The ABC's of Black Bayou Lake
Title: The ABC's of Black Bayou Lake
Subject: English/Language Arts
Grade Level: 4
Overview:
Each student will be assigned a letter of the alphabet. Students will take a field trip to Black Bayou Lake to observe and learn about something found at Black Bayou Lake starting with their assigned letter. Using a digital camera, students will photograph the object they have chosen. They will then write a descriptive and/or informative paragraph of their object. All of the students' pages will be put together to make a book entitled "The ABC's of Black Bayou Lake."
Approximate Duration: 3 sixty-minute lessons
Content Standards:
Standard 2
Students write competently for a variety of purposes and audiences.
Standard 3
Students communicate using standard English grammar, usage, sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and handwriting.
Standard 7
Students apply reasoning and problem solving skills to reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, and visually representing.
Benchmarks:
ELA-2-E3
creating written texts using the writing process;
ELA-2-E4
using narration, description, exposition, and persuasion to develop compositions (e.g., notes, stories, letters, poems, logs);
ELA-7-E2
problem solving by using reasoning skills, life experiences, and available information;
ELA-2-E6
writing as a response to texts and life experiences (e.g.., journals, letters, lists).
Grade-Level Expectations (GLEs):
Reading and Responding
Grade 4
15. Justify solutions to problems in texts by verifying, confirming, and supporting(ELA-7-E2)
Writing
23. Develop grade-appropriate compositions by identifying and applying writing processes, including the following: selecting topic and form(ELA-2-E3)
24. Develop paragraphs and compositions of at least three paragraphs using the various modes (i.e., description, narration, exposition, and persuasion), emphasizing narration and description(ELA-2-E4)
26. Write for various purposes, including book reports (ELA-2-E6)
Interdisciplinary Connections:
Science : Science and the Environment
In learning environmental science, students will develop an appreciation of the natural environment, learn the importance of environmental quality, and acquire a sense of stewardship. As consumers and citizens, they will be able to recognize how our personal, professional, and political actions affect the natural world.
Educational Technology Standards:
Use a variety of developmentally appropriate resources and productivity tools (e.g., logical thinking programs, writing and graphic tools, digital cameras, graphing software) for communication, presentation, and illustration of thoughts, ideas, and stories.
Use technology tools (e.g., publishing, multimedia tools, and word processing software) for individual and for simple collaborative writing, communication, and publishing activities for a variety of audiences.
Use technology resources to assist in problem-solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities.
Objectives:
1. The learner will observe and research an object found at Black Bayou Lake.
2. The learner will use a digital camera to photograph an object found at Black Bayou Lake.
3. The learner will write an informative/descriptive paragraph.
Lesson Materials and Resources:
Pencil
Writing journal
Observation sheet
Technology Tools and Materials:
Hardware:
Computer
Digital Cameras
Mobile computer lab
Software:
Microsoft Word
InspirationWebsites:
Black Bayou Lake Project
http://www.mcschools.net/mcs/black_bayou_files/index.html
World Book Online Reference Center
http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Home
Background Information:
The students should be familiar with a few plants and animals that could be found on a wildlife refuge, but may need to research in order to find something that begins with their assigned letter. They are probably familiar with using computers but not with Microsoft Word.
Lesson Procedures:
Day One
1. Inform students they will be learning about the insects, plants, animals and their habitats that can be found on Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
2. Assess prior knowledge by asking questions such as, "What is a national wildlife refuge?" and "What plants and/or animals can be found there?"
3. The teacher will use Inspiration to guide the students in brainstorming to answers these questions.
4. The teacher will have each letter of the alphabet on a small piece of paper folded and put in a bowl.
5. Each child will draw a letter. Inform the children that they will be writing an informative/descriptive paragraph on something that can be found at Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge that begins with their assigned letter.
6. Students may need to use the Internet to research what can be found in the environment on refuges/wetlands to find examples and ideas of what they want to write about. Students will be guided to use the World Book Online Resource http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Home as well as the Black Bayou Lake Project http://www.mcschools.net/mcs/black_bayou_files/index.html to locate an object on the refuge.
Day Two
1. Students will now take a field trip to Black Bayou Lake.
2. While at Black Bayou Lake refuge, students will use a digital camera to take pictures and their observation sheet to take notes.
Day Three
1. The students will use World Book Online http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Home to research and obtain information about their topic.
2. Using all of the information they have gathered, they will use the writing process to compose an informative/descriptive paragraph.
Day Four
1. The students will pair and share their first drafts.
2. Next, they will edit their first drafts.
3. Each student will write a final draft using Microsoft Word.
4. Each student's page of his picture and paragraph will be printed and bound together in ABC order. Your class will now have "The ABC's of Black Bayou Lake" to display in the classroom or school library.
Assessment Procedures:
Teacher observation of students
Rubric to assess student's informative/descriptive paragraph
Accommodations/Modifications:
Consult IEPs for additional accommodations and modifications for exceptional students.
----- written by Stephanie MarshReproducible Materials:
Observation Sheet
Paragraph Writing Rubric
Explorations and Extensions:
The students could also make a Power Point presentation using their pictures and informative paragraphs.
Lesson Development Resources:
GLE-Related Materials
http://www.louisianaschools.net/lde/saa/1914.html
World Book Online
http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Login?ed=wb
Black Bayou Lake
http://www.mcschools.net/mcs/black_bayou_files/index.html
Contact Information:
Stephanie Marsh
stephanie.marsh@mcschools.net
Minnie Ruffin ElementaryBlack Bayou Lake Home | Curriculum Materials | Resources | Black Bayou Lake NWR | Monroe City Schools
