TEKS:
Science-
2.9A identify the basic needs of plants and animals
2.9C- compare and give examples of the ways living organisms depend on each other and on their environments such as food chains within a garden, beach, park, lake, and wooded area
2.10A- observe, record, and compare how the physical characteristics of animals help them meet their basic needs such as fins help fish move and balance in the water
LA-
2.3B- ask relevant questions, seek clarification, and locate facts and details about stories and other texts and support answers with evidence from text
2.14B- locate facts that are clearly stated in a text
2.14D- use text features to locate specific information in text
Research-
2.24A-B- Research Plan
2.25A-C- Researching/Gathering Sources
2.26A-Researching/Synthesizing Information
2.27A- Research/Organizing and Presenting Ideas
Materials/Resources: iPads, Encyclopedia, Non-fiction texts, research binder
LO: I can research about aa living thing using appropriate online and book resources. I can take notes on what i learn about my living thing: habitat, life cycle, physical characteristics, adapations, etc... I can write important facts about my living thing. I can publish my project using educreations.
The following must be included in your final project. (Students receive a copy of this in their research binder.)
Slide 1:
Title of Presentation & Your Name
Slide 2:
Description of your animal
1.
Create a circle map of your animal and write 8
words that describe it
Slide 3: Habitat
1.Map of where it lives
2. Describe the weather,
temperature of the habitat
Slide 4: Physical
Adaptations
1.
Draw and label physical adaptations and explain
how it helps them survive
Slide 5: Food
Chain- Predator
1.Include photos of what your living thing eats.
Slide 6:
Interesting Facts
1.
Discuss at least 5 interesting facts about your
living thing.
Slide 8:
Bibliography page
1. Cite your sources that you
used during your research.Note for teacher:
Students will work at their own pace. I will monitor and conduct writing conferences with each student to ensure they are on track. They are to complete each slide in their research binder before publishing it with Educreations because once you start it, it will not let you go back and edit or revise. So all, work must be completed and checked by the teacher before publishing their work.
Once completed, the students will save their project on the Educreations carousel for later review. Students will share their project with a class of their choice. I will later review their project, but no gradeis assigned with the pullout program. Students will also showcase their project during the GT research showcase.
I like the science connections and pace of the lesson. I think that the use of Educreations is appropriate and am glad that you pointed out that Educreations doesn't let you edit. I experienced this myself and think teachers and students need to plan for this.
ReplyDeleteAs I read through the lesson it wasn't always clear as to how the iPad was integrated into the lesson. Perhaps clarity on where they would get research, or keep digital notes, or whether the slides were being created in Keynote or as a GoogleDoc presentation. Overall I think the students would enjoy showcasing new learning through their narrated Educreations.
Also, working with the science specialist may help in targeting science TEKS and locating resources. They might be able to help conference with students on the content while you focus on the writing process and clarity.
ReplyDeleteI liked this lesson for younger kids. I think that it will keep them engaged. I think that Educreations is a dub resource for kids and that they will enjoy using it to explore this topic. I do agree with the preparation ahead due to the lack of editing ability.
ReplyDeleteI suggest that you possibly allow kids to work in partners so that they can assist each other and check each other's work. I would also seek out my science specialist on a project like this for some possible input. They are huge helps and usually willing to assist with ways that the students can effectively use the iPad to create a project like an Educreations slide show over animals that you are trying to do.