EDF 4512 Gifted Education Assignment 2 Differentiated Curriculum Model Marvellous Microorganisms Page 1 of 22 Content Introduction............................................................................................................................Page 2 Unit objectives........................................................................................................................Page 3 Links with VELS........................................................................................................................Page 3 Contract..................................................................................................................................Page 5 Resources...............................................................................................................................Page 7 Presentation.......................................................................................................................... Page 7 Assessment.............................................................................................................................Page 7 Core activities.........................................................................................................................Page 9 Differentiated activities..........................................................................................................Page 9 Reference ..............................................................................................................................Page 11 Appendix.................................................................................................................................Page 12 Introduction Marvellous Microorganisms is a unit in which year 9 students will study microorganisms over a period of 5 weeks. This unit has been designed to highlight both the helpful and harmful nature of microorganisms and how this impacts on humans as well as focusing on their roles in the environment. Students undertake a contract of learning to investigate microorganisms and use a range of resources to complete specific tasks and prepare a portfolio of the topic. A pre topic survey is given to facilitate negotiations of a learning contract between teacher and student which is directed by a point system. Marvellous Microorganisms provides core activities as well as differentiated activities. The purpose of this differentiation it to accommodate for all learning needs including those of students with prior knowledge of microorganisms and gifted students. This is based on the Maker Model (1982) which modifies four aspects: content, process, product and learning environment. Gardner’s multiple intelligences and Bloom’s taxonomy has also been incorporated into the unit in both core and differentiated activities. Page 2 of 22 Unit objectives Students will gain a wide range of knowledge about microorganisms and how they can impact on other living things and the environment. Students develop an understanding of microorganisms and demonstrate this knowledge through application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation. Independent learning and group work skills are developed and students are given the opportunity to take on a suitable challenging level of tasks. Tasks require students to find resource and investigate microorganisms so as to assist in the development of their researching skills Organisational skills are cultivated through the freedom of the learning contract. Some tasks require the use of science equipment and this allows the opportunity for safe science experimenting skills to be developed. Presentation skills will be developed and students will use a variety of methods to present activities as a portfolio. Links with VELS Marvellous Micro-organisms links with Level 6 of the Victorian Essential Learning Standards and encompasses all domains except for Civics and Citizenships. This unit allows opportunities for students to demonstrate achievement against the standards in: Health and Physical Education; Interpersonal Development; Personal Learning; Science; Communication; Design, Creativity and Technology; Information and Communications Technology; Thinking Processes Learning focus statements are addressed from all three strands and includes: Physical, Personal and Social Learning o Health and Physical Education: investigation of major causes of illness and personal behaviours that can impact on health as well as how government promotes and protects the health of young people. o Interpersonal Learning: with group activities different roles can be taken on by students. o Personal Learning: work independently and are encouraged to become selfregulators, develop time management and organisational skills. Discipline-based Learning Page 3 of 22 o Science: explain how the action of micro-organisms can be both beneficial and detrimental to society, formulate hypotheses and plan and conduct investigations in order to prove or disprove them, demonstrate lab safety skills and develop investigative science skills. Interdisciplinary Learning o Communication: develop skills in speech and multimedia presentations, communicate ideas in a variety of ways. o Design, Creativity and Technology: develop experimental design and create songs, board games, construct models and online activities. o Information and Communications Technology: use information and communications technology tools and techniques to develop a portfolio on micro-organisms. o Thinking Processes: reflect on activities and link with big ideas, formulate and test