Database Lesson for Grade 4

Created: 9/29/07

Grade: 4

Teacher Name: T. DiMascio

Subject: Science, Technology                                                                                                                   

1. Topic-

Introducing and teaching database.

Analysis of the physical characteristics of vegetable plants

2. Content-

Technology-database MA-ITS 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, and 3.2 NETS 1, 3, & 4
Science-plants MA Science & Tech Stand. Life Science 1, 3, 5

Key Vocabulary-Database, entry, field, record, sort, list view, data view

3. Goals: Aims/Outcomes-

1. To understand that database can be used as a tool to organize information.
2.  To analyze information in a database to answer student generated questions.

3.  To compare and classify vegetable plants by physical characteristics.

4. Objectives-

1. Students will create a database with information gathered from teacher specified websites.
2. Students will work cooperatively to determine headings for their database.
3. Students will be able to gather information from a specified website.

5. Materials and Aids-

Computers with Microsoft Access or Microsoft Works-database tool. Web access with predetermined research site.

6. Procedures/Methods

A. Introduction-

1. Activate prior knowledge, by having students think about what a database may be. Give examples such as a phonebook or a dictionary.
2. Introduce database by displaying a completed database through teacher laptop/projector setup. (use lab program database)
3. Explain that a database is used to organize information.
4. Introduce plant website that will be used for students to create their own database of vegetables. Explain that the students will be using this website to gather information that they will then put in a database.

 B. Development-

1. Introduce Microsoft Access through teacher laptop/projector setup.
2. Students will be shown a partially completed database of vegetable plants. Explain the vocabulary (field, entry) by pointing it out on the screen. Also, explain the Access toolbar and relate any fields they may already be familiar with from other Microsoft products they have used.
3. Students will go to their computers to add information to the same partially completed database, which will have been saved on their computers. 

C. Practice-

1. Brainstorm ideas for possible headings to classify vegetables by their physical characteristics.
2. In pairs, students will begin creating a database of vegetables using some of the headings they brainstormed earlier. One student will research the information on the predetermined website and the other will enter the information into the database.
3. Each team will enter 20 vegetables. Each student in the team will research 10 and enter 10.

D. Independent Practice-

1. Students will print their databases.
2. Students will trade databases with the other teams and determine the common headings. Students will be asked to offer their opinions on why they think these common headings were used.
3. As a final analysis and discussion, each pair of students will write two questions that can have the answer determined by analyzing their database. These questions will be typed out and the other teams can try to answer, using the specified database.

E. Accommodations (Differentiated Instruction)-

1. Students that have IEPs or 504s will be accommodated as per their plans.
2. As the class will be working in teams, students will be given individualized help to assure successful completion of the project.

F. Checking for understanding-

1. By completing the project students will show their understanding of database and how it can be used as a tool to organize information.
2. The creation and completion of student generated questions will show a deeper understanding and analysis of the information in the databases.

 G. Closure-

1. Have students regroup to discuss other subject matter that could be organized using a database.
2. Discuss the question difficulty to determine if this part of the lesson was successful in terms of students learning something new.

7. Evaluation-

1. The completed databases will show student understanding of database and how it can be used as a tool to organize information.
2. Data view of the database could be put together to create a dictionary of vegetables that the students could display in their classroom.

                                                               Rubric