Current+Events+Lesson+Plan

Marlys Hauck-Fenner 8th grade science time frame: 1 semester "lesson" title: Current Events in Science

Summary/Description: Using a "Twitter" format, a daily current science event will be posted on the teacher's website. On Friday of each week students will vote for the event of the week that most interests them. Voting will be conducted via PollDaddy.com. Each Monday, students will read the winning current event article and answer teacher prepared questions about it. Class discussion will follow.

State Content Standard addressed: __Indicator 5__: Students can access, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate informational texts. 8.R.5.3 Students can combine new information with existing knowledge to enhance understanding.

State Technology Standard addressed: __Strand 3, Indicator 2__: Students use technology to enhance learning, extend capability, and promote creativity. __Strand 5, Indicator 1__: Students use technology to locate and acquire information.

21st Century Skills/Themes addressed: __1.G.1__ : Use 21st Century Skills to understand and address global issues. __2.CTP.3__: Identify and ask significant questions that clarify various points of view and lead to better solutions. __3.ITC.2__: Use technology as a tool to research, organize, evaluate and communicate information and the possession of a fundamental understanding of the ethical issues surrounding the access and use of informaiton.

Strageties that can teach any student: Discussion Technology

Students will understand: that the study of science topics will enable one to make sense of the world around them how natural events effect the lives of people living on the earth

Essential questions: In what ways do natural events impact the lives of Earth's inhabitants? How can we determine the validity of information sources available through the internet?

Technology and Web 2.0 resources needed: Laptop computer cart in the classroom Mrs. Hauck-Fenner's website [] []

Learning Activities: In relation to classroom topics in earth science, a daily current event will be posted on the teacher's website. Students have access to the website in the classroom, their study hall and at home. Each Friday, students will vote for their topic of interest for the week using polldaddy. Each Monday, students will read the web article receiving the most votes. The teacher will make modifications for IEP students. The students will answer 5 content and comprehension questions about the article. Discussion about the article and it's relationship to earth science knowledge will follow.

Assessment: reading pre-test using Achievement series reading quiz each week informal evaluation of discussion reading post-test using Achievement series