Brief Description

Students will locate information on five scientists using teacher web resources.  Students will then pick one of these scientists and compose an essay detailing what the world would be like without this person.

Standards and Frameworks

Technology Standards

5T-F1. Recognize electronic information sources

2SC-F1. Recognize that scientific contributions have been made by all kinds of people everywhere in the world

Academic

• Students will locate information on five scientists using teacher supplied web resources.
• Students will compose an essay detailing what the world would be like without the scientist of their choosing.

• Students will gather information necessary for successful completion of the assignment using electronic information sources.

• Knowledge of computer basics
• Ability to navigate through a web site
• Knowledge of a word processing program

• Filamentality Sampler at http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/samscientiska.html
• Computer with an Internet connection
• Word processing program
• Printer

This assignment is designed to be used as a center or an independent learning activity.  The websites vary in readability level.  This will help to account for various reading levels in the classroom.  There is also a scaffolding sheet and a Brainstorming form included for students who need more direction.

Procedures

1. Students will go to the URL http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/samscientiska.html and work their way through the Sampler activity.
2. There are five scientists for them to discover.  Each scientist link will direct the students to a web page they should read.  There are three questions about each scientist for them to answer.  Students can record their answers on the worksheet provided.
3. Each student should read about all five scientists and answer all of the questions.
4. Once they have completed the Scientist Worksheet, each student should decide which scientist they find most interesting and would like to write about.
5. Using the Brainstorming form, the students should go back and try to fill in as much information as possible from the site associated with their selected scientist.
6. This form serves as an organizer for the one page paper they will write.
7. Students can also use the Writing Scaffold Sheet to help them outline their papers.
8. Each student should write one page about “What the World Would Be Like If ________________ (name of scientist) Was Never Born.”  The student should try to imagine how the world would be different without the contributions of their scientist.  They should use specific examples in their descriptions.  Students should refer to the Brainstorming form, Writing Scaffold Sheet and the Grading Rubric for criteria.

 

Students will use a checklist to keep track of their progress throughout the assignment.
Students will be assessed using the Grading Rubric that is included.

Teacher Name: Karen Gutierrez
Site: University of Arizona
Date Submitted: April 8, 2002