1. Context:
Unit exploring whales through literature, writing, science and math.
A. Activities will be for the entire class.
B. Students need to understand the actions of humans affect the world we live in and other life forms. Whales are mammals that live in the oceans, are part of the ecological system of our oceans, and are harmed by water pollutants. Using fiction and non-fiction books are helpful to understand how our lives affect whales. Appreciating literature and recognizing its many forms enables students to learn and respond to ideas, issues, perspectives and actions of others.
3C - Communicate ideas in writing to accomplish a variety of purposes.
1.B.1b. - Identify genres of fiction and non-fiction...
1.C.1a. - Use information to form questions and verify predictions.
4.A.1a - Listen attentively by facing the speaker, making eye contact and paraphrasing what is said.
4.A.1c - Follow oral instructions accurately.
4.B.1b - Participate in discussion around a common topic.
2. Objective:
A. Students will learn facts about whales, connect writing to a specific topic and learn how books can be found on a specific topic in both fiction and non-fiction books.
B. Students will be expected to express their existing knowledge in writing.
C. Students will be expected to be good listeners and follow oral instructions.
3. Method
A. Materials needed
1)Students will need their whale journals and a sharpened pencil.
2)I will need the books: Humphrey the Lost Whlae by and Ibis: A True Whale Story by * to read to students, and the Reading Rainbow videoHumphrey the Lost Whale.
B. Students are arranged at tables with up to eight students at each set of tables for seat work.
C. 1.) This lesson will begin with a breif reveiw of baleen and toothed whales, work on KWL chart, and add vocabulary word to our journals.
2.) I read Ibis... and then
3.)Follow with a class discussion about each book.
Students will then write a few ideas about ways to prevent whale endangerment.4.)Students will be able to go to the computers to paint a whale and take a breif whale quiz at www.enchantedlearning.com if time permits.
4. Evaluation: Students will be assesses on following directions, if they write on topic in their journals, and listening and participating.
A. I will use the following rubric to assess student's progress:
4 = Child has followed instructions, written on topic, and participated in discussion.
3 = Child followed most directions, written something in their journal and participated in discussion.
2 = Child has followed some directions, wrote off topic, and contributed little to discussion.
1 = Child did not follow directions, wrote nothing, did not participate in discussion.
B. I will record student progress in each area according to the above rubric. The journals will serve as evidence of their writing, listening and following directions. Observation during activities and reading will also be considered.
C. Our next lesson will be a reveiw of the week, watch the Magic School Bus video on Oceans, and test over information covered.
5. Feedback:
Mrs. St. Ivany found the lesson very interesting and noted that students were attentative and engaged in the lesson.
6. Reflection The lesson went very smoothly. Students were very interested and participated in discussions. The video was a great reinforcer of the book Humphrey... and provided some great footage of an actual whale watch with a lot of whale activity.
ALIGN="CENTER">Bibliography
Himmelman, John., Ibis: A True Whale Story. Scholastic, Inc., 1990
Rockwell, Anne., Humphrey the Lost Whale., Reading Rainbow, 1999. [Illustrated by Megan Halsey]
Simon, Seymour., Whales., Harper Trophy, 1992.
Enchanted Learning website - www.enchantedlearning.com.
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