Lesson Narrative Day 3 of Unit
Before I present my narrative, I need to clarify my recording process. I have scripted what each person said and did (in italics). To clarify the script, I have color-coded each crew so that it is easier to read and to understand which perspective they are pursuing.
Mercury Crew	Norman, Aundrea, and Vicky
Saturn Crew	Bryan, Chelsea, and Jordan
Pluto Crew	Dillon, Jessica, and Sarah
Mars Crew	Olivia, Cody, and Beth
Jupiter Crew	Amber, Tyler, and Jesse
Narration: I bring the class into the computer lab that had been previously set up for Internet connection. Earlier, I had printed the needed amounts of the 3 Data Collection Sheets from the Web Quest site as that task is too lengthy and unpredictable from the lab computers. I also wrote the Web Quest web address posted on the board for reference.
Soupal: Okay, let's get settled at our computers. When I call your crew, I'm going to tell you which set of computers to use today. I want the teams to be near each other when working. Please listen for your crew's name. When you get to your computer, please keep hands off the keyboard and mouse, turn towards the board, and be ready to listen to some rapid directions. Okay, Mercury Crew, take computers 1-3, Saturn Crew, take computers 4-6, Pluto Crew, take computers 7-9, Mars, you'll be on 10-12, and Jupiter will take computers 13-15.
Tyler: Is there an order we should sit in? (looking at computers and other team mates)
Soupal: Nope, you decide. (Some students reshuffled themselves.)
Beth: Mrs. Soupal, Olivia is absent so we have an extra computer."
Soupal: Be sure to sit next to each other then. (I hand the 3 different Data Sheets to Dillon, Chelsea, and Jordan to hand out to each crew.) Okay, let's look at the questions on your Data Collection sheets. Please notice that yours is different from each of your crew members because there are 3 different sheets to complete. We are going to use a few Internet sites today that will help you become an expert about your planet. First though, let's follow through an example using Venus. Everyone needs to turn to their keyboard and type in the address on the board into the address space. Your Web Quest should pop open - remember, it's the one we looked at in the classroom yesterday. Scroll down until you find the planet icons. Raise your hand when you're there. Yes, Aundrea?
Aundrea: I can't get it to the website.
Soupal: Let's see, uh oh, I think you used commas instead of periods in the address. It's really easy to fix, do you remember how to go in the box and edit?
Aundrea: Yeah, I'm okay.
Soupal: Is everyone there now? Good! Now let's click on the picture of Venus.
Several students: That isn't doing anything!
Soupal: Oops! I'm sorry. The picture doesn't do anything, does it? Let's try clicking on the word Venus that's underlined. Did it work?
Several students: Yes!
Jessica: When I put my mouse on the name, it turned into a hand.
Soupal: All right, so now you've linked to a list of great web sites that you will use to find your data. Let's click on the first one and look at the information. Dillon, please don't rock back on your chair. That's your warning - next you'll be watching from the carpet in the middle of the lab. Sarah, please read the first question on Data Collection Sheet #1.
Sarah: Who for what is your planet named after (namesake)?
Soupal: There are many places on this website to find information. Read carefully and with a purpose. You may have to search different parts of this website. Cody, this is not a time for talking. Has anyone found our answer... Norman?
Norman: It says it was named after a Roman Goddess.
Soupal: Where did you find that information?
Norman: I clicked on a section called "Space Kids" and it was in a box.
Soupal: Awesome job! Everyone, click on the "Space Kids" section to see where Norman found his answer.
Jesse: That was so easy! All the stuff's right there.
Soupal: Well... a lot of information you need will be on this NasaKids website. However, that doesn't mean to use just this one. Try out all 4. One may give you more or different information than the other one. Hang on, I see a few people starting to fill in the question about the Roman Goddess. Remember, that was our example. You need to find the information for only your planet. Okay?.... Now I think we're ready. Use your back arrow tool to get to the Planet Web Quest page where you can chose your planet. (I waited for everyone to have the planets showing.) Now, click on the name of your crew's planet. Each of you have a Data Collection Sheet to fill in. We talked a little bit about these yesterday. Remember, you do not fill in your answers in complete sentences. Just jot down the important parts that answer the question. I know it sounds weird for me to say that, but it's a quick and easy way to record research information. Don't forget to put your name and the name of your planet on your paper. Okay, any questions? Cool! Let's get searching!
Amber: Mrs. Soupal, some of these words are really hard.
Soupal: Let's back up and look at another section. I know the "Star Child" section is easier to read.
Amber: Thanks! Hey, it says Jupiter has volcanoes.
Soupal: Cool! You should write that for one of your interesting facts.
Aundrea: Mrs. Soupal, are we supposed to answer all the questions? Cause on my sheet, there are 3 different questions all together and only 2 lines.
Soupal: If you need to, you can write on the back, but that is kind of confusing isn't it? Why don't we number each of those questions and then number the answers to match.
Aundrea: Okay.
Soupal: Ladies and gentlemen, hands up and off the keyboard. Tyler, I'm waiting. Okay, listen up. Aundrea just pointed out to me that some questions actually have more than one part. Yes, you need to answer each part. If you want to make it easier for me to find your answers, number each question and then number the answers to match. That will especially help if you're writing an answer on the back. Okay, ten more minutes until we need to log off. If you finish early, I expect you to help your crew with their questions. Go!
Soupal: (8 minutes later) If you're having trouble finding interesting facts for your last question, look for information about spacecrafts that have been there, or special features they have. This is your 2 minute warning. If your crew is completely done, please close Internet Explorer, file your Data Sheets in your folder and sit in a line by the door. (2 minutes later) Okay, ladies and gentlemen, close Explorer, file your Sheets and line up at the door. If you are not done, please give the Data Sheet to me now instead of filing it so that I know who needs some extra research time later. (3 students hand me their sheets) Jessica, you forgot your name.
Jessica: Oops! (She borrowed my pen.) Here you go. I just have 2 more facts to write.
Soupal: (to Jessica)Great! (to the whole class) Good job today, you guys! I like how on-task everyone stayed. I hope you learned some new and interesting information today. The next time we're together, we're going to use these Sheets to write informative paragraphs about our planets. Between now and next week, I will try and get Jessica, Bryan, and Chelsea for a few more minutes in the lab to get caught up. Okay, let's make our line a little straighter. Vicky, please lead the way back to class. Silent in the hallway. I'll see you guys next week!
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