Linda Haby

Primary Teacher Linda Haby In the Limelight LoTi Teachers
Video of Linda teaching

In the Limelight LoTi Teachers Website

Lesson Plan Objective
Students will be able to conduct computer and text research on dinosaurs and their habitats

Start Date
10/17/2005

End Date
02/13/2006

Subject
Science

LoTi Role
Teacher

Grade Levels

TEKS/Student Expectations
(2.1) Scientific processes

(A demonstrate safe practices during classroom and field investigations; and

(B) Learn how to use and conserve resources and materials.

(2.2) Scientific processes

(A) ask questions about organisms, objects and events;

(B) plan and conduct simple descriptive investigations;

(C) compare results of investigations with what students and scientists know about the world;

(D) gather information using simple equipment and tools to extend the senses

(E) Construct reasonable explanations and draw conclusions using information and prior knowledge;

(F) communicate explanations about investigation

(2.3) Scientific processes

(A) Make decisions using information;

(B) discuss and justify the merits of decision; and

(C) Explain a problem in his/her own words and identify a task and solutions related to the problems.

(2.4) Scientific processes

(A) collect information using tools including hand lenses, clocks, computer, thermometers and balances;

(C) measure organisms and objects and parts of organisms and objects, using standard units such as measuring tapes and scales.

Essential/Engaging Questions
What do you know about dinosaurs?
What do you want to learn about dinosaurs?
Where can we find more information on dinosaurs?
Where did dinosaurs live?
Can you describe a dinosaur habitat?
Would you be able to dig up dinosaur bones in Floresville?
Are you a dinosaur expert?
Does the information in the movies depict the real life of dinosaurs and their habitat?
How would you present your discoveries to the museum board and other experts?

Targeted TAKS Objectives
Obj. 1 Basic understanding

Obj.4- Analysis using critical thinking skills

Activities/E.B.A.M. (Experimental Based Action Model)
Focus, Current Conditions, Personal Involvement, Taking action

Concepts & Topics
Cooperative learning
Critical thinking
Problem solving

Other Activities

Using computer graphics, construct a KWL chart.
Survey students to answer KWL graphic
Conduct a text research about dinosaurs.
Record research in student generated dinosaur journal.
Conduct a computer research of dinosaurs and their habitats. Record research in dinosaur journals.
Create and draw a diagram of a dinosaur that has recently been discovered. Determine the time frame in which the dinosaur lived.
Conduct an internet search of the Mesozoic era in order to create a dinosaur habitat.
Create a chart of Mesozoic era showing the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous time periods.
Watch video on dinosaurs.
Read and discuss the process of digging fossils out of rock.
Pretend you are a paleontologist that has discovered a new dinosaur fossil and pace through the process of preserving the fossil.
Divide into groups of four, each student will take one of the following jobs:
worker-use tools to search for fossils, measure fossils, and prepare dinosaur for transportation.
Paleontologist- use online resources to classify the fossil.
Draftsman- record observations about the fossils, record measurements of the the fossils and draw a picture of the fossils.
Photographer- use a digital camera to take pictures of the fossils.
Conduct a dinosaur dig. Pretend to discover a new dinosaur.
Name the dinosaur, create a model of the dinosaur habitat placing it in the correct time period.
Create a computer generated matrix using the names and characteristics of the newly discovered dinosaurs.
Present product to the class including report, pictures and models. of the newly discovered dinosaur and habitat.

Process Skills
Observe
Compare
Gather, record, display and interpret data
Use numbers
communicate
Plan and conduct simple investigation
Measure
Predict
Infer
Draw conclusions
Hopthesize
Formualte and use models
Identify abnd control variables
Experiment

Resources
teacher materials, student materials, reports, pictures, models, computer, camera, video, dinosaur books, journals, found materials, clay, shoebox, tape measures, rulers, scales, digging tools, safety goggles, plaster digging site.

Bloom's Taxonomy

Knowledge	Comprehension	Application
Analysis	Synthesis	Evaluation

Description of activities that support the Bloom's level
Knowledge- describe research on dinosaurs and their habitats.
Comprehension-compare and contrast the Mesozoic time periods on a chart.
Application- use information from Mesozoic chart to determine the time line for the new dinosaur discovery.
Synthesis- create a model of a dinosaur habitat. Prepare a presentation to inform "scientists" on the museum board on the discovery of the new dinosaur.
Evaluation- Using an internet search, compare and discriminate between movie hype about dinosaurs and the research about dinosaurs. Create a matrix of physical characteristics of dinosaurs and explain the various entries. Draw conclusions about the appearance and habits of the "new" dinosaur from entries on the matrix and summarize the entire experience in their dinosaur journals.

Technology Applications
Use computers for internet searches on dinosaurs and their habitats, creating graphic organizers (KWL chart and matrix), determining the appearance of the earth during the Mesozoic era.

Differentiation

Description of the differentiation activity
Students fill in KWL chart to asses knowledge. Set up five centers around the class for small groups of students to participate in computer research, text research, dinosaur dig facsimile, habitat creation. Students work independently on dinosaur journals.

Culminating Performance Task
Each group of students explain their investigations and interpret the data collected to the rest of the class by showing their dinosaur discovery and explaining size, characteristics and placing it in the Triassic, Jurassic or Cretaceous period and explain why. They will fill in the matrix showing the characteristics of their dinosaur. First grade classes are invited to attend the presentation and encouraged to ask questions.

Complex Thinking Strategies
Problem Solving

Decision Making

Creative Problem Solving

Investigation

Experimental Query

Reasoning

Assessments
A rubric is used to assess group work, product development and the presentation to other groups. See Rubric ID #1237624 in RubiStar online.