Teacher(s) Name: Ms. Straus, Mrs. Terry, , and
School: Kaechele ES
Grade Level(s): Grade 5
Content Area(s): Social Studies, Language Arts
Lesson Summary
For this project, our students wanted to learn about our school’s namesake, as we prepared to honor him on “Mr. Kaechele Day.” Students conduct research, listen to guest speakers, and interview family members to learn about Mr. David A. Kaechele. They then create a presentation, in collaborative groups, about his life and accomplishments. Their Google presentations are presented to each Kindergarten through 4th grade class and each presentation is tailored to the audience they are presenting to.
TIPC Ratings
Research & Information Fluency
Rating:Ideal – Explanation: The students addressed the authentic task of researching the namesake of Kaechele Elementary School, and share information with the entire school about Mr. Kaechele commemorating the first annual Mr. Kaechele Day. The teachers facilitated the research while the students utilized graphic organizers with three guiding questions and a research toolbox created by the library media specialist. The teachers organized guest speakers (former school board member, current school board member, county manager, and Mr. Kaechele’s daughters) to visit each classroom for students to learn about Mr. Kaechele. The students needed generate questions to ask the guest speakers in order to get the information needed for their project.
Communication & Collaboration
Rating: Approaching – Explanation: The students were grouped strategically, some students volunteer in the lower grade classrooms so they were able to collaborate with familiar classes/teachers. Other students were grouped in student selected groups across each fifth grade class with the assistance of teachers. Each group of students decided what their presentation would look like for their particular audience, and broke down the work so each member was the leader of different aspects of the project. The teachers had the students use Google Slides due to the ease of collaboration, and sharing between teachers for the final presentations. Students learned, during peer evaluation, how to create effective presentations and utilize the notes section within Google Slides in order to keep their slides from being crowded with text.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Rating: Ideal – Explanation: During the guest lectures the students were in charge of asking questions to help guide their research. Each group had to justify their presentation format according to their particular audience. For example, students presenting to preschool classroom, or the functional instructional setting (FIS), would look different from a group presenting to the 4th grade students. Following the lesson, the students reflected on their role within the group and how things could have been improved for the future.
Creativity & Innovation
Rating: Ideal – Explanation: Students were able to create a meaningful product to share with an authentic audience while creating something new with what they have learned. The students reflected on the entire process of working in a group and creating an authentic product for their audience. The teachers facilitated throughout the process to help students grow creatively and take risks with their project.
Student Artifact
Lesson Materials
