Technology Integrated Lesson Plans


Lesson Plan Title		 Watch the Sky for Lightning
Developed by Renee Brooks  (Cooperating Teacher) and Cassandra Shaffer (Student Teacher)
Subject Area Science
Topic Lightning Safety
Grade Level K-2
Lesson Summary      This is a lesson for first graders that will teach students that lightning is a form of heat energy that can be dangerous.  Students will begin by listening to the book "Lightning and Thunderstorms."  Students will follow a story on the Internet about a girl who experienced being hit by lightning.  The students will view photos of lightning on another Internet site.  The students will illustrate lightning safety rules.
Standards National Content Standards
Science Standards (K-4)
Content Standard D: Earth and Space Science
D3: Changes in earth and sky
National Educational Technology Standards
1.  Use input devices (e.g., mouse, keyboard, remote control) and output devices (e.g., monitor, printer) to successfully operate computers, VCRs, audiotapes, and other technologies.
10. Gather information and communicate with others using telecommunications, with support from teachers, family members, or student partners.
Lesson Objectives Upon completion of instruction, the students will have:
  1. Identified lightning in pictures from the provided Internet site. 
  2. Given a definition of lightning as a form of heat energy that can be dangerous. 
  3. Stated and illustrated a minimum of three lightning safety rules. 
Assessment Students will select pictures of lightning on the Internet site provided.  They will give an oral definition of lightning as a form of heat energy that can be dangerous and illustrate three lightning rules.
Technology to be Used Computer and printer 
Internet sites: 
http://www.azstarnet.com/anubis/zaphome.htm
http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/nssl/lightning1.html
http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/edu/bm/bm02_title.html
http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/teachers.htm
Other Materials Book:  "Lightning and Thunderstorms" by Mike Graf, 9x12 drawing paper, crayons, pencils, dry erase board, dry erase markers, copies of "Billy, Maria, and the Thunderstorm" found on site www.nssl.noaa.gov (listed above)
Procedural Activities
  1. Students will come to the front of the room and listen as the teacher reads the book "Lightning and Thunderstorms."  
  2. Discuss lightning as a source of energy that can be dangerous.  Hand out NOAA Lightning Safety packet, downloaded from http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/teachers.htm.
  3. Students will state lightning safety rules and teacher will record them on the board. 
  4. Read the story from the site http://www.azstarnet.com/anubis/zaphome.htm.  Students sit in groups of two and follow along as the teacher reads the story written by Sabrina. 
  5. Visit the site http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/nssl/lightning1.html.  Here students will see pictures of lightning. 
  6. Students will illustrate three lightning safety rules on drawing paper.  Teacher may create a book containing students' illustrations. 


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