Virtual Tour of the National Museum

By: Mahresh Miandad

Vertebrate and Invertebrate

Candidate's Name: Mahresh Miandad

Subject Area: Biology

Grade: 8

Lesson Topic: Vertebrates and

Invertebrates

Unit Title: Taxonomy and Classification

Essential Question

What are the distinguishing characteristics of the animal kingdom

and representative organisms of each?

ObjectivesStudents will be able to: - identify the vertebrates and

invertebrates- demonstrate an understanding of

classification of organisms- properly and safely manipulate

technological tools- contribute to the completion of class

assignments and class discussions

Prior to the Virtual Field Trip: Teacher will:- show a video on vertebrate and

invertebrateVertebrate and Invertebrate

Students will: - take notes on the KWL chart for classroom discussion

Virtual Field Trip- Teacher will hand out an assignment that

students will fill out during the field trip. Vertebrate

Virtual Field Trip- Students will find vertebrates and

invertebrates at the museum and classify them using the assignment sheet.

Invertebrate

Virtual Field TripTeacher will introduce the panoramic virtual tour of the National Museum of Natural History.

Virtual Field TripStudents will: - only visit the Mammal and Ocean

Hall at the museum to do the assignment.

- be allotted time to tour the rest of the museum.

After the Virtual Field Trip:- Matching Activity

Assessment

- Completion of worksheets

- Student participation during class discussions

- Observe students understanding of the assignment and the use of technology

Rationale

- Understanding of evolutionary relationships between organisms and the taxonomic classification

- Discover various animals- Explore at their own pace- Interactive and fun- Provide pictures, videos, and sounds that aid

students in learning and comprehension

ReflectionBenefits: - flexibility of access- images from a variety of viewpoints and at

many different scales

Disadvantages: - difficulty zooming in

References:

Invertebrates. (1999). [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.brainpop.com/science/diversityoflife/invertebrates/preview.weml Smithsonian national museum of natural history. (2011). Retrieved

from http://www.mnh.si.edu/panoramas/htmlVersion/index.html Trimpe, T. (2005). Invertebrate classification. Retrieved from http://sciencespot.net/ Trimpe, T. (2005). Vertebrate classification. Retrieved from http://sciencespot.net/ Vertebrates. (1999). [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.brainpop.com/science/diversityoflife/vertebrates/preview.weml

APPENDIX A. KWL chart

B. Wiki Screen Shots

Wiki Screen Shots

Wiki Screen Shots

Wiki Screen Shots

C. Virtual Field Trip Screen Shots

Virtual Field Trip Screen Shots