Post your ideas for an interdisciplinary,
project-based unit you might teach and why your ideas meet the two criteria of
interdisciplinary and project-based learning.
My rough idea for an interdisciplinary, project-based unit would involve building a structure. The whole class could decide either in groups or as a class what type of structure they would build. They would then explore using blocks, legos, food (sugar cubes, marshmallows with toothpicks), anker stones, boxes, clay, mud, etc., the idea of creating a strong structure. What does a structure need to withstand the test of time? (ex. a strong foundation, correct balance). What different materials are structures built from. What would you use to build yours.
I would bring in an architect, a construction worker, maybe a concrete pourer and a large machinery operator. All of whom are equally important to the making of a strong structure. They would hopefully discuss how they use math, science, reading and yes, history to help them with their designs, calculations for building, calculations for density of the concrete, how to figure out which building materials to use. The list goes on and on. The students would get to explore by using different materials (on a much smaller scale), what they think the best way to build their structure would be.
They would use books (some would include Amazing Built Structures by Nicholas Brasch, Super Structures by Samone Bos, Structures Materials and Activities by Barbara Taylor, Shapes and Structures by Jon Richards, Build It, Invent New Structures and Contraptions, Artistry in Stone, Great Structures of Ancient Egypt by Don Nardo, Build It: Activities for Setting Up Super Structures by Keith Good, House: Structures, Methods and Ways of Living by Max Casaline, The House That George Built by Suzanne Slade, Larry Gets Lost in New York City by Michael Mullin, Skyscraper by Lynn Curlee, The Little Skyscraper by Scott Santoro, and the list goes on.)
Online games and resources - http://www.learn4good.com/games/simulation/build_bridge_across_canyon.htm
http://www.exploratorium.edu/structures/ - Info for teachers)
There are so many resources out there for engineering/building. Using hands on exploration, students will get a chance to use their mathematical skills, their reading and research skills, visual discrepancy skills, research different buildings for history, historically research Egypt, or the Mayans.) Students can really take it where they want to. The culmination of the unit could be a presentation by the students of their buildings with a small report or fact sheet stating where they got their ideas from, what skills they had to use, did it work the first time, etc. I would also recommend video taping of the structures at various stages to let the students see and hear their thoughts, etc., about how it is going and how they need to make changes. It will be easier than writing it down.
A great introduction would by the marshmallow challenge.
If I were to do an interdisciplinary project based unit, I would love to do a project in first grade that would focus on Social Studies, Reading, and Writing as well as social and cultural awareness with a focus on Folktales. In the first grade curriculum students are understanding and developing their civic identity. They are understanding about themselves but also becoming more aware of those in other countries as well as friends that are from other countries. I would begin by saying that understanding other cultures helps us understand our own. In order for children to grow and appreciate all people for who they are they must learn about different cultures and ways of living. If I were to base a Social Studies unit on folktales I would use not only books but videos and poems. I would work with the librarian if possible and have children do research during library in order to find folktales from their culture. I would ask them to share these with the class after bringing the books home to share with a grown-up. This way if the reading is too difficult they will be able to read it with them in order to share it/draw a picture to explain it. I will also base literacy units around it by reading books, asking questions to check for comprehension and accuracy in understanding the context. I would pick one or two folktales to "act-out", dressing as they would have in that culture. At the end of the unit I would ask students to choose their favorite folktale to share with the class. We will have a "museum" of folktales and cultures. I will have a large map in the class where we will place a pin on each of the different countries that we have heard folktales from. We will have discussed what folktales are used for... entertainment, to teach a lesson, to show a way of life. This project based unit is simply a thought but I would love to do this in my own classroom one day. I think we brush over things like this- we tend to teach it but don't have time to put a ton of time into it. I would like to stretch it as long as I can. I would love to incorporate a multi-cultural night at the end of the unit and allow students to show what they have learned about other cultures: song, dance, living arrangements. Making Social Studies fun and allowing them to tap into other areas of learning such as writing, reading, and awareness of other countries through their own ancestors (living and deceased), will hopefully make it fun for them to explore and learn about the world around us.
