TITLE:  Kindergarten is Wailing About Whales

AUTHOR:  Jana Winters

GRADE LEVEL:  Kindergarten

Students will develop an understanding of whales and their relationship in our environment.

Explanation: 

• Ability to give facts and explain why salt water helps whales float
• Why whales are important to their habitat, what role do they play
• Identify mammals

Perspective and Empathy:

• Seeing environmental issues of whalers, cultural groups, environmentalists, community income, animal activists
• Form views of why certain issues are important to people who live along the coast
• What impact whales have on others and themselves

Task Description:

Students will be using Kid Pix Deluxe program to create a page showcasing their favorite whale.  Also, students will be orally interviewed, by the teacher, to assess their understanding of whale unit objectives.

Instructions:  Students will be asked to think back to the six different whales that were discussed in class.  Which one did you find the most interesting and with the help of Kid Pix, all the tools in the tool bar that have been experimented with, draw a picture of your favorite whale.  In your drawing you need to include the parts of a whale dorsal fin, fins, eyes, mouth, blow holes,etc.   Included also in your picture are parts of its habitat.  Does a whale live on land or in the water?  I want you to include some plant life or other animals you may find in your whales habitat.  Before printing make sure that the name of your whale is on your picture.

Goals/Outcomes/Standards:

1. Students will explain that a whale is a mammal and what characteristics make this true.

South Dakota Science Standards life science #2, 3, 4 Understand the fundamental structures, function, and mechanisms found in living things.

• • • • #2 Describe the basic needs of living organisms
      • #3 Recognize similarities ad differences in diverse species.
      • #4  Compare size, shape and structure of living things

2. Students will understand how whales are related and what relationship or affect whales have on other animals and humans in its habitat.            

South Dakota Science Standards life science # 1,2, 3, 4  Analyze how organisms are linked to one another and the environment.

·      #1 Sort living from non-living things

·      #2 Describe the basic needs of living organisms

·      #3 Recognize similarities ad differences in diverse species.

·      #4  Compare size, shape and structure of living things

3. Students will verbally express their knowledge of whales.

South Dakota Science Standards nature of science #4  Demonstrate understanding of gathering, interpreting , and sharing data

·      #4 Use their senses and simple experiments to make observations

4. Students will learn about the environment of the sea.  Water make-up, ocean floor, plants, other animals that live in the sea, amount of water compared to land.

South Dakota Science Standards life science #1,2, 3, 4

5. Students will understand the dangers that face whales.

South Dakota Science Standards life science #1,2, 3, 4

Technology Goals/ Outcomes:

After viewing information presented by the internet and a powerpoint presentation,

Students will use technology to express their learning and understanding of whales.

Students will increase their creativity and prepare a creative work using the program Kid Pix Deluxe.

Materials:

1. Powerpoint presentations prepared by the teacher.
2. Books read by the teacher:

·      Ocean  by Susan Canizares

·      Ibis A True Story  by John Himmelman

·      Whales, Killer Whales, Blue Whales, and More by Deborah Hodge

·      Humback Goes North by Darice Bailer

·      Baby Beluga by Raffi

3. Magic School Bus Explores the Ocean CD

4. National Geographic Video on Whales

5. Internet sites:

·      www.yahooligans.com/content/animmals/species/4025.html

·      www.stormpages.com/published/gallery/index.html

·      www.seaworld.org/animal-info/sound-library/index.htm

·       www.whaletimes.org/whahmpg.htm

Procedure:

1.    Double click on your hard drive and locate Kid Pix Deluxe the (diamond face with the paint brush) and double click on it. 

2.    Chose Kid Pix, the blue picture frame in the center of the top row.

3.    Now select your typewriter tool from the tool bar and type your name in the top left hand side.

4.    Now using your pencil, paintbrush, and paint bucket tools.  Draw a picture of the whale that was your favorite.  Be sure to include a dorsal fin, fins, mouth, eyes, blow holes, etc.

5.    Include the habitat in which your whale lives.  Where does the animal live?  In the water, what color is water, what plants or other animals also live in the ocean with the whale. Include some of the features, animals, plants found in the ocean in your picture.

6.    Using your stamp tool, stamp the name of your whale on your page.

7.    Make sure that I have viewed your picture before printing.

8.    Prepare your self for tomorrows interview by the teacher.  Think about your whale being a mammals, what characteristics of whales tells us  that they are mammals.  What benefits do whales add to the ocean, animals and people that live by the ocean.  What danger do whales face?  How are people helpful and harmful to whales.

Assessment Plan:

Step 2 Making Projects Good

Narrative Description -  The Kid Pix drawing will be done in the computer lab.  We have done a lot with Kid Pix so the students are familiar with the tools.  Before beginning the drawings we will review the powerpoint presentation of the Six whales that we discussed in class.  As we view the slides I focus on the color of the whale the placement of its eyes, and fins, etc.  We will review what an ocean habitat is like.  I will direct students to remember to include detail to their pictures not only on their whales but also in the whales surroundings making sure they include plants and other animals.  As the students work I will circulate around the room informally assessing their drawings.  We will spend 3 computer classtimes of  30 minutes working on Kid pix drawings.   Kid Pix drawings will be displayed in the computer room for others to view.   Students will then meet with me for an interview , they will all be asked the same questions that are found on the interview recording form.  They will be assessed by the criteria set on the Multimedia Rubric. 

Multimedia Project : Kid Pix Whales Assignment

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Teacher Name: Mrs. Winters

Student Name:     ________________________________________

Interview Recording Form

Students will not need to give every answer in response but will need to list at least 2 or more if multiple answers.  I will attach this chart  and the rubric to the final evaluation form.

Final Evaluation Form: