Introduction

This lesson was designed as a tool to help young children become more familiar with technology concepts.  It incorporates the use of web searching as well as using simple programs such as Inspiration and KIDPIX. 
This lesson focuses on simple space concepts such as different characteristics of planets.  It promotes creativity and critical thought by having students create their own planet.  Although this is a "Space Quest" the main intent is to introduce students to basic technology concepts.
With technology becoming increasingly more important in the world today, it is critical that we expose our young students to some form of technology.

Learners

This lesson was developed for the grade 2/3 level.  It focuses on science outcomes as well as introducing simple technology.  This lesson could be extended to a grade four level depending on the technical ability of the students.

Before completing this lesson students need to be given practice in several different areas.

• Introduced and shown how to use Inspiration
• Introduced and shown how to use KIDPIX
• Know how to cut and paste information from the internet to another document
• Know how to brainstorm effectively
• simple lesson on how to use the mouse 

Curriculum Standards

 

Science
Students will be expected to:

• identify simple characteristics about several different planets
• use imagination to create a planet of their own

• view simple web pages
• know how to use KIDPIX
• know how to use Inspiration 

This lesson requires students to work in small groups, therefore it encourages cooperation work habits.  Students are expected to work together to come to a unified solution to their problem. 

Process

This lesson may take three to four weeks to complete based on three classes a week.  This project would be useful if it were integrated with a science space unit.    

The process requires students to know how to use, KIDPIX, Inspiration, and simple web searching skills.  It may also be useful if the teacher taught a lesson on information gathering before they attempted the web quest.

A teacher does not need to be overly computer literate in order to pull this project off.  The teacher will just have to become familiar with the basic programs used in this Web Quest.
 

Resources Needed

 
  In order to impliment this lesson, schools must have access to Netscape Navigator, KIDPIX and Inspiration. In order to make this project a success it may be a good idea to ask parents who are fairly computer literate to come and help out in the classroom, especially at the beginning of this project.
 

Evaluation

Students will be assessed by means of;

• Self evaluation
• Peer evaluation
• completion of final product

Conclusion

This lesson is designed to be fairly simple in nature.  It has been designed to help young student's become more computer literate.
 

Credits & References

Images taken from; 
animation.com
clipart