Summary
Students were learning about the periodic table and asked many questions about the elements we use everyday or that sounded familiar to them. This discussion led to some self directed, collaborative research, hands on scientific investigation, and independently developed Keynotes, Videos, and Flipcharts. Completed presentations were posted on Edmodo for their peers to guess what their element was. This lesson incorporated 5th grade science units on Scientific investigation (5.1) and Matter (5.4)
TIPC Ratings
This lesson falls in the Approaching range for Research & Information Fluency. Students selected an element from the periodic table at random. Students constructed and researched questions about their element to acquire facts to include in their presentations. They used a variety of resources to find the information for their projects. Information gathered during research was displayed in a digital presentation and posted on Edmodo for students to guess their element.
This lesson falls in the Ideal/Target range for Communication and Collaboration. Students established roles and created scripts, music, lighting and other materials for their presentations. All aspects of the project included cooperation, decision making, and teamwork to accomplish the goal in their groups. The projects were posted on Edmodo where all fifth graders participated in solving the mystery element by commenting on each other’s presentations.
This lesson falls in the Ideal/Target category for Critical Thinking and Problem Solving. Students developed open-ended questions to research about their element and translated their findings into unique clues to help their peers figure out which element they were describing. Students communicated via Edmodo to problem solve and try to identify the element that was being described. Afterwards, students reflected on the effectiveness of their presentations and made future goals through the use of a Google Form.
This lesson falls in the Ideal/Target range for Creativity and Innovation. Students had the freedom to choose any program they would like to present their clues to their classmates. They were tasked with making it appealing and factual to help their peers learn more about their mystery element.
Student Artifact
Download Files
What Element Am I?
Contents:
- Lesson Plan
- Edmodo Discussions
- Rubric
- Student Sample
- Student Self-Evaluation
