Rationale

The goal of this unit plan is to bring learning to students with a blended scope of disciplines. This allows students to go beyond the boundaries of a single subject, to see new patterns and create connections to the real-world where edges are not so well defined. The unit plan illustrates how considering different disciplines promotes discovering creative solutions to real world problems. Also, exposing students to varied perspectives authentically investigates the question of either conserving or removing (via human development) a natural forest environment.

Throughout the unit plan, participatory learning environments allows students to explore, ask questions, and direct their own learning. Group work develops communication skills and facilitates learning from one another via idea sharing and questioning. Working with a team also exposes students to others perspectives, broadening their scope of knowledge and understanding. Additionally, students are encouraged to ask questions to each other and in exploration, building their critical thinking skills. The incorporation of subject matter experts will help to further build connections and illustrate to students real-world applications of concepts in diverse ways.

'May the Forest Be With You' is framed around the Trees and Forests Grade 6 Science Outcomes from the Alberta Program of Studies. Using forests as a foundation for interdisciplinary learning, authentic opportunities to interweave Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, Geography and Art in a compelling way is included. "When learning is activated through an interdisciplinary lens, with authentic and real-world connections, learning becomes meaningful" (Hartwell, 2018, p. 4).

Interdisciplinarity in this unit plan provides students with the ability to participate in "learning [as] a cultural, social, and ongoing process of inquiry, engagement, and participation in the world around us" (Jacobsen, Lock & Friesen, 2013, para 1) and to consider the profound essential question of, Why are Forests Important to Life?

References:

Hartwell, A. D. (2018). The life cycle of a salmon: robotics and 3D printing in grade two. The Canadian Journal for Teacher Research. Retrieved from https://d2l.ucalgary.ca/d2l/le/content/277367/viewContent/3573604/View

Jacobsen, M., Lock, J., & Friesen, S. (2013). Strategies for engagement: knowledge building and intellectual engagement in participatory learning environments. Education Canada Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.edcan.ca/articles/strategies-for-engagement/