swirl problem-based unit proposal - regent university · scenario human overpopulation has caused...

SWIRL

Problem-Based Unit Proposal

Theme (Science Topic)

Living Systems & Animal Habitats (Forest)

Problem (Real scientific problem with multiple solutions stated as a question that will be solved over time)

What conditions will permit animals to coexist with humans in a city that is next to a forest?

Student Roles (Authentic scientist roles for students)

Students will act as engineers to design a city that sustains both animal and human life compatibly.

Scenario (Real situation and setting that is interesting and plausible)

•Human overpopulation has caused humans to build properties on land that animals consider their habitat. Animals now must search for food in their old habitat, which is now human neighborhoods with homes, buildings, and roads.

Resources (Identify and evaluate likely places students will seek information to solve the problem - internet, books, expert)

Internet, books about forest habitat, city development

Culminating Project/Assessment (Develop a final project that poses a solution)

The students will create a model of a city to show the city council so that they can redevelop the city to be amenable to animals and people so that they can safely coexist.

Safety (Identify safety issues that might arise as students gather information)

None.

Problem-Based Learning Template

Theme Animals Habitats (Forest)

Problem What conditions will permit animals to coexist with humans in a city in Virginia that is next to a forest?

Student Roles Students will act as engineers to design a city that sustains both animal and human life compatibly. Humans and animals should coexist peacefully to meet their respective needs.

Scenario Human overpopulation has caused humans to build properties on land that animals consider their habitat. Animals now must search for food in their old habitat, which is now human neighborhoods with homes, buildings, and roads.

Resources Internet, books about forest habitat, city development Culminating

Project/Assessment The student engineers will create a model of a city to show the city council so that they can redevelop the city to be amenable to animals and people so that they can safely coexist.

Safety None.

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Question map template for science content for teachers

Question Map

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

How can animals live with the humans in the city?

What can be

done to keep

the forest

animals only

in the forest?

What characteristics in the city would permit animals and humans to live together safely?

What will the city and forest plan look like in a model or map format?

What materials are needed to design city and forest model?

What safeguards will protect animals from harming humans?

What dangers do humans face from animals?

How are humans taking away animals’ forest home?

What food and habitat space

must be

present for the animals to

survive only

in the forest?

How can

physical needs

of the humans

and the animals

be met so that both groups

have enough

room?

Which role will each team member have

to design model?

How could humans not take away forest space?

What other models have

been created to use as

templates?

How many square miles?

What is the size of the

forest?


What report will explain the project to city

council?

What barriers could keep

animals safe inside forest?

How can human

buildings be

designed to take up less space?

What can humans do to use the city habitat space more efficiently?

What is the size of the city?

What kind of presentation

will be used, a Prezi or

PowerPoint?

How will you ensure that

your presentation

is presentable to city

council?

How can animals safely travel in the city?

How do animals

currently travel in the city and

how is it dangerous?

3

1

2

What laws could keep

humans from harming forest and animals?

How can laws protect forests from being sold to humans as real estate?

What conditions will permit

animals to coexist with humans in

a city in Virginia?

How does human overpopulation affect animals’ survival?

Team Action Plan for Students

(Items are added by students as they work on their problem.)

Action Plan

What do you know? What do you need to know? Where or how will you find out? Who is responsible?

Sample letter created by Ms. Molina

June 26, 2017

To: Second-Graders of XXXXX Elementary School

From: Suffolk City Council Members

Dear Second-Graders,

We would like your input in designing a better plan for the city that allows humans to live peacefully and animals in the nearby forest to live

well too. Please present your information as a visual presentation, as well as a report to explain the physical model that you create of our new and

improved city.

Sincerely,

City Council Members

SWIRL PBL Lesson Plan

SOL Content Standard(s): Science Investigation 2.1 The student will conduct investigations in which a) observation is differentiated from personal interpretation, and conclusions are drawn based on

observations; b) observations are repeated to ensure accuracy; Living Systems

2.5 The student will investigate and understand that living things are part of a system. Key concepts

include

a) living organisms are interdependent with their living and nonliving surroundings; and

b) habitats change over time due to many influences. Level 1 Question: What conditions will permit animals to coexist with humans in a city in Virginia?

Level 2 Question: How can humans coexist with animals? Level 3 Question(s): How can animals safely travel in the city? How do animals currently travel in the city and how is it dangerous?

Student Objective(s): By the end of this lesson, students will be able to determine how animals can travel safely in a city in Virginia. NOS tenets: Scientists try to remain objective and engage in peer review to help avoid bias. MONDAY

Time Activity Description Materials Guiding Questions (Teacher talk)

Anticipated Student Response

Safety Concerns

Misconceptions to Address

5 min. Describe problem of

animals being harmed traveling in the city. Go online. Ask students what they know. KWL chart and summary.

