Learner Description: The students are 5th graders at Eisenhower Elementary School. For this unit the children were given the option to work independently or with a partner.

Overview

What will be taught?

Explorers, historical through modern day. The children will learn about the backgrounds of individual explorers. They will learn about their discoveries and problems they incurred.

How will it be taught?

•Direct instruction

•Independent research using books, encyclopedias, CD Roms, internet, maps and globes

•Peer learning

What will the students do and learn?

The students will be given class time to learn about their explorer(s). The teacher will circulate among the students assisting them as they locate and synthesize information. The students will complete a visual aid related to their explorer, a written report summarizing their explorer's accomplishments, a video segment teaching their peers and the public about the history of their explorer, and a bibliography documenting all sources used.

Rationale

We have chosen to teach the children about explorers as it fits into our 5th grade curriculum in the study of history.

This is an engaged learning project using the following indicators:

The Vision of Learning includes:

•Responsible for learning

•Strategic

•Energized by learning

•Collaborative

The Tasks are:

•Authentic

•Challenging

•Multi-disciplinary

The Assessments are:

•Performance-based

•Generative - produced a video

Instructional Models are:

•Interactive

•Generative

Learning Context is:

•Collaborative

•Knowledge building

•Empathetic

Grouping:

•Heterogeneous

•Equitable

Teachers role:

•Facilitator

•Guide

•Co-learner

Student Roles:

•Explorer

•Cognitive apprentice

•Teacher

•Producer

Technology is an important component of this unit because students used:

•explorer CD Roms,

•internet for information and pictures or photographs

•video camera for taping explorer movies

•computer for word processing

The project is authentic in that the final product will be a movie all about explorers in time line order to be aired on a local cable station and shared with the other 5th grade classes.

Goals, Content, Cognitive and Social

The purpose of this unit is multi-faceted. Children will gain the knowledge of several significant explorers relating to the development of North America. In addition, they will learn research skills, writing skills, cooperation, communication skills, listening skills, and technological skills.

National, State benchmarks/Standards addressed:

English/Language Arts Learning Standards

1.B.2b Identify structure of nonfiction texts to improve

comprehension.

1.B.2c Continuously check and clarify for understanding.

1.C.2d Summarize and make generalizations from content and relate to purpose of material.

3.A.2 Write paragraphs that include a variety of sentence types; appropriate use of the eight parts of speech; and accurate spelling, capitalization and punctuation.

3.B.2a Generate and organize ideas using a variety of planning strategies.

3.C.2b Produce and format compositions for specified audiences using available technology.

4.B.2a Present oral reports to an audience using correct language and nonverbal expressions for the intended purpose and message within a suggested organizational format.

5.A.2a Formulate questions and construct a basic research plan.

5.A.2b Organize and integrate information from a variety of sources.

5.B.2a Determine the accuracy, currency and reliability of materials from various sources.

5.B.2b Cite sources used.

5.C.2a Create a variety of print and non print documents to communicate acquired information for specific audiences and purposes.

5.C.2b Prepare and deliver oral presentations based on inquiry or research.

Social Studies Learning Standards

16.A.2c Ask questions and seek answers by collecting and analyzing data from historic documents, images and other literary and non-literary sources.

17.A.2b Use maps and other geographic representations and instruments to gather information about people, places and environments.

Learning Activities

The activities the children will experience during this unit are:

•Choosing an explorer to study in depth

•Mapping the route the explorers traveled

•Generating a report describing the life of the explorer and his/her accomplishments

•Producing a segment for the time line explorer video about their particular explorer

Student Assessment

The students will be assessed using a rubric for their report, map, and video presentation. They are also evaluated based on their behavior and use or class time.

Resources:

The students will need CD Roms, internet resources, encyclopedias, maps, district adopted social studies textbook, book bags from public libraries, computers/alpha smarts for word processing, scanner, video-camera, VCR, monitor.

Management

The teacher will manage the students by circulating around the room and assisting children as needed. This will help to keep children on task. The children will also be given check points in which they should complete various requirements (i.e, map, rough draft of report, etc.)

This project was completed in a classroom with 5 internet connected computers. The computers were treated as a station and children took turns using them. Children that are not using the computers will be using books (textbook, encyclopedias, library books,) word processing on the alpha-smart, or working on their maps.

Unit Evaluation

Allowing students their choice of their explorer was very effective. Also, groups of 2 students work better than 3 or more students working together. Students also had the option of working independently. This choice kept students on target.

It was not effective to have only one dress rehearsal for the video. These video segments should be practiced and critiqued within the classroom several times before videotaping.

In the future, I would practice video segments more. I would also like to do more direct instruction in the form of an introduction to insure that all students have a better understanding of all the explorers. Overall, I feel the unit was a success and the children learned a great deal.