Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Personal Personal:
Assets, The students in the class bring a wide variety of interests, family backgrounds,
Cultural, experiences, etc. When getting to know these students and what their lives look like
Assets, outside of school, I was able to gather some common interest among the students.
Communit Most students in my classroom are really into video games such as Roblox and
y Assets Minecraft. When talking to the students, I also learned that many of them like to read
and take naps when they get home from school. Many students expressed an interest
in the Bad Kitty book series. Another thing I was able to gather from the students is
the diversity of family backgrounds that are brought into the classroom. There is a
wide variety of culture, ethnicity, and race within the class. There are a few students
who are not classified as ESOL students, but their home language is Spanish. We also
have one student who was adopted as a baby. This student knows he is adopted and
attends therapy and is in communication with his biological mom. Most students also
expressed having siblings or cousins in which they hang out often. Some even have
siblings who attend the same school as them.
Cultural:
Some students in the class have families who are bilingual and have a different home
language other than English. These students are not considered ESOL students but are
bilingual. I know that some of my students in my class expressed that they do attend
the local churches and read the bibles. Most of my students come from middle-to-
upper-class two-parent households. Many students have told me about the family
vacations they have been on as well as the sports they are into after school. There is
one student in the class whose family is part of Jehovah’s Witnesses. This student and
her family do not observe or celebrate any holidays. They also do not salute the
national flag or sing the national anthem, and they refuse military service
Community:
The community surrounding the school and the neighborhoods where the students
live is a suburban area. There are many subdivisions around the community. It does
have a small city feel with lots of shopping and neighborhoods. After talking with
some students, I learned that there are water parks and nature trails that students enjoy
going to outside of school. One student mentioned the nature trail is a place right near
his neighborhood that allows him to climb trees and go on hikes. Another student
mentioned that she loved going to the water parks surrounding Woodstock. Outside
of school, two girls in the class cheered on the same cheerleading team in the
community. I also learned that multiple students are active in the sports community in
Cherokee county. Many are involved in soccer. These students expressed that they are
actively participating in after school practices. Some students also attend local
churches such as Woodstock City Church where they attend youth groups and church
camps such as UpStreet.
This unit will activate prior reading comprehension skills. Students will need
these skills when reading through and researching the impacts on the
environment from different sources. This unit will also have students engaged in
science observations to determine the positive and negative impact that humans
have on the environment. Students will also need to be able to use facts and
definitions to write about the research they have gathered.
Learning Objective(s) or
Learning Target(s) I can evaluate how I impact the environment.
I can evaluate how humans impact the environment.
I can communicate information about how humans have a positive and
negative impact on the environment.
I can research the effects humans have on the environment and
pollution.
I can read several books about the human impacts on the environment.
I can record science observations about the human impacts on the
environment.
Students will also include words into their “Word Wall Journal”
(personal dictionary)
o See Appendix L for example
Summative Presentation of Choice will be given to See Appendix B for poster Rubric
assessment(s) Advocation of the students in the way
Environment they would present their ____ Presentation is 2-3 minutes long
Project research project.
____ 2-3 Resources (circled on paper)
Choice Options:
Create a Poster ___ Include the topic
Record a 2–3-
minute video ___ Include at least 1-2 ways that humans
impact the environment
Supports:
Providing the ___ Describe one way that you can
students with an advocate for your topic
example of each
choice option. ___ Include at least one picture or visual
Checklist
matching the See Appendix B for video Rubric
rubric
requirements. ____ 2-3 Minutes long
Discuss the
rubrics with the ____ 1-2 Resources (circled on paper)
students prior to
starting them. ____ Include the topic
Allow time for
students to ask ____Include at least 1-2 ways that humans
questions and impact the environment
uncover
misconceptions. ____ Create a plan that advocates for the
environment (ex: how will you recycle?)
