Madison Public Schools R.E.A.C.H/Gifted and Talented Unit Plan Title: Evolving Inventions
Grade: 4
Content Area: Literacy Objective: ​
As a means of enrichment, students will ● Research the evolution of an invention over time. ● Organize research by examining how the invention began, its present form and how the invention may continue to evolve in the future. ● Present findings to the class. Time Allotted:​
45 minute sessions once a week for 6 weeks; with the flexibility to extend to 8 weeks Materials: Session 1: ● Project example ● Large chart paper (create classroom expectations) ● Markers ● R.E.A.C.H contract ● Project description Session 2: ● KWL copies ● Laptops (if available) ● Non fiction text feature posters ● Text feature scavenger hunt ● Past note taking/rough draft sheet Session 3: ● Laptops (if available) ● Present note taking/rough draft sheet Session 4: ● Future note taking/rough draft sheet ● Tri – folds ● Markers ● Glue Session 5: ● Tri – folds ● Markers ● Glue ● Computer to show BrainPOP ● Public Speaking tips ● Notecards Session 6: ● Tri – folds ● Rubrics for scoring Resources/Helpful Links: ● http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/lessonplans/theme/inventions.htm ● http://www.teachervision.fen.com/inventions/teacher­resources/6636.html ● http://www.brainpop.com/english/studyandreadingskills/publicspeaking/preview.weml Lessons/Steps: Session 1​
‐ Introduce Project – Show example ● Make class expectations together – write on large chart paper to be posted in the room. Students sign R.E.A.C.H. contract ● Mini Lesson on Inventions (attached) – about how inventions make our lives easier ● Pass out project description – read through together; this describes the project and what will be expected from each partnership ● Brainstorm possible project ideas – popular inventions ● Students choose a partner and together they have time to discuss the invention that they want to do – sign up for the invention, share out with class what they are doing Homework​
: Bring two articles about your invention Session 2​
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KWL on invention – Begin Laptop Research (Past) ● *If laptops are not available – take a visit to the school library, students should be able to find books on their invention. Students can also use the classroom computer to print out any articles that will be helpful* ● First students complete the K&W components of the KWL. This will help guide research – students have the freedom to add other information that they find interesting to share that are not part of the components required. ● Discussion on useful hints for gathering relevant information from informational text (quick review of text features; examples attached) *Encourage the students to become experts on their invention – inventions are all around us, and it is a great learning opportunity to know so much about such an important invention. If necessary, students complete non fiction text feature scavenger hunt. ● Students will have guiding questions to answer that they must include in their posters (attached). Homework​
: Keep working on Research Session 3​
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Continue research (Past) ● Students continue using their resources to meet the criteria needed for their poster boards. At the end of this class session students should have completed the past and present notes and rough drafts – if they have not, they should complete them for homework. Homework:​
Complete past and present research and rough drafts (if necessary) Bring to class any pictures that you wish to add to your poster. Session 4​
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Discussion about the future; Begin final drafts for tri‐fold ● Give students tips on how to think of the future of this invention (How can this invention be more useful and effective for people in the future? How can it become better? What will it be able to do that it can’t do now? How will it look different?) ● *If students in partnerships have different ideas for the future of their invention they may each write up and draw their own future predictions Homework​
: Bring in any relevant pictures, if students would like, they can work on typing their final drafts Session 5​
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Research to tri‐fold; Mini lesson on how the board should look (attached) ● At this point, students should be ready to take their research to their poster board. Students will have time to write or type final drafts of their findings ● Take the last 15 minutes of the class to discuss public speaking tips ● Show the BrainPOP video on public speaking – http://www.brainpop.com/english/studyandreadingskills/publicspeaking/preview.weml ● Attached is a list of tips that should be reviewed with the students Homework:​
Anything necessary to finish project – speech note cards Session 6​
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Finishing touches on the tri‐fold; Project Presentations and celebrations ● Give students the first 10 – 15 minutes of class to do any finishing touches on their poster. Urge students to practice what they will present (remind them to think of the public speaking tips that were discussed) ● Each partnership has 5 minutes to present; After the presentation the students peers ask them any relevant questions that they have. ● Students exchange “invention trading cards” so they have a collection of what their classmates learned ● Celebrate the students learning – keep the projects for future display Lesson Extensions/ Presentation Options: ● Build a model of future invention ● Create an ad for your future invention