Knowledge Stream Lesson Title: Hibernate, Migrate, or Stay Awake?
Grade Level(s): 4th grade
Author and School: Jessica Nichols, University of Toledo
Date: July 14, 2009
Lesson Summary:
Students will begin the lesson by creating three lists as a class: animals that stay awake for winter, animals that hibernate for winter, and animals that migrate for winter. Students will then watch the Knowledge Stream video clip. After watching the clip, students will choose, if they were an animal, would they stay awake, hibernate, or migrate for winter. Students will spend the rest of the day writing a short essay describing why their choice and detailing what they would do to prepare. The next day, students will reread their essay and have two other peers read their essay to correct errors and improve wording. Students will then write a final copy to share with the class.
Materials Needed:
A. Knowledge Stream Video clips: (Hibernation or Migration, Kim Kasemen, February 11, 2009)
B. Scrap paper for rough copy
C. Paper for final copy (or computer to type essay if computer is accessible)
Lesson Implementation
EngageBegin the lesson by creating a chart on the board with the words hibernate, migrate, and stay awake as the column headings. Have students name animals that fit into the three categories. (5-10 minutes)
ExploreHave the students view the video clip from the presentation Hibernate or Migrate by Kim Kasemen. After watching the video have the students name each animal discussed, and if that animal is not already on the chart, add it to the appropriate column. Ask the students to discuss what each animal had to do in order to prepare for the winter. Also have the students discuss what the animals did during the winter to survive. (10-15 minutes)
ExplainAfter watching the video, have the students brainstorm, as a class, ideas of what animals in each category may to do prepare for winter and what they may do throughout winter. Also, have the students discuss some pros and cons of the three options. Then, tell the students they will be writing a short essay in which they are to pretend they are an animal. Winter is coming, and they need to decide are they going to stay awake, migrate, or hibernate. Give the students time to brainstorm some ideas about the three choices. Then tell them to choose one option to write an essay about. (10-15 minutes for discussion, 10-15 minutes for brainstorming)
EvaluateStudents will be given the first day to watch the video and write a rough draft of their essay. In their essay they are to write what choice they made, why they made that decision, and detail what they will do before and during winter in order to survive. The students will be given the second day to reread their paragraphs and make any corrections they see needed. Then the students will be placed in groups of three. The students should take turns reading each students’ paper and making corrections and suggestions of how to improve wording. When finished, the students may either write or type their final copies. If time allows, have students share their paragraphs with the class. (30-40 minutes to write on day one, 20-30 minutes for editing, 20-25 minutes for final copies, any extra time for sharing)
ExtendHave students choose an animal from the list generated at the beginning of the lesson. Students will research the animal and write a paragraph explaining what the animal does during the winter and how it prepares for winter.