Online Projects, Collaboration Sites, and Publishing Opportunities

Lesson Idea Template

Name: Jessica Webb
Grade Level: 2nd
Content Area: Science
Standards Addressed:
S2E2.
Students will investigate the position of sun and moon to show patterns throughout the year.
a. Investigate the position of the sun in relation to a fixed object on earth at various times of the
day.
b. Determine how the shadows change through the day by making a shadow stick or using a
sundial.
c. Relate the length of the day and night to the change in seasons (for example: Days are longer
than the night in the summer.).
d. Use observations and charts to record the shape of the moon for a period of time.
Title of Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity: Phases of the Moon
URL of Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity:
http://mrscienceut.net/phasesofthemoonwebquest.html
Describe how you would Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity in your
classroom: This is a WebQuest that allows students to research the different phases of the moon.
They are provided with various links to websites and videos that help them understand this. I
would use this in my classroom after we have briefly gone over moon phases as a
complementary activity. Students are required to draw the moon as it would appear on their
birthday this makes it relevant and exciting to them. I would take this WebQuest a step further
and ask that they gather pictures of the moon at its different phases, if at all possible. They can
then post these pictures onto our Moon Phase website. In order to gain knowledge from an
expert, we could watch a Bill Nye moon phase video or video chat with someone from NASA that
has to consider phases of the moon on a daily basis.
What technologies would be required to implement this proposed learning activity in a
classroom? Computers, cameras
Describe how the following features are addressed in this learning experience (note: all of them
may not be addressed in the project, but most should be if you are reaching a high LoTi Level.):
a. Collaboration with peers, near-peers, mentors outside their classroom and often
beyond their school: Students are encouraged to post the moon photos they gather
on our Moon Phase website for others to see.
b. Student-centered learning and knowledge creation (collecting original data and or
producing original products as a result of engaging in the project): Students are
collecting data off of the websites and videos, and also gathering pictures at home
if possible. They are drawing pictures of the moon at different phases and
completing a quiz.
c. Higher-order thinking: Students are instructed to draw the moon as it would
appear on their birthday. This requires students to think beyond conventional
understandings of when the moon changes and personalize it to their birthdate.
d. Students publishing their original work to others who will use/care about their
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product: Students can publish pictures of the moon that they have taken on our
Moon Phase website, which I would create separately from the WebQuest.
Blooms Level of Critical Thinking Required (check all that apply):
See http://epltt.coe.uga.edu/index.php?title=Bloom%27s_Taxonomy
Remembering
Understanding
Applying
Analyzing
Evaluating
Creating
What Level of Technology Implementation best describes this learning activity and Why? I would
say that it could range from a level 4 to a level 5. This depends on the expert involvement in the
project. I dont know how possible it would be to speak to a NASA worker, so I would say that it
could likely remain at a 4. Also, students are not collaborating with their peers; they are posting
their pictures for their peers to see. However, the activity is authentic and real-life, as we see
moon phases every day. The technology is central to the learning experience. Students get to
share their work with others, making it more meaningful.
How could you implement this proposed learning experience and still comply with your districts
Internet Safety and Student Privacy policies? Students would not have to post names next to their
photos if they do not have permission to. If they do, they can post first name and last initial only. I
will make parents aware of my intentions to post pictures online for others to see; this way
parents are already familiar with what we will be doing.