Grade Level: 2 -3
Duration - Three class periods
Objectives:
Students will
- Describe characteristics of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks and provide examples of each.
- Analyze research needs and select a Website.
- Paraphrase information from an online source and organize in a table.
- Complete a concept map incorporating symbols notes, links, and labels.
Standards Connections:
Materials:
• Downloadable worksheet – “Which do you like best?”
• Downloadable note-taking sheet – “Rock Chart”
• Downloadable Inspiration template - (requires Inspiration software. See below.)
• Inspiration concept-mapping software
About the Inspiration Software:
Organizing information and ideas can be a challenging task for many students. But learning how to structure new information in a meaningful way is vital to increasing understanding and mastery of content. Although concept maps can make a huge difference in helping students develop their thinking process, traditionally, they tend to be static diagrams that allow for little growth and adaptation.
This lesson plan addresses the concept-mapping issue through the use of Inspiration software. The strength of this software lies in the fact that it is interactive. Users can continuously play with ideas, arrange them and group them, fill in any gaps that exist, and add details and graphics with a click of the mouse. Diagrams can be easily converted to outline form, and hyperlinks to related Web site and documents can be incorporated.
The software is easy to learn, kid-friendly, and very motivating. A trial version can be downloaded from the following Web site:
http://www.inspiration.com/home.cfm
Click on “Download Free Trial” and follow the step-by-step instructions. Ordering information is also provided on the site.
Click here to view a basic, but helpful online Inspiration tutorial.
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