Brief Description

One of the amazing wonders of the Arizona Desert is the Saguaro Cactus.  The Saguaro Cactus blossom is the state flower of Arizona and worth investigation.  Students will view primary source photographs from the late 1800’s from the Library of Congress.  As a result, the students will investigate the life of a Saguaro and draw conclusions of its habitation in the desert. Students will then assess their work by comparing information from a Saguaro website.  Here they will be able to learn more about Arizona’s Giant.Standards and Frameworks

Technology Standards

• 1T-F3. Use developmentally appropriate technology resources to access information and communicate electronically.
• 5T-F1. Recognize electronic information resources.
• 6T-F1. Use technology resources for problem solving, self-directed learning and extended learning activities.

• 2SC-F3. Understand that science involves asking and answering questions and comparing the results to what is already known.
• 4SC-F1. Describe and explain cause-and- effect relationships in living systems.
• 4SC-F3. Identify the basic structures and functions of plants and animals
• 4SC-F4. Identify characteristics of plants and animals (including extinct organisms) that allows them to live in specific environments

Academic and Technologcial
Academic

After analyzing various photographs on a website, students will successfully answer a questionnaire with at least 80% accuracy about the Saguaro cactus and its habitat. Students will compare and contrast the information gathered from the photograph and the latest electronic information to create a Venn diagram with 80% accuracy.

Using the Internet primary source and website, students will list four details about the Saguaro Cactus on a worksheet.

• Students must have general knowledge of being able to access the Internet, move from page to page by clicking the back button.
• Students must have general knowledge of maximizing/minimizing documents.
• Students must have keyboarding skills to fill out a Venn diagram.

Written chart for Vocabulary
Written chart for Website instructions.
Computer Lab with Internet access
Projection screen to demonstrate website
Saguaro Cactus visuals for example pictures, books, or posters
Saguaro worksheet copied for each pair of students.  Saguaro Worksheet
A Venn Diagram to be used in comparing Saguaro information

Gifted students: This lesson allows the students to be creative in their interpretation of the photographs and writings on the Saguaro habitat.  Students will have an opportunity to look at other sources such as books and other websites to further enhance the information in their work. They may also include more illustrations to complete their work.  In addition if they finish early, they may become a ‘teacher helpers’ and help other students with their editing and writing.

LEP (Limited English Proficient) students: Students will be paired up with another student. Encourage meaningful interaction and communication as partners in analyzing their photographs. Teacher should have plenty of visuals for the student to increase his understanding.  Students will also be given an opportunity to write with partners.

ADD/ADHD students: The task will be broken down to arrange short break times for the student.  Students can use the computer headphones to help block out distractions.  Students may use a tape recorder to help gather and write information.

Special Education students:  Students will be given additional time and the task can be broken down into small manageable sections.   Venn diagram can be copied on paper for a simple comparison. Students can be paired up so that the student can talk through their ideas with their buddy.  Allow the Special Education student to write a smaller portion of the assignment.

Day 1:
1. Before going to the computer lab, introduce the activity to students. Anticipatory set: Introduce the lesson by showing a cactus on the Aver key or TV Converter= Arizona Saguaro Cactus Photo  ( http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/aep/az/aep-azs255.jpg )  Ask:  What is this a picture of?  What do you see?  For the next several days, we are going to explore some unique pictures of the Saguaro Cactus and find out about their environment.
2. The teacher will discuss vocabulary terms with the class and to check understanding, students will write the words with pictures.
3. The teacher will lead a discussion and model going into a website and finding the primary source.
4. Students will pair up as partners and view the historic photographs of the Saguaro cactus.
Photo 1        http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/aep/az/aep-azs220.jpg
Photo 2        http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/aep/az/aep-azs226.jpg
Photo 3        http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/aep/az/aep-azs245.jpg
Photo 4        http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/aep/az/aep-azs246.jpg
Photo 5        http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/aep/az/aep-azs250.jpg
Photo 6        http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/aep/az/aep-azs255.jpg
Photo 7        http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/aep/az/aep-azs251.jpg
Photo 8        http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/aep/az/aep-azs249.jpg

5.  Students will work together to answer the worksheet questions. Saguaro Worksheet
6.  Day 1 Closing: Teacher and students still as partners will discuss and compare answers to check for understanding.

Day 2:
7.  The teacher will give directions to Saguaro Cactus Website.
8.  Students will read and write the information on part 2 of the Saguaro Worksheet.
9.  Day 2 Closing:  Teachers and Students will discuss new information received from the website.

Day 3:
10. Students will compare the information on the Saguaro Worksheet and produce a Venn Diagram.
11. Day 3 Closing:  Students will share their findings with the class from their Venn diagram and then pass their work to the teacher.

Teacher will evaluate the student’s knowledge of primary vs. non-primary sources by grading the completed student worksheets. Saguaro Answer Key.  The assessment to be used will be in the form of a completed Venn diagram by each child comparing the primary source and the website information.  Each child will be responsible for making 4-5 comparisons and each child will be responsible for finding 2-3 similarities.