3rd Grade  Project 2 weeks

"Adventures in Area Exploration!"

Alexa Hardin
CCSS.Math.Content.3.MD.C.5
CCSS.Math.Content.3.MD.C.7
DA:Pr6.1.3.a
Productive Collaborator
Effective Communicator
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Purpose

Students will collaboratively design a community garden layout, applying their understanding of area measurement and spatial awareness. By engaging with environmental experts, they will incorporate sustainable practices such as composting and water conservation into their designs. This project fosters teamwork and communication as students work together to create a garden plan that effectively utilizes space and resources.

Learning goals

Students will explore the concept of area by designing a community garden, applying multiplication and addition to calculate space usage. They will collaborate with peers and environmental experts to integrate sustainable practices, enhancing their understanding of resource management. Through this project, students will develop communication skills by presenting their garden designs and explaining their choices to diverse audiences.
Standards
  • [Common Core] CCSS.Math.Content.3.MD.C.5 - Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
  • [Common Core] CCSS.Math.Content.3.MD.C.7 - Relate area to the operations of multiplication and addition.
  • [National Core Arts Standards] DA:Pr6.1.3.a - Identify the main areas of a performance space using production terminology (for example, stage right, stage left, center stage, upstage, and downstage).
Competencies
  • Productive Collaborator - Engages with others to achieve a common goal through building positive relationships, actively listening, showing empathy, and making individual contributions to a larger group.
  • Effective Communicator - Engages diverse audiences respectfully by exchanging ideas and information responsibly, listening actively, speaking and writing clearly, and using print and digital media appropriately.

Products

Students will collaboratively design and create scaled models of a community garden using grid paper and craft materials, demonstrating their understanding of area and space utilization. They will present their models to classmates and community partners, explaining their design choices and how they incorporated sustainable practices. Throughout the project, students will maintain a digital journal documenting their learning process, reflections, and contributions to group discussions.

Launch

Begin with a visit to the community garden or a virtual tour if in-person is not possible, where students can observe different types of plants and garden layouts. Encourage students to sketch their observations and note the use of space. Follow up with a discussion on how gardens can be designed to efficiently use available area, introducing the concept of area measurement. This sets the stage for students to collaboratively plan their own garden design, applying their observations and new knowledge.

Exhibition

At the end of the project, students will host a "Community Garden Design Showcase" where they present their garden plans to peers, teachers, and community members. Each group will display a scaled model of their garden design, highlighting how they maximized space and resources. Students will explain their design choices, incorporating mathematical concepts of area and sustainable practices learned from community partners. The exhibition will include interactive stations where attendees can engage with composting and water conservation techniques demonstrated by the students. This event encourages students to communicate their ideas effectively and collaborate with diverse audiences.