Title of Project : Animals - Fish - Grade One
Lesson 1: What is a Fish?
Objectives:
Students will:
- learn characteristics of fish
- choose a fish to print out and color
- use the computer as a tool to gather information from web sites
Instructional Methods:
- brainstorming, inquiry, discussion
Materials Needed:
- chart paper 
- Internet site bookmarked - Fish Printouts
(http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/fish/printouts/) 
- book What's It Like To Be A Fish? by Wendy Pfeffer
(Harper Collins Publishing, 1996, ISBN 0-06-0244283)
Activities Prior to Computer:
- Use a K-W-L Chart to record what students know about fish in the first column.  Help them to develop questions about other things they want to know about fish, using the question words what, why, where and how. Write their questions in the second column. Discuss with the students how they might find the answers to these questions.  Guide them to realize that they can use books, magazines, encyclopedias, "experts" - like veterinarians, pet store staff, CD-ROMS, the Internet and videos.
- Use a guided reading strategy  to read the book What's It Like To Be A Fish? by Wendy Pfeffer
- Teacher-led discussion to develop a chart of fish characteristics
eg.    A Fish - lives in water
                   - breathes through gills
                   - has a backbone
                   - covered with scales
                   - cold-blooded
- Record answers in the "What We Learned" section ot the K-W-L chart
Activities While at the Computer:
- Click on the title of the Internet site below:(already bookmarked)
Fish Printouts (with adult help)
 - Scroll down to see colored examples of fish.
-  Have students selected a picture of a fish to color from the chart.
-  Students compare their uncolored picture with the colored version. 
 - They can then return to their work area to color their picture appropriately
Activities For After Using the Computer:
- Students will return to workplace and color picture appropriately
-The teacher will compile the pages and make them into a class fish book for all students to read.
- The teacher may read the book outloud to the class
Student Assessment:
Select a few students to observe. Talk with these children while they are coloring their picture. Make anecdotal notes on sticky notes or make a chart to fill in.  For each child, note things such as:
* Did the student use the computer with some assistance to select and print out their fish picture?
* Can the student name two characteristics of fish?
* Is the student able to articulate information learned from reading and listening?
 

On to Lesson 2: What are the Main Parts of a Fish?
back to Grade One - Animal Project Page