Teacher’s Guide for second grade- Digital Desert 1. What is available here? • What is a Desert? – Flash animation tutorial that teaches students about the three characteristics of a desert • Virtual Habitat – Interactive exploration of the Sonoran Desert plants and animals • Discussion questions • Classroom activities – Desert Crossword – Weather Data Collection – Sonoran Desert Song – Wren vs. Woodpecker – Habitat Charades – Letter to a Senator • Necessary worksheets (plus optional use Experiment Log and Desert Investigation Log) • Relevant Arizona State Standards These questions and activities are designed to let second graders think creatively and to inspire curiosity about the world around them. Objectives The objectives of this curriculum are to 1. Educate students about the Sonoran Desert 2. Encourage students to ponder and respect the natural world 3. Encourage students to begin thinking in terms of the Inquiry Process as they observe, ask questions, and formulate hypotheses continued… What is a Desert tutorial Virtual Habitat
Transcript
Teacher’s Guide for second grade- Digital Desert
1.
What is available here?• What is a Desert? – Flash animation tutorial that teaches students
about the three characteristics of a desert
• Virtual Habitat – Interactive exploration of the Sonoran Desert plants and animals
• Discussion questions
• Classroom activities – Desert Crossword – Weather Data Collection – Sonoran Desert Song – Wren vs. Woodpecker – Habitat Charades – Letter to a Senator
• Necessary worksheets (plus optional use Experiment Log and Desert Investigation Log)
• Relevant Arizona State Standards
These questions and activities are designed to let second graders think creatively and to inspire curiosity about the world around them.
ObjectivesThe objectives of this curriculum are to 1. Educate students about the Sonoran Desert 2. Encourage students to ponder and respect the natural world 3. Encourage students to begin thinking in terms of the Inquiry Process
as they observe, ask questions, and formulate hypotheses
continued…
WhatisaDeserttutorial
VirtualHabitat
Teacher’s Guide for second grade- Digital Desert
2.
Background Knowledge These are concepts the educator should understand and can be found in the glossary.
Adaptation Hibernation Monsoon
Amphibian Lifecycle Reptile
Cactus Mammal Vegetative Reproduction
Climate Metamorphosis
Evaporation Molt
Materials Paper Pencils Worksheets (provided)
Marker Ruler Alcohol-based thermometer
Between 8 and 32 oz. clear container with equal sides top to bottom (bottomhalfofamilkjug)
Pay attention to the three characteristics of a desert and the name of the desert. What would it be like to live in a desert? Do students think they live in a desert? Why or why not?
2. Many people pay attention to weather in the morning to plan their day. Think about what the weather has been like for the last week or the last month. Has it rained in the last week? How about in the last month? Is it supposed to rain soon? Is our climate similar to the climate in the Sonoran Desert?
3. There are large temperature extremes in the desert. Each night the temperature may decrease 30 degrees. Why does this happen? In the desert, do you see a lot of clouds? Clouds act like a big blanket to help regulate temperatures on Earth. If someone takes off your blanket during the night, do you get cold? Clouds help keep the land warm just like a blanket helps keep you warm. In the desert there are not a lot of clouds, so what happens?
Discussion Questions4. Another characteristic of the desert is quick evaporation. What does that
mean? Do you think you have ever witnessed evaporation? What happens when someone puts wet laundry on the clothing line or dishes on a drying rack? Evaporation means that water (or another liquid) is going from a liquid form to a gas form. The term for water in a gas form is water vapor. Can you think of any other examples of evaporation?
5. If you were going to travel in the Sonoran Desert to go on a nature exploration, what would you have to pack in your suitcase? We are going to be roughing it so make sure you are prepared! Do we need to bring water since cacti contain water?
Answers – 1 desert 2 ten 3 four 4 hot 5 sonoran 6 water
2. Weather Data Collection – We learned a lot about weather and climate in deserts. Let’s do some work to find out how our weather compares to desert weather. We are going to collect and record information about this week’s rainfall and temperatures. Do we live in a desert? Do you think that the temperature will increase 30 degrees from morning to afternoon? Do you think we will collect rain water this week?
The Sonoran Desert is a special desert. As you explore the Virtual Habitat, think about what makes this desert so special. Notice the different kinds of plants and animals that live here. Do you recognize any of them? How do you think their lifecycles are similar to or different from yours?
