Lesson Plan
Brief Lesson Description: This lesson takes the "crews" to the computer lab for the purpose of researching and finding specific pieces of information on their assigned planet using the Web Quest site and its resource links.
Lesson Objective:To successfully find and record data about a planet from scientific sources using Internet links
Place:Computer Lab Time:35 minutes

Needed Resources:

  • 20 Computers with Internet access
  • Printed copies of the 3 different Data Collection Sheets
  • Chalk or white board

Plan:

  1. Review the Planet Web Quest site and original Unit Plan and Timeline
  2. Print needed materials
  3. Set up Lab: Turn computers on, log onto the Internet, write Planet Web Quest's address on the board
  4. Bring students to the Lab and arrange them near each other within their "crews" so that they can collaborate and share information
  5. Discuss "Data Collection Sheets," how to jot down notes, and importance of using more than one source
  6. Have students connect to Planet Web Quest, scroll down and select Venus (a planet that no one is assigned to - perfect for modeling the task)
  7. Quickly model how to select a link for Venus and, as a group, find the information for the first question on Data Sheet 1 - "Who or what is your planet named after (namesake)?" and then discuss how to "jot down" the answer in a quick note-form.
  8. Relate my expectations for their individual time on the computer; stay on the given websites, read with a purpose, write down answers on Data Sheets, and communicate within their crews when necessary
  9. Monitor student behavior and answer questions as they search for their information
  10. Regroup them when lab time is close to done, take note of crews that need additional research time, direct them to log off, file their Data Sheets into their crew folder, and return to their classroom
Preparation: Before school, I print enough copies of the 3 "Data Collection Sheets" needed for this task. As history has shown, the lab computers often do not spool to the printer and even when they do, there is not enough time for each student to print the needed materials in the 35 minute lab period. Before class, I review my plan and then turn on and log into each lab computer to assure they are working and online.

Expected Outcomes:

  • Completed Data Sheets with mostly correct answers
  • Similar answers within each crew in the "Interesting Facts" section on their Data Sheets
  • A few students with incomplete Data Sheets
  • Students used 2-4 sources to find and check their information
  • Answers written in note form
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