Project Activities
Activities
Transform the classroom into a disaster simulation zone and engage students in decision-making to experience challenges of hardship
Students explore the historical context of the Great Depression through interactive digital archives and firsthand accounts to understand the impact on people and environments, addressing the essential question
Engage in a collaborative simulation where students experience the challenges of drought and migration, making decisions that impact survival and community resilience
Students explore digital archives and firsthand accounts to understand the era, using bilingual resources for accessibility
Students collaborate to establish team norms and roles, reflecting on individual strengths and responsibilities
Analyze character responses to hardship in 'Bud, Not Buddy' and 'Out of the Dust' through group discussions
Students work in groups to analyze primary sources related to migration during the Great Depression, citing textual evidence to support their analysis
Students reflect on the simulation and connect their experiences to the primary sources, discussing the causes and effects of migration patterns
Practice citing textual evidence to support character analysis and inferences using guided examples
Implement and review the collaboration rubric to guide effective teamwork and communication
Explore area and volume through hands-on activities, decomposing shapes to model formulas
Investigate how ecosystems changed during droughts in the Great Depression through research and visual data interpretation
Begin exploring the physical properties of matter to distinguish between pure substances, homogeneous mixtures, and heterogeneous mixtures, with hands-on experiments
Begin sketching initial designs for resilience pods, focusing on geometric efficiency and practicality
Reflect on design inspirations and character traits that influence pod concepts in a shared digital journal
Investigate ecosystem changes during droughts using interactive maps and visuals
Students model area formulas for geometric shapes and write equations representing problems related to area and volume
Introduce the design challenge where students will create models of resilience pods using geometric calculations, discussing initial ideas in groups
Conduct experiments to distinguish between pure substances, solutions, and mixtures, focusing on density
Students reflect on key learnings and group dynamics, setting goals for the upcoming week
Students analyze key characters from 'Bud, Not Buddy' and 'Out of the Dust' to understand resilience in fiction, citing textual evidence to support their analysis
Students analyze historical maps and trace migration patterns during the Dust Bowl, identifying key routes and geographical challenges
Students brainstorm real-world survival strategies that mirror those found in the literature, organizing ideas into a graphic organizer
Students examine primary and secondary sources related to the Great Depression, citing textual evidence and summarizing key points
Teams brainstorm initial ideas for resilience pods, discussing potential features that respond to environmental hardships
Conduct a Document-Based Question activity to assess understanding of historical context and migration influences
Students apply area and volume calculations to design initial sketches of their resilience pods, using equations to represent their designs
Students explore physical properties of materials and how density affects design, using hands-on activities
Conduct hands-on experiments to investigate the physical properties of materials that could be used in pod construction, documenting observations
Students write a brief reflection on how geography influenced migration and material choices for their pod design
Introduction to area and volume calculations for pod design using real-world examples and problem-solving scenarios
Students begin drafting a proposal for their resilience pod, focusing on integrating research on drought and migration with their design
Teams outline their pod structures using geometric shapes, planning for functionality and efficiency
Students exchange drafts and provide structured feedback on clarity, coherence, and integration of research
Teams share initial design sketches and give/receive feedback using a structured protocol
Students refine their resilience pod sketches based on peer feedback, ensuring accurate geometric calculations and material considerations
Complete a short assessment on material properties and density to prepare for hands-on testing
Students learn techniques for effective presentations, preparing to communicate their design process and proposals to an audience
Conduct experiments to test different materials for pod construction, recording observations and data
Students document their learning progress, challenges faced, and strategies for improvement
Students collaboratively analyze drought effects on ecosystems, using graphs and charts to make predictions and draw conclusions
Students apply area and volume formulas to calculate dimensions for their resilience pod designs
Conduct hands-on experiments to differentiate between pure substances, homogeneous mixtures, and heterogeneous mixtures, discussing implications for disaster relief
Teams refine their pod sketches, ensuring mathematical accuracy and practical functionality
Students reflect on mathematical strategies used and connections to resilience themes in literature
Students investigate density and physical properties to select optimal materials for pod construction
Apply area formulas for geometric shapes in the context of resilience pod design, decomposing and rearranging shapes for optimal space utilization
Write and solve equations related to the volume of right rectangular prisms, applying these calculations to the resilience pod models
Begin drafting essays linking novel character resilience to design decisions, focusing on organization and coherence
Implement 'TAG' feedback method to enhance writing drafts and design ideas with peer support
Students complete tasks calculating area and volume of given figures to ensure readiness for pod design
Analyze the resilience strategies of fictional characters from Bud, Not Buddy and Out of the Dust, connecting them to real-world survival tactics
Develop drafts of informational texts, organizing ideas with a thesis statement and purposeful structure, reflecting depth of thought
Students finalize pod dimensions, incorporating feedback from math skills check
Students revise their explanatory essays, integrating peer suggestions and teacher feedback
Analyze resilience traits in 'Bud, Not Buddy' and 'Out of the Dust,' connecting them to design choices
Edit drafts using standard English conventions, focusing on complex sentences, subject-verb agreement, and correct punctuation
Begin constructing prototypes using selected materials, applying geometry concepts
Refine resilience pod models using geometric calculations and matter properties, preparing for presentation to local emergency planners
