Becoming a Scientist
Teacher Name(s): Kim Collazo
Date: Spring 2007
Grade level(s): 3
Content Areas: Science, Technology
Description/Abstract: Lesson 1 in Soil Scientists Unit
Timeline: 40 minutes
Goals/Content and Cognitive:
Students will be introduced to the problem based science unit on soil. They will read an email from a local farmer who would like their help in learning more about a plot of land he would like to purchase. Students will be introduced to the wiki as a collaborative, organizational tool. They will assess their own knowledge of soil at this point.
Links to Curriculum Standards:
Preparation for Science Goal 2 – The learner will conduct investigations to build an understanding of soil properties.
Computer Technology 1.01 – Identify, discuss, and chart uses of technology in the community.
Computer Technology 1.15 – Recognize, discuss, and demonstrate responsible and safe online behavior as a class/group.
Computer Technology 1.17 – Identify and discuss collaborative tools.
Guiding Questions:
Big Question: What information and skills do we need to gather in order to be able to help Farmer Green?
Assessment:
Students will take a soil pretest. (Included in materials for this lesson) Students will begin the process of creating a KWL chart using an online wiki.(see appendix of unit for directions on creating a wiki)
Learning Connections:
Students will discuss what it means to think like a scientist. Digital pictures of the students wearing a lab coat will be used throughout the unit materials to help develop this concept.
Students will be introduced to the use of a wiki, and how to use it to share their thoughts, findings, and ideas with the class. Students will be allowed to develop this connection to technology at different times during the day (when access to a computer is available).
Learning Activities or Tasks:
Students will read and discuss an email sent by Farmer Green.
Students will be introduced to the Soil Scientists Wiki which they will use to collect data and information throughout the unit.
Students will share what they know about soil while the teacher inputs their responses on the KWL portion of the wiki. (This will be projected for the class)
Students will end the lesson by taking a soil pretest to determine their base level knowledge prior to participating in the unit.
Teaching Strategies:
The teacher's main role will be to encourage excitement about thinking like a scientist. The real-world problem based backbone of the unit will work to engage the students actively in the content of the curriculum. The teacher will input student responses on the wiki to enable a smooth flow of ideas (since student keyboarding at this level would be too slow for the whole group session). The teacher at this point will model and demonstrate the rules for turn-taking, respect for unique ideas, and open sharing of knowledge and thoughts. The use of the online wiki will support the gathering of information.
Management:
This lesson will take place in the classroom as a whole group exercise. A projector attached to the teacher's computer will enable viewing by the entire class. The teacher can also use a laptop or wireless keyboard to be able to sit among the class.
Materials and Resources:
1. Computer, projector, teacher-created wiki site (see appendix)
2. Email from Farmer Green (see materials for this lesson)
3. Soil Pretest (see materials for this lesson)
Lesson Evaluation and Teacher Reflection:
Questions:
Was this lesson worth doing?
In what ways was this lesson effective?
What evidence do you have for your conclusion?
How would you change this lesson for teaching it again?
What did you observe your students doing and learning?
Did your students find the lesson meaningful and worth completing?