Communities

Grade Levels: 3 - 5

Objectives

• Students will use vocabulary related to understanding what makes a community.
• Students will identify some of the important elements that help define community.
• Students will think about how they participate in and contribute to their own communities.

Materials

• Communities worksheet
• Enter the Hive website (http://www.wnet.org/nature/alienempire/multimedia/hive.html)

Procedures

1. Introduce key vocabulary: laws, nectar, participate, residents, responsibility, structure.
2. Have individuals or partners complete the Communities worksheet as they explore the Enter the Hive site and click on the "about the hive" section. (You many want to recommend students turn the background music off; they can do so by clicking on the "turn music off" button.)
3. Set up a time when students can share the information they discovered.

Assessment

Use the Communities – Teacher Checklist to assess students' ability to take notes and understand the meaning of community.

Extension Activities

• Choose from a large collection of cross-curricular activities for all grade levels.
• Have students use the Scavenger Hunt Scrapbook (http://www.planning.org/kidsandcommunity/scavenger_hunt/default.htm) to find a selection of the items on the town scavenger hunt list. If necessary, modify the activity to include items that can be found in or around your school.
• Have students work in pairs or small groups to create scrapbooks of their community, using the items found on the scavenger hunt. Invite them to share their scrapbooks with the rest of the class.

National Educational Technology Standards
Students:

• practice responsible use of technology systems, information, and software.
• use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.