Teacher Page

Introduction

This lesson was designed as part of the Warrensburg, Missouri School District's WebQuest Academy project, a state funded Competitive Technology Grant.

As part of our kindergarten science curriculum, we study zoo animals. Our local zoo does not have a koala exibit. So we are not able to see a real koala. This is another way for the students to learn about koalas.

Learners

This lesson is designed for students K-3. It is an integrated activity which involves Science, Language, and Social Studies skills.

The students will need to be taught basic computer, keyboarding, and mouse skills.

We utilized a mac shareware program called Clip Speaker. This program will read the text to students. If you are using windows, you can go to www.shareware.com to access a similar windows program. To use clip speaker first highlight the text to be read, then press shift-apple-zero.

Process

1. The students may choose a partner.

2. The students will work during free-choice discovery time.

3. The students will go to koala websites to learn koala facts.

4. The students will use paper and writing tools to make a fact book.

5. The students will read their fact book to peers and adults at our school.

I expect for this activity to last for at least 2 weeks allowing 1 day for each pair of students.

Evaluation

The students will do self-evaluation, responding to the following:

• I helped my partner.
• I listened to my partner.
• I did my best work.

The students will make an illustrated koala fact book with a front cover and at least 2 fact pages. The teacher will use a checklist to evaluate the student book. The student will receive a satisfactory or unsatisfactory score.

Teacher Checklist

_____The student has designed a front cover with both print and an illustration.

_____The student has written at least 2 fact pages.

_____The student has illustrated each page.

_____The student's book is neatly done.

Conclusion

This is an appropriate activity for K-3 students. It is an exciting way for them to learn about an animal that they may never see in real life. It will also teach them beginning computer skills.