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Teacher Notes

Prerequisite Computer Skills

The children will need the prerequisite knowledge of the following skills: logging on to the computer, left-clicking to make selections using the mouse, launching the WebQuest from the bookshelf, scrolling down the page using the scroll bar and/or arrow keys, and employing the BACK button to return to the WebQuest.

Layout of the WebQuest

With the whole or a small group, introduce the children to the WebQuest. Explain that the WebQuest is a way of learning something and gaining information using the computer and the Internet. Preview the layout of the WebQuest, explaining the different pieces of the WebQuest (Introduction, Tasks, Process and Resources, Conclusion). Explain the purpose of the loud speaker icon and how it will read the text to the children. Explain that the Internet links are blue and may be clicked upon to go to the specific Internet sites. In subsequent lessons, in a whole or small group format, introduce the tasks individually. The children may then accomplish the tasks in a small group or individually during Activity Center time.

Introduction

The song, "Old Mac Donald Had a Farm", will be a familiar one to the children. Print the song out on chart paper to refer to in the classroom. Program word cards to match with specific words in the printed text. (Animal names would work well here!) Extend the song by asking the children to add their favorite animals while singing the song. This may be done as a whole group activity.

Tasks

1. After the children have viewed the stages of chick/duckling development through the process of candling, viewing picture cards and viewing the on-line movie, they will sequence the development by arranging picture cards in the appropriate order.

2. and 3. After the children have viewed chicks and ducks in books, through the on-line resources, following the field trip to Muscoot Farm, and following the visits from the animals in neighboring classes, they will complete the compare and contrast portion of the science booklet.

4. And 5. After the children have explored on-line resources, visited Muscoot Farm and discussed the needs of chicks and ducklings in class, they will complete the portion of the science booklet concerning the needs of chicks and ducklings. Additionally, the children will draw a picture in response to the following directive, "Draw a picture of the chicks/ducklings in their new home. Remember to include what the animals will need."

6. The children will be exposed to the book, Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey. The book may be read aloud by the teacher and/or may be a task at the classroom listening center. Following the reading of this book, the children will visit the Boston Garden's Duck Sculpture on-line. (Teachers will use the large screen monitor for this activity.) An optional activity will be for the children to construct their own sculptures using clay or plasticine in the classroom art center. The children may be encouraged to using different embellishments to decorate their sculptures. The children may also be encouraged to name and/or label their sculptures.

Extension Activity

Following the hatching of the animals, discuss the process of hatching with the children. Discuss feelings and thoughts that the chick or duck may have as it hatches. Encourage the children to draw mental images. Happiness, frustration, exhilaration and exhaustion are appropriate responses. Lead the children through a dramatization of the hatching process. Encourage the children to move their bodies in appropriate ways as they progress through the development and subsequent hatching process. (This may be done as a whole group activity.) An optional activity may be to cover a table with butcher paper and encourage children to "hatch" by breaking through the paper in an appropriate manner to simulate the process of hatching. (This may be done as a small group or individually.)