Teacher's+Page

Grade Level: First Grade

Subject: Mathematics (Geometry)

Length of time to execute: Six (6) 30 minute sessions



Illinois Learning Standards:

9.A.1a Identify related two-and-three-dimensional shapes.

9.A.1b Draw two-dimensional shapes.

9.B.1a Identify and describe characteristics, similarities and differences of geometric shapes.

9.B.1b Sort, classify and compare familiar shapes.



Overview:

This webquest is created for a first grade classroom with the goal to help young students learn the basic shapes. Taking into consideration that first grade students are learning or are yet to learn how to read, the webquest is written as a script and it is meant to be read to the students by the teacher.The resources used in this webquest are carefully selected with the student in mind as well as their possible technology skills or lack there of. The first web resource is meant to introduce the basic shapes and the teacher must be fully involved in this particular activity together with the students. Draw me Shapes is meant to be played on a big screen projector in front of the class and the students are required to mimic the shapes drawn in the video on a piece of paper, which would be distributed by the teacher beforehand. The rest of the activities are to be completed independently by each student, however, the teacher must verbally explain the directions to the students, so that there is no confusion.The resources used in this webquest are meant not only to help first grade students learn basic shapes, but through students' interaction with the online resources, students are also expected to develop technological literacy skills, which will help them as they go further in their education. Since this webquest was created for a hypothetical classroom, there is always the fear that it would turn into a disaster when implemented in a real classroom setting. One suggestion that a brother-of-calling (a teacher-to-be) gave me is something I did not think about when creating this webquest. If I am to do the webquest in a lab or a classroom where every student is to have their own station, I must make sure that the webquest page is on every screen even before the students enter the classroom/lab. This is a great point. I would not be happy if I waste 20 or so minutes of the webquest time explaining to confused first graders how to get to the webquest page. I guess we learn something every day, don't we all?!



Webquest Resources:
 * Draw Me Shapes ( http://www.lil-fingers.com/shapes/)
 * Can You See the Shape ( http://www.kidsenglishbooks.com/shapes-webbook.pdf)
 * Puzzle (http://www.thekidzpage.com/learninggames/shapes.html)
 * Game (http://www.kinderwebgames.com/tri.html)
 * Sesame Street Shape Games (http://www.sesamestreet.org/games)
 * Book of Shapes (http://www.abcteach.com/directory/shape_books/patterns_and_coloring_pages/shapes/)