Brooke Smith
Wright State University
OH

Mon, Dec 06, 2021 9:40 PM
Nature Watch Review

This year-long nature investigation is a great way to introduce students how the changes in seasons effects changes in plants, specifically leaf color. The plan includes an experiment for students to solve how leaves change color by collecting leaves at various points of the year. This includes at the beginning of the school year, in the fall, in the winter and in the spring. At each of these points, the students predict what they believe will happen with their plant, then observe their plants, and record what they observed in a t-chart. Overall, I can see students thoroughly enjoying this unit on seasonal changes in plants.

Mon, Dec 06, 2021 9:22 PM
Desert Survivors Review

This article outlines a lesson for a 3rd grade class that was studying biomes and the animals that live in those biomes, specifically the desert. The investigation included research of the three chosen animals, data collection, and several plays where the students acted out how the animals would survive in each of these deserts. The end result determined which animal would survive the best. These plays were acted out in the form of the show Survivor with the scripts written by the teachers. I think that implementing this play aspect, made the unit more engaging for the students rather than simply doing a traditional research report on the animals.

Mon, Dec 06, 2021 8:45 PM
Historical Fiction as a Social Studies Textbook!

I think this article can really help other teachers understand the importance of integration in their lesson planning, especially when finding resources for social studies content. This article clearly outlines the importance of historical fiction as the primary source for lessons because children will enjoy the storylike quality of the materials. Additionally, the resources will take out much of the complex language that is in traditional textbooks making the key ideas easier for students to understand. This resource also discussed an instructional strategy called the literature circle where students discuss the reading with their classmates as they are gathered in a circle.