilitate this activity by offering an intriguing, but efficient alternative to traditional methods of teaching about gemstones.

 Objectives

SOL 5.7 SCIENCE The student will investigate and understand how the earth's surface is constantly changing. Key concepts include:

• the rock cycle, including the identification of rock types
• weathering and erosion

SOL C/T5.3 COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY The student will process, store, retrieve, and transmit electronic information.

• use search strategies to retrieve electronic information using databases, CD ROM's, video discs, and telecommunications
• use local and wide - area networks and modem - delivered services to access information form electronic databases
• describe advantages and disadvantages of various computer processing storage, retrieval, and transmission techniques

1. The student will surf the Internet, following the guidelines given on the rock worksheet and will be evaluated by the extent to which they complete the answer sheet.

2. The student will orally and enthusiastically participate in a class discussion, demonstrating basic knowledge of rock types.

3. The student will at all times be looking at websites regarding rocks and will remain at their individual computer. The student will not be excessively loud or disruptive.

Materials

1. Computers with Internet access for researching gemstones and practicing online search techniques

2. Rock worksheet with written directions and a place for answers

3. Pencils for completing answer sheets

Lesson Description

1. Inform the students that they will be searching the web for information on rocks.

2. Distribute the rock worksheet (located in the labeled folder in the bottom desk drawer) that includes information on how to access AOL at School and the topics being researched.

3. Explain the purpose of the handouts:

• familiarizing students with online search engines
• gathering basic knowledge about rocks using a scavenger hunt format

4. Ask the students to begin their search using their handouts, recording their answers directly on the answer sheet provided.

5. Tell students that all answers must be correctly completed.

6. Once the search is completed, ask students to turn their answer sheets in to the teacher. Explain that the answer sheets will be returned with grades and feedback so students can use them to study for the next test.

7. Ask the students to discuss as a whole class what they discovered while using online search techniques. Specifically, compare online research to traditional research.

Evaluation

Check plus

Check

Check minus

Answer sheet

• At least nine out of ten answers are completed correctly
• Seven or eight out of ten answers are correctly completed on the answer sheet
• Less than seven answers are completed correctly on the answer sheet

Class discussion

• The student will voluntarily engage in class discussion, contributing correct facts about rock types and listening attentively to others
• The student listens attentively to others, but contributes orally to the discussion only when prompted
• The student does not listen to others and either does not contribute to the discussion or contributes disruptively and provides incorrect information

Student behavior

• Student remains at their computer, looking only at websites pertaining to the scavenger hunt and working quietly
• Student needs to occasionally be reminded to lower their voice and to focus on the work at hand
• The student is excessively loud or disruptive, does not remain in their seat, and/or looks at websites unrelated to the topic; the student disrupts classmates