Title: The Area of the Outdoor Classroom
Description of Students Plan is for: This is for 6th grade students at Tichenor Middle School. Our 7th grade classes are completing a service learning project (Module 3). This unit will tie into that project and allow the two grade levels to work together to not only educate them on their math skills but also on problem solving. Barell states in 21st Century Skills: Rethinking How Students Learn, "In math and science, students work on individual problems, often with answers in the back of the book. On a larger instructional scale, students soemtimes contend with "problems" that call for them to find solutions, such as how to improve the school playground or the water quality of the neighborhood pond or stream (pg 177, 2010).
Highlights of the Instructional Plan: Students will learn about area and perimeter of different types of figures. They will use different technologies to manipulate figures so they can see how the area and perimeter changes as they change the shape. Students will collaborate with 7th grade classes to measure the area and perimeter of the courtyard and designated spaces (flower beds, etc). Finally, they will help the 7th grade class space, plant and mulch the flowers to decorate and complete the outdoor classroom.
Learner Outcomes: Students will be able to apply area and perimeter to the real world. They will learn to mathematically compute area and perimeter, but will also see how it applies to the real-world and use it effectively.
Measure of Success: Students will complete an assessment to check their skills. Students will complete an Embedded Assessment to determine if they can apply what they have learned to the real-world.
A quote from Danks (2011) comes to mind when I read your instruction plan. She wrote 'The hands-on experience provided by green schoolyards also help students bridge the divide between theory and practice and solidify their knowledge in both of these areas'.
ReplyDeleteI really like the way you are engaging them in something they has see, touch, hear (animals using the area), and smell (flowers in bloom).
Source:
Danks, S. G. (2011). Ashphalt to ecosystems: Design ideas for schoolyard transformation. Oakland, CA:New Village Press.