Sending Messages Long-Distance

Name: Loren Martell Date: February 22, 2012 Grade Level/Subject: 4th grade science Prerequisite Knowledge: Students heard a brief history of the telegraph yesterday and then worked in groups to build their own telegraphs. Students practiced sending messages to each other using a simplistic STREAM code. Approximate Time: 1 hour Student Objectives/Student Outcomes: Students will learn more about the history of the telegraph and will be introduced to Morse code. Students will be able to hook up two telegraphs so they can send messages from one group to another using Morse code. Content Standards: 13.B.2b Describe the effects on society of scientific and technological innovations (e.g., antibiotics, steam engine, digital computer) 11.B.2c Build a prototype of the design using available tools and materials Materials/Resources/Technology: Each student will need a pencil, Magnetism and Electricity textbook, Long Distance Telegraph worksheet Each group will need a circuit base, a switch, a D-cell battery, a short wire, electromagnet wire, rivet, steel strip and one telegraph line Implementation: Students will use the telegraphs they created yesterday in order to complete the activity today

Time
15 minutes

Opening of lesson: (Objectives, hook, behavior expectations) I will begin by inviting students to the carpet and telling them, Yesterday we read a little bit about the history of communication. Turn to a partner and tell them what people had to do in order to communicate across long distances? Students should tell me that messages had to be sent using the Pony Express, where horses would run across the country and deliver your message in 10 days or more. I will then ask students to turn to a partner and tell them how

the invention of the telegraph changed communication? Students should tell me that the telegraph allowed people to send messages across long distances by making a click at the receiving end each time the switch was pressed at the sending end. People used a pattern of clicks, dashes and pauses to create letters of the alphabet. This way messages were sent from city to city. I will then pass out the Magnetism and Electricity books. Together we will read Morse Gets Clicking on page 34. After we read the story I will ask students, Why did Morse have trouble making his telegraph system work? Students should tell me because he wasnt able to send the message over long distances. Together we will decode Professor Gales letter on page 37 using the Morse code key on page 35. The message will explain what Professor Gale told Morse to do in order to fix his problem and should read Add more cells. Use more coils. I will ask the students Talk with a group member about what you think this message means. As a group we will discuss how cells refers to batteries and coils refers to the wire rapped around the rivet. In order to send messages over greater distances you need more electricity and stronger electro magnets. I will explain to the students Yesterday we created telegraphs and used the STREAM code to send messages to members in our group. But today you are Professionals and will be using the telegraphs you created yesterday to send messages using Morse Code. After this I will set expectations for the students by telling them I know science can get a little crazy in here but these are my expectations today for when you are working in groups: I expect that you will stop working and have your eyes on me when I am talking or giving you a hint, I expect that you will follow directions carefully and follow the steps I post on the board, I expected that everyone will participate and take turns using the materials, I expect that you will be working as a team to problem solve QUIETLY. I will then tell students to quietly bring their books and walk over to their science seats with their groups.
40 min

Procedures: Include critical thinking questions and accommodations for individual needs Once students are in their seats I will tell them that the smallest number needs to quietly go get the telegraph and other materials they used yesterday from the back of the classroom. Once students have their telegraphs I will tell them Each student should use Morse code to spell their name on the telegraph. Remember you will be using dots and dashes for letters and need to pause between each letter. Once each student has sent their name show me you are ready for the next step by not touching your materials and putting you eyes back on me. I will explain to students that There is another part to the challenge, not only will you be using Morse code to send messages, but you will also be sending these messages from your telegraph to another groups telegraph. I will ask them What if one group was outside the classroom with their telegraph and other group was inside the classroom with their telegraph, what would they need in order to send messages back and forth? Students should tell me that they need long wires. At this point I will hold up the telegraph line and point out that Each wire is actually two wires stuck together. At this point I will tell students Your challenge is to team up with another group to set up two-way communication. When one group presses its switch, the electromagnet on the other telegraph should produce a click. I will then pair up

groups and have them move their things so that they are sitting together. I will then ask the person with the highest number to come get a telegraph line, I will ask my helpers to pass out the Long Distance Telegraph worksheet and explain the directions before they begin working quietly. I will explain these steps and they will be posted on the board 1. Connect your telegraph with another groups so that you have two-way communication 2. Using your Long Distance Telegraph worksheet, draw in the wires to show how you have them connected on your telegraph 3. Each group will create a secret 3 word message an will translate it into Morse code 4. Using Morse code each group member will send the message through the telegraph until the other group has received it correctly. REMEMBER to PAUSE between each letter and word 5. Switch and have the other group send their message through the telegraph, having each group member send it once until the other group has received it 6. Create a new 3 word message and repeat sending it using steps 3-5 I will provide these hints as the students work 1. If you need to connect wires use the clips on the circuit board instead of twisting the wires together 2. Start by having only one telegraph send messages and having the other telegraph receive them 3. Trace the path of electricity from the switch on one circuit to the receiving part of the other circuit base
5 minutes

Summary/Closing: To close the lesson I will ask the second lowest number in the group to disconnect the telegraph wire and bring it to me. I will then ask the second highest number to return their telegraph to the back of the room. I will then ask students, Can someone tell me how the telegraph works? and Morse had trouble sending his message over long distances. What were some of the problems you encountered in telegraph communication? Student Assessment: The students will be assessed based on their Long Distance Telegraph worksheet where they will draw how to correctly connect the wires on a long distance telegraph. This worksheet will be turned in for a grade at the end of the activity. Students will also be informally assessed throughout the lesson as they are trying to connect the telegraphs.