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This is a great website if you want to learn more about the characteristics of Giraffes

          1.) What does a Giraffe look like?

          2.) Are Giraffes the tallest land mammal of all? 

3.) Why can Giraffes go 2 weeks without drinking water?

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Have you ever wondered about where Giraffes live and the different kinds of food they eat?
     

       1.) What do Giraffes eat?

       2.) Is the Giraffe one of the heaviest land mammals?

       3.) Where do Giraffes live?

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Have you ever wondered how tall Giraffes are or what sounds they make???

1.) What do Giraffes eat?

2.) What sounds do Giraffes make?

                              
A Photo Safari of Giraffes

          1.) What is a baby Giraffe called?

          2.) Why is it hard for Giraffes to bend down and drink water?

          3.) Are baby Giraffes born with horns?

          1.) Why do giraffes have swirls in their skin?

          2.) What are 2 characteristics of a Giraffe?

          3.) How long do Giraffes live?

General Information                                                    

Grade Level:            Pre-K

Subject Area(s):       SCIENCE  TECHNOLOGY                                                                                   

Total Duration of Lesson:  35 - 40 minutes

Title of Lesson:   All about Giraffes  

This lesson integrates science and technology to teach children about animals.  The animal that is the focus of this lesson is the Giraffe.

Primary Learning Outcome(s) (PLO)

A.  The student will use the computer to find information about Giraffes.

B.  The student will identify characteristics of the Giraffe and compare the Giraffe to other animals

C.  The student explains how the Giraffe eats or the foods it eats or other information they will learn from the web sites.

D.  The student will use the mouse and point to pictures and words on the web site to find information about the Giraffe.

HANDS-ON ACTIVITY   

The students will create their own Giraffe puppet by using a variety of materials to make each Giraffe puppet unique. Here is a list of the materials that will be used.

Crayons                                                                                                     Colored pencils                                                                                           Googly eyes                                                                                                Markers                                                                                                         Glue

Related Georgia Performance Standard(s) or QCC Standard(s)

Identify one or two QCC standard(s) or Georgia Performance Standard(s) closely aligned to each primary learning outcome. 

SKCS6 Students will understand the important features of the process of scientific inquiry.
Students will apply the following to inquiry learning practices:
a.   In doing science, it is often helpful to work with a team and to share findings with others.
c.   Much can be learned about plants and animals by observing them closely, but care must be taken to know the needs of living things and how to provide for them (animals that live in the sea).

K-Technology Integration Strand: Basic Skills
Standard: Operates basic technology tools and applications

Materials and Equipment

List of supplies that are specific to your hands-on product

·        Web site http://www.valdosta.edu/~naschuknecht/topic1.html

·        Access to a computer with Internet connection

·        Pencil and Paper for teacher to make notes on rubric

·        Giraffe Handouts for puppets

·        Brown paper bags

·        Glue

·        Crayons

·        Googly eyes

LIST THE 5 WEB SITE TITLES AND URLS USED IN THE WEBPAGE

1. Giraffe Pictures and Facts

http://fohn.net/giraffe-pictures-facts/

2. Wildlife at Animal Corner: About Giraffes

http://www.animalcorner.co.uk/wildlife/giraffes/giraffe_about.html

3. Basics about Giraffes

            http://www.puppetopia.com/giraffe/Info.htm

            4. Animal Scoop- A Photo Safari of Giraffes

http://www.billybear4kids.com/animal/whose-toes/toes8a.html

5. Giraffe Description

http://www.wonderquest.com/giraffe.htm

 Technology Connection

This is a computer-based activity. Children will work in a small group with the teacher who will show them the web page that they have developed on the animal.  The children will find information based on questions developed by the teacher that are related to each of the web sites. 

Procedures

Step One: Introduction

Before showing the children your web site, spark their interest by asking them a riddle about the animal

-We are going to learn about an animal that lives in Africa and it has a very long neck and very long legs. This animal is the tallest animal. Can anyone guess what the animal might be?
-What are some things you know about this animal?

 After they have responded satisfactorily, take them to your web site so they can see the page.
Estimated Time: (1-3 minutes per section)

Step Two: Teaching the Primary Learning Outcome(s).

Go to the web site and show the children your page
Allow students to take turns finding information by pointing and clicking on links to find answers to the questions.

WEB SITE 1 Title AND QUESTIONS 

Giraffe Pictures and Facts

            1.) What does a Giraffe look like?

            2.) Are Giraffes the tallest land mammal of all?

3.) Why can Giraffes go 2 weeks without drinking water?

WEB SITE 2 Title AND QUESTIONS

Wild life at Animal Corner: About Giraffes

            1.) Where do Giraffes live?

            2.) What do Giraffes eat?

            3.) Is the Giraffe one of the heaviest land mammals?

WEB SITE 3 Title AND QUESTIONS 

Basics about Giraffes

1.) What do Giraffes eat?

2.) What sounds do Giraffes make?

            3.) Why are Giraffes so tall?

WEB SITE 4 Title AND QUESTIONS

A Photo Safari of Giraffes

            1.) What is a baby Giraffe called?

            2.) Why is it hard for Giraffes to bend down and drink water?

            3.) Are baby Giraffes born with horns?

WEB SITE 5 Title AND QUESTIONS

Giraffe Description

            1.) Why do giraffes have swirls in their skin?

            2.) What are 2 characteristics of a Giraffe?

            3.) How long do Giraffes live?

. Estimated Time: (20 minutes)

Step Two Oral Review and Reinforcement of Learning and Closure
Ask the children to tell you something they learned about the animal from the web sites.
It is recommended that you write the information they tell you on a piece of chart paper or on the board, and briefly review their responses.

Estimated Time: (3 minutes.)

Assessing the Primary Learning Outcome

The students will make a Giraffe puppet using brown paper bags and a variety of materials.

·        To setup for this activity, the teacher needs to make sure there are a set of crayons at each students desk and make sure each students has one brown paper bag. Make sure that the glue is available to be used later during the project.

·        Make sure the students have their brown paper bag lying flat on their desk with the smooth surface of the brown paper against the table.

·        Then, the students will use crayons to color their picture of their giraffe.

·        After the students are finished coloring their giraffe, with teacher’s assistance, the students will cut out the giraffe they colored.

·        The students will then glue the neck of the giraffe onto the long part of the brown paper bag with teachers’ assistance. They will then take the head of the giraffe and glue this piece to the flap on the brown paper bag.

·        The students will be able to make each Giraffe unique and use the materials available to decorate their giraffe. Ex. Use googly eyes, stickers, ect.

·        The Giraffe will then be finished to use a Giraffe puppet.

After all the students are finished making their Giraffe Puppet, have all the students stand up with their puppet on their hand and sing Giraffe Song with you. Words to the Giraffe song are below.

The Yellow Giraffe is tall as can be.  (Have students stretch their arms up real high)

His lunch is a bunch of leaves off a tree.  (Have students lift arms up high and make a                   circle like a tree.)

He has a very long neck and his legs are long too.  (Have students point to their neck when you say this phrase and then point to their legs.)

And he can run faster than his friends in the zoo. (Have students run in place)

ASSESSMENT: 

   RUBRIC

Plan for Early Finishers
Students who complete their activity will be allowed to go back to the computer and click on the web sites of their choice while the others complete their work. 

Accommodation

This activity is a small group activity; therefore, the teacher will be able to help students with special needs by repeating information several times to clarify information.  The teacher will also be able to assist students in developing fine motor skills by helping students as they use glue, pencils, crayons, scissors, etc.