2. There are many kinds of cacti in the Sonoran Desert. Cacti are a special type of plant with green stems, spines, and no leaves. How many cacti did you learn about in the Virtual Habitat? Why do you think so many desert plants, like cacti, have spines? To look tough? For protection? What do they need protection from? Do you have any cacti near your school or near your home? Which ones?
3. Jackrabbits can run up to 35 miles per hour! How fast can you run? How fast can you bike? How fast does a car move? Why do you think jackrabbits need to move that quickly? Do you notice anything else about the jackrabbit’s body or habitat that might help it escape predators?
5. When human babies are born, we need our parents to protect us and feed us for many years before we are ready to go out on our own. How long do your parents feed you? How long do your parents provide shelter for you? Do you think desert animals get more or less protection from their parents? What are some ways that animals may protect their young?
Activities1. Wren vs. Woodpecker – Two common birds in the Sonoran Desert
are the Cactus Wren and the Gila Woodpecker. Do you think that you can tell them apart? I am going to read you some information and you need to decide if you think I am referring to a wren or a woodpecker.
Activities2. Habitat Charades – Each one of you will be assigned a plant or
animal in the desert community. Take some time to think about your plant or animal. Now each of you will take turns coming up to the front of the class and acting out your plant or animal. When you are acting out your character you cannot talk. Whoever guesses your character first will get to take their turn next.
3. Letter to a Senator – We can share the information we learned with others to help them understand the Sonoran Desert. Write a letter to a senator to share the information you learned about the Sonoran Desert. You could include information about the plants and animals in the desert, why the Sonoran Desert is special, why the Sonoran Desert would be an interesting place for someone to visit, and why you think we should take care of the desert.
DIGITAL desert crosswordName _______________________________________
ACROSS
5. Name of desert in United States and Mexico
6. Humans drink this when we are thirsty
DOWN
1. Dry place with extreme temperatures that gets little rain
2. Inches of rain in a desert each year
3. Number of deserts in North America
4. Daytime feels this way in the desert
WORD CHOICES
Hot Desert Sonoran
Ten Four Water
6.
4. 5.
3.
2.1.
DIGITAL DESERT DATA COLLECTIONNam
e _______________________________________
Mo
nda
yTue
sda
yW
ed
nesd
ay
Thursd
ay
Frida
ySa
turd
ay
Sunda
y
Rain
fall (c
entim
ete
rs)
Mo
rning
Tem
pe
ratu
re
Fah
ren
he
it
Ce
lsius
Afte
rnoo
n tem
pe
ratu
re
Fah
ren
he
it
Ce
lsius
Diffe
renc
e (m
orn
ing
to a
ftern
oo
n)
Fah
ren
he
it
Ce
lsius
Tota
l rain
fall (in
ch
es)
Digital Desert
Digital Desert
DIGITAL desert EXPERIMENT LOGName _______________________________________
Question:
Results:
Draw a picture about your experiment!
DIGITAL desert INVESTIGATION LOGName _______________________________________
Plant Name Cool Fact
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
DIGITAL desert INVESTIGATION LOGName _______________________________________
Animal Name Cool Fact
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Teacher’s Guide for second grade- Digital Desert
19.
What is a Desert Tutorial
Arizona State StandardsMusic
S1C1: PO2 Performing a steady beat while singing
S1C1: PO3 Singing using syllable names
S1C4: PO1 Creating music to accompany or tell a story
Comprehensive Health Education
1CH-F5: PO1 Show relationships of behavior to environment
Reading
S1C5: PO2 Read aloud with fluency in a manner that sounds like natural speech
S1C5: PO3 Use punctuation to guide reading fluency
Writing
S3C1: PO2 Write simple poetry, rhymes, or chants
Language Arts
S4 F3 Access, view, and respond to visual forms such as computer programs, videos, artifacts, drawings, pictures, and collages
Science
S1C1: PO2 Predict the results of an investigation
S1C2: PO1 Demonstrate safe behavior and appropriate procedures
S1C2: PO2 Participate in guided investigations in life, physical, and Earth and Space Sciences
S1C2: PO3 Use simple tools such as rulers, thermometers, magnifiers, and balances to collect data
S1C3: PO2 Construct reasonable explanations of observations on the basis of data obtained
S1C3: PO3 Compare the results of the investigation to predictions made prior to the investigation
S1C4: PO1 Communicate the results of conclusions of an investigation
S5C1: PO2 Classify materials as solids, liquids, gases
S6C3: PO4 Analyze the relationships between clouds, temperature, and weather patterns
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Teacher’s Guide for second grade- Digital Desert
20.
