Teaching Guide for the Study of the
WHALES
produced by
Janelle Harper, Linda Sudduth, Sharon Townsend & Pearl Woolfork
Web Institute for Teachers, Summer, 2000
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Introduction
This curriculum module is designed to help students
develop research skills including data collection and graphing along
with writing activities through the study of whales. Students will
also use the computer as an interactive learning tool to complete activities
in their study of whales.
Aim
Our aim is to show students how data is collected
and recorded through research of a specific topic or subject. It
will also enable students to become more accustomed to viewing the computer
as a resource and learning tool.
Rationale
Students need to be critical thinkers with the
ability to understand the purpose of learning about a subject with the
intent of applying what is learned and understood to future projects
so that they will utimately become successful, independent problem-solving
adults able to contribute in a technological, global society.
Goals and Objectives
Students will be able to:
-
do research about a specific topic
-
summarize and analyze information read in order
to complete activities
-
collect, analyze, organize and record data for
graphing
-
distinguish between useful and nonuseful web
sites when looking for information to answer specific questions
-
use the computer as a resource for learning
-
become competent and independent computer users
able to contribute in a technological global society.
-
become responsible for their own academic excellence
and achievements by using various methods of inquiry in different disciplines
to help lead them to a better understanding of any specific area of knowledge
Illinois State Goals and Chicago Academic Standards
State Goals 5:
Use the Language Arts for inquiry and research
to acquire, organize, analyze, evaluate, and communicate information.
State Goal 10:
Collect, organize and analyze data using
statistical methods to predict results and interpret uncertainty and change
in practical applications.
State Goal 11:
Have a working knowledge of the processes
of scientific inquiry and technological design to investigate questions
and solve problems.
Audience
Suggested for Grades 3-6
Teachers will be able to adapt curriculum
as needed according to the competency levels of their students.
Pre-requisites
Background knowledge on how to properly search
the Internet for information/research
Ability to write short paragraphs
Basic math skills addition/subtraction
Teachers,
click here
for a tutorial activity on proper Internet usage for students.
Subject-Matter
This module draws information from the technology,
math, science, and language arts curricula. Examples found in this module
include but is not limited to studies on Internet search, reading and answering
questions to develop critical reading and thinking skills via collecting
and sorting of data once materials have been read.
Instructional Plan to develop students ability
to
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Read and analyze information on whales
-
Complete research on whales
-
Develop the ability to write paragraphs
based on their readings and collection of data
-
Develop the ability to search the Internet to
find specfic information
-
Develop the ability to take online quizzes
-
Learn to collect data from readings
-
Learn to complete online assignments
-
Learn to sort information into various types
of charts and graphs
-
Engage students in inquiry based learning
Materials
-
Computers with Internet capabilities
-
Printers
-
Teacher prepared worksheets and interactive
web pages
-
Selected web sites
-
Printed graphs
-
Whale information sheets to be completed by
students
Assessment and Evaluation
-
Teacher created quizzes for both on and offline
-
Activities to demonstrate their ability to search
the Internet
-
Completion of graphs along with writing activities,
and puzzles related to module
-
State and Local Standards
Appendices (optional, if needed)
Resources
Electronic Zoo--http://netvet.wustl.edu/marine.htm
www.funbrain.com
www.AllAboutWhales.com
www.yahooligans.com(Teacher's Resources)
www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/whales
http://whales.magna.com.au/home.html
Shedd Aquarium--http://www.sheddnet.org/home.html
Studying Whales in Middle Schools--www.ssec.org/idis/cohasset
Birch Aquarium--http://aqua.ucsd.edu
Endangered species Home Page--http://www.fws.gov/~r9endsppp/endspp.html
Marine World Theme Park
http://www.freerun.com/napavalley/outdoor/marinenewo/marinewo.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/2605
Whale Tales--http://mbgnet.mobot.org
http://www.sboe.k12.southington.ct.us/des/whaleact.htm
http://www.necc.mass.edu/MRVIS/Mr_10/start.htm#p13
http://www.webcom.com/~iwcwww/teachers_kit/thsix.html
http://whales.magna.com.au/home.html
http://english.unittechnology.ac.nz/resources/units/whales/home.html
nces.ed.gov/nceskids/survey.html
nces.ed.gov/nceskids/graphing.html
http://www.gn.apc.org/whales
http://seaworld.org/killer_whale/oceansallover.html
www.nickjr.com
www.pbs.org
www.gateway.com
www.zoom.com
www.oldnavy.com
www.nba.com
www.shedd.org
www.tvguide.com
www.fubu.com
www.barbie.com
www.herseys.com
www.kidsrus.com
www.nike.com
www.fox.com
www.suntimes.com
www.toysrus.com
Glossary
Refer to activities sections