Integrated Unit
In my Introduction to Elementary Education Course, CTEE 3100, we practiced developing lessons using the 5 E format. This format imcludes: engage, explore, explain, expand, and evaluate. We also discussed the importance of using our time as teachers efficiently. This requires lessons to be developed with a specific goal or purpose in mind. We learned how to backwards curriculum design. This means beginning with the end result in mind.
To practice using this design method we worked in groups to develop a thematic unit that integrated two core subjects and lasted eight days. It was important for us to start with our objectives and the desired outcome for our students. From there we broke the goal down into eight different lessons and developed assessments.
My group chose to integrate math and science using fourth grade Alabama state standards covering measurement and the solar system. Below are the lessons from each day of our unit:
Introduction
Introduction
Distance Measurement
Comets, Asteroids, Meteoriods
Presentations
Measurement Conversion
Phases of the Moon
Speed Measurement
Mass Measurement
Standards
Science-
9.) Describe the appearance and movement of Earth and its moon.
• Identifying the waxing and waning of the moon in the night sky
• Identifying lunar and solar eclipses
10.) Describe components of our solar system.
• Defining comets, asteroids, and meteors.
Math-
19.) Know relative sizes of measurement units within one system of units, including km, m, cm; kg, g; lb, oz; l, ml; and hr, min, sec. Within a single system of measurement, express measurements in a larger unit in terms of a smaller unit. Record measurement equivalents in a two-column table
20.) Use the four operations to solve word problems involving distances, intervals of time, liquid volumes, masses of objects, and money, including problems involving simple fractions or decimals, and problems that require expressing measurements given in a larger unit in terms of a smaller unit. Represent measurement quantities using diagrams such as number line diagrams that feature a measurement scale.
Overview
The students will explore the solar system and learn about all of the unique features that make space space. We will apply math and measurements to develop a greater knowledge of space. In groups they will use the math tools and the science knowledge they acquire to create models of the solar system with check points along the way.