Students summarize achievements and set goals for next week's peer feedback session
Students collaborate in teams to construct physical mockups of their resilience pod designs using craft materials, applying geometric calculations and material properties
Students engage in structured peer review sessions to give and receive feedback on their pod design sketches using a 'two stars and a wish' protocol, focusing on clarity and innovation
Guide students in revising their explanatory essays by integrating peer feedback and ensuring coherence and depth in their character analysis and design rationale
Students reflect on the feedback received and set specific goals for their design and writing revisions, documenting insights in a shared digital journal
Conduct tests on resilience pod mockups to evaluate stability and functionality, documenting observations and making necessary design adjustments
Students work collaboratively to incorporate peer feedback into their resilience pod designs, making adjustments for improved functionality and aesthetic appeal
Analyze a scene from 'Bud, Not Buddy' or 'Out of the Dust' to identify resilience strategies, connecting these to the design process and survival tactics
Students edit and refine their explanatory writing drafts, focusing on organizing information effectively and using precise language to convey their ideas
Students record their progress and challenges faced during the revision process, reflecting on how feedback has strengthened their work
Students apply mathematical calculations and scientific reasoning to finalize their pod designs, ensuring accuracy in dimensions and material selection
Students refine their disaster relief proposals by integrating peer feedback and additional research on historical and scientific contexts
Engage in a structured peer review session to provide feedback on proposal clarity, coherence, and use of textual evidence, followed by editing
Students begin creating visual aids and organizing their oral presentations to effectively communicate their design process and solutions
Students participate in peer critique circles, practicing their presentation skills and receiving constructive feedback to enhance clarity and engagement
Students make final adjustments to their pod models based on math and science insights, preparing for the upcoming exhibition
Develop presentation materials, including visual aids and speaking notes, to effectively communicate the design and rationale of the resilience pods
Students rehearse their presentations in small groups, focusing on clear articulation of ideas and effective use of visual aids
Practice delivering presentations in small groups, focusing on clarity and engagement, while peers provide constructive feedback
Students reflect on their biggest win of the week and identify an area to continue improving as they prepare for the exhibition
Complete the construction of resilience pod models using finalized designs and selected materials, ensuring all geometric calculations are accurate
Complete hands-on lab to test material properties and effectiveness, followed by a reflection session using science vocabulary
Investigate density and select materials that enhance resilience pod functionality, incorporating bilingual materials for accessibility
Present annotated posters with calculations for pod dimensions, emphasizing area, volume, and efficiency
Conduct comprehensive tests on the constructed resilience pods to assess their stability, durability, and functionality, documenting observations and results for analysis
Engage in structured gallery walk to provide feedback on design calculations and their application to real-world scenarios
Compare resilience strategies from 'Bud, Not Buddy' and 'Out of the Dust' to real-world scenarios, drawing connections to the resilience pod design and survival tactics
Begin final assembly of pod prototypes using mathematically accurate dimensions and selected materials
Integrate feedback from previous sessions to finalize disaster relief proposals, ensuring coherence and alignment with historical and scientific research
Edit and polish informational texts, focusing on clarity, structure, and integration of textual evidence to support analysis and conclusions
Conduct a peer critique session to evaluate pod functionality and material choices, using a bilingual feedback protocol
Document insights and challenges faced during the design and construction process, with prompts for dual language learners
Develop and refine presentation materials, including visual aids and speaking notes, to effectively communicate the resilience pod design and proposal rationale
Develop visual aids and prepare bilingual scripts for upcoming presentations to local emergency planners
Conduct rehearsal sessions for presentations, receiving peer feedback on delivery, engagement, and content accuracy, making necessary adjustments
Conduct full-run presentations of resilience pod designs and proposals with peer feedback focused on clarity, engagement, and evidence use
Teams deliver draft presentations to peers, focusing on clarity and organization, while receiving constructive feedback
Students refine visual aids for presentations, ensuring they effectively support their arguments and engage viewers
Collaborate to organize the layout and flow of the exhibition space, ensuring all models, maps, and proposals are prominently displayed
Document feedback received and outline action steps for improvements in a bilingual journal
Practice public speaking techniques, emphasizing body language and voice modulation, with peer critiques
Work in teams to set up the exhibition space, arranging resilience pod models, visual aids, and informational texts for public viewing
Students refine the content of their presentations, ensuring alignment with research and project goals
Conduct practice presentations in small groups, using a structured feedback protocol to enhance delivery
Host the exhibition for local emergency planners and community members, presenting resilience pod designs and disaster relief proposals
Conduct full rehearsals with all presentation elements, simulating the exhibition environment and timing
Engage with attendees in discussions and answer questions about the design process, historical research, and real-world connections
Incorporate peer and teacher feedback into final presentation adjustments, focusing on areas of improvement
Write a brief reflection on presentation strengths and areas to refine, setting goals for the exhibition
Finalize all presentation components, including bilingual scripts and visual aids
Reflect on project learning goals and personal growth, completing self-assessment using a rubric for self-evaluation
Arrange exhibition space, ensuring accessibility and engagement for all attendees, including bilingual support
Celebrate project completion with a class discussion on feedback received, lessons learned, and future applications of skills
Host a mock exhibition for peer classes, gathering feedback to make last-minute adjustments