Lesson+Plan

= Animals and Their Habitats Lesson Plan =

**Sunshine State Standards: **
====1. SC.2.L.17.2: Recognize and explain that living things are found all over Earth, but each is only able to live in habitats that meet its basic needs. ==== ====2. SC.2.N.1.5: Distinguish between empirical observation (what you see, hear, feel, smell, or taste) and ideas or inferences (what you think). ====

**NET-S Standards: **
====1. Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative product and processes using technology. Students: a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes. ==== ====2. Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. Students: c. collect and analyze data to identify solution and/or make informed decisions. ====

====This lesson plan will be most successful if implemented in a second grade class of 20-25 students. Most students should have learned, in their previous years of education, about animals, habitats, and ecosystems. All students have a chance to excel in this activity, because they can work individually and at their own pace. Extra time is available if slow readers need it, and fast readers will not be penalized for this. There will always be something for the students to do, no matter the pace at which they work. ==== = =

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 * ====The second grade class will be able to correlate animals and their habitats, using “The Habitats Game” with 100% accuracy. ====
 * ====The second grade class will understand the difference between observations and inferences 9 out of 10 times. ====
 * ====The second grade class will be able to use Microsoft Word to make a KWL chart with little to no difficulty. ====
 * ====The second grade class will understand the requirements that need to be met for animals' and persons' survival. ====
 * ====The second grade class will understand the importance of ecosystems and habitats. ====

The learning outcome is primarily cognitive, because it challenges the students mentally and allows them expand their knowledge.
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====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">This lesson plan requires each student to have his or her own computer to work on. A computer lab will most likely be the best setting for this. Each computer will need to have Adobe Flash Player in order to launch The Habitats Game. Microsoft word is also required for the students to make their KWL chart. Word processing programs are widely used in a variety of settings. Microsoft Word, being one of the most common, will make the students more familiar with typing. Since this activity is planned to be a two-day activity, there should be no rush. The students who work at a faster pace will continue their learning on BrainPOP, under the Science > Diversity of Life category, choosing what animals they want to specifically learn about. ==== = =

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====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Microsoft word, Adobe Flash Player, and BrainPOP will be checked to see if they are all accessible from every computer. The students will first make a KWL chart using Microsoft word. They will only fill in the “KNOW” and “WANT TO KNOW” columns, making observations and inferences about animals, habitats, and ecosystems. The instructor will then review what the students should have previously learned about this subject. Also, he or she will explain the difference between an observation and an inference. He or she will go into depth in an active discussion about what it takes for an animal or person to survive in a certain place. The students will play The Habitats Game and continue learning. Then, they will fill the “LEARNED” column with ten new facts they learned or found interesting about animals, habitats, or ecosystems. Later on the second day, or whenever they finish everything else, the student will access BrainPOP under the Science > Diversity of Life category, and choose a specific animal to learn about. They will continue doing this until everyone finishes. The instructor will be walking around monitoring the students, and answering any questions the students may have. ==== = =

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====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Each student will be working individually, so they can fully understand how every part of the technology works. If they have any questions, the instructor will be available to answer them. It is important that each student works individually so they can work at their own pace, mastering all of the material. This activity is not a competition to see who can finish first, but rather an individual assignment designed for each student to fully understand everything taught. This lesson is designed to challenge the students cognitively, in a creative and fun way. ==== = =

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====<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Students will be evaluated based upon their ten facts in the “KNOW” column of the KWL chart. Accuracy and usage of observations and inferences will be included in their evaluation. The media and technology will be proven effective if it was accessible and easy for the students to use. If all of the students met the objective, then the teacher will be proven effective. ====