Grade Level: Second Grade
Lesson Developer: Danielle Gonzales Lesson Plan Title: Sonoran Desert Adventures! Concept / Topic To Teach: This lesson teaches students about the different crawlers, wildlife, and vegetation in the Sonoran Desert. Standards Addressed: Science
Strand 1: Inquiry Process Concept 2: Scientific Testing (Investigating and Modeling) PO 2 and 4 Concept 4: Communication PO 1 Writing Strand 1: Writing Process Concept 1- 6 Strand 3: Writing Applications Concept 1: Expressive PO 1 Technology Strand 6: Technology Operations and Concepts Concept 1: Understanding PO 3 General Goal(s): Students will have a good understanding of the different animals and plants that live in the Sonoran Desert.
Specific Objectives: Students will be able to identify the vegetation, wildlife, and crawlers that occupy the Sonoran Desert by using the Sonoran Desert Explorers website.
Required Materials:
Access to a Computer Lab
Computer/Internet Paper Pencil Camera (if possible) PowerPoint Anticipatory Set (Lead-In): First, introduce the Sonoran Desert Explorers website and give them an overview. Have them explore the website so they can get a general idea of the plants and animals that occupy the Sonoran Desert. Then, have the students go on a nature walk/hike with their family. Make sure they bring paper and a pencil (or a camera) to document their findings.
Step-By-Step Procedures:
1) Introduce the Sonoran Desert Explorers website and give them an overview. Have them explore the website so they can get a general idea of the plants and animals that occupy the Sonoran Desert.
2) Have the students go on a nature walk/hike with their family. Make sure they bring paper and a pencil (or a camera) to record their findings. If they brought paper and a pencil, have them draw the animals or plants they found. Have them bring their findings to class. 3) Next, have the students share with the class/groups their findings 4) Then, bring the students to the Computer Lab and have them identify the plants and animals they found while going on their nature walk/hike (minimum of 3) on the Sonoran Desert Explorers website. 5) Have them explore the site by watching the videos, reading the text, looking at the pictures, and if desired taking the short quiz at the end of each page. 6) Now, have the students write a short story using PowerPoint about the animals and plants they found; it can be real or imagined. Make sure they have at least 5 slides, including a slide with the title and their name. 7) Finally, have the students present their PowerPoint to the class and if possible, send to their families! Plan For Independent Practice: Students may go on another nature walk/hike with their families. This time they will be able to identify more wildlife, vegetation, and crawlers that live in the Sonoran Desert. Have the students verbally report their findings to their parents and take pictures (if possible).
- Closure (Reflect Anticipatory Set): Students will share their presentations with their peers. Students can also invite parents to the classroom to show off what they have learned.
- Assessment Based On Objectives: Have the students take the assessments (at the bottom of each web page) of the plants/animals that pertain to the short story they have created. - Adaptations (For Students With Learning Disabilities): Students will be able to work with partners or a teacher if needed. Instead of writing a short story, students will draw a picture(s) of an animal or plant and talk about it. - Extensions (For Gifted Students): Have the gifted students create a poem about one Sonoran Desert plant or animal.
- Possible Connections To Other Subjects: History - history of plants and animals, Science - Life cycles of the plants and animals, Reading - Reading about different plants and animals, Art - Creating art pieces or doing a performance, Writing - about the plants/animals in the Sonoran Desert, and Technology - using different resources to display information. |