Grade Level:   4

Subject(s):  Science, Language Arts, Art

Learner Outcomes:

• The student will be able to identify animals according to their systems.
• The student will be able to describe different characteristics of plants and animals of the deciduous forest and which help them to survive in their niche.
• The students will be able to locate terms in the dictionary according to their alphabetical order.
• The student will be able to describe the environment and conditions needed for the survival of living things in the desert.
• The student will be able to explain relationships among organisms in the deciduous forest.
• The student will be able to draw animals of the deciduous forest.
• The students will be able to complete a matrix of deciduous forest facts.

Materials:  index cards, crayons or markers, reference books about
deciduous forest, online dictionary

Technology Tools: computer lab, online dictionary

Teacher Notes:  Worksheet is typed in Microsoft Word '97.  You may also want to bookmark the dictionary site for future reference.

Procedures:

Day One:

1.  Explain to students that today's lesson will be discussing the deciduous forest.  The students will explore the Internet by visiting the online dictionary to find the definition of "deciduous."  Students will write in their own words the meaning of "deciduous."
2.  Pass out the temperate deciduous forest worksheet. This sheet correlates with the website. Students will search for answers on the Internet.  While in the computer lab, students will complete the ecosystem matrix for the deciduous forest.
3.  Students will complete and retain worksheets for class discussion tomorrow.

Day Two:

1. Discuss answers from Day One worksheet.
2.  Divide class into groups of four or five.
3.   Each member of your group should choose five different animals. Draw a picture of
each animal on a separate index card.
4.  Using five different index cards, draw the home of each chosen animal.  Students may use information from the worksheet or reference books for assistance.
5.  Gather all the cards.  Mix them up, and place face down.  Students will find a pair that matches the animal with its home or fact.  Continue until all matches have been found

Modifications: Students will be working with teammates.  Teachers may also choose to allow students to research using software that reads text orally to students.

Enrichment Activities:  Students will create their own card game using the matching cards from the previous activities.  Write down the rules and procedures for the game.

Evaluation/Assessment: answers from lab sheets, completing the card activity will be worth ten points per student
 
 

West Virginia Instructional Goals and Objectives-
        Language Arts:  4.80, 4.81, 4.84
        Study Skills: 4.92
        Technology: 4.98
         Science: 4.4, 4.32, 4.35, 4.37
 

National Standards:
     Language Arts:

•  Gathers and uses information for research purposes.
•  Demonstrates competence in the general skills and strategies for reading a variety of information.

• Understands the basic features of the Earth.
• Knows about the diversity and unity that characterize life.
• Understands how species depend on one another and on the environment for survival.

References:

• Harcourt Science.  (2000), Harcourt School Publishers, B18-19.
• The Evergreen Project
• Tour Of the Biomes

The Cyber Zoo - What Is a Biome?
 

Authors:  Beth Henry
                Kathy Kemper
          Kim Waggy
                Flinn Elementary
 
 

Lesson One

Lesson Two

Lesson Three

Lesson Four

Lesson Five