Information Technology 5E NGSS Science Unit Plan

This Science Unit Plan for Information Technology is an immersive, inquiry-based curriculum that helps students learn about topics such as communication over distance, digital and analog technology, and how information is transmitted.

The unit is divided into three segments for each of the 5 Es: Engage, Explore, Explain, Extend, and Evaluate, providing a comprehensive approach to learning.

KEY CONCEPTS IN THIS 5E INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY UNIT INCLUDE

• How technology has developed
• Transmission of information
• Digital vs. Analog
• Binary code and communication

FREE UPGRADE TO GOOGLE DIGITAL COMPONENTS:

• Google Slides Teacher Presentation that supports the student resources
• Google Slides Student Resources for a paperless option
• Google Form Exit Cards to monitor student understanding

Included in this Information Technology Science Resource

• Teacher Notes that provide an overview of the resource and an explanation of the NGSS standard for Information Technology 4-PS4-3
• Common Misconceptions about Information Technology
• Teaching Timeline available with four different options, including a correlation with the Fourth Grade Science Stations
• Vocabulary Cards to reinforce key terms throughout the unit. These are similar vocabulary cards available in the Fourth Grade Science Stations
• Big Idea Posters that illustrate the main concepts students will learn
• Exit Tickets in three formats: short answer, fill-in-the-blank, and multiple choice
• Google Slides Teacher Presentation that supports the student resources
• Google Slides Student Resources for a paperless option
• Google Form Exit Cards

What is the 5E Instructional Model?

The 5E Model is student-led, with the teacher acting mainly as the facilitator. Through open-ended questions, real-life experiences, guided investigations, and research, the students gain a deep understanding of the scientific topics that are covered in the lessons. Each stage of the model serves as a foundation to the next, creating a coherent model that frames lessons, activities, and units.

Find out more about the 5E Unit Plans in this blog post.

Objectives and Timeline for Each Section of the 5E Information Technology Unit

ENGAGE

Objectives:

• Students will access their prior knowledge about Information Technology, different ways people transmit information, and the technology that has been developed to transmit information.
• Student interest in Information Technology will be elicited.
• The teacher will be able to identify student misconceptions about Information Technology.

Parts and Duration:

• Part 1 (What Is This?):  10 minutes
• Part 2 (My Experiences):  15 minutes
• Part 3 (Introducing…Information Technology):  15 minutes

EXPLORE

Objectives:

• Students will work together to investigate Information Technology.  They will do this by investigating different methods of communicating over a distance, as well as comparing digital and analog technology.
• Students will gather general information about Information Technology.
• Students will begin to think about the benefits of digital technology.
• Students will analyze and interpret data to provide evidence that improvements in digital technology help solve real-world problems.

Parts and Duration:

• Part 1 (Check It Out):  15 minutes
• Part 2 (Read This): 15 minutes
• Part 3 (You Try It):  15 minutes

EXPLAIN

Objectives:

• Students will work collaboratively to observe coded messages and how this relates to Information Technology.
• Students will listen to the teacher’s explanation about Information Technology.
• Students will use the new information to revise their explanations about Information Technology and how it has developed throughout history.

Parts and Duration:

• Part 1 (What Does It Mean?):  15 minutes
• Part 2 (What Is Information Technology?):  20 minutes
• Part 3 (Putting It All Together):  10 minutes

EXTEND

Objectives:

• Students will apply what they have learned about Information Technology to a new situation.
• Students will deepen their understanding of Information Technology, gaining a more generalized knowledge of this specific scientific concept.
• The teacher will resolve all persisting student misconceptions about Information Technology.

Parts and Duration:

• Part 1 (Where Is the Information Technology?):  15 minutes
• Part 2 (Show What You Know): 15 minutes
• Part 3 (Have Fun With It):  20 minutes

EVALUATE

Objectives:

• Students will evaluate their own understanding of Information Technology.
• Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the concepts and vocabulary.
• The teacher will encourage students to ask questions that could lead to future investigations.

Parts and Duration:

• Part 1 (What I Know):  15 minutes
• Part 2 (Showing Information Technology): 30 minutes
• Part 3 (Going Forward): 15 minutes