P-12 LM Design Document

Objective and First Grade Standards: S1E1. Students will observe, measure, and communicate weather data to see patterns in weather and climate. a. Identify different types of weather and the characteristics of each type. b. Investigate weather by observing, measuring with simple weather instruments (thermometer, wind vane, rain gauge), and recording weather data (temperature, precipitation, sky conditions, and weather events) in a periodic journal or on a calendar seasonally. c. Correlate weather data (temperature, precipitation, sky conditions, and weather events) to seasonal changes. NETS-Students: 1. Creativity and Innovation: Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. b. Create original works as a means of personal or group expression d. Identify trends and forecast possibilities 3. Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. A. Plan strategies to guide inquiry B. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media C. Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks D. Process data and report results

4. Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. a. Identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation b. Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project c. Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions

Weather Unit Design

1) Time Flexibility: This course will be taught using synchronous and asynchronous learning methods. The students will receive instruction online discussing the weather standard. Students will be required to login using a collaborative web system to learn the daily curriculum (for example: Blackboard Collaborate, Wimba, etc). Following the daily lesson, students will receive websites to investigate and a journaling assignment (final project). 2) Group Composition: The teacher will arrange the group composition. The learning styles will be considered when forming groups. The group members are required to review their assigned peers journals and make discussion posts regarding them. For example) They may be asked to compare/contrast the weather that they are reading about to the weather at their home. They make be asked to simply make sure all areas were addressed (using the rubric), etc. 3) Learning Tasks: The students will be required to complete asynchronous and synchronous learning tasks. Students will be required to actively participate in the daily lessons online. These

lessons will be in a slideshow format. They may do this by using the chat feature or using interactive tools. Most of the course will be in an asynchronous format. The students, following the daily (synchronous) lesson will be required to research weather using interactive websites and complete writing prompts using an online blog space. These websites may include audio and video features for further investigation. In addition, students will be required to provide timely feedback upon their peers discussion blog responses. The students must respond daily to the writing prompt by 12 PM Eastern Standard Time and respond to their peers writing prompt (s) by 12 PM Eastern Standard Time the following day. In addition, a final assessment will be required for the students to complete. It will be in a multiple choice type format. This too will be in an asynchronous type format. It will not be open book; however, it will be based on the honor system. 4) Instructors Role: As an online instructor, I will take on the role as a facilitator; however, in the synchronous format, I will also be a lecturer. I will respond to journal (blog) postings, grade the final assessment in a timely format, and respond to e-mails in a timely manner. In addition, it will be my role to ensure respect and effort is evident in the peer responses on the blog websites as well as encouraging collaboration. As an online instructor, it is important that my writing (discussion) prompts be meaningful and gives others the ability to collaborate successfully. 5) Learning Engagement: In addition to responding to discussion prompts and participating in the synchronous lessons, students will be required to investigate weather-based lessons and complete assignments in those web-based resources. The interaction of the online resources will also help maintain engagement.

6) External Resources: Students may complete simple experiments, instructions provided on Weather Wiz Kids website, take pictures, and send information/results via e-mail. 7) Quality Feedback and Formative Assessment: The students will receive a final grade based on participation. Students will be grouped with other students and be required to participate in discussions/responses. As the instructor, I will monitor their active participation. If the required participation is not being met, I will e-mail the student. In addition, I will respond to their journal entries/discussion posts. After the final assessment is complete, I will return the final grade within 24-48 hours. 8) Time Management: The students will be required to attend the daily synchronous lessons. Then, they must further investigate the standards by going to the web-links provided. Finally, students must post to their observational journal by 12 PM Eastern Standard Time (daily). Peers must respond (daily) to their group members blog by 12 PM the following day. The Internet investigation and follow up activities must be completed by 11:30 PM on the day assigned. As the instructor, I will respond to e-mails, questions, and discussion posts within a standard 24 hour period. 9) Dimensions of Flexibility: A) Multiple Means of Representation: The content will be presented in various formats such as: audio, video, and slide show formations. The information will have supporting resources for exploration on the same topic found on different websites. In addition, there will be some forms of graphic representations. B) Multiple Means of Expression: Students will be allowed to use text to speech software, if needed. Students will also be using a blogging

website for journal entries. C) Multiple Means of Engagement: Students will participate in concise threaded discussions and inquiry through weather websites that may include game playing. Resources: Unknown. (Artist). (2012, April 18). Icon cloud outline symbol drawing kids sun [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from http://pixabay.com/en/icon-cloud-outline-symboldrawing-37011/