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Technology Websites

Lunar Cycle Lesson Plan This lesson plan requires computers with internet access, digital camera access and a headset with a microphone. Students will take pictures or seach for pictures on the internet of the moon in each one of its phases. Students will use Photo Story to create a presentation that includes music, narration, text and pictures. I think this is a great example of integrating technology into an otherwise boring science topic. Students need to conduct field experiments and then use their creativity skills to explain what is happening and why. I wish I would have found this lesson about two months ago. I would have definitely used it!

Element Study Lesson Plan Even though this lesson plan is a PowerPoint and most students today are bored with them, I liked the fact that the research component is so clearly laid out for the students. Each slide is required to have specific content, and that content is explicitely stated for the students. Many times research can be overwhelming for middle school students because of the vast amount of information available, but this project does a great job of explaining what is expected so students can find what they are looking for without getting frustrated and turned off. It also requires the students to use some of the extra features of PowerPoint like transitions and animation to make the presentation more appealing to the audience.

Energy Alternatives This science lesson plan focuses on honing student's research skills. Many of our elementary schools do a great job of teaching our students how to type, but they fail to teach students how to search. Research is not going to go away since students still have inquiring minds; the medium that they use to do their research has just changed. Students need to be taught how to evaluate the content of a website for its validity, and this lesson gives students that guided practice while focusing on alternative energy sources.

Hooking Students on a Book In this reading lesson students choose a book based on its cover. They then write what is was that drew them to the book and make predictions about what will happen in the book. After reading the book they take a second look at the cover and debate if the cover showcases the key parts of the book. Finally, students use an interactive tool to redesign the book cover. The plans say to use two Read. Write. Think. programs: Book Cover Creator and Webbing.