Subject: Science

Grade: 5th

Time needed: 90 minutes

Mrs. Moore’s Question

1. Objectives:

Students will:

1. Successfully use Microsoft Word to complete a written letter.
2. Summarize the information they have learned about the circulatory system.

• Microsoft Word
• Computers
• Altiris Vision
• Internet access
• Text information on the circulatory system
• Mrs. Moore’s Question direction sheet and outline

Introduction:

Discuss with the students the fictitious conversation you had with the principal in the hallway on your way to science class. Explain that she asked how the students were doing in science. Tell the students that she asked a question about the heart and you told her the students would answer it. Be sure that the story is believable and that the students get excited about answering it for the principal.

Motivation:

1. Pass out the "Mrs. Moore’s Question" handout to the students.
2. Read the instructions together.
3. Have the students take ownership of the question.
4. Explain to them that it is their responsibility to answer the principal’s question and their opportunity to show her how hard her 5^th graders have been working to learn about the circulatory system.
5. Go to the computer lab and use Altiris Vision to model Microsoft Word.

Content to be covered:

During this activity students will demonstrate what they have learned about the circulatory system.

Student Activities:

1. Have students complete their rough draft of their letter to Mrs. Moore on the handout provided. Allow them to use web sites and written text as resources.
2. Once they have completed their rough draft, they are to show it to the teacher to be approved to use Microsoft Word to complete their final draft.
3. Once the rough draft is approved, students type their letter with Word and proof read.
4. Once the letter is completed and error-free, students print their letter.

Independent Practice:

If students could not complete the letter to Mrs. Moore in the time allowed in the computer lab, more lab time would be needed because every student does not have Microsoft Word at home.

Once students have completed their letters, have them read their letter to a peer. The students can use this time as a peer editing session and suggest to each other ideas to strengthen their letter.

Once the letters are finalized, have the students turn them in to be graded and passed on to Mrs. Moore.

When working in the computer lab there is a set of rules that every student knows. Revisit these rules and explain to the students that if they cannot follow the rules, they will be asked to leave. Also, circulate around the computer lab to ensure the students are on task and to be available to answer questions.

After collecting students' letters to Mrs. Moore, it was evident that they had a basic understanding of the circulatory system. Some students had difficulty with the process of writing a letter, which took more instruction time then anticipated. This lesson is a great tool to assess what the students comprehend about the circulatory system and what information is still not understood.

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