Internet Lesson Plan

Karen Rakowitz Nash Elementary

May 2001 Grade 3

African Safari

Arizona State Standards for Grades 1-3

Arizona State Social Studies Standards

Standard 3: Geography

Students analyze locations, regions, and spatial connections, recognizing the natural and cultural processes that impact the way in which people and societies live and interact with each other and their environments.

3SS-F2: Identify natural and human characteristics of places and how people interact with and modify their environment, with emphasis on:

PO2 Human characteristics of places, including houses, schools, neighborhoods, and communities

PO4 How people depend upon the physical environment and its natural resources to satisfy their basic needs

Arizona State Technology Standards

Standard 1: Fundamental Operations and Concepts

Students understand the operations and function of technology systems and are proficient in the use of technology.

1T-F1: Communicate about internal technology operations using developmentally appropriate and accurate technology

1T-F2: Demonstrate functional operation of technology

1T-F3 Use developmentally appropriate technology resources to access information and communicate electronically

Standard 3: Technology Productivity Tools

Students use technology tools to enhance learning, to increase productivity and creativity, and to collaboratively construct technology-enhanced models, prepare publications, and produce other creative works.

3T-F2: Use prescribed technology tools for data collection and basic analysis

Standard 5: Technology Research Tools

Students will utilize technology-based rsearch tools to locate and collect information

pertinent to the task as well as evaluate and analyze information from a variety of sources.

5T-F1: Recognize electronic information sources

Arizona State Science Standards

Standard 4: Life Science

Students understand the characteristics of living things, the diversity of life and how organisms change over time (in terms of biological adaptation and genetics). Students understand the interrelationships of matter and energy in living organisms and the interactions of living organisms with their environment.

Objectives

Students will locate and record information using technology and compare that information to create a graph.

Students will select and record information using technology and use that information to create a research paper.

Students will apply computer skills to complete a treasure hunt.

Students will apply reading skills to follow written directions.

Pre-Requisite Technology Skills

Students should be comfortable using a computer and the internet.

They should be able to move easily between sites. They should know how to print. Students should have an understanding of basic technology vocabulary.

Materials

Computer lab.

Paper and writing utensils for students

Access to the internet

Dictionaries and Thesaurus'

Procedures

Student Activity One: African Adventure

Before beginning the activity, students will need a working map of Africa. A site is given that has a map to download but it is only about as large as a 1/2 page. You may have a better map to use. Students

will travel to Kenya, Nigeria, Morocco and Egypt. They will read and record information about each of these countries. After compiling the information, the students will use a graph making program to graph

the percentage of people in each country who are literate.

Kids Zone Africa

1.http://www.afroam.org/children/children.html

2.Fantastic site for children about Africa. Maps, games, brain teasers and myths-all about Africa

and written at an elementary level.

Student Activity Two:Anansi and the Calabash Quest

This is a most enjoyable site that focuses on Anansi the Spider. Anansi leads the children on a quest to repair a broken calabash which is a gourd that has been stuffed with all the jewels of the king and queen. As the children move through the site they are provided with information about significant places in Africa and then challenged to use higher level thinking skills to solve problems using this acquired knowledge.

Kids Africa Explore Africa with Anansi

1.http://www.pbs.org/wonders/Kids/home.htm

2.Anansi the spider takes the children on a Treasure Hunt to find the pieces of a Calabash. At each site the students learn about important African places of interest. They are then asked to solve a problem using the information they just acquired.

Student Activity Three:A Visit With Congo Gorillas

The Bronx Zoo in New York City set aside 6.5 acres of land to replicate the Congo in Africa. This site encourages you to take a virtual tour of the "Congo", learn about the animals that live in this area and play a conservation game with one to four players. It is a lot of fun and shouldn't be missed. You will need to have Shockwave loaded to play and have patience - the site takes a while to load. The site also has a link to a discussion on conservation of the Congo but they do ask for donations at this site.

The students will collect information about three of the animals that reside in the African Congo. A worksheet is included. Then, using The Six Traits of Writing, as a guide, the students will create a short research paper that includes a visual.

Congo

1.http://www.congogorillaforest.com/home.html

2.This is a fantastic site that has great pictures of the animals of the Congo. It is full of information in a very kid-friendly way.

Assessment

Students will be assessed on the completion of their worksheets and on the research paper using the Amphitheater’s Research Paper Project for evaluation.