UNIT TITLE: Dinosaurs


Author: Joyce E. Lowe
E-Mail Address: jellowe51@hotmail.com/                                                                            
School: George W. Lieb School: Bridgeview, IL

THEME: Dinosaurs

BROAD CONCEPT: Characteristics of Living Things

GRADES: 2

INTEGRATED SUBJECTS: Science/Language Arts/Math/Technology

UNIT GOALS AND PURPOSE:

            Students will learn the basic characteristics of living things through the study of dinosaurs.

The teacher will be able to introduce the use of research using a variety of media to communicate student findings about dinosaurs. 

Students will develop a portfolio on dinosaurs containing their activities including a Kid Pix Studio Deluxe Slide and Storybook Weaver products presenting information they have learned about a dinosaur. 
 

TIME FRAME: 20-30 days of 45-minute sessions

OBJECTIVES:

In this unit, students will:


MATERIALS:

Centimeter and meter rulers, shoeboxes, aluminum foil pans, sand, brushes, models of fossils, crayons, markers, clay, posters of dinosaurs, paper to make rubbings, plastic dinosaur figures, dinosaur model sets

_X_ Desktop Publishing: Storybook Weaver          _X_ Brainstorming: Inspiration

                                    MS Publisher

_X _Word Processing: MS Word                          _X_ Spreadsheet: Cruncher

_X_CD-ROM Encyclopedia:  Encarta             ___ Database (ex. MS Works)

_X_ Multimedia: Kid Pix Studio Deluxe          ___ Other software pertaining to unit
                          MS Power Point       
 

STATE STANDARDS ADDRESSED BY THIS UNIT:

Language Arts

1                     Read with understanding and fluency.

 

1.A          Apply word analysis and vocabulary skills to comprehend selections.

 

1.A.1b    Comprehend unfamiliar words using context clues and prior knowledge; verify meanings with resource materials.

 

1.B.1a     Establish purposes for reading, make predictions, connect important ideas, and link text to previous experiences and knowledge.

 

1.B.1c     Continuously check and clarify for understanding (e.g., reread, read ahead, use visual and context clues, ask questions, retell, use meaningful substitutions).

 

1.C          Comprehend a broad range of reading materials.

 

1.C.1a     Use information to form questions and verify predictions.

 

1.C.1d     Summarize content of reading material using text organization (e.g., story, sequence).

 

1.C.1f      Use information presented in simple tables, maps and charts to form an interpretation.

 

3.A          Use correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization and structure.

 

3.A.1       Construct complete sentences which demonstrate subject/verb agreement; appropriate capitalization and punctuation; correct spelling of appropriate, high- frequency words; and appropriate use of the eight parts of speech.

 

3.B.1a     Use prewriting strategies to generate and organize ideas (e.g., focus on one topic; organize writing to include a beginning, middle and end; use descriptive words when writing about people, places, things, events).

 

3.C          Communicate ideas in writing to accomplish a variety of purposes.

 

3.C.1b     Create media compositions or productions which convey meaning visually for a variety of purposes.

 

4                     Listen and speak effectively in a variety of situations.

 

4.A          Listen effectively in formal and informal situations

 

4.A.1b    Ask questions and respond to questions from the teacher and from group members to improve comprehension.

 

4.A.1c     Follow oral instructions accurately.

 

5                     Use the language arts to acquire, assess and communicate information.

 

5.A.1b    Identify questions and gather information.

 

5.A.1b    Locate information using a variety of resources.

 

5.B          Analyze and evaluate information acquired from various sources.

 

5.B.1a     Select and organize information from various sources for a specific purpose.

 

5.C.1a     Write letters, reports and stories based on acquired information.

 

5.C.1b     Use print, non-print, human and technological resources to acquire and use information.

 

Math

 

7.A          Measure and compare quantities using appropriate units, instruments and methods.

 

7.A.1a     Measure length, volume and weight/mass using rulers, scales and other appropriate measuring instruments in the customary and metric systems.

 

8.B          Interpret and describe numerical relationships using tables, graphs and symbols.

 

10.A.1a   Organize and display data using pictures, tallies, tables, charts or bar graphs.

 

10.A.1b  Answer questions and make predictions based on given data.

