LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Learn more

Related pages

  • Animal slide shows!: This project is a culmination of a science unit on animals which integrates computer skills, language arts and art. After a study of animals which includes classification, basic needs of animals, animal adaptations, and animal behaviors, the students will use the computer to complete a slide show of one animal they have studied at length.
  • DESTINY Traveling Science Learning Program: The DESTINY (Delivering Edge-Cutting Science Technology and Internet Across North Carolina for Years to Come) Traveling Science Learning Program is Morehead Planetarium and Science Center’s formal science education initiative serving pre-college teachers and students across North Carolina.
  • A population and a biome: This activity will introduce students to the use of laptop computers. Students will participate in a unit on ecosystems using the Microsoft programs Excel and PowerPoint.

Related topics

Legal

This page copyright ©2008. Terms of use

Learning outcomes

Students will create a multimedia project using the HyperStudio program. The project will consist of four cards containing information about the animal’s habitat, adaptations, and other interesting facts.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

1 week

Materials/resources

Students need to have information about an animal’s habitat, adaptations, and other interesting facts.

Students need planning sheets for each card, which can be as simple as sketching the cards on notebook paper.

Technology resources

  • HyperStudio multimedia program
  • HyperStudio tutorial
  • computer for each student

Pre-activities

  1. Find animal information by searching the internet.
  2. Fill out planning sheets for each card prior to using the computer. This gives the students an outline of what is to be included in the project.

Activities

Students will create a HyperStudio project, which contains four cards, containing the following information:

  • 1st card—Title of project using the animal’s name, student name, picture of the animal (can be clip art, scanned picture, imported from internet, etc.). Add a button that takes you to the next card.
  • 2nd card—Titled “Habitat,” include a paragraph about where the animal lives. A picture is optional. Add a button that takes you to the next card.
  • 3rd card—Titled “Adaptations,” include a paragraph about the animal’s special adaptations. Picture is optional. Add a button that takes you to the next card.
  • 4th card—Titled “Fun Facts,” include a paragraph with information the students found interesting. Picture is optional. Add a button that takes you back to the first card.

Assessment

A rubric will be used to grade the project. Assessment will be based on quality of information, paragraph construction, and grammar mechanics. Rubrics can be created using the Rubistar website.

Supplemental information

Comments

Have the students plan and sketch what the four cards will look like before starting on the computer. Notebook paper or a prepared planning sheet made by teacher can be used. This helps the students organize their thoughts and saves time.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Computer Technology Skills (2005)

Grade 4

  • Goal 2: The learner will demonstrate knowledge and skills in the use of computer and other technologies.
    • Objective 2.09: Recognize and discuss guidelines for media (e.g., personal information, images, content, language) to consider in developing multimedia projects as a class/group. Strand - Multimedia/Presentation

Science (2005)

Grade 4

  • Goal 1: The learner will make observations and conduct investigations to build an understanding of animal behavior and adaptation.
    • Objective 1.03: Observe and discuss how behaviors and body structures help animals survive in a particular habitat.