Pick up the Pace! New York??? El Paso??? Southwest Houston??? It's up to you to preserve your world!
Reflections of the process.ppt
Lesson Plan Authors:
1)Lorina Medrano - El Paso ISD lemedran@episd.org
2)Billie Luna - El Paso ISD bluna@episd.org
3)Debbie Crawford - Lamar CISD dcrawford@lcisd.org
4)Helen Brown - New York City Region 4 eightfelines@yahoo.com
5)David Witt - New York City Region 4 DWitt987@aol.com
6)David Brancaccio - New York City Region 4 dBrancaccio2@nycboe.net
Description:
After researching their regional environments, students from diverse locations will compare and contrast various elements of their region such as weather, terrain, and animal life through presentations or challenges. Stemming from their gathered data, considerable debate will follow sharing concerns and possible solutions relating to issues on preservation of the respective environments.
Subject Area:
Social Studies/ Science
Intended Grade Level:
5th Grade
Curriculum Standards:
Patterns of daily, monthly and seasonal changes within an environment
Structures and systems of plants & animals that compliment environments
Interdependence of plants, animals & humans on one another within a system
Compare varieties of living species and their basic functions to maintain dynamic equilibrium
Explain how diversity of populations in an ecosystem relate to the stability of the ecosystem
Interpret the importance of perserving diversity of species and habitats
Identify ways humans have changed environments and the effects of the changes
Analyze environmental changes brought about by discoveries and innovations due to human adaptations or modifications to meet basic needs
Identify actions that require time for changes to be measurable
Predict future of innovations and how they could effect the environment and life of humans
Apply problem-solving & decision making skills to identify problems, gather relevant and accurate information to choose and implement a solution as well as evaluate the effectiveness of that solution
Materials:
Computers
Printers
Guest Speakers (which could be shared in an informal video conference if desired)
Content specific books on regions - plants, animals, geographic information, weather information, environment
(these may include encyclopedias, library non-fiction, or primary documents from city agencies)
Cameras
Pens, pencils, markers, or crayons
Paper - notebook paper, chart paper, construction paper
Any other props deemed appropriate or necessary by the students for conveyance of their information
Technology Used:
Digital Cameras
Polycam or other setup for Video conference
Laptops
Laser printer
Type of VC connection: IP & ISDN
Target Time for Implementation: Fall semester
Length of Time: 7 - 9 weeks (see below)
Number of Video Conferences - 3 within this time period with approximately 2 wks of preparation/study for each
1st VC - Overview/presentation of respective regions (climate, terrain, or any other regional geographic info)
2nd VC - Animal Mystery Quest - prompting all groups to research animals native to the other regions
3rd VC - Panel Discussion & Debate - Issues related to preservation of environments (pollution, stripping of habitats, etc.)
Web Resources:
http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/Default.htm
http://people.txucom.net/window/wild.htm
http://library.thinkquest.org/2878/tx_listing.html
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/water/aquaticspecies/marine.phtml
http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=Houston%2C+TX
http://www.met.tamu.edu/weather_interface/
http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/iwin/tx/tx.html
http://www.ghasp.org/issues.html
http://www.cleanhouston.org/air/index.htm
http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/assistance/sblga/msw.html
Assessment/Evaluation: (See additional documents)
Rubrics - Research skills & Presentation
Jazz Project geography presentation-1.doc
Jazz Project research rubric.doc
Student Outcomes:
Participants shall demonstrate appropriate research and presentation skills that convey accurate information related to their specific regional environments. Active engagement both physically and cognitively will reflect analysis of current environmental structures and related concerns or issues of the present time. Discussion between groups will focus on building a set of possible solutions that will impact the current patterns of environmental systems disruption that effect their future in this world.
Methods & Activities: (See additional documents for details of pre/post conference activities)
Lecture
Guest Speaker
Virtual "Field Trip"
Discussion
Independent Research
Hands on activities
Question Development
Debate
Video Conference Details (See additional documents)
Time: Each VC will take approximately 45 - 60 minutes
Agenda: Each site will rotate and have a turn facilitating. Attached is the agenda for each session.
Advertisement: (See additional document)