Step Material
4: s Needed Day 1: Introduction
Create
Learni Wonderwall
ng sticky notes
Activi
ties Read aloud: Becoming a Good Creature by Sy Montgomery
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um-bo2MWDsQ
Exit Ticket:
See appendix A
Website/article links:
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/plastic-pollution
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/nature/save-the-earth/topic/save-the-
earth-tips
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/tour-a-recycling-
center
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&AuthType=ip,shib&db=prh&AN=143076496&site=ehost-
live&scope=site&custid=ken1
Books:
The Plastic Problem: 60 Small Ways to Reduce Waste and Help Save the
Earth (Lonely Planet Kids) by Aubre Andrus
Don't Let Them Disappear by Chelsea Clinton
Wonderwall
Sticky notes
Day 5: Presentations
Students Presentations
Wonderwall
o Sticky notes
APA Citations:
Day 1:
Montgomery, S.,
Day 2:
Andrus, A. (2020). The plastic problem: 60 small ways to reduce waste and save
the Earth. Lonely Planet Global Limited.
Clinton, C., & Marino, G. (2019). Don't let them disappear: 12 endangered
species across the globe. Philomel Books.
French, J. (2019). What a waste: Trash, recycling, and protecting our planet. DK
Publishing.
Johnson, J. C., & Sadler, S. L. (2011). Seeds of change: Wangari's gift to the
world. Lee & Low.
Kid's Guide to helping the planet: Brown, kai, Brown ... (n.d.). Retrieved
November 2, 2021, from https://www.amazon.com/Kids-Guide-Helping-Planet-
Brown/dp/B0851MHJ8Z.
Potenza, A. (2020). Marching for the Planet. Science World, 76(9), 18-21.
Save the earth tips. National Geographic. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2021,
from https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/nature/save-the-earth/topic/save-the-
earth-tips.
Day 3:
Andrus, A. (2020). The plastic problem: 60 small ways to reduce waste and save
the Earth. Lonely Planet Global Limited.
Clinton, C., & Marino, G. (2019). Don't let them disappear: 12 endangered
species across the globe. Philomel Books.
French, J. (2019). What a waste: Trash, recycling, and protecting our planet. DK
Publishing.
Johnson, J. C., & Sadler, S. L. (2011). Seeds of change: Wangari's gift to the
world. Lee & Low.
Kid's Guide to helping the planet: Brown, kai, Brown ... (n.d.). Retrieved
November 2, 2021, from https://www.amazon.com/Kids-Guide-Helping-Planet-
Brown/dp/B0851MHJ8Z.
Potenza, A. (2020). Marching for the Planet. Science World, 76(9), 18-21.
Save the earth tips. National Geographic. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2021,
from https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/nature/save-the-earth/topic/save-the-
earth-tips.
Day 4:
Andrus, A. (2020). The plastic problem: 60 small ways to reduce waste and save
the Earth. Lonely Planet Global Limited.
Clinton, C., & Marino, G. (2019). Don't let them disappear: 12 endangered
species across the globe. Philomel Books.
French, J. (2019). What a waste: Trash, recycling, and protecting our planet. DK
Publishing.
Johnson, J. C., & Sadler, S. L. (2011). Seeds of change: Wangari's gift to the
world. Lee & Low.
Kid's Guide to helping the planet: Brown, kai, Brown ... (n.d.). Retrieved
November 2, 2021, from https://www.amazon.com/Kids-Guide-Helping-Planet-
Brown/dp/B0851MHJ8Z.
Potenza, A. (2020). Marching for the Planet. Science World, 76(9), 18-21.
Save the earth tips. National Geographic. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2021,
from https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/nature/save-the-earth/topic/save-the-
earth-tips.
Technol I will use technology to drive instruction as students use multiple resources for
ogy their research of the chosen topic. Students will be provided with select resources
Connecti based on articles, videos, and books. This is the best option because all students
on will be able to get reliable information from credible sources and have more
protection of being safe online. Then for the final summative assessments,
students will use Seesaw to submit their video or picture of their poster they made
about the topic they worked on researching. On seesaw there will be the rubric
attached in the appendix for students to refer to and a drobox for their assignment.
Seesaw will also help students as it has multiple features that can benefit students.
Connecti I will incorporate creative expression by allowing students to choose how they
on to the design their final product. This will give students a chance to show their
Arts personality and character. Students will also have to create a visual or picture to
go along with their research which will bring in support and more comprehension
for the students assigned topic.
