Think About It lays a solid foundation for future high level problem solving skills by studying both divergent and convergent thinking processes. Organized around challenging activities that spark high interest, students develop divergent thinking skills including brainstorming and creative thinking. Students explore elements of convergent and critical thinking such as deductive logic using logic grids, analyzing situations as a scientist might, and using analogies to express relationships.
Students will be able to independently use their learning to…
This interdisciplinary unit includes lessons for each grade level 1-5 connected to different children’s books, selected for their rich use of language and high interest for advanced readers. The activities are based upon a variety of content areas, including language arts, math, science, and social studies.
This unit is designed to introduce first grade PACE students to research based creative thinking techniques and logical thinking strategies. Different types of logic problems and science experiments will allow students to begin to develop logical skills such as deducing, comparing, ordering, and drawing conclusions.
Students answer the question “What is coding?” by discovering why it is important to learn coding, the jobs associated with coding, and how precise instructions can lead to a successful outcome. Using Code Studio in Code.org, students follow through lessons that teach looping, debugging, conditionals and other necessary language in order to make programs work.
Students will be exposed to syllogistic and deductive reasoning strategies while solving a mystery. Students will use logic grids to analyze and interpret data; use syllogisms to strengthen their reading and reasoning skills; and learn to form generalizations based upon valid assumptions.
The Genius Hour Unit is designed to create an environment where students can fully take ownership of their own work from start to finish while exploring a topic of interest specific to them. Students begin by learning proper research strategies which include the affective use of the internet and determining the credibility of sources. The unit progresses through a thorough exploration of the definition of Genius Hour, and starts students thinking about topics of interest. They will formulate a Driving Question which becomes the foundation of their research. Finally, students will work on selecting and developing a presentation method (product). The means of creating a product are extensive; students will work on selecting one which matches their research most effectively. The final step is to present student work.
In many ways, Robotics is a natural synthesis of the previous years’ learning in PACE; however, students new to PACE in 4th grade are not at any disadvantage. Students work in teams to research a real-world situation perceived to be an unfavorable condition for humans, and then build their own robot to solve the chosen problem through a performance task of their choice. Students present their solution, and the robot performs its tasks in the fictional context of a presentation to a specific audience such as NASA. Additional learning includes an introduction to the literary genre of science fiction, how science fiction can become science fact, icon-driven computer programming, and various methods of inquiry.
Fifth grade PACE curriculum lays the foundation for skills associated with middle school PACE expectations in both divergent/creative thinking and convergent/analytical thinking. Students participate in complex, focused analysis through an introduction to law. Students review cases related to aspects of the First and Fourth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. A consideration of intellectual property law and skills related to civil discourse furthers the depth and complexity of this unit. Students are compelled to justify opposing points of view, identify facts, interpret documents, and support arguments culminating in a formal debate.
In the Stock Market Game, students will be able to independently use their learning to develop an economic way of thinking and problem solving useful to manage one's financial resources effectively for a lifetime of financial security. Students will understand that economic trends affect everyone, investing in stocks is worth the risk, and successful investors rely on research, diversification and trends. Given a fictional $100,000 to invest in the stock market, students will put their knowledge into action.