Photos from US Dep. of Agriculture.
These are the technology skills we will be focusing on:
- Find information resources on the Web and in the library.
- Decide which resources are best, given your purpose.
- Locate specific information within a resource.
- Take notes in your own words.
- Use the information you have found to make a persuasive argument.
- Tell where you got your information.
These are the science skills we will be focusing on:
- Give examples of how organisms can cause changes in their environment.
- Explain how some of these changes may affect the ecosystem.
Mrs. Wright, principal of John R. Briggs elementary school, has heard reports about a bug that is invading the forests of New England: the woolly adelgid. She wants to know if this bug threatens the woods along the Briggs nature trail. Specifically, how will the woolly adelgid change the forest around Briggs? What (if anything) should the school do about the threat posed by this pest?
Make a Search Plan
1) Go to Kidspiration and brainstorm a list of places where you can find answers for Mrs. Wright. Where can you go to find current information on the woolly adelgid?
2) Use the Kidspiration "super grouper" boxes to organize your ideas into 3 groups: library, internet and other.
3) Use the same Kidspiration file to brainstorm a list of search terms or words that you could use to search for information on how the woolly adelgid threatens the forest. You need at least five words or phrases.
- 1) Where to search? Investigation #1
- 2) How to enter your search request? Investigation #2
- 3) How to choose the best web site(s)? Investigation #3
- 4) How to find information on a web page? Investigation #4
- 5) How to record the information that you find? Investigation #5
Start Searching!
1) Look over the information you've collected so far (Kidspiration brainstorms & Investigations handouts) to help you make good decisions.
2) Remember, the question we want to answer is: How does the woolly adelgid threaten the forest? What, if anything, should the school do about the threat posed by this pest?
3) Search the web for sites that can help you answer this question.
4) Add the best web sites to your Favorites list. You need at least four sites. Click here for a "how to" handout if you need help.
5) Go back to the web sites in your Favorites list. Scan each site. Fill in this note sheet as you go.
Compare notes with other students: How does the woolly adelgid threaten the forest? What, if anything, should the school do about the threat posed by this pest?
Work together with other students who agree with you to create a web page that argues your case. Your web page will include some text, but mostly animation and audio.
- 1) Choose a job: producer/engineer, writer, graphic artist.
- 2) Complete the planning sheet.
- 3) Get to work! **test**
