Webquest Standards

I would like to use first graders as the target age for my webquest. I feel like first graders are just old enough to be able to use the computer and use the webquest to learn more about plant growth.

Standards:

Students will be able to learn what environmental factors need to be in place for a seed to grow.

Students will able to describe the stages a plant goes through from a seedling to a full grown plant.


I hope that this webquest will be an informative and fun way for children to learn a science concept

Webquest Brainstorm

I would like to do a webquest for first grade about how plants grow. On UEN I looked up the Core Standards for first grade and here is what it says:

Standard 3: Students will develop an understanding of their environment
Objective 1: Investigate plants and plant growth.
c. Observe and describe plants as they grow from seeds.

I would like for the students to discover what happens to a seed when it is planted and begins to grow. They will need to know the proper conditions (soil, sun, weather, shade) that most plants need in order to grow in a healthy manner. Since photosynthesis is a major component to plant growth, I will include that topic as well. I may also include in there why plants are important for humans and our environment. I hope I can find a virtual plant so the students can actually see all the stages and what it looks like.

Web Site Evaluation

http://www.wilson.logan.k12.ut.us/web/
This public school site for Wilson Elementary in Logan, UT was not a very flashy website. It had basic information like contact information for the school, links for clubs and organizatins, and the school calendar. Based on last evaluation form this website would not be up to par. You cannot tell who the author is, when it was updated, the URL did not inlclude edu, gov, net, or org.

http://www.preschooleducation.com/
The lesson plan page wasn't the most appealing but I could navigate my way around it and there was a lot of different areas to look in. The lessons seemed pretty much on level and there were a lot of different content areas for each subject. It is published by Preschool Education.

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/index.htm
Based on the evaluation form, Kathy Shrock's Guide for Educators, this was a really good website that teaches children about the reasons leaves change colors in the fall. The website was created by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. It had contact information, good graphics, explanations that an elementary school student can understand, easy navigation, and correct and factual information.

http://www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/mentalmaths/additiontest.html
This website was really cool for addition math facts. It was a simple website that gave you lots of different problems and let's you know when you get the answer right or wrong. It also had different levels so you could start out with easy problems and ends with more difficult ones. I would definitely show my students and their parents this website so the children could practice at home.

Spreadsheets in the Classroom

Since I plan on being an early childhood educator, I'm not sure that my students will be able to understand and use spreadsheets on their own.

I think I could create one for a class assignment. For example, I can compile the data I collect on favorite colors and just show them how it works. Early exposure to these programs can be positive.

I believe I could use the survey tool on google docs. I could take the idea of finding out favorite colors and make a survery out of it. If my students can't read maybe there is a way to add color.

I think it's possible to use spread sheets and surveys in early childhood if you can get creative.