Water testing
The authors wanted to create a problem-based unit for fourth and fifth graders that would help address the crosscutting concepts such as stability and change. They wanted to teach these con... See More
The authors wanted to create a problem-based unit for fourth and fifth graders that would help address the crosscutting concepts such as stability and change. They wanted to teach these concepts in a way that was relevant to the students. They created a scenario in which the students assumed the role of ecologists who had been asked by a town to determine how healthy a local pond was because the local citizens were complaining about the murkiness of the pond. They began the unit by discussing safety precautions and what materials would be needed to preform investigations. By asking a series of questions, the teachers were able to pre-assess student’s background knowledge. The authors included a table describing common water tests and an example of the student’s results. Also included in this article were explanations that explained what the various tests were used for. For a summative assessment, student teams made presentations of their observations and tests results to peers, parents, scientists, and engineers in a simulated town council meeting. This is a very hands-on activity that helps the students become aware of the complexities of their natural environment. I recommend this article to all teachers of upper elementary to middle school students.