Embedded Files
In Science and Social Studies we cover various topics based on students interests and learning needs.
Here are a few examples:
C.E.R.
Claim Evidence Reasoning
This simple yet effective writing strategy complements the study of science and social studies well. C.E.R. is also great for writing in any class. This writing style helps students to develop their understanding of the topic as they work through the process. Critical thinking skills help to carefully consider the claim. After close examination of the evidence the reasoning ties the claim to the evidence and uses logical justification to make it all make sense
Trail Stewardship
Students help to manage the School Forest through learning the basics of
Trail Inspection
Forestry
Trail Construction
Map Reading
Cartography (map making)
Places Around the World
Students work on geography quizzes and weekly projects based on continents around the world. We started with the Washburn County Plat Book learning about township and range. This lead us to look beyond our county to neighboring counties in NW Wi. We covered US States then on to the countries of the different continents. North America, South America Africa, Europe and Asia.
European Field Study Planning Exercise
Students chose an area of Europe to study. As they researched they kept notes in their travel journal, tallied expenses in their travel spreadsheet and gave a final presentation to the class based on the the trip they had planned including the some historical information along with the logistics detailing their travel.
Edpuzzle: Amoeba Sisters Videos
Edpuzzle is a tool that takes a youtube video and allows you to insert questions. Instead of watching a video as a whole class and filling out a worksheet Edpuzzle allows students to work at their own pace to get through the material. Students watch one or 2 videos (6-10 min each) a day and answer the questions. This has helped students to better understand the basics of biology when we work on other projects.
Here is an example of a review video from the Amoeba Sisters:
Scientific Article Review
Being able to read, break down, and understand difficult topics is a huge component of project based learning. We use Science Journal for Kids and Science Journal for Teens to practice reading out loud in class with guided discussion on the sesquipedalian words that we may encounter in the articles (sesquipedalian are words with many syllables).
Reading journal articles can help with our writing as well. We use C.E.R. Claim Evidence Reasoning writing strategy to compose a scientific article summary by restating the main claim from the article, citing evidence from the text, using reasoning to justify if that makes sense.
Scienific Article Summary & Presentations
Select and article, review the vocabulary words, read an article for understanding, answer the questions that go along with it. Then create a presentation slideshow to demonstrate understanding and effectively teach other students about the findings of the article.
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