Phoenix Rising and Related Research
| State | WV |    |
| Status | Ready for Users | |
| Stage | Public | |
| Subject | English/Language Arts Science Social Studies | |
| Author | Larry Rogers, David Mazza, Debi Willard | |
| Description | This is a hands-on research based unit built around the novel,
"Phoenix Rising" by Karen Hesse. Students read the novel, which is a fictional account of a nuclear plant explosion near Boston, MA. It depicts what happens when a rural family takes in the widow and son of the plant manager. The father has died as a result of the explosion and the boy is very ill from radiation poisoning. Groups of students will use the internet to research aspects of nuclear power and nuclear weapons. They will prepare a report of their findings and present it to the class. The unit lasts 15 to 16 class sessions and includes 5 quizzes, (one for each 6 chapters of the book,) which the students can take via e-mail. | |
| The 21st Century Tools | Computer and printer/ Internet | |
| Grade Level | 6 7 8 | |
| National Standards | Technology:
Understands the relationships among science, technology, society, and the individual. Knows the characteristics and uses of computer software programs. Language Arts: Writing: Gathers and uses information for research purposes. Reading: Demonstrates competence in the general skills and strategies of the reading process. Listening and speaking: Demonstrates competence in speaking and listening as tools for learning. | |
| Career Clusters | Health and Human Services Science and Natural Resources | |
| Keywords | cold war
atomic energy nuclear weapons radioactive fallout nuclear disasters | |
| Lesson Plan URLs (new Window) | Unit Introduction: An Overview
Lesson 1: No Nukes is Good Nukes Lesson 2: Nukes in Sheep's Clothing Lesson 3: Ezra Gets a Puppy Lesson 4: Will Ezra Recover? Lesson 5: When Will We Ever Learn? | |
| Learner Outcomes | 1. Work cooperatively in groups to read and do research on the Internet.
2. Practice Oral and Silent reading and apply comprehension skills. 3. Use writing skills and a word processing program to complete a report on information gathered from research. | |
| Comments | 1. Students read two chapters each day and spend the rest of
the time on research projects. 2. Research should be wrapping up and students should begin writing reports. 3. Groups may work together and designate one student to type, but everyone must participate in some way. 4. E-mail quiz on chapters 13 through 18 will be given on the third day. | |
| Materials | 1. Classroom set of 'Phoenix Rising' by Karen Hesse
2. Computers with Internet access 3. ON-line encyclopedia 4. E-mail for each student, (optional) | |
| Teacher notes | 1. schedule computer lab
2. closely monitor computers during research | |
| Enrichment activities | Students discuss possible nuclear problems facing us today. | |
| References | 'Phoenix Rising' by Karen Hesse, Penguin Books USA Inc.
375 Hudson ST. New York, NY 10014, c. 1994 Additional Resources THE LIGHTSPAN NETWORK, COMPTON'S ON-LINE ENCYCLOPEDIA. WWW.METACRAWLER.COM | |
| English IGO or CSO | 6.1,6.2,6.3,6.4,6.16,6.21,6.26,6.30,6.33,6.53,6.54,6.59,6.60,7.2,7.3,7.57,7.19,
7.23,7.24,7.26,7.31,7.51,7.52,7.57,7.64,7.65,8.2,8.3,8.5,8.14,8.15,8.16,8.20, 8.22,8.26,8.33,8.50,8.51,8.53,8.150,8.151 | |
| Science IGO or CSO | 6.3,6.13,6.26,6.32,6.79,6.81,7.6,7.26,7.62,7.75,7.77,8.17,8.26,8.81,8.83 | |
| Social Studies IGO or CSO | 6.154,6.155,6.157,6.160, 6.19,6.55,6.56,6.57,7.164,7.166,7.169,7.172,7.173,7.32,
7.53,7.54 | |