Teacher Resources for Using “The Web”
to Research Dinosaurs

Introduction
Students will learn about four different dinosaurs. After studying these dinosaurs, students will be encouraged to write a story about the information they have learned and then create a scene for a dinosaur using the online stamp program. This activity is designed for readers in the first and second grade.

Process
Students will be introduced to the story of four different dinosaurs: Kelsey the Triceratops, the gorgosaur, Bucky the T. rex, and Baby Louie the oviraptor. The students will learn about the size of each dinosaur, the person who discovered the dinosaur and about the fossil itself. After reading about the dinosaurs, students will then create a dinosaur-themed scene using the online stamp program provided. Stamps available will include trees, grass, dinosaurs, rocks, and watering holes. Following the art activity, students will write a story about a dinosaur and incorporate some of the information they have learned in their story.

Students will be able to write their paragraph on the computer and then print it or print their picture and then write their paragraph.

Indiana State Academic Standards English / Language Arts
	Word Recognition, Fluency, and Vocabulary Development
		1.1.2	Identify letters, words, and sentences.
		1.1.3	Recognize that sentences start with capital letters and end with punctuation, such as periods, question marks, and exclamation points.
		2.1.3	Decode (sound out) regular words with more than one syllable (dinosaur, vacation).
	Decoding and Word Recognition
		1.1.11	Read common sight words (words that are often seen and heard).
		1.1.12	Use phonic and context clues as self-correction strategies when reading.
	Comprehension and Analysis of Grade-Level-Appropriate Text
		1.2.4	Follow one-step written instructions.
		1.2.5	Use context (the meaning of the surrounding text) to understand word and sentence meanings.
		2.2.3	Use knowledge of the author’s purpose(s) to comprehend informational text. Example: Read an informational text that compares different people, animals, or plants, such as Gator or Croc by Allan Fowler.
		2.2.5	Restate facts and details in the text to clarify and organize ideas. Example: Summarize information learned from a text, such as detail about ant colonies stated in Ant Cities by Arthur Dorros or reported about spider webs in Spider Magic by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent.
	Writing Process
		1.4.2	Use various organizational strategies to plan writing.
		2.4.2	Organize related ideas together to maintain a consistent focus.
		2.4.5	Use a computer to draft, revise, and publish writing.
	Evaluation and Revision
		1.4.3	Revise writing for others to read.
		2.4.6	Review, evaluate, and revise writing for meaning and clarity.
		2.4.7	Proofread one’s own writing, as well as that of others, using an editing checklist or list of rules.
	Applications (Different Types of Writing and Their Characteristics)
		1.5.2	Write brief expository (informational) descriptions of a real object, person, place, or event, using sensory details. Example: Write a description of a family member, a pet, or a favorite toy. Include enough details that the reader can picture the person, animal, or object.
	English Language Conventions Sentence Structure
		1.6.2	Write in complete sentences.
		2.6.2	Distinguish between complete (When Tom hit the ball, he was proud.) and incomplete sentences (When Tom hit the ball).
		2.6.3	Use the correct word order in written sentences.
	Punctuation
		1.6.6	Correctly use periods (I am five.), exclamation points (Help!), and question marks (How old are you?) at the end of sentences.
	Capitalization
		1.6.7	Capitalize the first word of a sentence, names of people, and the pronoun I.
		2.6.7	Capitalize all proper nouns (names of specific people or things, such as Mike, Indiana, Jeep), words at the beginning of sentences and greetings, months and days of the week, and titles (Dr., Mr., Mrs., Miss) and initials in names.

National Standards

NETS-S Standards

Florida State Standards

Evaluation
A “Check your Work” checklist will be provided for evaluation.
Check your Work:

• Every sentence begins with a capital letter.
• There is an end mark at the end of each sentence.
• Each sentence is a complete thought. I have written at least three sentences with interesting facts about my dinosaur.

• Classroom or computer lab computers with Internet access.
• Printer