“It’s a Jungle Out There”

Joanna Gandenberger

EDU 553

Dr. Stoloff

Unit Plan

November 17, 2004

“It’s a Jungle Out There”

(A fourth grade thematic unit on jungle animals integrating

science, social studies, art, mathematics, music, language arts,

educational technology, & physical education.)

The lessons below include some or all of these national standards:

K-4 Fine Arts Standards: National Standards for Arts Education

Music: http://www.education-world.com/standards/national/arts/music/k_4.shtml

Singing, Alone and With Others, a Varied Repertoire of Music:

• Students sing in groups, blending vocal timbres, matching dynamic levels, and responding to the cues of a conductor.

• Students sing expressively, with appropriate dynamics, phrasing, and interpretation.

Composing and Arranging Music within Specified Guidelines:

• Students create and arrange music to accompany readings or dramatizations.

Visual Arts:

http://www.education-world.com/standards/national/arts/visual_arts/k_4.shtml

Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and Processes:

• Students use different media, techniques, and processes to communicate ideas, experiences, and stories.

• Students use art materials and tools in a safe and responsible manner.

Using Knowledge of Structures and Functions:

• Students use visual structures and functions of art to communicate ideas.

K-12 Physical Education Standards: NASPE Content Standards

http://www.education-world.com/standards/national/nph/pe/k_12.shtml

Responsible Behavior:

• Demonstrates responsible personal and social behavior in physical activity settings.

Respect for Others:

• Demonstrates understanding and respect for differences among people in physical activity settings.

Understanding Challenge:

• Understands that physical activity provides opportunities for enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and social interaction.

K-12 Technology Standards: The NETS Project

http://www.education-world.com/standards/national/technology/k_12.shtml

Basic Operations and Concepts :

• Students demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operation of technology systems.

Social, Ethical, and Human Issues:

• Students practice responsible use of technology systems, information, and software.

Technology Productivity Tools:

• Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.

Technology Communications Tools:

• Students use telecommunications to collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts, and other audiences.

Lesson 1: Art & Educational Technology

Lesson Objectives:

Students will list and share with the class information about their jungle animals.
Students will be able to explain what they have learned and evaluate their work.

Materials:

Safety:

Internet safety will be addressed during the lesson initiation.

Lesson Initiation:

Depending on the school this part of the lesson may occur in the classroom or the

school’s computer lab.

Show the students various pictures of a particular jungle animal that were printed off of the internet. Tell the students a few interesting facts about the jungle animals that were also found on the internet.

Review the procedures for researching on the internet by showing the students

how and where to find pictures and facts using search engines such as, Yahoo or Google.

.Be sure to stress the importance of internet safety.

Lesson Explanation:

Break the class into four equal groups.
Assign each group to a different jungle animal (the animal should also be different from the teacher’s example).
Each group will be responsible for researching four interesting facts and finding pictures of their jungle animal on the internet.
The students will print various pictures of their jungle animal and record the four facts onto a sheet of paper.
The groups will also create a list of the websites used on another sheet of paper.

Lesson Expansion:

In the classroom, each group will use poster paper, scissors, and glue to create a unique collage of their jungle animal pictures.
If they wish, the students can also use the pictures as a guide to draw their own interpretations of their jungle animal. These pictures can be added to the group’s collage, as well.
Each group will write the interesting facts on their animal either on the collage or on a separate sheet of paper that can be attached to it.
Once complete, the groups will come back together as a whole class. Each group will come to the front of the room or meeting area to report and display their research and artwork. They will also discuss any problems they had or helpful hints they found while researching on the internet.
After the presentations, the students will write in their journals and explain:

what they learned about jungle animals,
what they learned about using the internet for a research tool,
what safety tips students need to remember while using the internet,
what they individually contributed to the group project, and
what grade they believe their group deserves and why.

Assessment:

Evaluate each student’s individual paragraphs to determine understanding and knowledge on jungle animals and researching on the internet.

Accommodations:

Students with special needs should be carefully placed in groups where they will be able to contribute, learn, and model their higher functioning peers.
If needed, provide more one-on-one time for particular students.

