by Janet Caughlin

Grade Level: 4-6

Content Area: Science

• Students will use handheld technology to complete the steps required in the vertebrates project.
• The student-developed eBook will be grammatically correct.
• Students will identify fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals as vertebrates
• Students will identify two characteristics each that classify an animal as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, or mammals

Other Technology

• Keyboards so students can type their book reports on their handhelds using Memo Pad or any word processing software –or– access to a desktop computer with a word processing program
• Access to the Internet to download a photo of their vertebrate
• Encyclopedias and animal reference books
• PhotoShop Elements or a graphics program to prepare photos for the eBook
• Palm eBook Studio program on at least one desktop computer

Procedures

1. Students will read the eBook Vertebrates and discuss the characteristics of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
2. Students will use FlingIt to identify animals that are fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The Oakland Park Zoo and the San Diego Zoo pages work well with this activity.
3. After the teacher explains the requirements of the project, he/she will beam the Vertebrates Memo Pad and To Do categories to students.
4. Students will pick a vertebrate to research. If more than one student picks the exact same vertebrate, the first one to ask will get the vertebrate. Other students must make a new choice.
5. Students will use the FlingIt pages to begin researching their vertebrate, taking notes and referencing the information they found in the Vertebrates Memo Pad category.
6. Students will use the print materials in the Media Center to research their vertebrate taking notes and referencing the information they found in the Vertebrates memo pad category.
7. Students will use the Internet zoo sites to researching their vertebrate and look for pictures to use in the eBook, taking notes and referencing the information they found in the Vertebrates memo pad category.
8. After completing the Vertebrates To Do List (except for optimizing the picture), students will meet with the teacher to discuss their progress. After getting permission to begin writing, students will write their report on their vertebrate on their handheld or desktop computer using any word processing program.
9. The teacher will teach students to import the information into eBook Studio. Students will also peer teach this concept.
10. The teacher will show students how to optimize pictures and insert them into their books. Students will also peer teach this concept.
11. The teacher will teach students how to install the eBook into Palm Reader and each student will HotSync their project to his/her handheld.
12. Each student will give an oral report using the document camera to highlight the special characteristics of their vertebrate. After the report, students will beam their book to other students so they can read the books.
13. Students will be tested to evaluate their knowledge of vertebrates.

Product Requirements

• Research a vertebrate using:
  • Web pages in FlingIt,
  • At least one encyclopedia
  • At least one approved zoo site
• Take notes in the Vertebrate category in Memo Pad
• Check progress and completeness of information using the Vertebrate category in To Do List
• Write a report from the notes using either the handheld or desktop computer.
• Download and optimize a picture of their vertibrate
• Create an eBook from the report including a bibliography of resources
• Give an oral report using the document camera to highlight the special characteristics of their vertebrate shown in the book. After the report, students will beam their book to other students so they can read the books.