Supporti I will support my students with ADHD by giving frequent time reminders (e.g.,
ng 10 more minutes, 5 more minutes) to ensure the student knows exactly how much
Diverse time they have left to work on the activity.
Learner
s I will support my students who struggle with writing by providing sentence
starters.
I will support gifted students by having them complete an extension activity that
asks them to draw three images that represent what they found while doing
research. This challenges students to pick out quotes and use information to
support their images.
I will support my students with IEPS and 504 plans by making sure that the plan
is addressed throughout the unit.
I will support my students with academic gaps by providing more support and one
on one time to help them complete the final product.
Cultural This unit is connected to my student’s community assets because they will be
ly examining the impacts that affect the environment around them. The students are
Responsi familiar with some of the issues that are involved in the community, but we will
ve put further focus on what specific changes and factors impact the environment. As
Teachin an extension activity, students could create or draw images that show the
g environmental impacts or what could be impactful in their school.
Researc The project is based on the small group inquiry model. Students will be guided in
h and their research but will be asking their own questions and working together. During
Theory, research and work time the teacher will act as a facilitator and a source as students
or explore their topics and choose how they will present it. By presenting, students
Principl will share their research findings as well as teaching the rest of the class a new
es of topic. (Harvey, 2015)
Child
Develop This lesson also takes inspiration from the 5E’s Instructional model, Specifically
ment Exploration, Elaboration, and Explanation. Students will be exploring their topics
through research. They will elaborate on their findings by creating their final
product, a poster or video. They will present their projects to the class based on
the rubric. The 5E model will help frame and organize science lessons to deepen
student comprehension and boost student engagement. (Bybee, 2009)
This lesson connects with Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development. The Zone
of Proximal Development refers to what students can achieve independently, with
peers, and with support from adults (Kurt, S., 2020). Students can be more
successful with teamwork and support from others as they will be able to gain
feedback and share their ideas. This will connect as the teacher guides the student
to start thinking about the topics that they will research during this lesson and the
students beginning to research what they are interested in.
Higher
Order
Thinkin 1. Summarize the ways you impact the environment. (Evaluate, level 6)
g
Question 2. Why does the compost bag affect the environment? (Apply, level 3)
s
(HOTQs
) 3. How would you advocate for the environment based on the impacts of
humans? (Evaluate, level 6)
5. Defend how your plan advocates for the environment? (Evaluate, level 6)
6. Compare your plan to your peers’ plans to advocate for the environment.
(Evaluate, level 7)
1. Students will start by gathering what they know about human impact on
the environment and writing this down on sticky notes.
2. Students will then place their sticky notes on the left side of the chart
labeled “know.”
3. The teacher will then go through these sticky notes with the students and
share what they wrote.
4. Students will then write what they want to know/have questions about
regarding human impact on the environment on some sticky notes.
5. Students will then place their sticky notes on the right side of the chart
labeled “wonder.”
6. The teacher will then go through these questions and read them to the
class.
1. This may allow students to become interested in ways they can
help fix the negative impacts and what they want to research.
During:
The teacher will then start the lesson by reading Becoming a Good Creature by Sy
Montgomery.
The students and teacher will discuss what they learned from the book.
Then, the teacher will show a video about human impact on the Environment.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um-bo2MWDsQ
Students will turn and talk about things that stood out to them during the video.
The teacher will then have the students share with the entire class. The teacher
will then lead a discussion about how humans impact the environment.
“Summarize the ways you impact the environment.” (Evaluate, level 6)
After:
The teacher will show the students an example of a compost bag. The teacher will
explain that they will be creating one themselves tomorrow.
Students will complete the exit ticket and turn it in. The teacher will read some of
the answers to the questions out loud anonymously to get students further thinking
about what they want to research. The exit ticket will determine which students
will be researching positive impacts and which students will be researching
negative impacts.
