Experience A Virtual Underworld Adventure

Grade Level(s):  5th through 8th

Learner Outcomes: 

  • Students will explore the wonders of a cave through technology. 
  • Students will explore various types of cave formations. 
  • Students will learn about four types of caves.  Solution, Erosional, Lava, and Sea Caves 
  • Students will use Scientific Processing skills to conduct a scientific investigation. 
  • Students will analyze and interpret data. 
  • Students will display data in a chart, table, graph, or powerpoint presentation. 
  • Students will prepare a written summary or report of the results of the investigation. 
    • Duration of Lesson: 
  • Part I:  Virtual Tour:  (1-2) 45 minute class period(s) 
  • Part II:  2-3 (45 minute class periods) to prepare charts, tables, graphs or powerpoint slide presentation and written summaries. 
    • Materials:  Technology Tools/Courseware: 
    • Multimedia computers with internet access, word processing program, printer, data projector, digital camera, Encyclopedia on CD ROM,  powerpoint tutorial, 
    Teacher Notes:
  • All students should have on file a current internet permission form/acceptable use policy. 
  • This lesson requires to use of a computer lab. 
  • Students may be paired up or work independently. 
  • Teacher's need to create a folder for electronic journal entries or provide a floppy disk for each student. 
    • Procedure:
    During this Virtual Field trip you will explore four caves.  You will review how the caves were formed, their features, what regions each type are found in.

    Part I

    You will tour four types of caves in this Virtual Tour:  Solution Caves, Erosional Caves, Lava Caves, and Sea Caves.  You will need the Virtual Cave worksheet.

    1. Log on to the computer 
    2. Click internet explorer(e) 
    3. In the URL address type: www.goodearthgraphics.com/virtcave.html 
    4. Click on picture to enter the cave 
    5. First stop: click on Solution Caves 
    6. Click on the virtual cave image map.  A hand will appear when you are on an object to view.  Only named features have images.  Each is defined with pictures to view.  
    7. To go back to the map click browser back button. 
    8. When you finish here, click back to The Virtual Cave at the bottom of the page and then Back to The Virtual Cave home page.  
    9. Next stop on your tour "Erosional Caves"  When you finish click back to "The Virtual Cave". 
    10. Now visit the "Lava Tube Caves".  After reading the introduction, spend some time investigating the image map.  Find a place on the map, then click on the same word from the list above it.  Click browser back button to return to the image map.  When you finish this section, click back to "The Virtual Cave". 
    11. Last stop!  "Sea Caves".  When you finish here click back to "The Virtual Cave".  Check your worksheet to see if you need to return to any section.  
    12. Close out the window and log off the computer. 
    13. Organize your notes from the worksheet and prepare a written summary of your tour.  Add to your electronic journal 
    Part II
    1. Use a software program to display data in chart, table, graph, or powerpoint. 
    2. Prepare a written summary or report of the results of your investigation. 
    Modifications:
    • Students who do not have internet approval will use an encyclopedia on CD-ROM to research cave structures. 
    • Special needs students will work cooperatively with a partner. 
    Enrichment Activities:
  • research cave life 
    • Evaluation and Assessment:
     
     
    Charts, Graphs, and PowerPoint slides

    State and National Standards:

    West Virginia IGO'S:
           Science:  5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.7, 5.14, 5.16, 5.18, 5.19, 5.46, 5.50, 5.51, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.14, 6.18,   6.19, 6.63, 6.67, 6.69, 6.74, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.7, 7.12, 7.14, 7.16, 7.17, 7.57, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.7, 8.12, 8.14, 8.16, 8.17, 8.60, 8.64
           Technology:  5.65, 5.66, 5.67, 5.68, 5.73, 5.74, 5.77, 5.79, 6.82, 6.83, 6.84, 6.87, 6.92, 6.94, 6.98, 7.78, 7.79, 7.80, 7.83, 7.87, 7.90, 7.92, 8.84, 8.85, 8.86, 8.87, 8.90, 8.96, 8.97, 8.98
           Math:  5.23, 6.24, 7.31, 8.30
           Language Arts:  5.16, 5.61, 5.64, 6.20, 6.23, 6.24, 6.57, 6.66, 7.22, 7.54, 8.22, 8.27, 8.55, 8.64

    National Standards:

    Earth and Space Sciences 
     Standard 2: Understands Earth's composition and structure 

      Grade 3-5 

     1. Knows how features on the Earth's surface are constantly changed by a combination of slow and rapid
     processes 

     Grade 6-8 

     2.  Knows how land forms are created through a combination of constructive and destructive forces

     Nature of Science 
     Standard 11: Understands the nature of scientific knowledge 

      Grade3-5 

     3. Knows that scientists make the results of their investigations public; they describe the investigations in
     ways that enable others to repeat the investigations 
     

     Grade 6-8 

     3. Knows that all scientific ideas are tentative and subject to change and improvement in principle, but for
     most core ideas in science, there is much experimental and observational confirmation 
     
     
     

     Nature of Science 
      Standard 13: Understands the scientific enterprise 

       Grade3-5 

     2. Knows that although people using scientific inquiry have learned much about the objects, events, and
     phenomena in nature, science is an ongoing process and will never be finished 
     

       Grade 6-8 

     5. Knows that throughout history, many scientific innovators have had difficulty breaking through accepted
     ideas of their time to reach conclusions that are now considered to be common knowledge 
     

     Language Arts 
     Writing 
     Standard 1: Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process 

     Grade 3-5 

     7. Writes expository compositions 

     10. Writes expressive compositions 
     

      Grade 6-8 

     11. Writes compositions that address problems/solutions 

     12. Writes in response to literature 
     
     

      Standard 4: Gathers and uses information for research purposes 
     

       Grade 3-5 

     4. Uses electronic media to gather information 

      5. Uses key words, guide words, alphabetical and numerical order, indexes, cross-references, and letters on
     volumes to find information for research topics 

    8.  Uses strategies to compile information into written reports or summaries

       Grade 6-8 

    5. Determines the appropriateness of an information source for a research topic 

    6.  Organizes information and ideas from multiple sources in systematic ways
     

     Technology
    Standard 6:  Understands the nature and uses of different forms of technology.

    Grades 3-5
    4.  Knows that technology facilitates better communication by providing storage and retrieval of large amounts of data, an easy means of accessing data, a means of processing and displaying data, and faster communication among individuals. 
     
    Grades 6-8
    4.  Knows the components of a communication system.
     
     
     

    Job/Career Clusters:

  • Archeologist 
  • Archeological Conservator 
  • Paleontology  


    • References:

  • The Virtual Cave  
  •  Actden tutorial 
  • clipartconnection 

    •  

    Rob Cline
    Kim Dennison
    Cynthia Sprouse

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    Overview Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Lesson 3 Lesson 4 Lesson 5