Talented and Gifted Lesson Plan #1
Anticipatory Set:
Review the research topic chosen last week, Astronomy, and make certain every student understands that he/she is responsible for researching some aspect of the topic.
Objective and Purpose:
Each student will preview one or more pieces of software and write 5 - 10 questions to be answered, by the group, about the research topic chosen. The questions will summarize what the students want to know about their topic and what they choose to find out. Several CDROMs, dealing with astronomy and related topics, will be available to preview by the students.
Input:
One or two computers will be available in the classroom and students will select the discs to be inserted to preview from a selection provided by the facilitator.
Students will be instructed to write 5 - 10 questions to be answered by the group as they research the topic. Questions can be written while they preview the software or after they are finished.
Modeling:
Sample questions about a topic will be provided by the facilitator if the students have trouble deciding what kind of questions to ask or how to ask them.
Check for understanding:
Facilitator will observe students as they write the questions and provide help if needed.
Guided and Independent practice:
Students will complete questions on their own, if time runs out, and be prepared to share the questions with the group during the next class. Questions will be listed and grouped in categories by the students. Possible categories are; constellations, astronomers, planets, and space travel. When the categories are determined, students will each choose one that they are most interested in researching.
Closure:
Students will be informed that during the next class they will be given Process and Product lists to determine what methods they can use to find the answers to their questions and what end products they may choose for the final presentation.
Talented and Gifted Lesson Plan #2
Anticipatory Set:
Review what has transpired so far with the topic chosen, Astronomy, and the software previewed last lesson.
Objective and Purpose:
Each student will work cooperatively with their group, 5 - 6 students, to make a master list of questions and divide the list into categories. The categories will determine what the areas of research will be. Each student will choose a research area.
Input:
A secretary will be chosen by each group to make the master list. Each child will read his/her questions and the secretary will write them down. When completed, the group, with help from the facilitator, will divide the questions into specific categories. Some suggestions are given in lesson #1. The group will be encouraged to have each child choose a category for his/her own research. The facilitator may have to assist if there is indecision or conflict in assigning topics.
Students will review the process and product sheets and discuss among themselves what final products they may want to complete and how they will go about it. The decision about the products will be made at a later date. Students need some time to think this through.
Modeling:
If the students are having trouble deciding the category choices or topics the facilitator may need to assist. The less teacher intervention, the more the group learns to work together and decide things cooperatively.
Check for understanding:
Facilitator will monitor student groups as they compile the question lists and choose/assign the topics for research.
Guided and Independent practice:
Students will be expected to bring some reference material to the next class, to work on researching their topic. During each class from now until completion, students will need to work on their research. Internet access and /or computers for previewing and studying software will need to be available to students.
Closure:
Remind students about the choices for obtaining material to do the research. Examples: library books, encyclopedias, magazines, textbooks, personal interviews with knowledgeable people, Internet web sites, computer software etc.
Possible technology uses for the end products include; digital camera photos of the participants, hyperstudio presentations of the material gathered, Internet pictures and text for posters and/or research papers, and word processed invitations, pamphlets, reports etc.
