| Objectives
There were two differing but related objectives to this project. The
first was to give students a hands-on application of principles that
were discussed in the classroom. As a result, the students learned to
measure, observe and record data as if they were scientists working
on a specific project. They were expected to give evidence of change
due to temperature, to explore the three states of matter, to collect
data through observation and investigation, and to draw conclusions
through reasoning. Math skills were enhanced because students had to
demonstrate the ability to measure objects, to compare measurements,
to write measurement abbreviations, to read a thermometer, and to add
and subtract lengths.
They were also expected to demonstrate an ability to
construct a representational graph and write a summary of information.
This whole process allowed the students to get a working knowledge of
what properties of materials make them useful for construction.
The second objective was to develop in my students a
passion and a desire to pursue an interest in science, technology, engineering
and math.
Approach
The year-long science theme in our first- and second-grade multi-age
classroom is change. Throughout the year we learn about change by studying
many concepts including weather and matter. During these studies it
became apparent that the district lessons and units rarely tied concepts
to various disciplines.
The Snow Creature Project was created to give students
the opportunity to combine skills from several areas. For example, students
used skills they learned in math to measure, graph, subtract and compare
numbers and data. They used skills learned in writing to describe observations
and record thoughts in their Snow Creature journal. These multiple dimensions
of the project allowed the students to gain practical experience in
understanding the relationship between math, science and writing.
While experiencing this relationship students were also
being introduced to the ideas of design, creation, architecture and
engineering. These are areas that first and second grades rarely have
an opportunity to pursue.
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Relevance
In the world of first and second grades nothing is more relevant than
playing. Children at this age also have an innate desire to create.
By allowing children to construct something out of snow, we are going
beyond just a lesson in content learning. This activity goes beyond
passive learning and is extremely motivating to students. The students
take great pride in having the freedom to create something that is uniquely
theirs. There is great impact in the connection students make between
themselves and real-life scientists, engineers and architects. The students
get very excited and inspired when we have an architect or engineer
visit our classroom as a guest speaker.
Throughout this project students are given opportunities
to apply scientific thinking to what they have learned. They are exposed
to the experience of observing and analyzing data. Through all of their
hard work, students develop a passion for designing, creating, examining
and prediction. This passion and positive experience will serve as inspiration
for young students to grow up to pursue careers in math, science and
engineering.
Assessment
Students in my class consistently score well above the school and district
averages on science and math district common assessments. As a measure
of long-term impact on students, those who participated in the project
in second grade took the fifth grade MEAP this year and scored in the
96th percentile. On the third-grade math MEAP, 100% of students who
participated in the project over the past two years passed, and more
than 90% scored in the advanced category. All of these scores are well
above district and state averages.
Challenges
As in many attempts at innovation, funding is always an essential challenge.
Better funding would have allowed me to enhance aspects of this project.
As it exists, the project is inexpensive and requires few supplies.
It allows students of all socioeconomic groups to have the same experience.
Of course, a great obstacle of this project is the weather; snow is
a necessary component and the density of the snow is important also.
We have been very fortunate to this point since it eventually snows
in Michigan. Another weather challenge, of course, is rain. Spending
an hour building a creature only to have it rain that night is a great
learning experience, but it is also a huge disappointment for first-
and second-graders.
Another challenge is having the children do their projects
on an elementary school playground. Some children are not always respectful
of other students’ property. This offers an opportunity for discussions
on empathy and respect, which turn out to be by-products of the original
goals listed above.
Another challenge is adjusting the lesson to the needs
of my entire class. Our multi-age class has 45 first- and second-grade
students. The students vary in ability and experience and all learn
very differently. Creating a project that can challenge and motivate
high-achieving students as well as actively engaging struggling students
is a daunting task. This is a challenge that every teacher faces in
just about every phase of teaching.
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