Beginning:
The teacher will separate the students in groups based on their topic. (Positive
impacts or negative impacts)
During:
Students will watch a video and complete a compost bag in their groups using:
Empty soda bottles (1 for each student)
soil
spray bottle
water
fruit scraps
dirt
fertilizer
chicken manure fertilizer
leaves
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHYzRaepeMw
After:
The teacher will orally assess the students where they’ll explain how their
compost bag helps the environment. “Why does the compost bag affect the
environment? (Apply, level 3)” The teacher will review research expectations and
safety as a class. The students will work in their groups to plan and brainstorm
their research.
Beginning:
The teacher will explain what students will be doing today and get students in
their groups. Students will start their research in their groups based on either
negative or positive impacts. “How would you advocate for the environment
based on the impacts of humans?” (Evaluate, level 6)
During:
The teacher will walk around to check in on groups to answer any questions as
students research about their topic. The students will use articles and books
provided by the teacher to research or find information about their topic.
After:
The teacher will see if students have any questions so far about their research and
help clarify any misunderstandings. Students will turn in a group self-assessment.
The self-assessment will be based on where students are at with their groups and
how they are feeling.
Beginning:
The teacher will begin the lesson by telling students that they will be presenting
tomorrow and that today will be for them to wrap up any research they still need
and their final product. Create a project that advocates for the environment and
includes a positive or negative impact (Create, level 7).
During:
Students will continue and wrap up their final product. Students will also share
their work with their peers to revise and edit what they have so far if needed.
After:
The students will turn in a second group self-assessment. The teacher will check
with each group to see how much they have progressed on their projects and
clarify that presentations will begin starting in class tomorrow.
Day 5: Presentations
Beginning:
The teacher will begin the lesson by making sure students' presentations are ready
to present. Once students are ready, students will start presenting.
During:
Students will present their presentations to the class while the teacher grades each
student or takes notes based on the final product. The rubric will be used to
support and help grade the final product.
During the presentations, students will be writing what they learned and what they
have questions about on sticky notes (wonder wall). After each presentation, the
students will come up and post their sticky notes on the wonder wall. The students
presenting will discuss these questions the students may have or what they have
learned. “Defend how your plan advocates for the environment?” (Evaluate, level
6)
After:
The lesson will close with the presentations that were presented being
summarized and allowing students to talk about what they learned from their
classmates' presentations. “Compare your plan to your peers’ plans to advocate
for the environment.” (Evaluate, level 7)
Lesson Day 1:
Closure Students will complete the exit ticket and turn it in. The teacher will read some of
the answers to the questions out loud anonymously to get students further thinking
about what they want to research.
Day 2:
Students will explain how their compost bag helps the environment. The teacher
will review research expectations and safety as a class. The students will work in
their groups to plan and brainstorm their research.
Day 3:
The teacher will see if students have any questions so far about their research and
help clarify any misunderstandings. The teacher will check with each group to see
how much they have progressed on their projects as well as look over the group
self-assessment.
Day 4:
The teacher will check with each group to see how much they have progressed on
their projects and clarify that presentations will begin starting in class tomorrow.
Day 5:
The lesson will close with the presentations that were presented being
summarized and allowing students to talk about what they learned from their
classmates' presentations.
Re- Day 1
teaching The first lesson is based on a whole group discussion of positive and negative
- impacts that humans have on the environment. As a reteach or practice, there
Engage could be particular focus on some ideas students already know about or can
ment, connect with.
Practice
Day 2
The second lesson is based on students completing a compost bag. Then starting
their research. There could be connections of what was talked about yesterday to
get students thinking about what they want to read and research. As well as the
questions students had on their exit ticket or compost bag be answered or
prompted to students for research.
Day 3
The third lesson is based on students starting to complete their research. The
teacher can have students ask questions and provide time for students to talk to
their peers about what they read to get more engaged with the texts they haven't
read or looked at yet for tomorrow's research. The reading articles and books can
be sorted by level of comprehension for differentiation.
Day 4
This is the day for students to wrap up their research and presentations. The
teacher can support students by allowing for an extra few minutes of the next class
to submit everything. The teacher can also provide a script (video), or template
based on how the student is choosing to present the topic.
Day 5
Students will encourage one another and ask questions, if any, as their peers
present their projects. This will allow for more understanding, clarification, and
discussion.