Folk tales are a great way to teach all sorts of things. I once used them to demonstrate how to use data bases. Sounds like a wonderful unit. When you get to actually do it I'm sure you will have it more exact, although I agree with you that worthwhile topics never seem to get the time they deserve in school.
I would love to do an interdisciplinary unit on Africa. Although the topic itself is very broad, there are so many creative ways to incorporate ELA, math, social studies, science, and the arts.
Africa, being the second largest continent in the world, is so rich with diversity and history, and would be a wonderful topic for a thematic unit. This theme is significant because it prompts students’ learning about diversity of the world, and promotes a strong sense of multiculturalism. In classrooms today, it is important to celebrate diversity and understand the roots of human societies and cultures, a topic that is developmentally appropriate for children of all ages, provided with age appropriate materials. Big Ideas/Key Understandings: • Students will know the geographic location of Africa on the globe and maps. • Students will understand that Africa is the 2nd largest continent in the world. • Students will learn about the food, traditions, art and music of the African people. • With exposure to rich literary materials, students will be able to deepen their thinking about the world, and understand that a variety of literature expands knowledge. • Students will be able to understand and appreciate the diversity of African cultures. • Students will make personal connections to their own culture, by studying the culture of the African people. • Students will be able to understand that the world is diverse in its people and their cultures. • Through the utilization of literary practices, students will make self-to-text connections about Africa.
This is just a start, but I've found some great resources at the library and would really enjoy working on this topic for a thematic unit. The topic is broad, but I think so many great hands-on experiences could be pulled into this type of unit.
It's a great start and sound like a wonderful unit! Be sure to keep the resources you have already found. Might you be able to try some of this while you are student teaching? Nancy
For our interdisciplinary, project-based unit I chose to create mine based on the continents. The students will create their own world maps, learn a continent song and play a game to reinforce the names of the continents and that there are seven. Students will then learn about each continent separately and will become experts on these continents in regards to customs, clothes, food, music etc. They will do this through computer and research based projects, art projects and assisted support time in the library. Students will be able to perform retellings of folk tales that come from various countries and will be able to identify which continent these stories are from. Students will also create country flags and will then pin them to the classroom map, again identifying the countries continent. Students will create a cookbook with recipes from their family’s countries and they will also choose their favorite animal and find and discuss which continent they are from and what the weather is like there. The unit on the continents and the ideas presented above meet the needs of both interdisciplinary and project based learning. The students will work in social studies and literacy on learning about the different continents through their cultures, music, food etc., through research and writing assignments. The students will incorporate drama in their retelling of the folk tales. Math will come into play in regards to the measurements in the recipes and art will happen through the students creating their world flags. These lessons will integrate many of the curriculum disciplines and will do so through hands on, project based assign
My cooperating teacher asked me to teach a unit of nouns, which I am going to get started with very soon. Nouns wouldn't have been my first choice, but I will make the best of it :) I want to introduce the topic in an engaging way to get the kids excited to learn more about what nouns are and how we use them. I don't have my intro completely mapped out yet, but I am thinking along the lines of creating a power point to display images of people, places and things on the smart board or bringing in picture cut-outs for the kids to sort to develop an understanding of the concept that a noun can be a person, place or thing. After much thought and surfing the web for ideas about how I could integrate a project of some sort into the teaching of this topic I came up with the idea of "noun suitcases." Over the course of the remaining lessons I will have students "pack" their "noun suitcses" with the people and things they would bring with them to the place they're traveling to. I am thinking that each student will have their own paper suitcase, which can be filled over the course of the unit with paper cutouts depicting the people and things of their choosing. Even though there are 23 kids in the class I would like them to have the opportunity to share their suitcases with each other because I think they would learn a lot about one another from sharing their suitcases.
You could share the suitcases as the unit progresses so you don't have to share them all in one day. Maybe they could "sign up" for when they would like to start sharing. I think it's a great idea! Have fun - and share with your teacher, she might have some good suggestions as well. Nancy
My rough idea for an interdisciplinary, project-based unit would involve building a structure. The whole class could decide either in groups or as a class what type of structure they would build. They would then explore using blocks, legos, food (sugar cubes, marshmallows with toothpicks), anker stones, boxes, clay, mud, etc., the idea of creating a strong structure. What does a structure need to withstand the test of time? (ex. a strong foundation, correct balance). What different materials are structures built from. What would you use to build yours.
