Students will read about new industries and inventions in California, identify these industries and how they affected our state and our people. Web sites and stages of the writing process will be used for students to learn about inventions and create an original invention. The student inventions will be diagramed.

Subjects:Social Studies and WritingTopic: Learning about new industries andinventing your own.Grade Level: Fourth GradeStudent Lesson name and URL:

http://ctap295.ctaponline.org/~simon/students

HISTORY/SOCIAL SCIENCE STANDARDS4.4 Describe the development and locations of new industries since the turn of the century, such as the aerospace industry, electronics industry, large-scale commercial agriculture and irrigation projects, the oil and automobile industries, communications and defense industries, and important trade links with the Pacific Basin.

LANGUAGE ARTS CONTENT STANDARDS1.0 WRITING STRATEGIES: Students write clear, coherent sentences and paragraphs that develop a central idea. Their writing shows they consider the audience and purpose. Students progress through the stages of the writing process (e.g., prewriting, drafting,revising, editing successive versions).

1.2 Create multiple-paragraph compositions

2.3 Write informational reports

After reading about new industries in California since the turn of the century, students will be able to identify these industries and how they affected our state and our people.

After visiting a web site and learning about important inventions, student will compose an idea web with at least six ideas for an invention that they have create.

After creating an idea web of their original inventions, students will be able to create a diagram of the invention of their choice, labeling the important parts or functions.

Students will be able to create a three paragraph informational essay following the writing process (ideas, drafting, editing, final copy).

Students will be able to utilize a writing checklist to check their writing against writing standards.

Introductory Activity After reading about new California industries in their textbook, students will list each industry/discovery and note how it affected our state and our people.

Enabling Activities Students click on a link about important inventions and make a web of at least six ideas for inventions that they come up with.

Important Inventions http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/telephone/timeline/timeline_text.html

Students make a diagram of the invention of their choice from their web, labeling the important parts/functions. They then outline and color it.

Culminating ActivityStudents write a three paragraph informational paragraph about their invention. The first paragraph should describe their creation, the second should describe how it is used, and the third paragraph should tell the reader how your invention impacts life as we know it.

Students follow the writing process by starting with a rough draft, filling out a writing checklist, having their teacher sign off their rough draft, and completing a final copy.

Pre-Test - Students write a three paragraph essay using the following writing prompt:Describe what you know about new industries, discoveries, and inventions in California after the turn of the century. Make sure you have an introductory paragraph, a body, and a conclusion.

Post-Test - Students write a three paragraph essay using the following writing prompt:Describe what you learned about new industries, discoveries, and inventions in California after the turn of the century. Make sure you have an introductory paragraph, a body, and a conclusion.

Important Inventions http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex

/telephone/timeline/timeline_text.html

The Invention Museumhttp://www.inventorsmuseum.com/

Inventors and Inventions Index http://www.educ.goteborg.se/usam/pforum/engelska

/material/invent.htmlThe Invention Process

http://www.bergen.org/ECEMS/class/welcome.html.

I revised my game plan many times. Someone (they shall remain nameless) also accidentally erased all of my files through FTP. So I had to go back to the drawing board MANY TIMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Writing Pre-Test 2-4 periods

Reading about California industries in textbook and how they affected our state and people: 2 periods

Looking at important inventions on the web and making a diagram of their invention. 2 periods

Writing a three paragraph informational essay about their invention. 3-5 periods

Writing Post-Test 2-4 periods

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Writing Post- Test

The student data showed that the average student scores increased from 3.15 to 3.5 (using the writing rubric)!!!!!

I learned how to use the FTP program to send files to and from cyberspace. I also learned how to use the internet as a tool for my students to experience learning in a new and exciting way. I feel more comfortable integrating technology into my curriculum using more than just one program.

Students can benefit from using technology to jump start their learning. The internet and technology allow for a variety of perspectives and they encourage creativity. I look forward to continuing to use technology in my classroom and beyond!