New Industries and Inventions:

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New Industries and Inventions
Fourth Grade Social Studies
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Gabe Simon Antelope Meadows Elementary
Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District
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Introduction
Students will read about new industries and
inventions in California, identify these
industries and how they affected our state and
our people. Web sites and stages of the writing
process will be used for students to learn about
inventions and create an original invention. The
student inventions will be diagramed. Subjects
Social Studies and Writing Topic Learning
about new industries and inventing your
own. Grade Level Fourth Grade Student Lesson
name and URL http//ctap295.ctapo
nline.org/simon/students
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Standards Addressed
HISTORY/SOCIAL SCIENCE STANDARDS 4.4 Describe
the development and locations of new industries
since the turn of the century, such as the
aerospace industry, electronics industry,
large-scale commercial agriculture and irrigation
projects, the oil and automobile industries,
communications and defense industries, and
important trade links with the Pacific Basin.
LANGUAGE ARTS CONTENT STANDARDS 1.0 WRITING
STRATEGIES Students write clear, coherent
sentences and paragraphs that develop a central
idea. Their writing shows they consider the
audience and purpose. Students progress through
the stages of the writing process (e.g.,
prewriting, drafting,revising, editing successive
versions). 1.2 Create multiple-paragraph
compositions 2.3 Write informational reports
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Instructional Objectives
After reading about new industries in California
since the turn of the century, students will be
able to identify these industries and how they
affected our state and our people. After
visiting a web site and learning about important
inventions, student will compose an idea web with
at least six ideas for an invention that they
have create. After creating an idea web of their
original inventions, students will be able to
create a diagram of the invention of their
choice, labeling the important parts or
functions. Students will be able to create a
three paragraph informational essay following the
writing process (ideas, drafting, editing, final
copy). Students will be able to utilize a
writing checklist to check their writing against
writing standards.
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Activities
Introductory Activity
After reading about new California industries in
their textbook, students will list each
industry/discovery and note how it affected our
state and our people.
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Activities
Enabling Activities
Students click on a link about important
inventions and make a web of at least six ideas
for inventions that they come up with. Important
Inventions
http//www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/telephone/timeline/ti
meline_text.html Students make a diagram of the
invention of their choice from their web,
labeling the important parts/functions. They
then outline and color it.
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Activities
Culminating Activity Students write a three
paragraph informational paragraph about their
invention. The first paragraph should describe
their creation, the second should describe how it
is used, and the third paragraph should tell the
reader how your invention impacts life as we know
it. Students follow the writing process by
starting with a rough draft, filling out a
writing checklist, having their teacher sign off
their rough draft, and completing a final copy.
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Assessment
Pre-Test - Students write a three paragraph essay
using the following writing prompt Describe what
you know about new industries, discoveries, and
inventions in California after the turn of the
century. Make sure you have an introductory
paragraph, a body, and a conclusion. Post-Test -
Students write a three paragraph essay using the
following writing prompt Describe what you
learned about new industries, discoveries, and
inventions in California after the turn of the
century. Make sure you have an introductory
paragraph, a body, and a conclusion.
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Internet Integration
Important Inventions http//www.pbs.org/wgbh/ame
x/telephone/timeline/timeline_text.html The
Invention Museum http//www.inventorsmuseum.com/
Inventors and Inventions Index
http//www.educ.goteborg.se/usam/pforum/engelska/m
aterial/invent.html The Invention
Process http//www.bergen.org/ECEMS/class/welcome.
html.
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Other Technology Integration A Digital Camera
Science Inventions and Experiments
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Other Technology Integration A Digital Camera
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Other Technology Integration A Digital Camera
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Other Technology Integration A Digital Camera
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Other Technology Integration A Digital Camera
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Other Technology Integration A Digital Camera
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Other Technology Integration A Digital Camera
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Lesson Plan Revisions
I revised my game plan many times. Someone (they
shall remain nameless) also accidentally erased
all of my files through FTP. So I had to go back
to the drawing board MANY TIMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Lesson Implementation
Writing Pre-Test 2-4 periods Reading about
California industries in textbook and how they
affected our state and people 2
periods Looking at important inventions on the
web and making a diagram of their
invention. 2 periods Writing a three
paragraph informational essay about their
invention. 3-5 periods Writing
Post-Test 2-4 periods
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Student Performance Before
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Student Performance After
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Student Performance Analysis
The student data showed that the average student
scores increased from 3.15 to 3.5 (using the
writing rubric)!!!!!
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What I Learned From All of This
I learned how to use the FTP program to send
files to and from cyberspace. I also learned how
to use the internet as a tool for my students to
experience learning in a new and exciting way. I
feel more comfortable integrating technology into
my curriculum using more than just one program.
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Summary
Students can benefit from using technology to
jump start their learning. The internet and
technology allow for a variety of perspectives
and they encourage creativity. I look forward to
continuing to use technology in my classroom and
beyond!