Unit Title: Simple Machines Lesson Title: Vocabulary Wordle!

Grade Level: Grades 3-4

Lesson Objective: Locate science vocabulary words in informational texts Compare and contrast the form of different types of simple machines Compare and contrast the function of different types of simple machines Standards: NYS Standard 4 Key Idea 5: Energy and matter interact through forces that result in changes in motion CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.6 Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal precise actions, emotions, or states of being (e.g., quizzed, whined, stammered) and that are basic to a particular topic (e.g., wildlife, conservation, and endangered when discussing animal preservation) CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.4 Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases in a text relevant to a grade 4 topic or subject area Procedure: Instructional Strategies/ Learning Tasks 1. Activate students prior knowledge. Scientists use specific words to describe simple machines and how they work. Take 1 minute and write down any vocabulary words you can remember from our simple machines exploration yesterday. 2. Introduce Vocabulary Wordle activity. You will explore a number of books in order to identify the special words that scientists use to describe simple machines. Your goal is to create a list of science vocabulary words that have to do with simple machines. Many of these words will be in bold. If you come across an unfamiliar word and you are not sure if it is a scientific word, add it to your list. 3. Distribute informational texts. 4. Students will explore texts and create list of science vocabulary words. Students can complete this exploration independently or in groups of 2 or 3. Be sure each student has a copy of the readings. 5. After students have created their list of words, explain that students will be turning their words into art using an online tool called Wordle. Show sample Wordle. Accommodations Activate prior knowledge

Preview activity and student objective

Texts can be assigned based on students reading levels

Show model

6. Review how to use Wordle on Smart board. (The following steps are listed on the website for student reference.) Type your list of vocabulary words in the large box. If there are 2 words that you would like to keep together connect them with a ~ symbol. This symbol is located next to the 1 on your keyboard. When you are finished, click Go. Your word art will appear. Click to edit the font, layout, and color of your words. If you would like to randomly generate a new layout click 'Randomize' 7. Students create and print their Wordle. Hang student word art around the classroom. Have students take a gallery walk so they can see what their classmates have created.

Model how to use Wordle

Materials and Resources: Selection of informational texts about simple machines Student computers Wordle introduction http://schacksimplemachines.weebly.com/vocab-wordle.html Wordle website http://www.wordle.net/create