ED 353 The Arts and Movement in Integrated Curriculum R.

Martin Elementary School Team Thematic Unit Community Moving Monica, Candy Cynthia, Bashful Brittany, Reflective Rebecca,

Marshmallow Molly Jumping Jane

Your introduction to the unit is clear in giving the details about R. Martin Elementary. The mission statement and rationale for yearlong theme selection seem to be very well thought out collaborative efforts. Your cooperative work is also seen in detailed theme introductory pages. Explanation of placement is brief but grade level focus and thematic questions and opening and closing activities are well done. In your focused thematic unit of community your thematic questions are good ones. These questions that will be addressed in each of your classrooms are broad enough to allow each grade level the opportunity to explore and prepare to share a response in their particular focus area. This is done with the diversity theme as well. With the third theme what is discovery and what is curiosity are broad school wide thematic questions that should be used. It seemed that during the process of building this school your group was able to cooperate and work collectively as staff. Collaborative conversation amongst across grade levels gives the ability for each grade to have specific uniqueness while having a strong connecting tie to the overall theme. It increases everyone understanding in their role as well as their contribution to the whole. This shared information provides a framework for continuity between grade levels and adds to school wide thematic cohesiveness. Remember what served you well in this situation (and what did not). Apply it appropriately in your future endeavors as part of an education team. The opening virtual field trip is a wonderful idea and can serve as a great start to the thematic unit. You might even arrange for a walking tour of your community to reinforce and enhance the enthusiasm which can accompany this type of opening activity. The kick off activity should whet the appetite of the student body and spark their imagination and curiosity. After viewing the film and perhaps taking the walk students will be filled with theme related questions that will be addressed during the upcoming weeks in the classroom. It is important and necessary to make the experience meaningful not just an isolated activity. When followed up by grade level lessons that connect and make solid reference to your shared experience it will assist in successful culminating displays for open house. The closing activity is good as a presentational display of product. You do not detail how the students would process information from other grades. This activity should provide and facilitate opportunities for more effective conversations across grade levels. The more opportunities you give the students to individually exchange information the better. It allows them to revisit and reinforce their own investigation and understanding while addressing a deeper understanding of the thematic questions concerning the meaning of community.

ED 353 The Arts and Movement in Integrated Curriculum The R. Martin Elementary School Team Thematic Unit Community

Grade 2 Local Community Bashful Brittany ?????Working together

Utilizes art as a primary strategy Lesson used theatre to reinforce social studies concepts Integrates concepts from a different discipline Your 16 make connections to other disciplines to include music though the song language arts concepts through lyrics concepts as well as simple math methods through counting or graphing. Organized and presented in clear sequence Yes, your presentation was a clear organized sequence. Obvious connection to theme Good connection to the local community. Utilizes appropriate materials for the age of the participants Materials are suitable and age appropriate. Presented in a style that actively involves learner Yes, excellent visual aids kept your students engaged throughout activity. Includes assessment specifics (relationship w/theme objective and standards) Your 16 lesson plans demonstrate some understanding of using process as well as product for assessing. Encourage unique products that used a variety of processes. Observation of the process gives more insight to the level of learning than the resulting product. Sounds of Weather has great possibilities for good integration of the standards. The stretch in its present form is the connection to the theme which could be elevated with the direction of Milwaukee springtime weather, Milwaukee winter storm etc.