Science

=** Subject: Science **=

Earth and Space Sciences:
Students demonstrate an understanding about how Earth systems and processes interact in the geosphere resulting in the habitability of Earth. This includes demonstrating an understanding of the composition of the universe, the solar system and Earth. In addition, it includes understanding the properties and the interconnected nature of Earth's systems, processes that shape Earth and Earth's history. Students also demonstrate an understanding of how the concepts and principles of energy, matter, motion and forces explain Earth systems, the solar system and the universe. Finally, they grasp an understanding of the historical perspectives, scientific approaches and emerging scientific issues associated with Earth and space sciences.

10. Describe evidence of changes on Earth's surface in terms of slow process (e.g. erosion, weathering, mountain building and deposition) and rapid processes (e.g. volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and landslides).
 * Benchmark B:** Summarize the processes that shape the Earth's surface and describe evidence of those processes.
 * Processes that Shape the Earth, Grade 4:**

**Technologies Incorporated in this Lesson:**

 * Online video clip of an erupting volcano found at http://www.volcanovideo.com/p8vidclp.htm [[image:volcano.JPG]]


 * Online simulation of a volcano erupting found at []




 * Projector connected to the teacher's computer.



Classroom and Activity Description:
The lesson takes place in a regular fourth grade classroom. The students have various academic levels including below, at, and above grade level. The teacher will read the Magic School Bus story //Voyage to the Volcano// followed by watching the accompaning video. Using a projector, the teacher will show the students the video clips of a real volcano erupting that is found online at the site listed above. The teacher will show these video a couple of times while discussing the changes in the Earth's surface. Following the video, students will then be able pair up and work on computers, playing the game simulation also found at the web site listed above. The simulation allows students to choose different types of volcanos and the resulting eruption for the different types. Upon finishing the game, the teacher will lead a discussion about what the students discovered about what happened to the Earth's surface with regards to the different types of volcanos.

**Tried and True or New and Innovative?**
Tried and True. Watching online videos and playing online game simulation is nothing new in the classrooms. It helps students gain a more comprehensive understanding of a given topic.

Supporting Research:
In the Journal of Information Technology Education, Kenneth J. Klassen and Keith A. Willoughby presented the findings of their study about in-class simulation games. Their study proved that game simulations are beneficial in that students learned the material much quicker than from just a lecture. Also, simulations allow students to make decisions which lead to a "deeper hands-on understanding of the issues"(Klassen, p. 1). Another positive from in-class simulation games is that students are more receptive to the class. They tend to have a positive experience. The positive experience opens the students mind to the subject and allows more learning to take place.

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