West Irondequoit Central School District

Technology Rich Lesson Plan

Name:

Michelle Dormitzer

Grade(s)

Seventh Grade

Information about the Lesson

Title:

Extra, Extra! Read all about it!

Brief Description:

This is an ongoing assignment which requires students to choose a current scientific article that corresponds to a monthly theme (inventions, chemistry, medicine, animal research etc.). The students read, summarize and provide their opinion of the article.

Subject(s)
integration

(time required to complete lesson, e.g. "two 45-minute sessions")

One 42 minute lesson to introduce the assignment and provide time for the students to analyze a sample article in small groups.

The ongoing time frame for this lesson is very flexible. I expected my students to hand in one article on the fourth Monday of each month (for five months). Students found and analyzed the articles on their own time.

Goals:
(curriculum and unit related; National or State standards)

This lesson is aligned to the WICSD’s English Language Arts
Comprehension Outcomes.

Objectives:
(measurable specific activities conducted by students)

- Students will become proficient at reading and analyzing scientific articles

- Students will make connections between the science they learn in the classroom to real life applications of science

Teacher Materials/Resources:
(specific materials the teacher must have to conduct the lesson, e.g. Romeo and Juliet (video), American flag, etc.)

None needed
or list necessary materials:

A copy of the assignment and analysis sheet
A sample article to use as a model for the students

Student Materials/Resources:
(specific materials the students must have to complete the lesson, e.g. calculators, construction paper, finger paints, etc.)

None needed
or list necessary materials:

1. Copies of the assignment and analysis sheet

2. Access to the internet to find and print their articles

Procedures:

Students will search the internet or newspaper and find a scientific article that corresponds to the monthly theme
Students will read the article and summarize it in a paragraph
Students will choose two new vocabulary words that they look up and define
Students will provide their opinion of the article, including why they chose the article, and what they learned as a result of reading the article. They will also describe how they feel about the topic and why they would or would not recommend the article to others

Assessment:

We went over the grading procedure as a class when the assignment was introduced. Students received full credit for their summary if I could get a sense of what the article was about after reading it. Students also received credit for choosing and defining vocabulary words and for a writing a detailed opinion of their article. I made each article worth 20 points.