Liz Sanford

490TER

Dr. Sandy Levin

July 2000

Ocean Project Unit

 

Illinois State Goals For Learning Web Site

 Math
 Goal 6 B, Goal 7A, Goal 10 B

 Science
 Goal 12 A-B, Goal 13B

 Social St.
  Goal 17A-B-C

 Language
 Goal 3 A-C, Goal 4 B, Goal 5 A-C

Benchmarks for each Goal Used-Late Elementary

 Math
 6 b.2; 7A.2a; 7A.2b; 10B.2d

 Science
 12A.2a; 12B.2a; 13B.2a; 13B.2c

 Social St.
  17A.2b; 17B.2b; 17C.2a

 Language
 3.A.2; 3.B.2b; 3.B.2d; 3.C.2a; 3.C.2b; 4B.2a; 4B.2b; 5A.2b; 5B.2b; 5C.2b

Math Goals-

 6B. Investigate, represent
and solve problems using
number facts, operations
(addition, subtraction,
multiplication, division) and
their properties, algorithms
and relationships.
 6.B.2 Solve one- and two-step problems involving whole numbers, fractions and
decimals using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

 7 A. Measure and compare
quantities using appropriate
units, instruments and
methods.

 

7.A.2a Calculate, compare and convert length,
perimeter, area, weight/mass and volume within the customary and metric systems.

7.A.2b Solve addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems using
currency.

 10B. Formulate questions,
design data collection methods, gather and analyze data and communicate findings.
 10.B.2d Interpret results or make relevant
decisions based on the data gathered.

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Science Goals

 12A. Know and apply concepts
that explain how living things function, adapt and change.
 12.A.2a Describe simple life cycles of plants
and animals and the similarities and
differences in their offspring.
 12B. Know and apply concepts
that describe how living things interact with each other and with their environment.
 12.B.2a Describe relationships among various organisms in their environments (e.g.,
predator/prey, parasite/host, food chains and
food webs).

 

13B. Know and apply concepts that describe the interaction
between science, technology
and society.

 13.B.2a Explain how technology is used in science for a variety of purposes (e.g., sample collection, storage and treatment; measurement; data collection, storage and
retrieval; communication of information).
 13.B.2c Identify and explain ways that science and technology influence the lives and careers of people.

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Social Studies Goals

 17A. Locate, describe and
explain places, regions and
features on the Earth.
 17.A.2b Use maps and other geographic representations and instruments to gather
information about people, places and environments.
 17. B. Analyze and explain
characteristics and interactions on the Earth's
physical systems.
 17.B.2b Explain how physical and living
components interact in a variety of ecosystems
including desert, prairie, flood plain, forest,
tundra.
 17C. Understand relationships
between geographic factors
and society.
 17.C.2a Describe how natural events in the
physical environment affect human activities.

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Language

 3A. Use correct grammar,
spelling, punctuation,
capitalization and structure.
 3B. Compose well-organized
and coherent writing for
specific purposes and
audiences.
 3C. Communicate ideas in
writing to accomplish a
variety of purposes.
 3.A.2 Write paragraphs that include a variety of sentence types; appropriate use of the eight parts and punctuation.  3.B.2b Establish central idea, organization, elaboration and unity in relation to purpose and
audience.
3.B.2d Edit documents for clarity, subjectivity,
pronoun-antecedent agreement, adverb and adjective agreement and verb tense; proofread for
spelling, capitalization and punctuation; and ensure that documents are formatted in final form for submission and/or publication.

  3.C.2a Write for a variety of purposes and for specified audiences in a variety of forms
including narrative (e.g., fiction, autobiography), expository (e.g., reports, essays)
advertisements).

3.C.2b Produce and format compositions for
specified audiences using available technology.

 4B. Speak effectively using
language appropriate to the
situation and audience.

 4.B.2a Present oral reports to an audience using correct language and nonverbal expressions for the intended purpose and message within a suggested organizational format.

4.B.2b Use speaking skills and procedures to participate in group discussions.

 5A. Locate, organize, and use
information from various
sources to answer questions,
solve problems and
communicate ideas.
 5.A.2b Organize and integrate information from a variety of sources (e.g., books, interviews, library reference materials, web-
sites, CD/ROMs).
 5B. Analyze and evaluate
information acquired from
various sources.
 5.B.2b Cite sources used.

 

5C. Apply acquired
information, concepts and
ideas to communicate in a
variety of formats.

 5.C.2b Prepare and deliver oral presentations
based on inquiry or research.

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Technology: Students will need access to the internet and cd rom encyclopedias to research animals. They will also need some type of presentation software like Hyperstudio or Kid Pix slide shows to present their information to the class. Students will also have overhead projectors to display the spreadsheet of supplies purchased and will watch ocean related videos. I will have students using the classroom computer and their required computer lab times to research. I'm hoping that the six new multimedia computers will be set up for use to help in the creation of the presentations. Students will need to have a good understanding of how the software programs work. I did not include this instruction in the ocean unit daily plans. Students will practice different software programs before starting this unit using the tutorials found on my networking handbook and from teacher lectures and handouts. We will look at a Floor Plan from the internet using the LCD projector.

Teacher needs to have knowledge of:

spreadsheets

word processor

Hyperstudio and/or KidPix

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Accommodations: Most of the work within this unit will be cooperative group work. Students will be strategically grouped to assure multiple ability levels. Individual research will be monitored closely for those students with extra needs. Students who receive special education services will work with the special education teacher in the classroom setting. She will help me to assess their work-possibly using altered rubrics or work checklists.

I have had students in the past that don't have the social skills necessary to work in a group setting. I will place this type of student with two capable cooperative students and monitor the group daily. I will set up a reward system if needed to reward the student when working well within his/her group. If the student is still incapable of working within the group, I will assign him/her individual assignments similar to those in the unit.

I plan on meeting regularly with each group to discuss possible problems and work out solutions. I will meet with groups as needed in addition to regular conference times. One bulletin board will be have a "Conference Needed" signup board so that groups can sign up for a problem/solution conference. This type of meeting will start as a teacher -group conference and may develop into a class discussion for problem solving solutions.

I am hoping that exciting the students and keeping them active will eliminate most of the problem behavior associated with class lessons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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All group activities are discussed in greater detail in the Ocean Unit Plans Page

 

Group Activities:

 

 

Individual Activity:

 

 

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Parental and/or community Involvement: Parents will be informed of the unit and asked to participate by accumulating necessary materials. I will also count on parent volunteers to help with group activities like the creation of the building model. A guest speaker-engineer- will be available for questions and will teach students the floor plan and building design strategies. Parents will also be invited to watch the group presentations.

Additional Staff Support: I will need the special education teacher present during science. I may also need help from the librarian and cooperation from the computer teacher.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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School to Work: This unit will include career discussions about oceanology, scientific research, and engineering. Students will meet an engineer and learn some basic engineering terms. They will explore a link called: "Oceanography and your Career" And watch a video called, I Wanna Be a Ship Captain.

 

 

 

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