Grade Level: Kindergarten

MA Licensure Sought: Early Childhood

Subject Area: Following directions, reading analog clocks, Basic common sense skills, beginning math skills (addition, subtraction and geometry), and Nutrition

Grouping Scheme: One on One

Duration of Lesson: roughly 30 Minutes

 A Day in The Life of Buddy

Objectives: students will be able to:

• Select appropriate materials and objects that are needed for having a successful school day (Every day materials: backpack, breakfast, pens/pencils, clothing ex...)
• Be able to read an analog clock.
• Solve basic math problems, when dealing with time/minutes.
• Distinguishing between different shapes and adding them together.
• Following directions

Materials Needed:

• Themselves
• Computer

 Introduction: This is a mini lesson on basic skills the children have been currently introduced too. It is a great way to incorporate many different subjects and areas into one game. It is also a fun way to get them thinking without using worksheets.

 Instructional Procedure: The students will first participate in a discussion about these general topics.  The teacher will get a feel on how the students will do while going through this activity on the computer. The teacher will tell the students that they are going to do a fun activity on the computer about that includes many of the subjects they have been working on.  The teacher will introduce the activity, giving detailed instructions. The teacher will also point out the many large posters/pictures that can help them figure out any of the problems rather than guessing. (Around the room guides on: Simple math problems and answers, temperature and appropriate clothing to stay warm/cool, How to read a clock/pictures and directions ex…) The teacher will also explain and leave visible the characters that will help them continue on to the next page, or move them back to try again. As the teacher is going through the web site they will wait a few seconds after introducing each page and ask if anyone has ANY questions. The teacher will also emphasize that any questions anyone has when playing the game can and is encouraged to be asked. (There’s no such thing as a stupid question!)

 Closure: The students will finish the web quest and think of any questions that they had, or any page/subject they struggled with. After everyone completes the web quest the teacher will bring the class together and have another long and detailed discussion about every page and every material and question in each page.  The teacher strongly encouraged the students to raise their hands and ask or share any comments they had/have.   

Assessment:  To assess the students, the teacher will walk around the room and observe how they are doing. The teacher will take great notice on which students are able to complete quest easily, which students are using the “around the room guides” (encouraged), and which students are struggling and relying on guessing. Problem solving skills will be greatly observed by the teacher as the students are going through web quest game.

Because this activity puts emphasis on using around the room guides and asking questions when needed the teacher will not focus on how long it takes for the student to complete the web quest game. Rather the students are encouraged to take there time and really think about each question.  When the students are waiting for computers and/or finished web quest they should go back to their desks and continue working on previous activity. (Drawing a picture of something they enjoyed over the past weekend). This will decrease distractions to other students still working and it will take off the emphasis of racing through the game.

The teacher will also assess the students on the questions they asked and comments they made during the quest and class meeting afterward.

Adaptations:  For students with disabilities the teacher will give them more one-on-one help when they are going through the web quest, without limiting their time to go around to other students.  The teacher could also give a printed out sheet that says the directions on it and how to go about the activity for a student that has trouble staying on task.

The teacher will also make copies of the “around the room” visual help so that the student will focus more on using the guides given to solve the problems.

Concerns:  Some concerns are that a lot of children might not be familiar with computers.  Also, some students might have a lot more basic knowledge than the next student and visa versa.  This could cause one student to be further behind than the rest.

Click on Buddy to start his day: