Thinkfinity+Lessons

__THINKFINITY__

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__Description of Product __: Find / select two lesson plans that you could use as part of an instructional unit in your class. Remember, the items you will find on the Thinkfinity Web sites, are not necessarily complete units but supplemental resources. You will complete two forms – one for each Thinkfinity lesson plan. Describe the instructional unit. At the bottom, describe the Thinkfinity lesson and why the lesson would be an integral part of the instructional unit. It is your choice whether they are both part of the same instructional unit or different units.

__Thinkfinity Lesson 1 - Plants __ This lesson will allow students to conduct an experiment, observe phenomena and maintain a log. Basic scientific process will be utilized and discussed with students. For Kindergarten, I would probably introduce the lesson with a book that talks about what plants need to grow. From there, I would group students into groups of 3 and assign roles for a cooperative activity (these would have already been taught; observer, recorder and waterer). Students will rotate roles in order to have the opportunity to do all three things. We would use lima bean seeds as they tend to germinate and grow quickly and because they are the same, growth would be easier to measure. As a wrap up, we will discuss the findings of each triad and see how they are the same/different.

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__Thinkfinity Lesson 2 - Reading__ This lesson is actually intended for use by parents however, it applies just as easily to the classroom. The idea is to identify common signs, logos or product names a child can already identify and then use them in a variety of activities. The activities listed include a memory type game, sorting activities, letter/sound identification etc… I would enhance it by bringing actual pictures of logos or signs for children to read. The applications for environmental print are many. A class book could be made with the title, "Places We Go" and a variety of store and retaurant signs could be included with simple, patterned text. Additionally, students could use the signs as a rebus picture to make and read sentences using simple sight words they may already know (eg. I like __. With a store sign or product logo being inserted.)__

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Other Items in Thinkfinity to Explore:__ The companies that have partnered with Verizon for the Thinkfinity project are amazing. This site provides resources for parents, teachers, students and adult learners. Three sites that I have used in the past, and will continue to access are ArtsEdge (visual and performing arts), Illuminations (math resource), and ReadWriteThink (language arts resource). I will continue to visit the site often as they are continually updating and addition new features.  __Reflections__: The Thinkfinity website is a valuable resource that I have used for some time now. It has been exciting to see the site grow and changeI receive their newsletter via e-mail on a regular basis and always find something interesting or informative. As a Kindergarten teacher I have found many resources for enrichment activities on the readwritethink section. The resources are usually very detailed and friendly for use in the classroom. I find that I use it more as a reference for my graduate classes than I ever did when I was a classroom teacher. I think that is probably because the content tends to be geared toward older students who are already reading rather than Kindergarten/early Elementary students. I will continue to use this site both personally and professionally.