Overview

Students create a superhero identity for themselves and write an illustrated science fiction chapter book about their hero's adventures. Teachers provide a flexible story outline, teach the creative use of "juicy adjectives," onomotopea, and dialogue in writing. Students practice the steps of the writing process as they brainstorm, write, revise, peer-edit, and read aloud at Fall Family Night. Along the way, we explore laws of physics through science experiments and ponder what it means to use one's powers for good in the world.

Guiding Questions

1. What makes a hero?

2. What steps of writing are used by effective writers?

3. What makes good science fiction and fantasy writing?

4. What are some basic laws of physics, and how do superpowers defy or use the laws of physics?

Literature

The Iron Giant, The Adventures of Ordinary Boy, The Phantom Tollbooth, Comet in Moominland

Timeline

August 30th – September 9th: Laws of Physics mini-lessons

September 6th: Superhero Expedition Kickoff

September 30th: Superhero Story: Chapter 1 due for writing assessment

October 20th: Fall Family Night (students show works in progress)

October 28th: Remaining Superhero work due

Overview

Our November mini-expedition takes us inside our own bodies to explore how six of our major body systems work: skeletal, muscular, respiratory, circulatory, digestive, and nervous. We draw sketches and diagrams, look for information in non-fiction texts, write informational paragraphs, watch videos, and discover lots of amazing things about our human body systems!

Guiding Questions

1. What are the functions and parts of our major human body systems?

2. How are the systems of my body interconnected?

3. How do I keep my body healthy?

In Our Portfolio

• Skeleton Sketch - Before and After
• Body Systems Note Catcher
• Body System Assessment

Overview

Our December mini-expedition takes us beyond the confines of Earth to explore our Sun and Solar System. We research, write about, and create watercolor paintings of planets and other celestial objects. We spend time stargazing and learning about constellations and the stories told about them in various cultures. There are some excellent fieldwork opportunities during this expedition, including the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute and the Astronomy Department of UNCA.

Guiding Questions

1. How do the Sun, Earth, and moon move in relation to each other?

2. How are the planets of our solar system alike or different from each other?

3. How big is space?

In Our Portfolio

• Astronomy Research Poster
• Moon Phase Assessment

Who is a hero?

A hero is someone who uses mind, body, and spirit to bring positive change to their community.

Heroes exist in all walks of life: political leaders, artists, scientists, advocates of social justice, athletes, entrepreneurs, cultural leaders, naturalists, educators, spiritual leaders, and more.

Overview

When we return from winter break, we embark on a new expedition that builds on our Superheroes study by investigating what it means to be a real-life hero. We study geography to place Asheville on Earth, and take a walk downtown through Asheville's history to discover some of the people and places that have shaped the community we call home. Each student chooses one local hero to interview in order to learn how that person has helped to make Asheville a better place; we honor our heroes through biographical reports, poetry, monuments, and portraits at a community event called Heroes' Night.

Guiding Questions

1. How does the study of geography help us understand our community?

2. What is the difference between a hero and a celebrity?

3. Who are some of the people that have used their bodies, minds, hearts, and spirits to make Asheville a better place?

4. How can we honor, celebrate, and a share our knowledge of local heroes and history as a gift to our community?

In Our Portfolio

• Asheville Timeline
• Biographical Sketch
• Hero Poem
• Hero Portrait
• Monument

Literature

What I Came to Tell You by Tommy Hays; biographies, including Martin Luther King, Jr., Temple Grandin, Amelia Earhart, Henry David Thoreau, and student selected.

Overview

In the spring, we take a close-up look at how plants grow and reproduce, and explore the plant communities that surround us in Southern Appalachia. Through experimentation, service projects, note-taking, journaling, sketching, poetry, and lots of time spent outside, we investigate plants and their place in the world, and delve into our own sense of stewardship and relationship to the natural world.

Guiding Questions

1. How do plants help humans and other living beings?

2. What are some basic categories, parts, and systems of plants and trees?

3. How do people in indigenous cultures relate to their plant communities?

4. How can we be good stewards of our plant community?

In Our Portfolio

• Pea Plant Experiment Booklet
• Nature Journal
• Beneficial Plant Poster

Literature

My Side of the Mountain, poetry, field guides, and other non-fiction selections about plants and the natural world.