Website, KWL chart

Explain problem of deforestation and habitat loss for animals and how humans are overdeveloping animal habitat land to sustain lives.

They may not think that it is a real problem. They may not think that animals are important to preserve.

None. Animals are important to keeping our world balanced and healthy in regards to maintaining food chains.

30 min. Review dangers on website. http://citywildlife.org/urban-wildlife/threats-to-wildlife/

Why do we need food chains?

One animal eats another. None. Animals are just fine.

10 min. Add what they know on KWL chart.

books What animal travel is common?

Cats walk in streets. None. Forest animals can be dangerous so we shouldn't protect them.

10 min. Add what they learned on KWL chart.

internet What kinds of dangers do animals face in the city?

Forest animals are part of Earth's natural resources.

None. Forest animals can be dangerous so we shouldn't protect them.

10 min. Summarize what they learned about how to keep animal travel safe.

books How can animals be safer in the city?

Humans need space, food, shelter to survive.

None. All humans need big houses to live.

http://citywildlife.org/urban-wildlife/threats-to-wildlife/



TUESDAY Level 1 Question: What conditions will permit animals to coexist with humans in a city in Virginia?

Level 2 Question: How can humans coexist with animals? Level 3 Question(s): What safeguards will protect animals from harming humans? What dangers do humans face from animals? NOS: Science is a blend of logic and innovation.

Student Objective(s): By the end of this lesson, students will be able to determine how people can be safe amongst animals that enter the city from forest.



Safety Concerns


5 min. Describe problem of animals harming students in the city. Go online. Ask students what they know. KWL chart and summary.

Website, KWL chart

Explain problem of deforestation and habitat loss for animals and how humans are overdeveloping animal habitat land to sustain lives. Animals now go into city as a result.

They may not think that it is a real problem. They have not seen a sick or aggressive animal.

None. Animals are important to keeping our world balanced and healthy in regards to maintaining food chains.

30 min. Review dangers on website. Go to RABIES part of website http://citywildlife.org/urban-wildlife/threats-to-wildlife/ Go to http://www.aaanimalcontrol.com/Professional-Trapper/wildlife/VA-Norfolk-Wildlife.htm

How can animals be harmful to us? Why?

They might be sick. None. Animals are just fine.




http://www.aaanimalcontrol.com/Professional-Trapper/wildlife/VA-Norfolk-Wildlife.htm




10 min. Add what they know on

KWL chart. books What animal travel is

common? Animals can bite us. None. Forest animals

can be dangerous so we shouldn't protect them.


internet What kinds of dangers do humans face by animals?



10 min. Summarize what they learned.

books How can humans be safer in the city?



WEDNESDAY Level 1 Question: What conditions will permit animals to coexist with humans in a city in Virginia?

Level 2 Question: What can be done to keep the forest animals only in the forest? Level 3 Question(s): What food and habitat space must be present for the animals to survive only in the forest?

How are humans taking away animals’ forest home? NOS: The natural world is understandable.

Student Objective(s): By the end of this lesson, students will be able to determine the food and habitat space necessary for animals to live independently.



Safety Concerns


5 min. What do forest animals need to survive? Ask students what they

Website, KWL chart

Explain problem of deforestation and habitat loss for animals and how humans are

They may not think that it is a real problem. They have not seen a sick or aggressive animal.

None. Animals are important to keeping our world balanced

know. KWL chart and summary.

overdeveloping animal habitat land to sustain lives. Animals now go into city as a result.

and healthy in regards to maintaining food chains.

30 min. Review animal needs in a forest. Go to https://www.worldwildlife.org/habitats/forest-habitat Go to https://www.nature.org/newsfeatures/specialfeatures/animals/forest-animals.xml Go to

How can animals live in a forest safely?

Animals stay in their homes and take care of their families.

None. Animals are just fine.


books How are animal needs being met in the forest?

Animals eat smaller animals.



internet What kinds needs do forest animals have?




books How can forest animal needs be met?



https://www.worldwildlife.org/habitats/forest-habitat



https://www.nature.org/newsfeatures/specialfeatures/animals/forest-animals.xml




THURSDAY Level 1 Question: What conditions will permit animals to coexist with humans in a city in Virginia?

Level 2 Question: How does human overpopulation affect animals’ survival?

Level 3 Question(s): What can humans do to use the city habitat space more efficiently? How can human buildings be designed to take up less space?

NOS: Science is based on evidence, both observational and experimental.

Student Objective(s): By the end of this lesson, students will be able to determine the building redesign for a growing city population.



Safety Concerns


5 min. How do too many humans affect animal survival in the forest? Ask students what they know. KWL chart and summary.

