West Virginia State University

College of Professional Studies: Department of Education

LESSON PLAN FORMAT GUIDE (Updated 1/18)

Teacher Candidate _Christi Clendenin ____ Date___February 21, 2018 ________

School __Bridgeview Elementary _________ Grade/Subject _3rd Grade/Reading_
Lesson Topic __Albertosaurus Dinosaur____

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES/ STUDENT OUTCOMES

1. Students will conduct short research projects that build knowledge about a topic.
2. Students will report on a topic with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details,
speaking audibly and coherently.

WV CCRs
ELA.3.26
Conduct short research projects that build knowledge about a topic.
ELA.3.33
Report on a topic or text; tell a story or recount an experience with appropriate facts and
relevant, descriptive details, speaking audibly and coherently.

NATIONAL STANDARDS
Students use a variety of technological and information resources (e.g., libraries, databases,
computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate
knowledge.

Students conduct research on issues and interests by generating ideas and questions, and by
posing problems. They gather, evaluate, and synthesize data from a variety of sources (e.g.,
print and non-print texts, artifacts, people) to communicate their discoveries in ways that suit
their purpose and audience.

ASSESSMENT
Diagnostic/Pre-Assessment
During the Introduction, I will ask students questions to determine their prior knowledge on the
topic and research methods.

Formative Assessment
I will walk around and spend time in the groups as they do their research to make sure they are
using effective researching techniques, credible websites and understand the objectives. I will
make sure that each student in the group is actively participating and encourage those that
might not be contributing as much.
Summative Assessment
I will use a teacher made rubric and the submitted assignment to assess each student’s
individual contribution during the research project and oral presentation.

MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK
Overall Time - 45 minutes
Time Frame – Anticipatory Set and Introduction: 5 minutes
Body/Transition: 35 minutes
Closure: 5 minutes
DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION/ ADAPTATIONS/ INTERVENTIONS
 I will group students to make sure that students who are familiar with researching are
with students who are not.
 I will monitor the activity to make sure that students are on task and using effective
researching methods and sites.
 Students who do not want to speak in front of the class will be invited to come tell me
what they found during their research, one-on-one, after the lesson is over.
 Students who do not want to work in a group, may work by themselves.

PROCEDURES
ANTICIPATORY SET
I will start this lesson by talking about the story that the students are currently reading in class,
The Albertosaurus Mystery; Philip Currie’s Hunt in the Badlands, by T.V. Padma, by asking the
students the following:
 Who was this story about?
o Answer: Philip Currie
 What country was he looking for bones in?
o Answer: Canada
 Who found the bones before him?
o Answer: Barnum Brown
 What do you know about the Albertosaurus?
o Answers will vary: height, weight, cousins, what they ate, etc.
 What would you like to know about the Albertosaurus? (I will write these on the
board and then change the repeated questions on the activity to include these
questions.
o Answers will vary
 How can we find information about the Albertosaurus that was not in the story?
o Answers will vary: books, online research, museums, etc.

INTRODUCTION
 In a group setting, I will ask the students what they know, based on their prior
knowledge and story, about the Albertosaurus Dinosaur. I will have them discuss this
with their partners and then call on each group to tell me what they know.
 I will ask if anyone has ever used their ipads/tablets/computers to find information on
something that they were interested in to get an idea of who might need assistance
during the activity.
 I will advise the students that we will be dividing up into groups and using the ipads
or computers to find out more information on the Albertosaurus and then orally
presenting our findings to the rest of our class.
 I will advise the students that each group will have 10-15 minutes to research the
questions and write down what they found during their research.
 I will advise students that they will need to use complete sentences and give as
much detail as possible.
 I will advise students that they will then discuss the group discussion question at the
bottom of the page and write down their thoughts, as a group, to be discussed at the
end of the lesson.
 I will advise the students that each group will have a couple of minutes after the
research project to stand up and individually tell what they found during their
research.
BODY & TRANSITIONS
 I will divide the students into groups of 6 groups of 4 (one group will only have 3, if
everyone is present.) Students are already divided this way for seating, I will
probably use this grouping, but will take into consideration the students who did not
answer yes to my question about researching previously, to make sure that they are
with peers who are familiar with this.
 I will assign iPads/computers to each group and give them a list of questions to be
answered.
 I will advise students to write their name beside the question that they will be
researching and presenting. (Included below) Each group will have 2-3 devices to
use for research.
 I will advise students that each person in the group should research one of the
questions to present to the class (groups with less than 4 people will be given less
questions) and that they can write the answers directly on the sheet that I passed
out, which is to be turned in after the presentation.
 Students will research the questions given and then, group by group, each student
will report what they found in their research.
 As we answer the questions that we had a ‘?’ for initially, I will fill them in with the
correct answer.
 I will ask the students the following question for group discussion:
o What can the fossils tell us about creatures from the past? (Briefly discussed
in the story.)
 Potential answers: By studying the fossil record we can tell how long
life has existed on Earth, and how different plants and animals are
related to each other. Often we can work out when, how and where
they lived, if they lived alone or in herds/groups/families, and use this
information to find out about ancient environments. Fossils can tell us
a lot about the past.

CLOSURE
 Back in a whole group setting, we will discuss what we learned about the
Albertosaurus.
 I will ask the students the following questions:
o Were we able to use research to answer all of our questions by ourselves today?
o Do you think you will use research to answer questions that you may have about
things in the future?
Assessment
I will use a teacher made rubric (See Attachment) and the submitted assignment to assess each
student’s individual contribution during the research project and oral presentation.

