Lesson+Plans

== =Inquiry Reports=

=Tall Tales Unit=

[|Tall Tales Today]: In this lesson, students are introduced to the genre of American tall tales. Students are exposed to several traditional tall tales, then prompted to write an original tall tale set in contemporary America. The tall tale must address a current event or issue and must feature a "larger-than-life" main character. The students use exaggeration and hyperbole to portray the way in which the main character resolves the issue or problem. Students then dramatize their tall tales for the class. [|Thundering Tall Tales: Using Read-Aloud as a Springboard to Writing]: This lesson, intended for the end of a unit on tall tales, uses the book //Thunder Rose// by Jerdine Nolen to reinforce the common elements, or text structure, of tall tales. As the text is read aloud, students examine the elements of the book that are characteristic of tall tales and then use that knowledge to write their own tall tales.

=Machines Unit=

[|Marvelous Machines]: This is a series of [|experiments] about simple machines: levers, wheels and inclined planes. This unit was designed for use in the third grade. [|Moving along with simple machines]: This is an integrated instructional unit. [|Simple Machines]: Some excellent activities at this site.

=Ocean Unit=

[|Ride the Wave]: Students learn through a brief experiment how sonar works. Explain to students that //oceanographers,// people who study the ocean, use sonar to track objects underwater. Explain that //sonar// is a device that uses sound waves sent out by objects to detect and locate objects underwater. Tell students that they will see how sonar works. [|Under the Sea]; Each of the links to the left contains facts and information, photos, classroom activities and investigations, online games, and downloadable worksheets and puzzles.


 * National Geographic Kids – This Parents’ Choice recommended site from National Geographic hosts educational videos, games, photos, stories, and other activities for kids. The site also has regular contests and other interactive prompts to keep youngsters excited.


 * Big Universe – Big Universe is an award-winning literacy site for grades K-8. Offerings include a free library of books to read online and tools that can be used to create and share books with other Big Universe users.


 * The Stacks – The Stacks is a Scholastic website for children who enjoy reading. Site visitors can create a profile, get book recommendations, write and read book reviews, and chat about books on a secure message board.


 * Smithsonian National Zoological Park – Children who can’t make it to the National Zoo can still see many of the zoo’s different residents through animal web cams. Some of the animals kids can view on demand include otters, cheetahs, leopards, ferrets, flamingos, lions, tigers, gorillas, pandas, and fish.


 * KidsAstronomy.com – Part of the Kids Know It Network, this astronomy site is an excellent resource for kids who have an interest in outer space. The site provides games, activities, fun facts, and an astronomy dictionary. Kids can also take a free astronomy course online and receive a certificate of completion when they are finished.


 * NGA Kids – The National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. provides an NGA site just for kids. The website is a great place for kids to learn more about art and try their hand at various online art projects, such as digital photography, image editing, painting, and collage.


 * Math Playground – Math Playground is a math website for elementary and middle school children who want to improve their math skills and have fun at the same time. While on the site, kids can watch videos, play math games, and complete word problems and logic puzzles.


 * Whyville – Whyville is a free virtual city and social networking site for kids. Members of Whyville can communicate with each other in a safe and secure environment while they learn about science, math, art, civics, economics, and other topics.


 * FunBrain – Created for kids in grades K-8, this educational website makes learning fun through web books, comics, movies, arcade games, blogs, and other online activities. Some of the subjects site visitors can learn about include math, language arts, history, science, geography, art, and music.


 * Kids Know It – The mission of this teacher-created network is to provide children with a fun and educational online resource. The network offers several education sites on topics like astronomy, biology, math, geography, geology, and spelling. Other resources include free educational music, movies, videos, and podcasts.