Introduction
Content Area and Grade Level
Technology Standards
State Standards
Resources Needed
Entry Level Skills and Knowledge
Conclusion

This lesson was designed for a 5th grade Language Arts Classroom.  However, the next section will explain how the lesson can be modified to meet students up to 12th grade.  This particular lesson can be used in conjunction with Houghton Mifflin's Invitation to Literacy Series.  The story is found in Level 5 Explore under the Catastrophe unit.  This web based lesson can be used for the following:
 

• Reader/Writer Workshop
• Small Group Instruction
• Activity Center
• Support in Advance
• Extension Activity
• Re-teach Activity

5th Grade    Language Arts,  History, Technology
*Due to the subject matter this lesson can be modified to meet the needs of students up to 12th grade.
Please select grade appropriate library books, news articles, and documentaries.
 

Technology Standards

Core Learning Goals and indicators for Language Arts:
Composing and editing original texts (word processing)
Researching (on-line services)
Prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing original texts
Preparing and presenting multimedia presentations and oral texts
For an extension activity, depending on the technology skills, students can be required to
   use Power Point
Locating and retrieving information from various sources
Responding to print and non print texts

Core Learning Goals and indicators for Social Studies
Construct a historical argument based on research and interpretation
Draw upon visual and literary sources to gain historical comprehension.
Use library media resources to access, organize, and evaluate information and data
   from multiple perspectives and from multiple print and non print sources
Demonstrate the ability to create a multimedia presentation
See extension activity under the Language Arts Core Learning Goals
Use technology to create graphic representation of data
Compose and edit original text

State Standards
 

Below is a list of state standards that are addressed by this lesson.
Maryland State Outcomes for Reading
Reading to be informed (The Story of the Challenger Disaster by Zachary Kent)
Reading to be informed (Encarta Encyclopedia and the World Wide Web)
Maryland State Outcomes for Writing
Writing to inform (Informational news report)
Writing to express personal  ideas (Personal reflections on how the disaster could have been avoided.)

Resources Needed

• Computer
• Inspiration Software (optional)
• Microsoft Word (optional)  *If not students can turn in a handwritten report
• Internet Access
• The Writing Process Bulletin Board
• Printer (good idea for students to print the rubric and turn it in)
• Library Books
• Parents or Guardian (for the home connection activity)
• Encarta or Comptons Software (Encyclopedia)

Technology Skills
How to use the Internet
How links work

Writing Skills
Organizing a Report
Following a Rubric

Language Arts skills
Main Idea
Details
Problem Solving
Critical Thinking
 
 

Conclusion
  This web page should give students an opportunity to participate in a fun, cooperative learning activity.  In this task, they are given an opportunity to integrate Social Studies, Communication, and Theater into Language Arts.  This activity will model engaged learning.  Students are given choices on which web site to use for information.  This will model an example of differentiated learning.  The very existence of technology being used as a learning tool is representative of differentiated learning.
    Once students complete this activity they will have a reinforced understanding of this piece of history.  They will experience writing to be informed, reading to be informed, and writing to express personal ideas.  In addition, the presentation will give them practice on their oral communication skills.  This activity will allow teachers to complete a variety of assessments on group work, writing, and communication skills.