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Learning Experience/Unit

Founders of the Children's Rain Forest (Open Court) by St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES

Subject

English Language Arts (2005)

Grade Levels

Intermediate, 5th Grade

Assessment

Rubric for oral presentation. Working in groups, students will choose a cause to champion and discuss how that world problem could be solved through cooperation.

Rubric.doc

Learning Context/ Introduction

Students will read a narrative nonfiction piece describing the formation of the Children's Rain Forest organization from the SRA/McGraw-Hill Open Court Reading Anthology entitled, Cooperation and Competition (ISBN#: 0076027651). Founders of the Children's Rain Forest demonstrate how cooperation can lead to positive results.

Duration

6 Days: 5 student work days and 1 day of presentations

Essential Question

How can cooperation lead to solutions for major problems?

Instructional/Environment Modifications

Students were given access daily to classroom computers and prior basic instruction on the use of the interwrite tablet for PowerPoint presentations.

Procedure

After reading the selection on Day 1 of the Founders of the Children’s Rain Forest, the teacher provides the instructions for the classroom investigation and explains the rubric. Copies of both are provided to each student. The investigation is as follows:
You and your partners will choose a cause to champion. This must be a world cause, not a local cause. You will prepare a speech of 4 minutes or less describing your cause and how cooperation could lead to the solution of your global issue. Props such as posters, pictures, pamphlets, PowerPoint, etc… are required. You must use at least two props. The following rubric will help you to prepare as well as class time in the library, computer room and in room 301. Presentations will be on the following Monday.
Teacher will review the different types of causes, world versus local.

Students will form groups of 3-5 students, choose their cause, and assign roles within the groups. Roles within the groups include: researchers, interviewers, computer specialists, designers for project handouts and presenters. Each student is expected to play a part in each role, the extent to which is decided within the group. Usually this is based on levels of comfort, ability, and skill.
Students will utilize their daily work time (30 minutes each day) for one week and one library class period to complete the project.
Presentations will be the following Monday.
Students will be assessed using the rubric for oral presentations.

Reflections and Feedback

The students really rose to the challenge. I was impressed with their knowledge, motivation, and skill. It really opened my eyes to just how much they could accomplish. The time limits on the rubric really were not sufficient; many groups lost points in this area. In the future, I will extend the time limits on the rubric.