hypotheses. Marvellous Micro-Organisms can be used to assess a variety of Victorian Essential Learning Standards. The table below illustrates of how this unit can be used to assess some Level 6 standards. Strand Domain Dimensions Key elements of Standards Students: Health and Health knowledge and ....analyse the positive and negative Physical promotion health outcomes of a range of Education personal behaviours.... Interpersonal Building social ...behave appropriately when development relationships interacting with others. Working in teams ...work collaboratively, negotiate roles and delegate tasks. Physical, ..accept responsibility for their role personal and and tasks. social learning ...contribute ideas to the group discussions. Personal The individual learner Learning ...monitor their own progress and complete tasks on time. Managing personal .... describe tasks progress and learning achievements... ...reflect on their progress and take responsibility. Page 4 of 22 Science Science knowledge ...explain how micro-organisms can be harmful or helpful or both. ...work on set tasks in a time frame. Discipline- Science at work based learning ...create their own hypotheses and methods for experimentation. ...conduct their own experiments in a safe manner. Communication Listening, viewing and ...ask clarifying questions. responding ...consider alternative views and respond with insight. Presenting ...select suitable resources and technologies to effectively communicate. ...present activities in a variety communication forms. Design, Investigating and ...create appropriate experimental creativity, and designing designs. technology Producing ...demonstrate safe lab skills. Analysing and ..analyse trends in data and draw evaluating conclusions. ICT for visual thinking ..efficient and effective use of ICT Interdisciplinary Learning Information and Communications tools and editing techniques. Technology ICT for creating Thinking Reasoning, processing …produce accurate and suitably formatted products to suit different purposes and audiences. ...demonstrate problem solving, processes and inquiry analysing and decision making skills. Creativity ...experiment with innovative possibilities. ...engage with complex ideas. Reflection, evaluation ...reflect and evaluate on activities and metacognition and link with big ideas. Page 5 of 22 Contract Marvellous Microorganisms is based on core activities (see appendix I) and differentiated activities which are conducted as a learning contract (see appendix II) allowing students independences and freedom in learning. After a pre-topic survey (see appendix III) is conducted, student and teacher negotiate and sign a document that states which activities will be completed and the date of completion of a final portfolio of the tasks including unit reflections (see appendix IV) and a mind map (see appendix V). A minimum of 50 points will be achieved by all students. It may be the case that many students will fit into the types of Gardner’s multiple intelligence and will be assigned 6 tasks based on Bloom’s taxonomy, one of remembering (green), understanding (blue), applying (purple), analysing (yellow), evaluating (orange) and creating (red). The first two categories, remembering and comprehension are worth 5 points while the remaining are all worth 10 points. In almost all cases the method of presentation of core activities are predetermined but different presentation methods may be negotiated with the teacher. Individual ability and prior knowledge will assist the teacher in assisting the student to choose suitable activities which may involve the differentiated activities which are all worth 10 points. If the core activities are not suitable for a student then a minimum of two core activities of the higher order tasks, orange and red, are chosen and three other activities are chosen from the differentiated activities. The differentiated activities are independent tasks that allow for complete freedom of presentation by the students. Students are given a progress checklist (see appendix VI) with a list of their activities with a suggested timeline of completion of each task so to assist with their time management and ensure all tasks can be completed by the due date. The boxes are to be checked off by the students as they progress and this is a useful indicator to the teacher to show if the students are on track. After the portfolios are completed along with the reflection and mind map, students final step is to complete a self assessment (see appendix VII) to be handed in by the specified due date. The last lesson of the unit will be an exhibition of students’ portfolios where a peer or community assessment (see appendix VIII) will take place. Page 6 of 22 Resources A range of resources will be given to students to assist their research and investigation into specific tasks. Some include: Articles, statistics, media clips, online activities, plasticine, templates, internet sites, text books, stationary materials and all lab equipment. The teacher may provide guidance by suggesting where and how to find additional resources however students will be given responsibility of tracking down further resources. Presentation/Portfolio Most core activities specify methods of presentations of the tasks however this can be negotiated with the teacher. Those activities that are performance related can be filmed or recorded and can be incorporated into the final portfolio. Differentiated activities will allow complete freedom of choice in their presentations. These can include power point