 

10.B.1b   Collect, organize and describe data using pictures, tallies, tables, charts or bar graphs.

 

10.B.1c   Analyze data, draw conclusions and communicate the results.

 

Science

 

12.A        Know and apply concepts that explain how living things function, adapt and change.

 

12.A.1a   Identify and describe the component parts of living things (e.g., birds have feathers; people have bones, blood, hair, shin) and their major functions.

 

12.A.1b  Categorize living organisms using a variety of observable features (e.g., size, color, shape, backbone).

 

12.B        Know and apply concepts that describe how living things interact with each other and with their environment.

 

12.B.1a   Describe and compare characteristics of living things in relationship to their environments.

 

 

STUDENT ACTIVITIES WHICH WILL PROMOTE ENGAGED LEARNING:

Objective One: Identify common dinosaurs

Activity One:    Students will brainstorm what they know about dinosaurs using a KWL chart to be displayed throughout the unit.  Big books, posters, trade books, and reference books will be available for children to read about dinosaurs.  Students will go to the Internet site http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/dinosaurs/label/labeldinos.shtml to learn and label the dinosaurs. Students will able to go to http://www.enchantedlearning.com/painting/dinosaurs.shtml as an online coloring page of their favorite dinosaur.

Activity Two:    Students will form into groups to make a diorama based on their interest in the type of dinosaur.   Using the Internet site, http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/dinosaurs/activities/diorama/ the group will be able to print a dinosaur scene to use in their diorama using construction paper or clay dinosaurs. 

                        Objective Two: Label dinosaurs as meat eaters or plant eaters through identifying body characteristics of carnivores and herbivores

Activity Three: Students will use a semantic feature analysis map to identify the body characteristics of dinosaurs.  Using this graphic organizer students will find five new dinosaurs using the alphabetical fact sheets found at the Internet site http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/dinosaurs/

Activity Four:    Using MS Publisher, students will design a menu for their favorite dinosaur based on whether the dinosaur is a carnivore or herbivore. The menu should include the name of the restaurant, five dining choices with descriptions, and prices the dinosaur would have to pay. 

                        Objective Three: Compare the different characteristics of common dinosaurs

Activity Five:    Using the Internet site http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/dinosaurs/ and other resources, students in small groups will use meter and centimeter rulers to measure the length of selected dinosaurs (great activity for the gym or playground) to compare them to common objects: the length of a car or school bus.  The teacher using cut ribbon or construction paper laid out on the floor can prepare these pre-measured lengths for use by the students as they measure.  A graph can be developed using Cruncher (a graphing software).

Activity Six:      Students will develop a slide show using MS PowerPoint or Kid Pix Studio Deluxe to show what they have learned about their favorite dinosaur.  The slide show should include information on the body characteristics, the diet, and the height of their dinosaur in comparison with a common object.  They can access dinosaur clipart by going to the Internet site located at http://www.kidsdomain.com/brain/dino/clip1.html or http://www.acclaimclipart.com/gifart_topics/topic_Animals/Dinosaur-Clipart-0302-1809-0444.html

                        Objective Four: Explain how scientists know about dinosaurs 

Activity Seven: The students will view a video about how scientists find dinosaurs.  They will then practice digging fossils out of a prepared sand tray using tools like a spoon, paint brush, and toothpicks.  When they find a fossil, they can compare and identify it by using a fact sheet showing the various fossils.  They will keep a running classroom journal showing who found the fossil and which fossil was identified.  The students can access several dinosaur sites that show paleontologists’ digs through the Internet site http://www.proteacher.com/110055.shtml  and http://wwwprojectexploration.org/jobaria/JobarialHome.html

Activity Eight:   Students will create a news article using MS Word pretending they are paleontologists who have just found an unknown dinosaur.  The newsletter should contain items telling who, where, what, when, and how the dinosaur was found.  The news article should also contain a description of the features of their dinosaur like whether it is a herbivore or carnivore, size, and if it has any special features such as horns, spikes, or claws.

                        Objective Five: Compare real dinosaurs to fictional dinosaurs

Activity Nine:    Students will read fiction books about dinosaurs.  Using a Venn diagram they will chart the characteristics of the fictional representation of dinosaurs to the real dinosaurs.  Students can then build their own fictional dinosaur using clay, using a video recorder students will taped talking about their dinosaurs and the things their dinosaur can do that is different from a real dinosaur.