Lesson 2: Art, Music, Technology, & Physical Education

(Note: This lesson will take several days to complete.)

Lesson Objectives:

§ Students will apply all that they have learned from previous lessons and compose a song about jungle animals.

§ Students will use art, movement, and dance as a way to creatively express themselves.

Materials:

Safety:

§ Make sure the students have lots of room to practice and perform their dance routines to avoid any accidents.

Lesson Initiation:

In the floor meeting area, give each student out a copy of the song, “Old MacDonald Had a Farm”.
Sing the song as a whole class.
Tell the students they will have the opportunity to rewrite this song for jungle animals.
Come up with 1-2 examples as a whole class. Write these examples down on the board or chart paper.

Lesson Explanation:

§ Break the students into four equal groups, preferably different groups from the

previous activity.

Each group will re-write the song for jungle animals. The song should include information the students have learned about jungle animals from previous lessons.
Keep a cassette or CD available of the song for the students in case they need to listen to the music or try out their own song. If possible, find a karaoke version which only plays only the music and not the lyrics. This will be handy for the student performances, as well.
After the song is written and teacher checked, the group will type and print the final copy on the computer using Microsoft Word.
The teacher will collect the finished product and make copies for the entire class.

Once the song is complete, the groups will create a corresponding dance routine.
Next, each group will make individual jungle animal masks using paper plates, tissue paper, glue, crayons, colored pencils, markers, feathers & popsicle sticks.

Lesson Expansion:

When all the groups have finished their song, dance routine, and animal masks, the performances can begin.
Each group will pass out a copy of their song and come in front of the class and perform their routine.
If time permits, ask each group to perform twice, so they entire class can sing alone with the group the second time through.
After each presentation, the class will grade and comment on the presentations.

Assessment:

Review the songs to make certain the students can describe important traits about jungle animals.
Read student evaluations of each presentation.

Accommodations:

Students with special needs should be carefully placed in groups where they will be able to contribute, learn, and model their higher functioning peers.
If needed, provide more one-on-one time for particular students.

Lesson 3: Art & Technology

Lesson Objectives:

§ Students will create detailed jungle animal pictures on the computer.

Materials:

Safety:

There are no safety issues to stress during this lesson.

Lesson Initiation:

Read to the class, The Story of Colors/La Historia de Los Colores: A Bilingual Folktale from the Jungles of Chiapas, by, Subcomandante Marcos
Discuss the book with the class. Ask the students what their favorite picture was and why.

Lesson Explanation:

The students will create their own interpretation of their favorite picture from the story using Kid Pix software.
This can be done as a whole class in the computer lab, or during center rotations if the classroom has a few computers.
Once the picture is complete, the students should save a print their work.

Lesson Expansion:

The students will write a few sentences explaining their picture and how it relates to the story.
The students can also write a creative story which corresponds with their picture using their writing journals.

Assessment:

Review each student’s picture and writing journal to check for story comprehension and proper use of Kid Pix software.

Accommodations:

Drawing on the computer can be difficult for some students. If this is the case, allow these students to use regular crayons and paper.

Jungle Book List

(This book list contain resource books for students and teachers, as well as, pleasure books for various reading abilities and interests)

