_X_Word Processing (ex. MS Word)               _X_Spreadsheet (ex. Cruncher)

__CD-ROM Encyclopedia (ex. Encarta)             __ Database (ex. MS Works)

_X_ Multimedia                                    __Other software pertaining to unit
 

1.C.1b Identify important themes and topics.

1.C.1f Use information presented in simple tables, maps and charts to form an interpretation.

2.B.1a Respond to literary materials by connecting them to their own experience and communicate those responses to others.

Writing

3.B.1a Use prewriting strategies to generate and organize ideas (e.g., focus on one topic; organize writing to include a beginning, middle and end; use descriptive words when writing about people, places, things, events).

3.C.1b Create media compositions or productions which convey meaning visually for a variety of purposes.

Research

5.A.1a Identify questions and gather information.

5.A.1b Locate information using a variety of resources

5.C.1a Write letters, reports and stories based on acquired information.

Math

6.D.1 Compare the numbers of objects in groups.

7.A.1b Measure units of time using appropriate instruments (e.g., calendars, clocks, watches—both analog and digital).

8.A.1b Solve simple number sentences (e.g., 2 + o = 5).

8.C.1 Describe the basic arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) orally, in writing and using concrete materials and drawings.

9.B.1a Identify and describe characteristics, similarities and differences of geometric shapes.

9.B.1b Sort, classify and compare familiar shapes.

9.C.1 Draw logical conclusions and communicate reasoning about simple geometric figures and patterns using concrete materials, diagrams and contemporary technology.

10.A.1a Organize and display data using pictures, tallies, tables, charts or bar graphs.

10.A.1b Answer questions and make predictions based on given data.

Science

11.A.1c Collect data for investigations using measuring instruments and technologies.

11.A.1d Record and store data using available technologies.

11.A.1f Compare observations of individual and group results.

12.E.1c Identify renewable and nonrenewable natural resources.

13.B.1e Demonstrate ways to reduce, reuse and recycle materials.

Social Science

15.C.1a Describe how human, natural and capital resources are used to produce goods and services.

17.C.1a Identify ways people depend on and interact with the physical environment (e.g., farming, fishing, hydroelectric power).

17.C.1b Identify opportunities and constraints of the physical environment.

Technology

Use input devices (e.g., mouse, keyboard, remote control) and output devices (e.g., monitor, printer) to successfully operate computers, VCRs, audiotapes, and other technologies.

Use a variety of media and technology resources for directed and independent learning activities.

Work cooperatively and collaboratively with peers, family members, and others when using technology in the classroom.

Create developmentally appropriate multimedia products with support from teachers, family members, or student partners.

Gather information and communicate with others using telecommunications, with support from teachers, family members, or student partners.

Practice responsible use of technology systems and software.

Lesson 1  Let's Recycle

Read Recycle! A Handbook For Kids by Gail Gibbons.  Do a KWL (What I KNOW, What I WANT to know, and What I have LEARNED) about the 3R's and pollution.  The KWL can be done in small groups on Kidspiration. 

Lesson 2  Children will use a calendar template found in Kid Pix Deluxe to create an April calendar.  They must include the correct number of days, days of the week, month, year, Earth Day and Arbor Day. 

Lesson 3  Earth in Our Classroom

Children will use the digital camera to take pictures of items in the classroom that were made from either plants, animals, or rock.  The pictures will then be put together on chart paper to make a class graph of The Earth in Our Classroom.

Lesson 4  Save the Trees

Collect brown paper bags from your neighborhood grocery store.  Have the children decorate the bags with words that would encourage consumers to be earth friendly.  The children can use Microsoft Word and clip art to print pictures and write encouraging words.  Return the shopping bags to the stores so that they can use them to bag their groceries.  Encourage the children to shop at the store and ask for paper bags.  Have the children bring the bags back after shopping.  A graph can be made to see how many bags were used by the students at Lane School.

Lesson 5  Pretty Picture

Children will create an Earth friendly picture using virtual tangrams.  This website of virtual manipulatives can help.   Go to Geometry grades Pre-K-2.  Then hit Geometry.  Finally go to tangrams.  http://matti.usu.edu/nlvm/nav/vlibrary.html

Here is another is another site that has virtual tangrams.  http://www.arcytech.org/java/patterns/patterns_j.shtml

Lesson 6  Solve It

Children will write their own math story problems about recycling using Kid Pix Deluxe.  The first slide should be the words to the story problem.  The second slide should contain pictures showing one way to solve the problem.  The problems should be put all together in on slideshow. 

Lesson 7  Garbage Day

Each child will bring in one item that can be thrown away or recycled.  All food items should be in a Ziploc plastic bag.  The kids will then sort all of the items into groups.  They will decide how to group them.  Ideas:  glass, metal, plastic, paper, biodegradable.  The data will then be put into a teacher created Excel Document to be graphed.  The children can choose to print out the graph in either a bar or pie graph.

