Designer(s): Rachel Knuth  Date Created: 11/16/2005 11:15:00 AM PDT   Classifying Leaves Basic Information Summary: Students will collect leaves, identify characteristics and classify the leaves based on this criteria. Students will then create a classification web using Kidspiration. Grade/Level: 1 Time Frame: 15 min: collecting leaves 15 min: classifying leaves 15 min: sharing classifications/class discussion 30 min: Kidspiration webs Subject(s): Science, Technology Topic(s): Classifying objects and materials Notes:   Standards and Key Concepts Standards: AZ- Arizona Academics Standards • Subject : Science • Subject/ Grade/ Domain : GRADE 1 • Strand : Strand 5: Physical Science • Concept : Concept 1: Properties of Objects and Materials Classify objects and materials by their observable properties. • Performance Objective PO 1. : Classify objects by the following observable properties:  Example : shape, texture, size, color, weight • Subject : Technology • Standard 1: Fundamental Operations and Concepts. Students understand the operations and function of technology systems and are proficient in the use of technology. • Grade Range : FOUNDATIONS (Grades 1-3) • Key Idea/Concept 1T-F3: Use developmentally appropriate technology resources to access information and communicate electronically • Performance Objective PO 1: Operate keyboard and other common input and output devices (including adaptive devices for special needs when necessary) Detail: a) Use device in response to software (e.g., point and click, arrow and enter/return keys) Detail: b) Use keyboard effectively (e.g., knows locations and function of keys, begins touch-typing strategies by grade three)  Performance Objective PO 2: Retrieve and save information (e.g., text documents, digital photos, music, video)  Performance Objective PO 3: Print documents, text or image Understandings: Students should understand the idea of classification and how to create and identify criteria for classification. Essential Questions: What is a classification system and what can it be used for? What criteria can be used to classify items? How do you come up with this criteria and how does it fit into your classification system? Knowledge and Skills: Different criteria for classifying leaves; how to choose criteria based on your specific items; how to create a classification system; how to make a web using Kidspiration. Performance Tasks and Assessment Performance Task: Students will classify leaves according to self-identified criteria and create a web using Kidspiration. Performance Prompt: Collect leaves and determine criteria for classification. Assessment/Rubrics: Students will be assessed on how many leaves they collected, the criteria they chose to classify their leaves, how they classified their leaves and their explanation for it, and finally the construction of their Kidspiration webs. Rubrics: Classifying Leaves  Kidspiration Leaf Classification Web   Learning Experiences and Resources Sequence of Activities: 1) As a class talk about what it means to classify objects and the criteria used to make these classifications. Make sure students have a good understanding of the concept. 2) Tell students that you will be doing an activity in classifying. Inform the class that they will be going outside to collect leaves and will then have to classify them according to some criteria decided by each student. 3) Be sure to inspect the area before taking children outside. Discuss safety issues with students and make sure that they understand what is expected of them. 4) Instruct students to find and collect at least 10 different leaves, but remind them that they only have 15 minutes and they need to be on their best behavior. 5) Take students outside for a walk around the school to collect leaves. 6) After 15 minutes, come back inside and have students examine their collection of leaves. Tell them to group their leaves according to one or more characteristics that they identify. 7) Give students 15 minutes to classify their leaves. Then have students share their classification systems with the class. 8) Next, go to the computer lab and have students make a map or web of their classification system using Kidspiration. Allow about 30 minutes for students to complete their webs. 9) Preserve the leaves by placing them between waxed paper and ironing them. Display preserved leaves and students' classification webs in the classroom. Differentiated Instruction: All students should be able to collect leaves on their own, if not the teacher will aid in doing so. Some students may need help determining the criteria to classify their leaves and also actually classifying them. For your advanced learners, give them other items from nature and see if they are able to work them into their leaf classification systems. Some students may also need extra help when using Kidspiration. Resources: The number of computers required is 1 per student. Technology resources: Kidspiration