ALEX Learning Activity Resources

   View Standards     Standard(s): [DLIT] (3) 5 :

R5) Locate and curate information from digital sources to answer research questions.

[SC2015] (3) 11 :

11 ) Construct an argument from evidence to explain the likelihood of an organism's ability to survive when compared to the resources in a certain habitat (e.g., freshwater organisms survive well, less well, or not at all in saltwater; desert organisms survive well, less well, or not at all in woodlands).

a. Construct explanations that forming groups helps some organisms survive.

b. Create models that illustrate how organisms and their habitats make up a system in which the parts depend on each other.

c. Categorize resources in various habitats as basic materials (e.g., sunlight, air, freshwater, soil), produced materials (e.g., food, fuel, shelter), or as nonmaterial (e.g., safety, instinct, nature-learned behaviors).

[ELA2015] (3) 22 :

22 ) Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons. [W.3.1]

a. Introduce the topic or text they are writing about, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure that lists reasons. [W.3.1a]

b. Provide reasons that support the opinion. [W.3.1b]

c. Use linking words and phrases (e.g., because, therefore, since, for example) to connect opinion and reasons. [W.3.1c]

d. Provide a concluding statement or section. [W.3.1d]

[ELA2015] (3) 29 :

29 ) Recall information from experiences or gather information from print and digital sources; take brief notes on sources and sort evidence into provided categories. [W.3.8]

This learning activity explores the likelihood of an organism's ability to survive on Mars. Students will view the website https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/mars-2020/en/ to gather information and write opinion pieces titled "Can Life be Sustained on Mars?".  Students should be able to support their argument with evidence for or against the likelihood of an organism's ability to survive when compared to the resources on Mars. Students must have knowledge of how to write an opinion piece prior to this activity. Prior knowledge regarding what organisms must have in order to survive is needed.

This resource was created as a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [DLIT] (3) 5 :

R5) Locate and curate information from digital sources to answer research questions.

[DLIT] (3) 22 :

16) Conduct basic keyword searches to produce valid, appropriate results, and evaluate results for accuracy, relevance, and appropriateness.

Examples: Use search techniques, check for credibility and validity.

[ELA2015] (3) 14 :

14 ) Use text features and search tools (e.g., key words, sidebars, hyperlinks) to locate information relevant to a given topic efficiently. [RI.3.5]

Students will be introduced to how an Internet search works by experts in the field and practice conducting basic keyword searches.

This activity was created as a result of the DLCS COS Resource Development Summit.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [MA2019] (1) 2 :

2. Solve word problems that call for addition of three whole numbers whose sum is less than or equal to 20 by using concrete objects, drawings, or equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

[ELA2015] (0) 9 :

9 ) Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding. [RL.K.10]

[ELA2015] (1) 30 :

30 ) With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question. [W.1.8]

[DLIT] (1) 5 :

R5) Locate and curate information from digital sources to answer research questions.

[DLIT] (2) 5 :

R5) Locate and curate information from digital sources to answer research questions.

[DLIT] (3) 5 :

R5) Locate and curate information from digital sources to answer research questions.

This activity is a digital breakout to enhance a unit with animal standards or for classes that have a field trip to the Birmingham Zoo. It can be used before or after the field trip or during the unit. It is an activity that will build collaborative and critical thinking. It can be used as a whole group activity for K-2 classrooms or for teachers/classrooms that are not familiar to digital breakouts. It can be an activity for small groups in K-5 rooms if students are familiar with digital breakouts. 

This Learning Activity was created in partnership with the Birmingham Zoo. 

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (3) 11 :

11 ) Construct an argument from evidence to explain the likelihood of an organism's ability to survive when compared to the resources in a certain habitat (e.g., freshwater organisms survive well, less well, or not at all in saltwater; desert organisms survive well, less well, or not at all in woodlands).

a. Construct explanations that forming groups helps some organisms survive.

b. Create models that illustrate how organisms and their habitats make up a system in which the parts depend on each other.

c. Categorize resources in various habitats as basic materials (e.g., sunlight, air, freshwater, soil), produced materials (e.g., food, fuel, shelter), or as nonmaterial (e.g., safety, instinct, nature-learned behaviors).

[SC2015] (2) 7 :

7 ) Obtain information from literature and other media to illustrate that there are many different kinds of living things and that they exist in different places on land and in water (e.g., woodland, tundra, desert, rainforest, ocean, river).

[DLIT] (2) 5 :

R5) Locate and curate information from digital sources to answer research questions.

[DLIT] (2) 6 :

R6) Produce, review, and revise authentic artifacts that include multimedia using appropriate digital tools.

[DLIT] (3) 5 :

R5) Locate and curate information from digital sources to answer research questions.

[DLIT] (3) 6 :

R6) Produce, review, and revise authentic artifacts that include multimedia using appropriate digital tools.

Voki enables users to express themselves in their own voice using a talking character/avatars. You can customize your Voki to look like you or take on the identity of people or characters… animals, monsters, etc. Your Voki can speak with your own voice, which is added via microphone, upload, or phone.  In addition, Voki will create a voice for your avatars from the text you enter. Voki lives on your websit, blog, or social network profile. You will also be able to download it to most video supported phones.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2015] (3) 8 :

8 ) Compare and contrast the themes, settings, and plots of stories written by the same author about the same or similar characters (e.g., in books from a series). [RL.3.9]

[DLIT] (3) 5 :

R5) Locate and curate information from digital sources to answer research questions.

[DLIT] (3) 6 :

R6) Produce, review, and revise authentic artifacts that include multimedia using appropriate digital tools.

[DLIT] (3) 19 :

13) Communicate key ideas and details collaboratively in a way that informs, persuades, and/or entertains, using digital tools.

Example: Create a digital presentation to persuade school administrators to allow additional time for lunch.

Edmodo is a social media tool used in the classroom. Teachers can create accounts and add students to specific groups. The group leader can assign homework, quizzes, or send out reminders, and students are allowed to post to the teacher’s wall and turn in assignments. This lesson will use Edmodo to assign a group podcast. The students will be using Podomatic to upload their podcasts. Podomatic allows students to record, upload, and edit their podcasts.