1. Jungle Drums, by, Graeme Base

ISBN: 0810950448

Ages 4-8

2. Tigers At Twilight (Magic Tree House 19, paper), by, Mary Pope Osborne

ISBN: 0679890653

Ages 4-8

3. Four Mice Deep in the Jungle, by, Geronimo Stilton

ISBN: 0439559677

Ages 9-12

4. We All Went on Safari: A Counting Journey Through Tanzania
by Laurie Krebs, Julia Cairns

ISBN: 1841484784

Ages 4-8

5. The Jungle Book (Books of Wonder), by, Rudyard Kipling

ISBN: 0688099793

Ages 9-12

6. Crafts/Kids Wild A Rainforests (Crafts for Kids Who Are Wild About), by, Kathy Ross, Sharon Lane Holm

ISBN: 0761301178

Ages 9-12

7. Edward in the Jungle, by, David McPhail

ISBN: 0316563919

Ages 4-8

8. The Jungle Pyramid (Hardy Boys Mystery Stories ; 56), by, Franklin W. Dixon

ISBN: 0448089564

Ages 9-12

9. Wolverine Legends Volume 3: Law of the Jungle Top (Wolverine), by, Frank Tieri

ISBN: 0785111352

Young Adult

10. Face-to-Face Safari, by, Sally Hewitt

ISBN: 0810942615

Ages 4-8

11. Safari, by, Robert Bateman

ISBN: 0316082651

Ages 9-12

12. The Story of Colors/La Historia de Los Colores: A Bilingual Folktale from the Jungles of Chiapas, by, Subcomandante Insurgente Marcos

ISBN: 0938317458

Ages 4-8

12. Safari Journal: The Adventures in Africa of Carey Monroe, by, Hudson Talbott

ISBN: 015216393X

Ages 9-12

13. Jungle (Eyewitness Books), by, Theresa Greenaway, Geoff Dann

ISBN: 0756606934

Ages 9-12

14. Deep in the Jungle of Doom (Give Yourself Goosebumps, No 11), by, R. L. Stine

ASIN: 0590847686

Ages 9-12

15. Life Is a Jungle (The Rani Adventures; Bk. 2), by, Ron Snell

ISBN: 0929292855

Young Adult

16. The Secret Journey, by, Peg Kehret

ISBN: 0671034170

Ages 9-12

18. Mystery of the Island Jungle (Roddy, Lee, Ladd Family Adventure.), by, Lee Roddy

ASIN: 0929608194

Ages 9-12

19. The Captain's Hat, by, Anita Williams, Timothy Banks

ISBN: 1579243304

Ages 9-12

22. Rescue in the Mayan Jungle (Time-Stone Travelers, 1), by, Karla Warkentin, Ron Adair

ISBN: 0781440270

Ages 9-12

20. Memily, by, Stephen Cosgrove, Robin James

ISBN: 084313822X

Ages 4-8

21. The Jungle Of Utt: The Utt Jungle Airline (The Jungle of Utt Series), by, Andrej Krystoforski, Cameron Thomas

ISBN: 0921800037

Ages 9-12

24. Gideon, by, Francesca Greco

ISBN: 1932065024

Ages 4-8

25. Jungle Islands: My South Sea Adventure, by, Maria Coffey, Debora Pearson

ISBN: 1550375962

Ages 9-12

26. Jungles & Rainforests (The Changing World Series), by, John A. Burton

ISBN: 1571450254

Ages 9-12

27. Jungle Tales of Tarzan, by, Edgar Rice Burroughs

ASIN: 1576462374

Ages 9-12

28. Wonders of the Jungle, by, Howard F. Robinson, National Wildlife Federation

ASIN: 0912186720

Young Adult

30. Vanishing from Forests & Jungles, by, Gail Radley

ISBN: 1575055678

Ages 4-8

29. In the Jungle (Animal Trackers (Around the World) , No 1), by, Tessa Paul

ISBN: 0865055912

Ages 9-12

31. Jungles (New True Books), by, Illa Podendorf

ASIN: 0516016318

Ages 4-8

32. What Is a Jungle? (Just Ask Series), by, Christ Arvetis, Carole Palmer

ASIN: 0528828258

Ages 4-8

33. Jungles and Forests (Hands on Science), by, Clint Twist

ASIN: 0531173976

Ages 9-12

34. Jungle Safari (Choose Your Own Adventure, No. 13), by, Edward Packard

ASIN: 0553154036

Ages 9-12

35. Una's Jungle Journey, by, Fred Otis Gibson

ISBN: 1883697476

Ages 9-12

Online Resources

• http://songsforteaching.com/philrosenthal/inthejungle.htm

• http://www.animalpicturesarchive.com/animal/clipart/

• http://www.kbears.com/newframeset.htm?http://www.kbears.com/borrico/

• http://www.nationalgeographic.com/

• http://teachers.westport.k12.ct.us/resource/jungle_life.htm

• http://www.exzooberance.com/

• http://www.junglephotos.com/

• http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/listtheraingi.html

• http://www.junglewalk.com/frames.asp