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Goals
and Objectives:
Through
this project, students will:
Use
a variety of geographical tools to record, interpret, and manipulate
data.
Develop
mathematical skills of comparing/contrasting, graphing, mapping,
data collection and drawing conclusions.
Gain
an awareness of customs and characteristics of different communities.
Practice
writing and oral language skills by reporting on the pet’s
locations and activities.
Increase
knowledge of technological resources by using a digital camera,
computers, email and the Internet.
NJ
Core Curriculum Content Standards and Progress Indicators:
Social
Studies:
6.5.1
– Identify common elements found in different cultures.
6.5.4
– Describe the influence of technology in daily life.
6.5.7
– Analyze differences and similarities among cultures.
6.7.1
– Use maps, globes, graphs, diagrams, and computer-based
references and information systems to generate and interpret information.
6.7.2
– Use mental maps to identify the locations of places within
the local community and in nearby communities.
Math
4.1.2
- Recognize, formulate, and solve problems arising from mathematical
situations and everyday experiences.
4.1.3
- Construct and use concrete, pictorial, symbolic, and graphical
models to represent problem situations.
4.1.8
- Determine, collect, organize, and analyze data needed to solve
problems.
4.2.3
- Represent and communicate mathematical ideas through the use
of learning tools such as calculators, computers, and
Manipulatives.
4.4.2
- Draw logical conclusions and make generalizations.
4.5.7
- Use computer spreadsheets and graphing programs to organize
and display quantitative information
and to investigate properties of functions.
4.12.1
- Formulate and solve problems that involve collecting, organizing,
and analyzing data.
4.12.5
- Construct, read, and interpret displays of data such as pictographs,
bar graphs, circle graphs, tables, and lists.
Language
Arts
3.3.2
- Write from experiences, thoughts, and feelings.
3.3.4
- Write for a variety of purposes, such as to persuade, enjoy,
entertain, learn, inform,
record, respond to reading, and solve problems.
3.3.6
- Write collaboratively and independently.
3.3.8
- Write to synthesize information from multiple sources.
3.4.4
- Use reading for different purposes, such as enjoyment, learning,
and
problem-solving.
3.5.4
-Articulate information conveyed by symbols such as those found
in pictorial graphs, map keys, and icons on a computer screen.
3.5.8
- Use simple charts, graphs, and diagrams to report data.
Cross-Content
Workplace Readiness Standards and Progress Indicators:
Standard 2
7.Use technology and
other tools to solve problems, collect data, and make decisions.
8. Use technology and
other tools, including word-processing, spreadsheet and presentation
programs, and print or graphic utilities, to produce products.
Summary
of Lesson:
This
is a long-term project that will be ongoing throughout the school
year. Our class will
send a pet traveling around the United States to gather information
for us to interpret, compare and contrast, graph and report. In addition, he will provide a gateway for communicating globally
via the Internet and email. Students
will utilize technology to visit and research other communities,
map and graph information gathered, and email other First Graders.
Equipment,
materials and other technology:
IBM
computer
Microsoft Outlook Express
Digital
Camera
KidWorks Deluxe
Microsoft
Internet Explorer Encarta
CD ROM
The
Graph Club SCR*TEC
Web Worksheet Wizard
Groliers
Online
Detail
of Activities:
As
our pet visits different cities in the U.S., classes will gather
information about their school and community, as well as pictures,
history and landmarks of their area and include it in the travel
pack. In addition, they will email us and post pictures
and descriptions of his stay in their class on the collaborative
web page we set up with SCR*TEC Web Worksheet Wizard. (See attached for details). This is a live web page that we will
create and send instructions for use along with the pet, so other
teachers may post pictures and other information on the site as
the pet visits. As a result, each class can follow the pet’s
journey around the country.
Our
class will utilize this information in many ways. Below are sample lessons that will be repeated
throughout the year, as new information comes our way.
Lesson
One
Objectives:
To
introduce the theme Animal Friends and discuss kinds of pets.
To create a class
graph of our favorite pets.
Procedure:
Introduce
theme Animal Friends
and make a list of pets.
Students
will vote on their favorite pets and use The Graph Club to create a class graph
depicting the outcome.
To begin
our long-term project, students will decide on a class pet that
will travel around the United States, gathering information for
our class about favorite pets of other communities around the
country.
Assessment
Students
are able to utilize The Graph Club to create a bar graph.
Lesson
Two
Objectives
To create a class
web page introducing our class and our pet project.
Procedure
Gather children around
the computer and introduce Web Page Wizard.
Decide
on content and pictures for the web page together.
Students
take pictures with pet using digital camera.
Walk
through the steps of creating the web page together using student
input for design of the page.
Assessment
Students are able
to contribute to content and creation of web page.
(Note:
web page will be continually updated throughout the year.)
Lesson
Three
Objectives
To introduce
the concept of email and using Microsoft Outlook Express for such purposes.
Procedure
Gather children
around computer and explain how email will be used for our project.
Discuss who
uses email at home and why it is useful.
Demonstrate
Microsoft Outlook Express.
Practice sending
Miss Marchiano email.
Assessment
Students can
successfully create an email and send it to a destination.
Teacher observation
of students’ use of email.
A full inbox!
Lesson
Four (spans a few days)
Objectives
To locate different
cities and states on the United States map.
To research information
about the geographical areas where our pet visits using the Internet
and CD ROM.
To use KidWorks
Deluxe to report on findings.
Procedure
Locate state and
city on the United States map.
Discuss its location
in comparison to New Jersey.
Predict any important
characteristics about this state and discuss ideas.
Use computer lab
and Groliers Online/CD ROM to find this state together.
Explore pictures
and facts and share.
Use KidWorks
Deluxe to write one fact you learned about this state and illustrate.
Assessment
Students
are able to use the writing and drawing tools to express facts
learned.
Lesson
Five
Objectives
To organize data
received regarding other classes’ favorite pets into a graph.
To read a graph.
To compare information
to our class graph.
Procedure
Copy information
for each student.
Use The
Graph Club to input data and create various kinds of graphs.
Discuss and compare
to our class graph and graphs of other classes.
Draw conclusions about
favorite pets.
Assessment
Students are able to
transfer data into graphical form.
Students are able
to analyze graphical data and draw conclusions.
Teacher observation
Additional Comments
This
project is a valuable one because it integrates many cross-curricular
skills and enhances them with the use of technology. It is designed to be both educational and enjoyable
for students as they make use of technology in a meaningful way.
With the use of the digital camera, computers, various software,
email and the Internet, teachers are exposing students to a wide
array of technological tools through practical applications. This
project was created for a First Grade class, but can easily be
adapted to other grade levels and the information gathered can
be about almost any topic of interest to the students.
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