presentations, essay writing, posters, brochures, reports, oral presentations, etc. Presentation of the portfolio is to include a reflection as well as a mind map. Assessment/Evaluation Teacher observations 20% Portfolios 40% Reflections and mind map 20% Self assessment 10% Peer or community assessment 10% Teacher observations of organisation, work ethics, group work, etc will be made throughout the unit. Portfolios will be assessed on: completion of activity, presentation, quality, research, content, etc. (See Appendix XI). Reflections and mind maps are assessed by the teacher. Self assessments as well as peer or community assessments will be conducted after presentations and exhibition of portfolios. A combination of formative, summative and ongoing assessment, supported by the VELS, will be used in this unit. A range of assessment criteria developed from relevant standards and activities can be used to assess student achievement. The table below illustrates a variety of assessment criteria, tools and strategies that teachers may use to assess students against the standards. Page 7 of 22 Standards Assessment Criteria Evidence (Examples) Ability to: Health and Physical ....analyse the positive and Development of campaign raising Education Health negative health outcomes of a awareness. knowledge and range of personal behaviours.... Board games, songs, online activities promotion aimed to educate younger students about micro-organisms. Interpersonal ...work collaboratively, Teacher observations and records of development Working in negotiate roles, delegate tasks. contributions to discussions and taking on teams ...contribute ideas to the group different roles in the team discussions. Personal Learning ...monitor their own progress Teacher observation and students The individual learner and complete tasks on time. progress sheet with target dates. ...describe tasks progress and achievements... Science ...explain how micro-organisms Portfolios, reflection and mind map Science knowledge can be harmful or helpful or (Several yellow, orange, red activities). both. Science ...create their own hypotheses Higher Order thinking Activities (2 and 6 Science at work and methods for red). experimentation. Communication ...ask clarifying questions. Teacher observations and records of Listening, viewing and ...consider alternative views discussions. responding and respond with insight. Design, creativity, and ..analyse trends in data and Analysis of statistics and interpretations technology Analysing and draw conclusions. (Core Activity 2-Yellow) Information and ..efficient and effective use of Effective presentation of portfolio using a Communications ICT tools and editing variety of techniques. Technology techniques. evaluating ICT for visual thinking Thinking processes ...reflect and evaluate on Reflection, evaluation and activities and link with big metacognition ideas. Reflections and mind maps. Page 8 of 22 Core Activities There will be 6 core activities which are based on the framework integrating Gardner’s multiple intelligence and Bloom’s taxonomy (see appendix I ). The first two categories of Bloom’s taxonomy, remembering (green) and understanding (blue) and worth 5 points each while the remaining are worth 10 points each. Students completing all core activities must choose one of each colour but may choose more than one learning style if appropriate. The order of the colours will be the order of completion of the activities i.e. the green activity must be completed before the blue activity is started. Every student, including those interested in differentiated activities must complete one orange and one red activity. Differentiated Activities The differentiated activities, worth 10 points each, are based on the Maker Model (1982). Students can choose the method of presentation and complete a maximum of three differentiated activities Content Modifications Abstraction In what ways are humans like microorganisms? Complexity How can helpful microorganisms be harmful? How can harmful organisms be helpful? Variety Imagine a day in the life of someone in the 20th century who contracts polio. Write a (Gardner’s/Bloom’s) story adopting this persona explaining your thoughts and feelings. Organisation Collect pictures of microorganisms. Try grouping them based on similar characteristics. See how many new ways you can group them that is different from the current classification. Study of people Read the article on John Snow on how he came to his conclusions about how cholera was transmitted. Discuss the importance of his observations. Methods of enquiry Read about the work involved with microbiology. Choose a specific field in microbiology and discuss what is involved in studying organisms of that particular field? Page 9 of 22 Process Modifications High order thinking skills Analysis Analyse the statistics showing the number of cases of measles from 1989 to 2002. Draw a graph of these statistics and mark when you think a) the MMR was introduced b) parents read about a health scare about MMR . Explain your answers. Synthesis Create a campaign to raise awareness about the spread of harmful microorganisms. Include poster, chant, stickers, badges etc. Evaluation List all the ways of preventing infections. Complete a ranking ladder. Order them most to least effective. Give reasons for the order. Open-ended Processing Paradox How can helpful microorganisms be harmful? How can harmful microorganisms be helpful? Analogy How is our body’s defence against disease similar to the Defence Force’s that protect Australia? Tolerance