Week Two: Lesson One

Lesson: Research one biome, create Excel Spreadsheet

Objective: Students will know how to properly research a topic in the computer lab. Students
will be able to compile their research into an Excel Spreadsheet.
Common Core Standards/Content Standards:
Content standards: History-Social Science
4.1 Students demonstrate an understanding of the physical and human geographic features that
define places and regions in California
Common Core Standards: Science
Life Science
3. Living organisms depend on one another and on their environment for survival. As a basis
for understanding this concept:
3.a. Students know ecosystems can be characterized by their living and nonliving components.
3.b. Students know that in any particular environment, some kinds of plants and animals survive
well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all.
Common Core Standards: Language Arts
Reading Standards for Informational Text : Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
7. Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time
lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to
an understanding of the text in which it appears.
Technology Standards
1. Creativity and innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and
processes using technology.
a. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes
b. create original works as a means of personal or group expression
5. Digital citizenship
Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and
ethical behavior.
a. advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology
b. exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and
productivity
6. Technology operations and concepts
Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations.
a. understand and use technology systems
b. select and use applications effectively and productively
Materials:
Computer
iPad
Excel Spreadsheet
Overhead Projector
SmartBoard
http://www.kidsclick.org/
Lesson Preparation: Please be sure and have the SmartBoard, Overhead Projector and
computer on. Please have Microsoft Excel up on the screen and open the document entitled
Biomes research. This is what you will be showing students before they go to the computer
lab. Only a few tabs have been created so that during the explanation you can add columns and
show students how to create an Excel Spreadsheet and add information. Please also be sure to
grab all iPads from the back of the classroom in the crate. Please turn on all iPads and have the
app Excel open; Place one iPad on every students desk (according to the number on the back
and the students number found on their name tag).

Anticipatory Set: Last week you created an infomercial, watched videos about biomes and even
read about biomes. Raise your hand if you think you are a biome expert now? (All students
should raise their hand). Well, this week you will be taking all of that knowledge and expertise
and create a persuasive essay regarding one biome (one that you picked last week for the
infomercial). You will need to write about the extinction of the biome and urge people to help
preserve your biome. Please raise your hand and tell me what extinction means? (Students
should respond with: the end of an organism or group of organisms in one specific place). Talk
for about five minutes about extinction, explaining to students how humans are causing damages
to the biomes due to pollution, over population, and habitat destruction. This is when students
will be acquiring background information before conducting their research. Today, you will
begin your research in the computer lab and gather as much data as you can that will be used
toward your essay.

Guided Instruction: Before we go to the computer lab, please direct your attention up to the
SmartBoard as I show you how to create a document using Excel (spend about five minutes
showing how to add, move, and delete columns and rows). Make sure to answer any and all
questions from students. Now, as a class, all students will grab their iPads and walk over in
groups to the computer lab (you must dismiss students by table groups). Once in the computer
lab, students will direct their attention up front to the computer teacher as he/she directs them
through a short tutorial on how to research important information online. Students know that the
safest websites for them to use can be found on Kids Click web search
(http://www.kidsclick.org/). The computer teacher will show students how to type in
information; key words that will help them locate information, as well as directing them to the
search bar, so they know where to type in the information. Please walk around and help any
students, as well as monitor students progress.

Independent Activity: Once students know and understand how to navigate around the website,
explain to the students that they must create an Excel Spreadsheet on their iPad. The Excel
Spreadsheet must include: biome name, where the biome is located, climate, animals and plants
that live in the biome, as well as any known extinctions to the biome. Students will also need to
include a reference page to document which websites they located the information on. Allow
students to work for 30-40 minutes.

Student Work/Outcome: At the end of this lesson, students will be able to know and
understand how to gather information online and record the data into an Excel spreadsheet. I will
assess student learning by monitoring students throughout their research, as well as looking over
their progress on their Excel Spreadsheet (they will be graded at a later time on their Excel
Spreadsheet). Below is an example of what students will be completing:




Biome
Name
Climate Animals Plants Extinctions Location Website
Location