Reach for the Clouds! is a unit based on the principle of using a problem as the starting point for acquisition of new knowledge. Constructivism recognizes that information is not simply passively accepted by the learner, rather that the learner is actively trying to build up a set of rules that can explain every event that happens in their world. For this unit, the problem is “Why do kites fly?” In the unit, students will read to find the most important information, use graphic organizers to record the information, discuss together in a cooperative group, write poetry and a descriptive paragraph, and, finally use the information to build a kite that they will fly.
Communicate Organize
Observe Infer
Create Experiment C
Learn Apply
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Like most of you reading this profile, I am a lover of children, a care-giver, and a dedicated teacher. I spent 32 years in the classroom before retiring several years ago. During my tenure as a teacher in the elementary grades, I was on a myriad of writing committees, including those that developed the benchmarks for the district. As a literacy coach, I was able to present at both local and state levels at both the Reading and Math conferences. I co-authored a book, Beyond Book Buddies, by Corwin Press. I have also written for the internet and been a critical reader for both Scott Foresman and Corwin Press. As a teacher I wrote and received many grants at both the state and local level. During these last years, I have been writing units of study for my daughter who teaches in Texas. She has been able to use and adapt them for her Special Ed students of high school age, a task for all teachers using units and lessons of study written by others. The method of teaching should be the decision of the teacher and should meet the needs of the students he/she teaches.
