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The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Reliable Information?

Lesson 1 Part 1

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Reliable Information?

A 4th-5th grade STEM lesson

Eshelle Surber

10 Oct. 23

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Notes for teachers

  • I start this lesson under the guise of “parts of a web browser/web page” lesson. I slowly weave in reliable information by presenting the website, “Save the Northwest Tree Octopus”. (I tell them I try to bring awareness to rare animal species.)

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  • Slowly… we discuss the type of animal and whether it’s habitat is correct for the species.

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  • We will then do research on the tree octopus myth/reality, habitats, etc.

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Click here for Part 2

List of Materials

  • Each student needs a laptop/desktop computer
  • Web Browser (My district is a Google district, so Chrome)
  • Projector
  • Teacher computer or laptop
  • Website: zapatopi.net/treeoctopus
  • Website: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/nature/habitats

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Standards

1.3 Knowledge Constructor

Students critically curate a variety of resources using digital tools to construct knowledge, produce creative artifacts and make meaningful learning experiences for themselves and others.

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4th Grade Life Science

4.L4U1.11 Analyze and interpret environmental data to

demonstrate that species either adapt and survive or go extinct over time.

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Sub Standards

1.3.a Effective Research Strategies

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Students plan and employ effective research strategies to locate information and other resources for their intellectual or creative pursuits.

1.3.b Evaluate Information

Students evaluate the accuracy, perspective, credibility and relevance of information, media, data or other resources.

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Objectives:

I can name parts of a web browser/web page.

I can determine if a website’s information is reliable.

I can determine if an animal’s habitat coincides with the animal’s needs.

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Agenda (45 min.)

  • E (engage) - 0-3 min. - greet students
  • X (explore) - 3-5 min.- Introduce the topic of parts of a web browser or web page.
  • C (Communicate) - 25-30 min. Present lesson
  • E (empower) - Students search Google for information concerning the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus and its habitat.
  • L (launch) - Students tell the person closest to them one way they can determine if a website has false information.

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Intro/Driving Question/Opening

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The parts of a web browser has terminology that may not be familiar. While going through this terminology, I will bring to your attention an endangered animal. This animal is the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus.

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

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  1. The teacher needs to read about the Tree octopus before meeting with the students.
  2. Instruct the students to not scroll or click ahead. It is easy to “fall down the rabbit hole”. I do not want students to navigate to something outside of what they are learning.
  3. Have students navigate the web browser to https://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/
  4. Start discussion of web browser terminology.
    1. tabs
    2. address bar
    3. navigation buttons
    4. bookmarks bar
    5. (We are a Google district) Chrome extensions
    6. search bar
    7. shortcuts
  5. Students will complete a partner activity in which partner A starts by listing one of the web browser terms, partner B then lists one, and they continue in this fashion until all terms are listed.
  6. While going through the terms, slowly start discussing the Tree octopus.
  7. After completing the terms, start discussing why this animal is endangered. Have the students read the first paragraph.
  8. Have students speak with their “shoulder partner” about what they have read in the first paragraph.
  9. Bring students back and have them share what they learned. Prompt students to give evidence of their information or comment.
  10. Toward the end of the period I ask, “Do you believe this animal is real?” “What is the evidence you have for your opinion?”
  11. Ask students, “Is this habitat appropriate for an octopus of any kind?”
  12. Have students access prior knowledge about what they know from sea animals, etc. and the habitats.
  13. At the end of period tell students the animal is not real and the website provides false information. Explain the next class period more information will be given about how to find if information is false or true while researching.

Photos: http://zapatopi.net/

Photo: http://brainpop.com

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Photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temperate_rainforest

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Assessment

Students verbally provide evidence of their understanding by speaking with a partner and sharing their evidence in class.

Students also demonstrate their knowledge by a simple assessment of thumbs up/down.

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Differentiation

Students that require help with the reading or navigating the website have someone next to them that can assist. This is a whole group activity, so very little remediation is required.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

There are links within the website that can be clicked to extend the lesson. Several are Wikipedia sites which is a perfect segue to the reliability of information. They also show how the habitat of the tree octopus does not align with the website.