ReplyDeleteI would bring in an architect, a construction worker, maybe a concrete pourer and a large machinery operator. All of whom are equally important to the making of a strong structure. They would hopefully discuss how they use math, science, reading and yes, history to help them with their designs, calculations for building, calculations for density of the concrete, how to figure out which building materials to use. The list goes on and on. The students would get to explore by using different materials (on a much smaller scale), what they think the best way to build their structure would be.
They would use books (some would include Amazing Built Structures by Nicholas Brasch, Super Structures by Samone Bos, Structures Materials and Activities by Barbara Taylor, Shapes and Structures by Jon Richards, Build It, Invent New Structures and Contraptions, Artistry in Stone, Great Structures of Ancient Egypt by Don Nardo, Build It: Activities for Setting Up Super Structures by Keith Good, House: Structures, Methods and Ways of Living by Max Casaline, The House That George Built by Suzanne Slade, Larry Gets Lost in New York City by Michael Mullin, Skyscraper by Lynn Curlee, The Little Skyscraper by Scott Santoro, and the list goes on.)
Online games and resources - http://www.learn4good.com/games/simulation/build_bridge_across_canyon.htm
ames/building-construction/towerbuildinggame.htm
http://blissfullydomestic.com/family-bliss/parenting-family-bliss/building-structures-fun-and-educational-activities-for-kids/79026/
http://www.exploratorium.edu/structures/ - Info for teachers)
There are so many resources out there for engineering/building. Using hands on exploration, students will get a chance to use their mathematical skills, their reading and research skills, visual discrepancy skills, research different buildings for history, historically research Egypt, or the Mayans.) Students can really take it where they want to. The culmination of the unit could be a presentation by the students of their buildings with a small report or fact sheet stating where they got their ideas from, what skills they had to use, did it work the first time, etc. I would also recommend video taping of the structures at various stages to let the students see and hear their thoughts, etc., about how it is going and how they need to make changes. It will be easier than writing it down.
A great introduction would by the marshmallow challenge.
I hope this is coherent enough.
This sounds wonderful. I hope you get a chance to try it, either this year or when you have your own classroom.
ReplyDeleteNancy
If I were to do an interdisciplinary project based unit, I would love to do a project in first grade that would focus on Social Studies, Reading, and Writing as well as social and cultural awareness with a focus on Folktales. In the first grade curriculum students are understanding and developing their civic identity. They are understanding about themselves but also becoming more aware of those in other countries as well as friends that are from other countries. I would begin by saying that understanding other cultures helps us understand our own. In order for children to grow and appreciate all people for who they are they must learn about different cultures and ways of living. If I were to base a Social Studies unit on folktales I would use not only books but videos and poems. I would work with the librarian if possible and have children do research during library in order to find folktales from their culture. I would ask them to share these with the class after bringing the books home to share with a grown-up. This way if the reading is too difficult they will be able to read it with them in order to share it/draw a picture to explain it. I will also base literacy units around it by reading books, asking questions to check for comprehension and accuracy in understanding the context. I would pick one or two folktales to "act-out", dressing as they would have in that culture. At the end of the unit I would ask students to choose their favorite folktale to share with the class. We will have a "museum" of folktales and cultures. I will have a large map in the class where we will place a pin on each of the different countries that we have heard folktales from. We will have discussed what folktales are used for... entertainment, to teach a lesson, to show a way of life.
ReplyDeleteThis project based unit is simply a thought but I would love to do this in my own classroom one day. I think we brush over things like this- we tend to teach it but don't have time to put a ton of time into it. I would like to stretch it as long as I can. I would love to incorporate a multi-cultural night at the end of the unit and allow students to show what they have learned about other cultures: song, dance, living arrangements. Making Social Studies fun and allowing them to tap into other areas of learning such as writing, reading, and awareness of other countries through their own ancestors (living and deceased), will hopefully make it fun for them to explore and learn about the world around us.