Website, KWL chart

Explain problem of deforestation and habitat loss for animals and how humans are overdeveloping animal habitat land to sustain lives. Animals now go into city as a result.

They may not think that it is a real problem. They never visited a forest.

None. Animals have plenty of forest habitat to live.

30 min. Review urban sustainable living. Go to http://www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org/topics/water-and-green-infrastructure/urban-forestry

How can animals live in a forest safely without humans cutting down the forests?

Humans do not harm the forests at all.



books What steps can all citizens do to preserve forests by cities?

Buy recycled items. Recycle, reuse so we don’t cut down forests. Make fewer buildings.

None. Humans do not take away any forest land.


internet What space do forest animals need?

Forest animals have enough space.

None. Forest animals survive well

http://www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org/topics/water-and-green-infrastructure/urban-forestry





without human help.



Animals need space, food, shelter to survive.

None. They are surviving well on their own.

FRIDAY Level 1 Question: What conditions will permit animals to coexist with humans in a city in Virginia?

Level 2 Question: What characteristics in the city would permit animals and humans to live together safely?

Level 3 Question(s): How can physical needs of the humans and the animals be met so that both groups have enough room?

How can laws protect forests from being sold to humans as real estate? NOS: The natural world is understandable.

Student Objective(s): By the end of this lesson, students will be able to determine the fair amount of land people and animals should have to survive.



Safety Concerns


5 min. How can we preserve the forests and not take any more of it from the animals? Ask students what they know. KWL chart and summary.

Website, KWL chart

Explain problem of how to properly design a city to be dense enough to welcome new citizens in a growing population. Build taller buildings – not wider ones to take up less space.

The city design is just fine. No need to redesign it.

None. Animals have plenty of forest habitat to live.

30 min. Review how to create a city design plan that welcomes a growing population of humans. Go to http://www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org/topics

How can humans live safely and peacefully in the city without affecting the forest land?



http://www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org/topics/land-use-and-planning


/land-use-and-planning and click on document link to design. http://www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org/Documents/SCI/Topic_Overviews/Land%20Use%20-%20Full%20OverviewNew_NLC.pdf



Live with family for whole life so no need to buy a new place.

None. Humans do not take away any forest land.


internet What space do humans need?

Humans are fine in the space they now have.

None. Animals will like our city more than forest and move there.

10 min. Summarize what they learned about how a city redesign could help preserve the forest.




MONDAY (week 2) Level 1 Question: What conditions will permit animals to coexist with humans in a city in Virginia?

Level 2 Question: What characteristics in the city would permit animals and humans to live together safely?

Level 3 Question(s): What barriers could keep animals safe inside forest?

What laws could keep humans from harming forest and animals?

NOS: Science is a blend of logic and innovation.

Student Objective(s): By the end of this lesson, students will be able to design the forests in the city design model.


http://www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org/Documents/SCI/Topic_Overviews/Land%20Use%20-%20Full%20OverviewNew_NLC.pdf






Time Activity Description Materials Guiding Questions

(Teacher talk) Anticipated Student

Response Safety

Concerns Misconceptions

to Address

5 min. How can we keep the animals safe inside the forest and not allow humans to harm the forest? What laws should be made? Ask students what they know. KWL chart and summary.

Website, KWL chart

Explain how we can design a city that has buildings for its people and a forest protected for animals with some entry for people too (parks, trails).

Forest is already fine as it is, so is city alright.

None. No need to redesign city and forest.

30 min. Review how to design a city design plan that welcomes a growing population of humans. Go to http://www.forested.us/design/ to see circle designs for forests. Students can add city elements to design. Look at Italian architect ideas for China to combat air pollution and promote forests in city. https://www.dogonews.com/2017/5/8/italian-architect-envisions-forest-cities-to-combat-chinas-air-pollution

How can people enjoy the forest and not cut it down? Create parks, trails, habitat protection programs.


None. Humans never harm the forest.



What is a good size for forest space so animals won’t need to enter city to meet needs.

None. Animals are fine in the forest and don’t need anything in city.

http://www.forested.us/design/

http://www.forested.us/design/

https://www.dogonews.com/2017/5/8/italian-architect-envisions-forest-cities-to-combat-chinas-air-pollution





10 min. Add what they learned

on KWL chart. internet What space do humans

need? Animals and people are fine in own spaces.

None. No need to divide lands.





TUESDAY (week 2) Level 1 Question: What conditions will permit animals to coexist with humans in a city in Virginia?

Level 2 Question: What will the city and forest plan look like in a model or map format?

Level 3 Question(s): What is the size of the city?


NOS: Science is a blend of logic and innovation.

Student Objective(s): By the end of this lesson, students will be able to determine the size of the city in square miles to design model.



