Group+09

**Grade 3/Primary:**

**Life Science: Plant Growth and Change, Environment**

Katie Gale Megan Greene Samantha King Anna Sequeira

__Rationale:__

“ Science and technology multiply around us. To an increasing extent they dictate the languages in which we speak and think. Either we use those languages, or we remain mute.” – J.G. Ballard

This quote by J.G. Ballard effectively explains why we, as a group, felt that integrating technology into other subject areas was extremely important. We felt that it will help our students build on their experiences with technology through its cross-curricular connections that will also further and deepen their understanding of other subject areas, such as science, health and physical education. It is important as teachers to recognize and embrace our constantly advancing society, and more importantly we must learn to reflect this in our teaching practices. At the end of this unit, students will be able to utilize multiple technology-based programs, including; an office application (Microsoft word), a graphics application (Paint), a multimedia application (Online equivalent of concept mapping), and a social networking application (Edmodo.com).

Through the usage of these programs, students will not only become actively involved in the science, health, and physical education curriculum, they will also be improving and furthering their skills in technology. As teachers, we hope to thoroughly engage our students in their work by using technology-based programs that will spark their interest, make the material relevant and keep them motivated to stay on task.

It is through these lessons that we hope to help our students gain an appreciation of health within themselves, health within the environment and finally, health within the community. More importantly, this unit will allow students to create a deeper understanding of all subjects through hands on, interactive activities based around the usage of technology in the classroom.

__ Activity 1: Office Applications __

// Microsoft Word //

Students will be required to create a brochure for an Environment Day of their choice. They will be expected to choose event, place, day, and activities, etc. //-- Connections: Health, Physical Education.//

__ Activity 2: Graphic Application __

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">//Paint//

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Student will create a picture of the progress of the life cycle of a plant, based on the plants they grew in class. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">//-- Connections: Science, Health//

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">__ Activity 3: Multimedia Application __

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">__[]__ <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">// Concept Mapping (Online Equivalent) //

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Students will create a concept map of their choice using //bubbl.us//. The topic must be related to Plant Growth and Change, or distinguishing different plants. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">//-- Connections: Science//

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">__ Activity 4: Social Networking __

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">http://www.edmodo.com <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Students will create a real social networking profile using **edmodo.com.** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Students will use this profile to communicate with their classmates and teachers about assignments, questions and other interesting facts they may have, as they continue to do research on their plants, and environmental activities. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">//-- Connections: Science, Health, Physical Education//

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">//CLICK HERE for Curriculum Connections!//