Activity Ten:     Students will write their own story about their adventure with their fictional dinosaur.  Using Story Book Weaver they will create pages that will contain the story grammars showing setting of time and place, have at least two characters, and have a beginning, middle, and an end.


SHARE YOUR IDEAS:

 
Students will develop a portfolio of activities including: the graphic organizers used as part of the fact finding process, the planning sheet and the self-evaluation used in the diorama, the menu they developed for their chosen dinosaur, a slide show developed on Kid Pix Studio Deluxe or MS Power Point, a news article about discovering a dinosaur, and a story written using Storybook Weaver using selected story grammars. 

Multimedia Presentation Rubric

Activity

Total Points Possible

Student Points

Presentation is focused on one chosen dinosaur. 

25

 

Each slide is composed to show a different characteristic about the chosen dinosaur.

25

 

The set of slides includes a title slide with student name.                    

5

 

Background, transitions, and effects are chosen for each slide.

15

 

The information about the dinosaur is accurate.

30

 

Total

100

 

 

Dinosaur Menu Rubric

Activity

Total Points Possible

Student Points

The menu is focused for type of dinosaur either a herbivore or carnivore. 

25

 

The dining choices are appropriate for the chosen type of dinosaur.

30

 

The menu contains the name(s) of the student(s).

5

 

Background and effects are chosen to suit the menu type.

15

 

The menu has a restaurant name, five dining choices, and a price list.

25

 

Total

100

 

 

News Article Rubric

Activity

Total Points Possible

Student Points

The news article is focused on the discovery of the dinosaur.

25

 

The article is written from the point of view of the paleontologist.

25

 

The article contains the name of the student.

5

 

The picture of the dinosaur matches the description.

15

 

The article answers the questions who, what, where, why, and how the dinosaur was found.

30

 

Total

100

 

 

STUDENT AND TEACHER ROLES:
 
            The role of the teacher will be:

Facilitator. The teacher will provide time in the computer lab with sixth grade mentors, assemble materials related to dinosaurs, and activities for learning by incorporating opportunities for collaborative work in measuring the heights of dinosaurs, problem solving to develop a chart comparing heights, authentic tasks related to dinosaurs in the development of the menu and news article, and shared knowledge through the slide show and creative writing.

Guide. The teacher must act as a guide when mediating student learning through the use of graphic organizers, adjusting the level of information gleaned through the Internet search and support based on students' needs and helping students to link new information to prior knowledge about dinosaurs.

Co-Learner and Co-Investigator. The teacher and students will participate in investigations with practicing professionals as they explore the sites maintained by paleontogists. Students will explore new finding about dinosaurs and become producers of knowledge as they share their knowledge through the slide show, news article, and menu.

 

                The role of the student will be:

Explorer. Students discover the concepts concerning dinosaurs and make connections to modern day animals and apply skills by interacting with the physical world through the diorama and digging for fossils, materials by making clay dinosaurs, technology in the computer lab, and other people like paleontologists. Students will have opportunities to make decisions while figuring out the components/attributes of dinosaurs and making comparisons to fictional dinosaurs.

Cognitive Apprentice. Students will become cognitive apprentices when they observe, apply, and refine through practice the thinking processes used by the teacher and sixth grade mentors as they develop their products. The students will reflect on their practice through self-evaluation and portfolio development as they go through the various activities in this unit.

Producers of Knowledge. Students will generate several products that synthesize and integrate knowledge and skills they have produced through the use of technology. 

 

ADDITIONAL REFERENCE PRINT RESOURCES STUDENTS MAY USE:

            World Book Encyclopedia                                                       The New Illustrated Dinosaur Dictionary published by Lothrop        

            Dinosaurs by Macmillan Early Science Activities                      Science Anytime published by Harcourt Brace            

           
 

THE FOLLOWING BOOKS CONTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT THIS TOPIC:


            If the Dinosaurs Came Back by Bernard Most                        Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff            

            The Secret Dinosaur by Marilyn Hirst                                      Dinosaurs by Kathleen Daly

            Bones, Bones, Dinosaur Bones by Byron Barton                      What Happened to Patrick’s Dinosaur by Carol Carrick