for What if microorganisms could only grow in environments ranging from 10 to 20 ambiguity Degrees Celsius? What could happen if they only flourished in these conditions? Intuitive expression Imagine you are a virus. How do you invade the body, where do you go and what are the things you see and do. Freedom of choice Choose one helpful or harmful microorganism and become a ‘specialist’ on this microorganism so that a panel of peers can ‘pick your brains’. Group interactions After thorough investigation of immunisations, have a group discussion on the consequences of parents refusing to immunise their children. Product Modifications Real World problems Study the problems that microorganisms can create after natural disasters. What solutions have been developed to overcome these problems? OR Study the resistance that microorganisms are developing against antibiotics. What can be or what is being done to prevent this? OR Study the swine flu outbreak that occurred recently. What did they do to prevent it spreading? What more could have been done to prevent it from spreading as far as it did? OR Study the risks posed by microorganisms in domestic and commercial kitchens. What can be done to reduce Page 10 of 22 the risk of harmful microorganisms causing food poisoning? Real audiences Share your findings with the community OR TAFE students studying hospitality. Transformations Create a campaign to raise awareness about the spread of a particular harmful microorganism (e.g. flu, disease, food poisoning, etc.). Include poster, brochures, chant, stickers, slogan, badges etc. Learning Environment In using a differentiated unit it is important to modify the learning environment. Using a learning contract encourages independent and/or group work initiated by the students rather than the teacher. Responsibility for learning then becomes the students. Being able to pick from a range of activities gives students freedom of choice but as it is negotiated with the teacher it prevent them from choosing something that is not appropriately challenging. The learning environment for this unit will be student directed, one with rich learning, supported by the teacher, open to discussion and group work. Competition will be reduced as students will not be comparing themselves to others as they will all have individualised contracts. Reference Maker, C.J. (1982). Curriculum development for the gifted. Austin: Pro-Ed. Page 11 of 22 Appendix I – Bloom/Gardner’s Framework Page 12 of 22 Appendix II – Learning Contract Read the unit booklet and investigating the range of activities on offer. Pick the activities that you think you can learn the most from and that you are interested in. You must have a total of 50 points on completion of all activities. Use this list to mark the activities you would like to undertake. Present this list to the teacher when you negotiate a learning contract. If you want to complete all core activities you must have one of each colour. You can choose a single learning style (number) or you can choose from more than one learning style. Everyone, including students interested in the differentiated activities, must conduct one orange and one red activity. If you are interested in the differentiated activities you can complete a maximum of three activities. Core activities 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Green (5p) Blue (5p) Purple (10p) Yellow (10p) Orange (10p) Red (10p) Differentiated activities (10p each) Content Modifications Process Modifications Product Modifications Abstraction Analysis Real World problems( natural disasters, antibiotics, swine flu or microorganisms in kitchens) Complexity Synthesis Real audiences (community OR TAFE students) Variety Evaluation Organisation Paradox Study of people Analogy Methods of enquiry Tolerance for ambiguity Transformations Intuitive expression Freedom of choice Group interactions Page 13 of 22 Learning Contract for Microorganism Unit I ............................................................. have negotiated a learning contract and will complete the activities by the specified due date to obtain a total of 50 points. Activities (Include estimated date of completion of each activity) 1/ Points:______ Approx. Date:_______________ 2/ Points:______ Approx. Date:_______________ 3/ Points:______ Approx. Date:_______________ 4/ Points:______ Approx. Date:_______________ 5/ Points:______ Approx. Date:_______________ 6/ Points:______ Approx. Date:_______________ Total Points:_______ The presentation of the above activities will be using the following methods: 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5/ 6/ These activities will be conducted over the next 6 weeks and will be presented in a portfolio that is due on the________________________. This contract is agreed on by both student and teacher. Any adjustments to this contract will need to be discussed with the teacher. To ensure my success in this unit I am responsible for completing all tasks to the best of my ability and presenting them in the portfolio by the specified due date. Student name: _________________________________________ Student signature: _________________________________ Date: ____________________ Teacher name: __________________________________________ Teacher signature: _________________________________ Date: ____________________ Page 14 of 22 Appendix III – Pre-topic survey This is a survey to see what you already know about microorganisms. This is NOT A TEST so you will not be graded on this. It will only be used to assist in negotiating an appropriate