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| To protect our ecosystems, we have to understand them. Photo taken by David Gorrill |
There is a lot to know as outlined in the standards on this page.
How do I build enthusiasm for the learning, understanding of learning, and the knowledge, concept, and skill included in the unit?
Rationale
First, as I wrote about, we found rationale as we read Hesse's book, Out of the Dust since that story led us to learning about the dust bowl, America's greatest ecological disaster. Thus, we gained rationale for the unit which was essentially: To protect planet Earth, we have to understand it.
Making Connections
Next, we thought about our own experiences in nature and identified favorite places. After that students analyzed their special places using the unit vocabulary and now we're in the process of making landscape models of their special places in nature. This activity is serving to connect the ecosystem study to our lives. It is also serving to get the conversation going about our experiences in nature, and our understanding of natural places.
At this point, I stopped to tell students about learning paths. I used the example of a person whose family has a need. That person might study by summarizing what he/she already knows by first reading easy books, watching videos, talking to experts, and then reading more and more challenging books, taking courses, and finding coaches, mentors, and teachers to gain expertise. I noted that this is how learning happens, and this is how it will happen with our unit.
Language and Background Knowledge
We'll spend some time studying the specific vocabulary and background knowledge related to this unit next.
Learning
After that we'll create a framework for learning by creating charts with Google, and adding the main areas of study--areas I'll cull from the standards. Then, step-by-step we'll learn about each area in multiple ways including reading, writing, watching videos, outdoor exploration, observation, investigation, and data collection and analysis.
Assessment
We will use standardized assessment models to guide our final assessment work since students will be tested on such items in the spring. Those items include open response writing and multiple choice questions.
Sharing Our Knowledge
Ultimately we'll look for ways to share our learning with small service learning projects--projects that help others protect planet Earth and understand why that's important.
In the meantime, I have a lot of research to do to bring my knowledge up to date with regard to ecosystems. Time to study.
