Shedding Light on the Rainforest
Description:
The K through 2nd grade special education student will increase their knowledge of the rainforest through both print and electronic media. The students will enhance their listening and verbal skills through a story time/ question and answer session about the rainforest. Also, the students will be introduced to basic mouse skills on the computer through a web based exploring game on the rainforest.
Goals & Objectives:
Learning Objectives: To re-enforce the letter "R". To enhance the students understanding of plants and animals within a rainforest. To learn the basic mouse skills necessary for computer literacy. To encourage further interest in finding information on a computer.
Materials & Sources:
Sound recordings of rainforest animals and sounds. While there are wonderful books on the rainforest I reccommend The Great Kapok Tree. National Geographics web-based rainforest search game. Though it is not necessary, I reccommend providing the students with a bookmark that contains the letter R, and an image of an animal or plant starting with R.
Procedures:
Use a CD or tape of rainforest sounds, to set the mood and tone. Have it playing as students enter the library. Create (or purchase) props that can make the library media center remind students of a rainforest. Be certain that you have books about the rainforest and other animals displayed, along with books that have the letter R prominent within their title. Students will be read a story about the rainforest. The story needs to include plants and animals. The idea of the story is not only to teach students about the rainforest, but to remind them of the letter R. Emphasize key words that begin with R. Key animals in and around the library should be labled, especially those with the letter R. Once the story is finished, remind sthe students of key concepts and ideas in the story by asking them probing questions. When you are ready for the computer component of the lesson, tell students that they are explorers. Tell students how to use their flashlight (mouse) to see the animals and plants. When they want to find out about the animal or plant remind the student that he or she should click the button on the flashlight (mouse) to see the information.
Assessment:
Much of the learning that will take place on the computer and can only be assessed through direct observation. However, after the story, assessment can be measured through questions asked of the students about the story (can they identify animals and plants, as well as key concepts of the story).
Sources:
The Great Kapok Tree
National Geographic Kids