learning contract. Do your best to recall any information about microorganisms that you already have learnt but if you are not sure about an answer to a particular question, guessing the answer is acceptable. What do you think microorganisms are? Are they dead or alive? Are they mobile or motionless? __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ What do microorganisms look like and what features do they have (i.e description)? __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ List as many examples of microorganisms as you can? __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ Do you know where we can find microorganisms? __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ Are microorganisms harmful or helpful or both? Can you think of any examples of each or both? __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ Did you learn anything about microorganisms last year? If so what are the three most important things you learnt about them? __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ On the back of this page construct a mind map about what you already know about microorganisms (See attached instructions and example). Do not use coloured pens/pencils for this mind map just use a black or blue pen. You can draw quick and simple pictures if you like but the main point is to remember to connect as many key words as possible. Page 15 of 22 Appendix IV – Unit reflection Purpose The purpose of the unit reflection is to encourage you to think about the science you learn through activities. We know that you learn many things by doing activities and experiments such as how to work in a team, work independently, how to research and investigate, how to handle equipment and how to process data. In this task we ask you to think about how the activities help you understand the science concepts you study. The reflection is also a revision and summary tool in which you compile the main points from the unit in point form. For this unit on microorganisms, the reflection will occupy two double (i.e. 4 single) pages in the book only; we will call these your reflection pages (detailed below). It is recommended that you work on this task during the unit (DON’T leave it until the END of the unit). After each Science class you should review (re-read/go over) the work that was done, then enter the appropriate data into pages one and two of your reflection. Your teacher will check every week to see that you are working on this task. The reflection is due with your portfolio and must be handed in on the specified due date. Marks will be lost for late work. The reflection pages – Instructions Across the top of pages one and two, write the title of the unit and ‘Unit overview’. Unit overview – Pages one and Two On page one, write the heading ‘All I Learnt’. Compile in point form a summary of the scientific concepts you’ve learnt during the unit. In essence, this is a summary of the topic. Next, look carefully through this list and try to select three main categories that they could fall into, i.e. decide which are the three most important, powerful or significant ideas of the topic. These are called, ‘The three big ideas’. At the bottom of page one, clearly write the title ‘The three big ideas’, and then write them. Now match up (link) the three big ideas with the summary above – you may use fluoro texter to colour code this, or numbers, etc. One page two, summarise the activities undertaken during the unit. These activities may include model building, mind map, observations, role plays, experiments, poster making, song writing or any other activity. Now you need to link your activities list to your concept list and three big ideas e.g. draw lines, colour code, etc. Page 16 of 22 Descriptions and Links – Pages three and four On page three, write the heading ‘Descriptions’. On page four, write the heading ‘Links’. Rule horizontally across the double page so that you make three sections (one for each big idea). On page three, write a concise description of each big idea, one per section. Give each big idea a heading. On page four, choose one activity for each big idea and explain how it links to the corresponding big idea. You may like to include a labelled diagram to help with your explanation. Unit reflection assessment criteria There are five criteria for the unit reflection assessment: Page One: All concepts learnt are listed and three correct big ideas are selected. Page Two: All activities listed and clear links of concepts and activities to the three big ideas. Page Three: Each big idea is clearly and logically described with scientific accuracy. Page Four: Links between an activity and the big idea explained accurately and thoroughly. Presentation: Neat, clear headings, labelled diagrams, correct grammar and spelling. Each page and the presentation are allocated 5 marks so a total of 25 marks can be achieved. Page 17 of 22 Appendix V – Mind Mapping This tool allows you to represent related ideas which radiate out from the one central idea. Mind mapping is a useful tool to share prior knowledge, to establish connections between ideas and to list ideas quickly without judgement. It supports your capacity to remember the facts that you list. Key elements to think about... Just use key words, symbols and images (where ever possible), as this allows a lot more information to be put on a page and supports your memory capacity. Make the centre a clear and strong visual image that depicts the general theme of the map, ideally using the colours you use for each branch. (I.E. 3 branches = 3 colours, 