All About Dinosaurs by Roy Andrews                                     Giant Dinosaurs by Erna Rowe

            Discovering Prehistoric Animals by Jean Craig                      Dinosaur Dig by Kathryn Lasky

            Dinosaur Time by Peggy Parish                                               The Magic School Bus in the Time of the Dinosaurs by Joann Cole

            Dinosaurs for Every Kid by Janice Van Cleeve                       Digging Up Fossils by Aliki

            Dinosaurs by Dougal Dixon                                                     I Can Read About Dinosaurs by John Howard

           

           

FOR ADDITIONAL ONLINE INFORMATION AND MEDIA PERTAINING TO THIS UNIT, TEACHERS MAY WANT TO USE THE FOLLOWING INTERNET ARTICLES:  

Title1: Dinosaur Lesson Plans

URL1: http://www2.lhric.org/pocantico/dinosaur/lessons.htm

Description1: This is a list of web sites where teachers can go to find additional lesson plans related to dinosaurs.
 

Title2: Dinosaur Lessons

URL2: http://arthur.k12.il.us/arthurgs/dinole.htm

Description2: This site gives lesson plans and activities that teachers have developed or found in other sources for use in their classrooms.
 

Title3: Model Thematic Unit: Dinosaurs

URL3: http://www.libsci.sc.edu/miller/dinosaurs.htm

Description3: This sample thematic unit about dinosaurs focuses on explore prehistoric time to expand their knowledge of dinosaurs. It is filled with activities and suggestions to teach about dinosaurs.
 

Title4: Dinosaur Lessons

URL4: http://njcc.com/~crissy/lessons/dinoplans.html

Description4: This web site contains lessons and activities related to dinosaurs. 
 

Title5: ProTeacher Dinosaurs

URL5: http://www.proteacher.com/110055.shtml

Description5: This is a list of dinosaur links for teachers and students to go for information.

 

Title6: SEDL Dinosaurs

URL6: http://www.sedl.org/scimath/pasopartners/dinosuars/welcome.html

Description6: This site gives a list of dinosaur links, lessons, and references to aid in the design of lessons and activities for children.

 

 

RELEVANT INFORMATION, STUDENTS WILL VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEB SITES: 

Title1: Meet the Dinosaurs

URL1: http://www2.lhric.org/pocantico/dinosaur/dinosaur.htm

Purpose of Use1: Children will learn about their favorite dinosaurs written by other children.

Description1: This site has a variety of pages giving information about several different dinosaurs reported on by a first grade class of children.  This site has links that allow students find the titles of books about dinosaurs and other informational links.
   

Title2: Dinosaurs Gallery

URL2: http://www.learningpage.com/free_pages/galleries/dino.html

Purpose of Use2: Children will download and print about worksheets about a variety of dinosaurs. 

Description2: This site has a gallery of over 360 various dinosaur worksheets, lesson plans, and other materials.
 

Title3: Dinosaur Printables and Clip Art

URL3: http://www.kidsdomain.com/brain/dino/print.html and http://www.kidsdomain.com/brain/dino/clip1.html

Purpose of Use3: Children will be able to find pictures of dinosaurs for their reports.

Description3: This is site links to dino word puzzles, coloring pages, and cut outs for children to use with pencils, crayons, markers, and scissors for these puzzles and projects. The free clip art can be used in the children’s products.

 

Title4: Education at the Museum: Dinosaur Data Files

URL4: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/education/online/dinosaur_data-files.html

Purpose of Use4: Children will be able to learn about a wide variety of dinosaurs.

Description4: These dinosaur data files have been designed to print for educational use in classrooms.

 

Title5: Dinosaur Database, Dinopage

URL5: http://palaeo.gly.bris.ac.uk/dinobase/dinopage.html

Purpose of Use5: Children will explore this site to learn more about dinosaurs.

Description5: Dinobase is a dinosaur database with a list of dinosaurs, and classification of dinosaurs, pictures, and more.

 

Title6: Dinosaurs at Enchanted Learning

URL6: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/themes/dinos.shtml

Purpose of Use6: Children will be able to find a wide variety of activities about dinosaurs.

Description6: This site provides jokes, games, crafts, coloring printouts, dinosaur information sites, and quizzes about dinosaurs.