Problem of Practice: How can we improve 4th graders’ understanding of the main idea and supporting details through the use of digital literacy and engineering connections?

District: Long Beach

School: East Elementary

Facilitator: Jolynn Sapia

Principal: Kathleen Connolly

Teachers: Eileen Bauer, Edward Courtney, Matthew Jones, Gina Patronaggio, Rebecca Wesselhoft

Beginning in November 2021, We will pre-assess students to determine what they currently know and understand about informational text. Our facilitator will come in and work with our group, instructing us on the use of the various software we have decided to use with our students. Also at this time, technology platforms will be introduced during STEM lab periods. Between December 2021 and January 2022, students will work in groups and be assigned designated roles as part of their final project. Teachers will expose students to a variety of informational texts pertaining to specific topics within extreme weather (i.e. hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanoes, droughts, floods). Students will learn strategies to identify informational text features and text structures. Students will research their group topic and bring their findings to STEM lab periods. In January 2022, as the final performance assessment, students will demonstrate their understanding of informational text features, text structures, and main idea/supporting details through the use of three digital platforms. These platforms include coding through Scratch, video recording through the use of Green Screen technology, and creating graphic novels through BookCreator platform. Winter administration of the NWEA Map Growth assessment will occur mid-January. This will be used to assess data and student growth/understanding of working with informational texts.

4th Grade PBL - Severe Weather

Action Research - Eileen Bauer

Action Research - Edward Courtney, Matthew Jones, Gina Patronaggio, Rebecca Wesselhoft