Early Childhood Technology Literacy Grant Literacy Activity

Developed By: Julie Miller, Washington Grove Elementary School

Overview: This lesson encourages students to use the Internet to collect information about worms, and can be used in conjunction with the MCPS First Grade Rocks, Sand and Soil Science Unit. . It allows for whole group exploration, as well as partner or small group research. The colorful graphics and photographs, interesting facts and firsthand worm "interviews" on the site will really catch the students' attention and motivate them read to find out about worms!

Student Level: First Grade

Time Frame:

• 30-minute session for the initial exploration of the wormy web site
• Several 15-25 minute blocks of time for the partner or small-group research teams to explore the web site.
• Leaving the computer accessible for at least a week is desirable so that all students have a chance to do research.

Objectives: The students will:

• Read to be informed.
• Use expository material to learn about a topic.

Materials:

• Computer with Internet access to www.yucky.com/aol/worm
• Large KWHL graphic organizer for whole class use
• Squirmy Wormy Research Recording Sheet
• Rocks, Sand and Soil Science Kit (optional)
• Fiction and non-fiction worm books (optional)

Procedures:

1. As you begin your study of earthworms as part of the Rocks, Sand and Soil Science Unit, have your class create a KWHL graphic organizer about worms. This chart (especially enjoyable if created on a giant paper earthworm) allows students to organize their thoughts, questions and research as they learn about earthworms. It helps students to categorize their information on what they Know about earthworms, what they Want to know about earthworms, How they will learn about earthworms, and, finally, what they Learned about earthworms as a result of their research.
   (Under the "H" section, make sure that students include the Internet as one of the tools that they can use to investigate worms!)
2. As a whole group, visit the Worm World web site <www.yucky.com/aol/worm>. Point out the Worm World Menu: Worms as Recyclers, Meet Mary the Worm Woman, All About Earthworms, and Visit Wendell's Cousins (one of who is Eddie the Earthworm). Briefly explore some of the site together to model navigation, to familiarize the students and to peak their interests. The colorful graphics and photographs, interesting facts and firsthand worm "interviews" will really catch the students' attention.
3. Model for the students how you find a fact that interests you and record it on the Squirmy Wormy Research page. Let students know that you will also add it to the Learned section of the KWHL chart at a later time.
4. Assign students (or allow them to choose) partners for their research teams. (I usually only allow 2-3 students per team.) During the week, provide opportunities for the teams to visit this web site as part of their on-going worm research. The research teams must collect and record at least 3 interesting facts they learned about worms on their recording sheets. These facts may answer some of the questions they Wanted to know about worms or may verify some of the original Known information, or they may be new facts.
5. Allow the research teams the opportunity to transfer their Squirmy findings from their recording sheets to the KWHL chart for all to learn from and enjoy.
6. At the end of the week, allow each child to orally share one 1 fact that they added to the Learned section of the KWHL graphic organizer.

Additional Resources:

• Research Recording Sheet
• Rocks, Sand and Soil Unit Teacher's Guide