4 branches = 4 colours etc.) Each branch should be of a different colour where any writing or drawing on that branch is completed using the same colour. Put key words on lines. Print rather than write in script. Example: Microorganism Mind Map Use the above instruction and example to construct your own mind map about what you have learnt about microorganisms during this unit. Criteria: Keywords 10 points , links 10 points and symbols/images 5 points. Total of 25 points. Page 18 of 22 Appendix VI – Student Progress Checklist This checklist is to show your progress through the activities you will be conducting and the assessment pieces you need to submit. As you complete each task tick the box and write down the date of completion. Note: Your reflection is an ongoing process that you should be completing as you work on your activities. Once your activities and reflection are complete your final steps are to complete the mind map and self assessment to be submitted with the portfolio. Keep your checklist with you as your teacher may ask to see how you are progressing. Activities Tick when complete 1/ Date:______________ 2/ Date:______________ 3/ Date:______________ 4/ Date:______________ 5/ Date:______________ 6/ Date:______________ Reflection (ONGOING) Date:______________ Mind map Date:______________ Self assessment Date:______________ Complete portfolio Date:______________ Page 19 of 22 Appendix VII – Self assessment This is an opportunity for you to say how well you think you went in this unit and how you think you could have improved. Place a cross on the bar to show if agree or disagree with the statements below. I think my presentation was really good. Agree -------------------------------------------------Maybe-----------------------------------------------------Disagree I got lots done and worked very well. Agree -------------------------------------------------Maybe-----------------------------------------------------Disagree I learnt new things during this unit. Agree -------------------------------------------------Maybe-----------------------------------------------------Disagree I really liked this unit. Agree -------------------------------------------------Maybe-----------------------------------------------------Disagree Please comment on your favourite and least favourite activities. Also make a list of improvements you could have made during this unit in general (presentation, diligence, quality of work etc) and also with specific tasks (board games, songs, posters, speeches, drawings, essays, research, etc). My favourite activity was ______________________________________________________ _ This was my favourite activity because _________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ My least favourite activity was__________________________________________________ _ This was my least favourite activity because_____________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ Make a list of things that you could have improved on in general AND with specific tasks. __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ Page 20 of 22 Appendix VIII – Peer or community assessment After close examination of a students or fellow classmates portfolio please place a cross on the bar to show how well you though different aspects of the portfolio were completed. Use of researching skills (thorough, appropriate, etc) Poor ------------------------------------------------ Good------------------------------------------------ Excellent Presentation of work (neat, clear, etc) Poor ------------------------------------------------ Good------------------------------------------------ Excellent Use of different presentation skills (range of methods in displaying portfolio) Poor ------------------------------------------------ Good------------------------------------------------ Excellent Quality of information (knowledgeable, organised, etc) Poor ------------------------------------------------ Good------------------------------------------------ Excellent Quality of reflections on unit (insightful, thoughtfulness, etc) Poor ------------------------------------------------ Good------------------------------------------------ Excellent Quality of mind map (appropriate links, clear connections, etc) Poor ------------------------------------------------ Good------------------------------------------------ Excellent As a general indicator show how well you think the student/classmate achieve. Overall effort (combined work of portfolio, reflections and mind map) Poor ------------------------------------------------ Good------------------------------------------------ Excellent Please comment on ways that the work presented by the student could have been improved. Areas of improvement could be ______________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ Page 21 of 22 Appendix IX Teacher Assessment Teacher Observations (20%) Performance and effort (10 marks each) – full marks will be awarded to hard working students that demonstrate a high level of team work, independent work, focus and effort. Marks will be deducted for repeated off task and distractive behaviour. Portfolio Assessment (40%) This could be developed as a class or the following could be used: Addressing all activity (7 marks) Grammar and spelling (5 marks) The following will be applied to 4 activities chosen by the student: Scientific content (8 marks) Understanding of concepts (8 marks) Presentation (7 marks) Creativity (5 marks) Students will be given this outline and a detailed rubric at the beginning of the topic. Page 22 of 22