What is a Desert Tutorial
Arizona State StandardsSocial Studies
S4C2: PO3 Discuss physical features (mountains, rivers, deserts) in the world
Technology Education
S1F2: PO1 Demonstrate correct ergonomic use of technology
S1F2: PO2 Use multimedia resources
S1F2: PO3 Access information sources
S1F3: PO1 Operate keyboard and other common input and output devices
S2F1: PO1 Describe and practice respect for other students while using technology
Workplace Skills
S1F3: PO1 Listen effectively
S1F3: PO2 Analyze and evaluate orally received information
S1F3: PO3 Respond appropriately
S1F5: PO1 Participate in groups
S1F5: PO2 Speak to a group
S7F2: PO2 Operate developmentally appropriate technologies to access information
Teacher’s Guide for second grade- Digital Desert
21.
What is a Desert virtual habitat
Arizona State StandardsComprehensive Health Education
1CH-F5: PO1 Show relationships of behavior to environment
Reading
S1C5: PO2 Read aloud with fluency in a manner that sounds like natural speech
S1C5: PO3 Use punctuation to guide reading fluency
Writing
S1C1: PO2 Determine the purpose of a writing piece
S1C1: PO3 Determine the intended audience of a writing piece
S1C2: PO2 Organize details into a logical sequence
S1C3: PO1 Reread original draft for clarity
S1C3: PO2 Add additional relevant details for audience understanding
S1C5: PO1 Rewrite and illustrate selected pieces of writing for sharing with intended audience
S1C5: PO2 Write legibly
S2C1: PO2 Incorporate relevant details that give the text interest
S2C2: PO1 Organize content in a selected format
S2C2: PO2 Use beginning and concluding statements in text
S2C2: PO5 Write multiple sentences that support a topic
S2C3: PO1 Show awareness of the audience through word choice and style
S2C3: PO2 Write text that is expressive, individualistic, engaging, and lively
S2C4: PO1 Select words that convey the intended meaning and create a picture in the reader’s mind
S2C5: PO2 Write sentences that flow together and sound natural when read aloud
S3C3: PO2 Write communications, including friendly letters and thank-you notes
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Teacher’s Guide for second grade- Digital Desert
22.
What is a Desert virtual habitat
Arizona State StandardsLanguage Arts
S4F3: Access, view, and respond to visual forms such as computer programs, videos, artifacts, drawings, pictures, and collages.
Science
S4C1: PO1 Identify animal structures that serve different functions
S4C2: PO1 Describe the life cycles of various insects
S4C2: PO2 Describe the life cycles of various mammals
S4C2: PO3 Compare the life cycles of various organisms
Technology Education
S1F2: PO1 Demonstrate correct ergonomic use of technology
S1F2: PO2 Use multimedia resources
S1F2: PO3 Access information sources
S1F3: PO1 Operate keyboard and other common input and output devices
S2F1: PO1 Describe and practice respect for other students while using technology
Workplace Skills
S1F3: PO1 Listen effectively
S1F3: PO2 Analyze and evaluate orally received information
S1F3: PO3 Respond appropriately
S1F5: PO1 Participate in groups
S1F5: PO2 Speak to a group
S1F6: Write communications that have a definite audience and clear purpose, are well organized, and use appropriate conjunctions and transition words to tie ideas together
S7F2: PO2 Operate developmentally appropriate technologies to access information
AAMMEENNDDMMEENNTT TTOO SSTTAANNDDAARRDDSS2nd Grade Digital Desert
VVIIRRTTUUAALLHHAABBIITTAATT
EEDDUUCCAATTIIOONNAALL TTEECCHHNNOOLLOOGGYY
S2C2: PO1 Identify and apply cooperative group rules to effectively collaborate in a classroom digital learning project.
S4C2: PO1 Participate as a group to manage a learning project and identify sources.