Lesson 8  Planet Earth Counts by 5's

The kids will use Kid Pix Deluxe to make a number book of counting by 5's.  They can use the number book template and change the numbers to 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25.  Then they will use the stamp tool to illustrate the numbers.  The stamps should be theme related.  (cans, newspapers, planets, garbage cans, trees etc.)

Lesson 9  There Goes a Garbage Truck

Watch the video There Goes a Garbage Truck (1997).  In the video the truck visits a recycling plant.  Then have the Waste Management truck visit the class.  They will show the children how the truck works.  They will also tell you about where the garbage works and what you can do to cut down on waste.  The teachers will have ready the waste that the children sorted for lesson 7 in garbage bags.  The bags will only have one type of material in each.  As a class, they will weight all of the bags in pounds and record the answers on a record sheet.  They will then add the totals of all the bags to find a total garbage weight.  The children will decide which bags contain materials that can be recycled.  Then they will add to find that total.  Then the children will decide what bags will be put on the garbage truck and which should be saved for the recycling truck.  The class should see the benefits of recycling. 

Lesson 10  I am Earth Friendly Around the Clock

Divide a large piece of construction paper into 4 parts.  The children will draw a clock at the top of each column.  The times on the clock should read 7:00 am, 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm.  The children will draw pictures, magazines or Clip Art to illustrate what they can do at different times of the day to be Earth friendly.  Some examples may be: turn off the faucet when brushing my teeth, recycle my pop can at lunch, recycle my homework sheets or turn off lights in my house. 

Lesson 11  Paragraph Writing

For the final lesson, the children will choose one earthy topic to write a paragraph about.  Topics may include pollution, reducing, reusing, recycling etc.  First, the children will complete a graphic organizer from http://www.enchantedlearning.com about their topic.  They will then use their organizer to develop a well written paragraph.  Finally, children will type their paragraph in PowerPoint and insert a graphic.  The teacher will then put all of the slides into a PowerPoint presentation.  This may also me done as a slideshow on Kid Pix Deluxe.  The children will read their paragraphs into the computer's microphone to be recorded.  Their narration can be added to the PowerPoint presentation or the Kid Pix Slideshow. 

Lesson 12  KWL

The children will complete the "L" learned portion of their KWL organizer.

URL1: http://www.abcteach.com/

Description1: Lesson plans for teachers for a variety of themes including science.
 
 

Title2: Mrs. McGowan First Grade

URL2: http://www.mrsmcgowan.com/

Description2: Mrs. McGowan has wonderful classroom ideas and links for Earth Day.
 
 

Title3: The Math Forum

URL3: http://mathforum.org/algebra/k12.algebra.html

Description3: This site has lesson plans, internet projects, software suggestions and several other resources for teachers.
 
 

Title4: Earth Day Bags

URL4: http://www.earthdaybags.org/

Description4: This website will help teachers with Lesson 4. 
 
 

Title5: Interactive math links

URL5: http://web.rbe.sk.ca/Support/2

Description5: This sites has several interactive links where the teacher can send her students.
 

Title6: First Grade Curriculum Related Sites

URL6: http://www.oocities.org/karen_s2000/GradeOne.html

Description6: This site has several curriculum links.  Click on Earth Day and several teacher links.

URL1: http://www.sprint.com/epatrol/ep-energy.html  

Purpose of Use1: This can be used as a center activity.

Description1: The children can go to different rooms in the house to find out how to save energy.  The can also go to the seven continents and learn about different endangered species.
 

Title2: Planetpals Earthzone

URL2: http://www.planetpals.com/planetpals.html (poems)

http://www.planetpals.com/  

Purpose of Use2: The children can listen to poems about earth.  They have games, facts, dictionaries and  several activity sheets the can be printed out.

Title3: National Geographic Kids

URL3: http://nationalgeographic.com/kids/index.html

Purpose of Use3: The children can use this site as a resource for their paragraphs. 

Description3: The site contains recipes, crafts, science experiments, games, printing activities, maps, stories and excellent pictures.
 

Title4: Kids Domain

URL4: http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/earthday/

Purpose of Use4: This can be used as a center activity. 

Description4: This site contains songs, games, coloring pages, word searches and other activities.
 

Title5: EPA Environmental Kids Club

URL5: http://www.epa.gov/kids/

Purpose of Use5: The children can learn about plants, animals, recycling, artwork, and games.

Title6: Peacekids.com

URL6: http://members.aol.com/kidz4peace/index.htm

Description6: This site has stories that teach kids what they can do to make the earth more peaceful.