Science Challenge Plan

Teressa and I are working on the project together. We will be teaching the 6th grade standard around microorganisms focusing on microorganisms found in a pond (Standard 5, objective 1, a). To do this, we will use the virtual pond dip program to allow the students to explore the different microorganisms. The teacher will show the students a jar of pond water to help them recognize that the microorganisms are enlarged to help them see them. The teacher will explain about single and multicellular organisms and lead out a prediction discussion about the microorganisms' functions. The teacher will explain about virtual pond dip. Then, students will look at each microorganism (before clicking on them), predict if they are single or multicellular organisms, click on the microorganism, read the text about them, and take notes in their science journal. They will check if they predicted right or not. Students will draw a sketch of each microorganism next to the notes that they took about them. After they have done this, students will decide which microorganism they would like to be and explain why. This will allow the students an opportunity to be creative and apply what they have learned. The teacher will be observing and monitoring throughout the whole process.

1. Content: Microorganisms
Examine and illustrate size, shape, and structure of organisms found in an environment such as pond water.

2. Pedagogy
The pedagogy we will be using is observing, classifying, and predicting. These fit well with the content because those strategies really allow the students to "examine." Many of these pedagogical strategies we do naturally when we examine something. We will have students read text, view images, predict, discuss, classify, draw images, and write. These activities will give the students an opportunity to have many learning experiences in the content. Also, drawing images is specifically stated in the objective.

3.Technology
We will have the students use the virtual pond dip. This works great for the content because it allows students to see the organisms without having to worry about trying to keep them still under a microscope, so they can draw them. Also, it allows a great visual and information for the students.

4. Representation
The representation in this technology is definitely textual and visual. Since there is a combination of two representations one could say that it is multimodal. The representation really allows students to visualize the microorganisms and develop deeper understanding about them. It allows them to interact a little and focus on different organisms that they like, too (since they can easily revisit information about them by clicking on them). It helps students visually compare and contrast the different organisms. This type of interaction is more meaningful than looking up the information in a textbook.