Extensio Day 1
ns Come up with a strategy of conducting your research and provide some sources
that you might use and how you know they are credible based on the given
resources. Focus more on the questions being asked from the exit tickets.
Day 2
Students can create their own compost bags of found materials for further
understanding and scaffolding of the activity.
Days 3 and 4
Students can come up with their own source to research more about their topic.
This will allow students to practice doing more research and finding a credible
source. If needed, students can explore the impacts of plants, weather, and
animals.
Day 4 and 5
Students can make a poster or a summary with multiple positive and negative
impacts of the environment based on their research and their peers' presentations.
References
Andrus, A. (2020). The plastic problem: 60 small ways to reduce waste and save the Earth.
Lonely Planet Global Limited.
Bybee, R. W. (2009). The BSCS 5E instructional model and 21st century skills. Colorado
Springs, CO: BSCS.
Carly and Adam. (2019, September 16). 3 ways to spark student curiosity throughout the year.
Carly and Adam. Retrieved November 16, 2021, from
https://carlyandadam.com/thecarlyandadam/student-curiosity.
C., A., F, B., Mkt, Janine, Karen, Cupcake, M., & Ashley. (2020, July 8). How to use a personal
word wall book. Foxwell Forest. Retrieved November 16, 2021, from
https://foxwellforest.com/personalwordwallbook/.
Clinton, C., & Marino, G. (2019). Don't let them disappear: 12 endangered species across the
globe. Philomel Books.
Duncan, A. (2021, October 10). Poster and Video Rubric. Ansley Duncan.
'evaluate' anchor chart. Teachers Pay Teachers. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2021, from
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Evaluate-Anchor-Chart-1394252.
French, J. (2019). What a waste: Trash, recycling, and protecting our planet. DK Publishing.
Fox, C. C. (2021, February 16). Plastic pollution. Science. Retrieved November 2, 2021, from
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/plastic-pollution.
Harvey, S., & Daniels, H. (2015). Comprehension & Collaboration: Inquiry Circles for
Curiosity, Engagement and Understanding (Revised Ed.). Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Johnson, J. C., & Sadler, S. L. (2011). Seeds of change: Wangari's gift to the world. Lee & Low.
Kid's Guide to helping the planet: Brown, kai, Brown ... (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2021,
from https://www.amazon.com/Kids-Guide-Helping-Planet-Brown/dp/B0851MHJ8Z.
Kurt, S. "Lev Vygotsky – Sociocultural Theory of Cognitive Development," in Educational
Technology, July 7, 2020. Retrieved from https://educationaltechnology.net/lev-vygotsky-
sociocultural-theory-of-cognitive-development/
Montgomery, S., Green, R., & Montgomery, S. (2020). Becoming a good creature. Houghton
Mifflin Harcourt.
Potenza, A. (2020). Marching for the Planet. Science World, 76(9), 18-21.
Research plan anchor chart. The Teacher Bag. (2017, May 20). Retrieved November 16, 2021,
from https://theteacherbag.com/awakening-the-genius-in-you-primary-classroom-genius-
hour/research-plan/.
Save the earth tips. National Geographic. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2021, from
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/nature/save-the-earth/topic/save-the-earth-tips.
Shaw, A. (2021, March 25). Tour a recycling center. Science. Retrieved November 2, 2021,
from https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/tour-a-recycling-center.
Stem steps of the scientific method posters anchor charts. Teachers Pay Teachers. (n.d.).
Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/STEM-
Steps-of-the-Scientific-Method-Posters-Anchor-Charts-712076.
Teaching opinion writing in the primary grades. Hameray Publishing. (2019, October 8).
Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://www.hameraypublishing.com/blogs/all/teaching-
opinion-writing-in-the-primary-grades.
__Include at least 1-2 ways that humans impact the environment 20 points
__Create a plan that advocates for the environment (ex: how will you recycle?) 20 points
Notes:
Appendix C: Group Self-Assessment:
Appendix D: Wonder Wall
Appendix E: Vocabulary Support
Appendix F: Compost Bag
Appendix G: Observation Sheet
Appendix H: Anchor Chart for Evaluate
Appendix I: Anchor Chart for Opinion