STRATEGIES
Teacher led discussion
Class discussion
Question and Answer
Group discussion
Group research
Individual research
Integrated technology
Individual presentation
MATERIALS
iPads
Computers
Pencil
Handout
Journey books

EXTENDED ACTIVITIES
If Student Finishes Early
If a student finishes early, they can draw a picture of an Albertosaurus.

If Lesson Finishes Early

If the lesson finishes early, groups can use their ipads to research another dinosaur and then
compare and contrast with the Albertosaurus.

If Technology Fails
If technology fails, we will re-read the story and then each student will suppose they are a
reporter who was with Barnum Brown when he discovered the remains of a Tyrannosaurus Rex
in 1902.

Students will write an article that includes:

 facts about the discovery,
 what Barnum Brown might have said,
 and why this discovery can help us learn about the past.
Group Assignment A– each group member will answer one question below by
researching their question using an iPad or computer. Write your name beside the
question that you are researching (only one person per question) and then write your
answer out in the space provided. Be sure to write where you found your information
(source.)

1. Who discovered the Albertosaurus?

Student Name______________________________
Answer_____________________________________________________________
Source_____________________________________________________________
2. How fast could it run?
Student Name______________________________
Answer_____________________________________________________________
Source_____________________________________________________________
3. How tall was it?
Student Name______________________________
Answer_____________________________________________________________
_
Source_____________________________________________________________
4. What does the name Albertosaurus mean?
Student Name______________________________
Answer_____________________________________________________________
Source_____________________________________________________________

Discuss the following question with your group and write down some of your thoughts in
the space provided.
Group Discussion Question – What can the fossils tell us about creatures from the past?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
__________________________________.
Group Assignment B– each group member will answer one question below by
researching their question using an iPad or computer. Write your name beside the
question that you are researching (only one person per question) and then write your
answer out in the space provided. Be sure to write where you found your information
(source.)

1. When did the Albertosaurus live?

Student Name______________________________
Answer_____________________________________________________________
Source_____________________________________________________________
2. How long was it?
Student Name______________________________
Answer_____________________________________________________________
Source_____________________________________________________________
3. How much did it weigh?
Student Name______________________________
Answer_____________________________________________________________
_
Source_____________________________________________________________
4. Was it a carnivore or herbivore?
Student Name______________________________
Answer_____________________________________________________________
Source_____________________________________________________________

Discuss the following question with your group and write down some of your thoughts in
the space provided.
Group Discussion Question – What can the fossils tell us about creatures from the past?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
__________________________________.
Group Assignment C– each group member will answer one question about the
Albertosaurus below by researching their question using an iPad or computer. Write your
name beside the question that you are researching (only one person per question) and
then write your answer out in the space provided. Be sure to write where you found your
information (source.)

1. Where were the fossils located?

Student Name______________________________
Answer_____________________________________________________________
Source_____________________________________________________________
2. Who was its relative?
Student Name______________________________
Answer_____________________________________________________________
Source_____________________________________________________________
3. What was its favorite meal?
Student Name______________________________
Answer_____________________________________________________________
_
Source_____________________________________________________________
4. Who named it?
Student Name______________________________
Answer_____________________________________________________________
Source_____________________________________________________________

Discuss the following question with your group and write down some of your thoughts in
the space provided.
Group Discussion Question – What can the fossils tell us about creatures from the past?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
__________________________________.
Group Assignment D– each group member will answer one question below by
researching their question using an iPad or computer. Write your name beside the
question that you are researching (only one person per question) and then write your
answer out in the space provided. Be sure to write where you found your information
(source.)

1. How much did an Albertosaurus weigh?

Student Name______________________________
Answer_____________________________________________________________
Source_____________________________________________________________
2. Who named the Albertosaurus?
Student Name______________________________
Answer_____________________________________________________________
Source_____________________________________________________________
3. What did an Albertosaurus look like?
Student Name______________________________
Answer_____________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
_
Source_____________________________________________________________
4. Did it eat meat or vegetables?
Student Name______________________________
Answer_____________________________________________________________
Source_____________________________________________________________

Discuss the following question with your group and write down some of your thoughts in
the space provided.
Group Discussion Question – What can the fossils tell us about creatures from the past?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
__________________________________.
Group Assignment E– each group member will answer one question below by
researching their question using an iPad or computer. Write your name beside the
question that you are researching (only one person per question) and then write your
answer out in the space provided. Be sure to write where you found your information
(source.)

1. What did the Albertosaurus eat?

Student Name______________________________
Answer_____________________________________________________________
Source_____________________________________________________________
2. What period did it live in?
Student Name______________________________
Answer_____________________________________________________________
Source_____________________________________________________________
3. Where were the fossils located?
Student Name______________________________
Answer_____________________________________________________________
_Source____________________________________________________________
_
4. Do they think that it traveled alone or with others?
Student Name______________________________
Answer_____________________________________________________________
Source_____________________________________________________________

Discuss the following question with your group and write down some of your thoughts in
the space provided.
Group Discussion Question – What can the fossils tell us about creatures from the past?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
__________________________________.
Group Assignment F– each group member will answer one question below by
researching their question using an iPad or computer. Write your name beside the
question that you are researching (only one person per question) and then write your
answer out in the space provided. Be sure to write where you found your information
(source.)

1. Where did the Albertosaurus live?

Student Name______________________________
Answer_____________________________________________________________
Source_____________________________________________________________
2. Who discovered the Albertosaurus?
Student Name______________________________
Answer_____________________________________________________________
Source_____________________________________________________________
3. How fast could it run?
Student Name______________________________
Answer_____________________________________________________________
_
Source_____________________________________________________________

Discuss the following question with your group and write down some of your thoughts in
the space provided.
Group Discussion Question – What can the fossils tell us about creatures from the past?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
__________________________________.