Folk tales are a great way to teach all sorts of things. I once used them to demonstrate how to use data bases. Sounds like a wonderful unit. When you get to actually do it I'm sure you will have it more exact, although I agree with you that worthwhile topics never seem to get the time they deserve in school.
ReplyDeleteNancy
For Julie:
ReplyDeleteI would love to do an interdisciplinary unit on Africa. Although the topic itself is very broad, there are so many creative ways to incorporate ELA, math, social studies, science, and the arts.
Africa, being the second largest continent in the world, is so rich with diversity and history, and would be a wonderful topic for a thematic unit. This theme is significant because it prompts students’ learning about diversity of the world, and promotes a strong sense of multiculturalism. In classrooms today, it is important to celebrate diversity and understand the roots of human societies and cultures, a topic that is developmentally appropriate for children of all ages, provided with age appropriate materials.
Big Ideas/Key Understandings:
• Students will know the geographic location of Africa on the globe and maps.
• Students will understand that Africa is the 2nd largest continent in the world.
• Students will learn about the food, traditions, art and music of the African people.
• With exposure to rich literary materials, students will be able to deepen their thinking about the world, and understand that a variety of literature expands knowledge.
• Students will be able to understand and appreciate the diversity of African cultures.
• Students will make personal connections to their own culture, by studying the culture of the African people.
• Students will be able to understand that the world is diverse in its people and their cultures.
• Through the utilization of literary practices, students will make self-to-text connections about Africa.
This is just a start, but I've found some great resources at the library and would really enjoy working on this topic for a thematic unit. The topic is broad, but I think so many great hands-on experiences could be pulled into this type of unit.
It's a great start and sound like a wonderful unit! Be sure to keep the resources you have already found. Might you be able to try some of this while you are student teaching?
DeleteNancy
For Mary:
ReplyDeleteFor our interdisciplinary, project-based unit I chose to create mine based on the continents. The students will create their own world maps, learn a continent song and play a game to reinforce the names of the continents and that there are seven.
Students will then learn about each continent separately and will become experts on these continents in regards to customs, clothes, food, music etc. They will do this through computer and research based projects, art projects and assisted support time in the library.
Students will be able to perform retellings of folk tales that come from various countries and will be able to identify which continent these stories are from. Students will also create country flags and will then pin them to the classroom map, again identifying the countries continent. Students will create a cookbook with recipes from their family’s countries and they will also choose their favorite animal and find and discuss which continent they are from and what the weather is like there.
The unit on the continents and the ideas presented above meet the needs of both interdisciplinary and project based learning. The students will work in social studies and literacy on learning about the different continents through their cultures, music, food etc., through research and writing assignments. The students will incorporate drama in their retelling of the folk tales. Math will come into play in regards to the measurements in the recipes and art will happen through the students creating their world flags. These lessons will integrate many of the curriculum disciplines and will do so through hands on, project based assign
Sounds good! Will you be able to teach it while you are student teaching?
DeleteMy cooperating teacher asked me to teach a unit of nouns, which I am going to get started with very soon. Nouns wouldn't have been my first choice, but I will make the best of it :) I want to introduce the topic in an engaging way to get the kids excited to learn more about what nouns are and how we use them. I don't have my intro completely mapped out yet, but I am thinking along the lines of creating a power point to display images of people, places and things on the smart board or bringing in picture cut-outs for the kids to sort to develop an understanding of the concept that a noun can be a person, place or thing. After much thought and surfing the web for ideas about how I could integrate a project of some sort into the teaching of this topic I came up with the idea of "noun suitcases." Over the course of the remaining lessons I will have students "pack" their "noun suitcses" with the people and things they would bring with them to the place they're traveling to. I am thinking that each student will have their own paper suitcase, which can be filled over the course of the unit with paper cutouts depicting the people and things of their choosing. Even though there are 23 kids in the class I would like them to have the opportunity to share their suitcases with each other because I think they would learn a lot about one another from sharing their suitcases.
ReplyDeleteYou could share the suitcases as the unit progresses so you don't have to share them all in one day. Maybe they could "sign up" for when they would like to start sharing. I think it's a great idea! Have fun - and share with your teacher, she might have some good suggestions as well.
DeleteNancy