Safety Concerns


5 min. What size should the city part be in the design? Ask students what they know. KWL chart and summary.

Website, KWL chart

Explain how we can design a city that has buildings for its people and a forest protected for animals with some entry for people too (parks, trails).

The city size is fine now. None. No need to redesign city and forest.

30 min. Review city designs and how to draw to scale using a map.

How can city maps help your team design your city size that includes the forest?

We can just copy from a VA city map.

None. The current map is fine.


books What is the best drawing/ design of city?

What is a good size for the city space?

None. City part should look like current map.


on KWL chart. internet What space do humans


None. No need to redesign city.


books How can city size affect humans meeting their basic needs?


None. Cities are fine as they are.

WEDNESDAY (week 2) Level 1 Question: What conditions will permit animals to coexist with humans in a city in Virginia?

Level 2 Question: What will the city and forest plan look like in a model or map format?

Level 3 Question(s): What is the size of the forest?


NOS: The natural world is understandable.

Student Objective(s): By the end of this lesson, students will be able to determine the size of the forest in square miles to design model.



Safety Concerns


5 min. What size should the forest part be in the design? Ask students what they know. KWL chart and summary.

Website, KWL chart

Explain how we can design a forest that has the right size to protect animals with some entry for people too (parks, trails).

The forest size is fine now.

None. No need to redesign city and forest size.

30 min. Review forest designs and how to draw to scale using a map. Research online.

How can city maps help your team design your city size that includes the forest?

We can just copy from a VA forest map.

None. The current map is fine.


books What is the best drawing/ design of forest?

What is a good size for the forest space?

None. Forest part should look like current map.


on KWL chart. internet What space do animals


None. No need to redesign forest.


books How can forest size affect animals meeting their basic needs?


None. Forest sizes are fine as they are.

THURSDAY (week 2) Level 1 Question: What conditions will permit animals to coexist with humans in a city in Virginia?

Level 2 Question: What materials are needed to design city and forest model?

Level 3 Question(s): What other models have been created to use as templates? Which role will each team member have to design model?

NOS: Scientific ideas are durable yet subject to change as new data are collected.

Student Objective(s): By the end of this lesson, students will be able to determine the materials needed to create a model/ map of city with forest.



Safety Concerns


5 min. What materials should be used for the forest part in the model/map? How about for the city part? Ask students what they know. KWL chart and summary.

Website, T- chart

Make a T-chart of the items in model/ map and the corresponding materials needed to create it.

Paper and glue will be popular items.

None. Can’t be 3-D.

30 min. Review ideas of contents in model/map and brainstorm possible household/ classroom materials. Share ideas.

What relative sizes of items should be considered? Review ratios of items in current city.

They should all be different sizes.

None. Any size is fine. It doesn’t matter.

10 min. Team should agree on materials needed and how to get them.

Books Who is in charge of creating each item?

Everyone creates the item they want.

None. Share ideas and create together.

10 min. Continue creating items. Internet What if mistakes are

made? How can they be fixed?

All items will fit on model area.

None. No space problems will arise.


Books How can forest and city size affect animals and people meeting their basic needs?

Animals and people need space, food, shelter to survive.

None. Forest and city sizes are fine as they are.

FRIDAY (week 2) Level 1 Question: What conditions will permit animals to coexist with humans in a city in Virginia?

Level 2 Question: What report will explain the project to city council?

Level 3 Question(s): What kind of presentation will be used, a Prezi or PowerPoint? How will you ensure that your presentation is presentable to city council? NOS: Science is a blend of logic and innovation.

Student Objective(s): By the end of this lesson, students will create a report and presentation to present to the class and city council about their model.



Safety Concerns


5 min. What report and presentation will be appropriate to present to the class and the council about your city/forest redesign? Discuss. Think-pair-share.

Website, T- chart

Teacher will model how to create a report with an introduction, the reason for redesigning, and the changes made and why, as well as any costs.

Too much work! None. It is hard to type.

30 min. Review and share ideas. Teacher will help students in teams.

Students may disagree on creation of report, presentation.

None. It won’t be done on time.

10 min. Team should agree on roles in writing report

books Who is in charge of creating each part?

Everyone creates the part they want.

None. Share ideas and create together.

parts and presentation parts.

10 min. Continue creating report and presentation.

internet What if mistakes are made? How can they be fixed?

Presentation may appear sloppy.

None. Council will not like proposal.

10 min. Summarize what they learned in a report and presentation.

books Who presents what part? All presentation will go smoothly.

None. Council will reject proposal automatically because the ideas come from kids.

Strategies for SPED and ELL Modification and Differentiation: Partner sharing, working on smaller chunks of information. Check for Understanding: Think-Pair-Share, Exit tickets, Summary of what was learned in lesson