Online Projects, Collaboration Sites, and Publishing Opportunities

Lesson Idea Template

Name: Caitlin Haynes
Grade Level: 1st
Content Area: Science
Standards Addressed: Content: S1E1. Students will observe, measure, and communicate weather
data to see patterns in weather and climate.
S1E2. a. Identify different types of weather and the characteristics of each type. b. Investigate weather
by observing, measuring with simple weather instruments (thermometer, wind vane, rain gauge), and
recording weather data (temperature, precipitation, sky conditions, and weather events) in a periodic
journal or on a calendar seasonally. c. Correlate weather data (temperature, precipitation, sky
conditions, and weather events) to seasonal changes.
S1L1. Students will investigate the characteristics and basic needs of plants and animals.
b. Identify the basic needs of an animal.1. Air2. Water3. Food4. Shelter
Technology: 2. Communication and collaboration
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a
distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.1.Interact, collaborate,
and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media 2.
Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and
formats 3. Develop cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with learners of other
cultures 4. Contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems
3. Research and information fluency
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. a. Plan strategies to guide inquiry
b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of
sources and media c. Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the
appropriateness to specific tasks d. Process data and report results
Title of Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity: Go North
URL of Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity:
http://www.polarhusky.com/
Describe how you would Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity
in your classroom: This project would be incorporated into the classroom during our study of
animals, and the weather unit. Students will make observations and report them. Students will make
reports once per week. They will write their reports in class and then submit them to the teacher for
review. On Friday each week, students will submit their reports on the Go North site. After students
have had the opportunity to submit their reports, the class will look at the data map and discuss
what affect the weather had on the migration patterns of the huskies.
What technologies would be required to implement this proposed learning activity
in a classroom? Students can use cameras, word processing, and the website by itself during the
online project.
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 from across the United States make
reports, and a scientist will post information on a weekly basis just like students.
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b. Student-centered learning and knowledge creation (collecting original

data and or producing original products as a result of engaging in the
project): Students will collect data related to weather patterns and the migration of the
huskies.
c. Higher-order thinking: Students will analyze how the weather has affected the
migration of the huskies
d. Students publishing their original work to others who will use/care
about their product: Students will report their findings, which will be used as
a piece for the larger United States report.
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? This project is a LoTi level 5-6. Students are assuming adult roles and engaging with experts in
the field. Students use higher order thinking to prepare reports and analyze data. The teacher learns
along with the students, and there is a strong emphasis on real world application.
How could you implement this proposed learning experience and still comply with
your districts Internet Safety and Student Privacy policies? Students will only post
reports with parent permission and will use only first names or nicknames. Students will only be
allowed to post under direct teacher supervision.