Submitted by: Amy Thomas, Blake Reid, Susan Baker, Heidi Santos
Collaborators: Joyce Ricks, Librarian, Suzanne Whitlow ITRT
School: Twin Hickory Elementary
Summary
After discussing the United Statesʼ dependence on oil as an energy resource and discussing some of the benefits and drawbacks of using it as a resource, students researched oil spills and the effects that recent spills have had on our environment. Students developed a book talk based on books they have read about recent oil spills. Students worked collaboratively to develop and create tools to clean up a simulated oil spill. The unit came to a close when parents were asked to post (blog) a question that they would be interested in discussing with one of our 3rd grade students. A good question would allow them to demonstrate their knowledge and apply it to current events today. Students were then given the opportunity to respond back to their parents or other students by using the same interactive forum.
TIPC Ratings
Students recognize that information can come from a variety of sources. Students consulted not only websites and books,plus they interviewed an expert in the field by formulating higher order questions in order to assemble information.
Two main sections of this unit allow students to work collaboratively. The Book Talk portion of the unit requires students to work together to create a review of their assigned book and the Children’s Engineering portion, in which groups must decide on the most effective ways to use the materials they are given to accomplish a given task. Communication also played a key piece in this project, as the students and parents were equally involved. Parents were asked to stimulate a discussion by posting (blogging) a question that they would be interested in discussing with one of our 3rd grade students. Students were given the opportunity to respond back to their parents or other students by using the same interactive forum (blogging.) In April, the community was also be given an opportunity to view and discuss this project ( and other projects of it’s kind) at our school’s Science Fair.
During the Children’s Engineering portion of this unit, students used critical thinking and problem solving to design, develop and create tools to clean up an oil spill. No direction from the teacher was given. Students worked out their solutions and created them independently.
Students analyzed information to make predictions on new solutions to solving oil spills.
