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Tech-Know-Build

 

Project Schedule

Classroom Management, Timeline 

The language arts, science, social studies, and math teachers work together to present this unit.  Students are divided into groups by the teachers and during the unit students work individually and cooperatively to produce a final product.

Students who were unable to work in a group setting or were absent during the research portion of the unit were given a similar activity .

In addition, it is recommended that you have students complete a few persuasion activities, knowing the end goal of this project is persuasive in nature.

 Tropical Rain Forest Tech-Know-Build Project Schedule   

**TEACHERS-Check this out before you start-GETTING STARTED

 **This unit takes about 3 weeks to complete

Days 1, 2, 3

L. Arts – complete a mini PBL – 3 days

Days 4, 5

 

Science (divide students into groups) – show & explain PBL water unit and preview TRF unit; other students will visit and spend the night at the Indianapolis Zoo

Days 6,7

Science and Social Studies - discuss Tropical Rain Forest topics. Locate rain forests on a world map.

Science and social studies - discuss Tropical Rain Forest topics. Distinguish rain forest products.

L. Arts – complete introductory activity, assign groups, room assignments, and pass out folders & Belief Activity Sheets.

Days 8, 9, 10

 

Students begin to research:

Social Studies: Using books and periodicals

Science: Using encyclopedias and other reference material

Language Arts: Internet

Days 11, 12, 13

 

Students compose and practice their persuasive power point presentations, using set guidelines

Days 14, 15, 16

 

Students present to class

            Investigations and Other Activities

Students have some issues with the power of persuasion. It is recommended that you do some of the activities from the following links to gear your students up for this project:

Are you good at persuasion?

Real Responsibilities, Real Concerns?

 

Prior to this problem-based project, students will receive the necessary background information in their social studies and science classes.  They will also be engaged in a field trip to the Indianapolis Zoo .  These activities aid in peaking our students' interest in the topic before we begin.

Initial Activity

The students will be grouped heterogeneously to discuss reasons why tropical rain forests should be saved.  They will then rate each statement on a scale of 1 to 5.

After students have individually ranked the statements, they will compare their rankings and reach consensus on the most important statement.  This statement will be used to guide their investigation.

Student Research Handouts

The following materials will be organized in a folder for each group.  

USE OF TECHNOLOGY

The Internet will be used to gather research.  We created a student friendly web sites to aid in their research. Excel will be used to create graphs and tables and Microsoft Word or Power Point will be used to present final presentations.

Example of Student Work:

Power Point

Tip:

Teachers- you may want to briefly conference with each group to check progress and participation.  Also help them to focus on their driving question.

 

 

 

Page created by Tuttle Middle School 6th Grade Team.  Last updated 06/13/03.