Web Scavenger Hunt Lesson Plan
Subject Matter: Science and Organic
Gardening
Grade Level: 5-6
Lesson Objective: Complete the sentence below.
Learners will
demonstrate knowledge of/understanding of/ability to:
•
Practice inquiry-based
research in developing their own questions
•
Practice acquiring
knowledge using the Internet and books to learn about a specific plant
•
Demonstrate
comprehension by applying that knowledge directly to a growing plant and by
presenting research to the entire class
• Synthesize
information about the plant by designing and creating an educational sign to
place in the garden next it
Subject Matter Content
Standard: Type out one specific
standard met with this lesson. (California - http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/index.asp).
Standard: Students conduct research on issues
and interests by generating ideas and questions, and by posing problems. They
gather, evaluate, and synthesize data from a variety of sources (e.g., print
and nonprint texts, artifacts, people) to communicate their discoveries in ways
that suit their purpose and audience.
Technology
Standard: NETS for Students: Type out one specific student technology standard met with this lesson. (http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForStudents/NETS_for_Students.htm)
Standard: Students use a variety of
technological and information resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer
networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and
communicate knowledge.
Website Addresses
Used as Resources:
1. http://www.kidsgardening.org
2. http://www.planetnatural.com/product-category/organic-gardening/
3. http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/green-guide-howdini/garden-pests-gg
4. http://library.ucsc.edu/reg-hist/cultiv/timeline
Extra source for teachers: http://childrenandnature.ning.com/group/naturalteachers/forum/topics/10-reasons-to-take-your-students-outside/
Additional Videos: http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/thnkgard/
Student Research
Questions:
Essential Question:
See discussion of essential questions in week seven documents and
resources.
1. What is the controversy surrounding organic gardening and
the use of pesticides?
Subsidiary Questions (6-10):
2. What are some possible solutions for the
problem of the use of pesticides in gardening?
3. Why is the type of soil important in organic gardening?
4. How does gardening differ among cultures?
5. Where did organic gardening originate?
6. How has the history of organic gardening changed within
the last 10 years?
7. In what ways would a severe drought affect organic
gardening?
8. What are the main components needed to grow a garden
organically?
9. How can eating from an organic garden improve your
health?
10. Is it good to have pests in your garden? Why or why not?
Assessment: In what ways did the use of the Internet
promote student learning? How will you assess student learning with this
assignment?
- The Internet use in this
project promotes student learning because it accesses a variety of
learning resources addressing different topics, that all revolve around
organic gardening. It also
incorporates students’ deep thinking skills and their ability to
investigate and problem solve to find answers to the scavenger hunt questions.
- I will assess student
learning through this assignment by observing how successfully students
research the questions online, and how they communicate and collaborate
their research findings with peers.
Also, at the end of scavenger hunt, having a whole class discussion
with the students about one thing they learned and how their view of
organic gardening has changed.
