Science Core Ideas 

As an educator, one of my goals is teaching students to ask questions, be critical, and hypothesize. I plan to incorporate project-based learning initiatives to allow students to test hypotheses, answer complex questions, practice teamwork, and make real-life connections.

What This Looks Like in the Classroom 

During my student teaching, I created a 5th grade project-based learning unit plan for the "Earth's Systems" unit in Science. This unit plan includes 4 connected lessons about how the four spheres of the Earth interact. This lesson includes group work, opportunities for independent choices in lessons, use of technology, and an arts-integrated lesson where students constructed models of the geosphere using materials of their choosing with group-mates. 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CtB0Ma8gPhqRkaYFFfInnryIrJ423fCSYLEYtwIjM_E/edit?usp=sharing 

Work samples: These are from lesson 3 in the unit plan. Students worked together to make models of the geosphere with materials like foam shapes, paint, tissue paper, construction paper, clay, toothpicks pom-poms, and even lifesaver candy!