Lesson Plan : Mammals Are Everywhere; Whales

Teacher Name:
 Mrs. Key
Grade:
 Grade 4
Subject:
 Science

Topic:
 Killer Whales
Content:
 This activity incorporates Science, ELA (Writing and Reading), and research with the use of technology. Key vocabulary: mammals, habitat, Orcas, offspring, lifespan, threats
Goals:
 Students will be able to share data, facts, and their ideas about killer whales. (ELA standard 1) Students will conduct electronic research on a particular given topic. (ELA standard 3) Students will be able to write several paragraphs on the computer in Microsoft Word application in proper form on a given topic. (ELA standard 1) Students will be able to recognize and provide information on killer whales and mammals. (Science standard 4) Students will describe what the food/life cycle is of the killer whale. (Science standard 4) ISTE standards 1, 3, and 5. National Standards 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.
Objectives:
 Given the topic of killer whales, the students will write in Microsoft Word several paragraphs using the proper format and facts with few or no mistakes. Given the websites the students will conduct research on killer whales. Given the topic of killer whales, the students will conduct research and then present the material to their peers with correct and factual information. Given ten topics the students will write questions to answer when they conduct their research with few or no mistakes. Special Education: Given a graphic organizer on whales students will fill in with factual information provided from their research with few or no mistakes.
Materials:
 Computers (for research and Microsoft Word), paper, writing instrument, graphic organizers, and websites: http://www.kidsplanet.org/factsheets/orca.html http://nmml.afsc.noaa.gov/education/cetaceans/killer2.htm
Introduction:
 Mammals are everywhere! Students encounter mammal�s everyday in their lives. Throughout this activity students will learn about killer whales. They will also conduct research with the use of technology. After they conduct their research they must compose their findings in paragraph form in the computer application Microsoft Word. The students will then share with their peers their findings.
Development:
 Together as a class we are going to read a book on mammals. (While reading I will be encouraging the �Think Aloud� process.) I will then tell them that the mammal they will be researching on the internet will be the killer whale. I will also be giving them the ten topics they will turn into questions that will be their research criteria. The ten topics will be: description, size, population, lifespan, habitat, food, behavior, offspring, threats, and range. I will then model a sample question. Explain to the class that when making you questions pretend as if you are a whale. Example: If I were a whale what would I eat? After I model a sample question I will then check for comprehension by asking a few students for examples of questions.
Practice:
 1. Given the ten topics students will make their questions. (I will be walking around the class monitoring their question making.)2. Students will observe the demonstration of the two websites they will be using on a big screen/monitor in the computer lab.3. Students then will return to their computer and start their research using their questions as a guide. (students may use both websites) Throughout the whole research process on the internet I will be walking around helping the students.
Accommodations:
 Special Education students can make five of the questions instead of ten. They will also have guided help throughout the activity with the computer, websites, and Microsoft Word application. Graphic organizers will be available if they are having trouble with Microsoft Word.
Checking For Understanding:
  Students will be given the choice of presenting their final work in front of the class when they are done. The students will also hand in their papers for a grade. I will be giving them feedback on their work.
Closure:
 After everything is completed I will then engage the students in making a web diagram on killer whales (just like we did with mammals). This will engage the students in an active discussion on what they learned and comprehended.
Evaluation:
 
Teacher Reflections:
 

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