Project Based Learning Presentation

Project-Based Learning Lesson Plan

By: Savannah RichardsonTECH-6763

Summary

• Students will begin the lesson by participating in a Mystery Science lesson that introduces traits and inheritance. After a brief introduction, the studnets participate in a Pigeon Pairing activity that will help them see how parents can pass traits down to offspring while still creating unique individuals.
• Students will conduct research on their personal computers using the websites of their choice. They will gather infomration on important vocabulary terms, examples of traits and inheritance in animals, and a small pop quiz for the studnets listening. This will be used as the assessment for studnets.

Learners

• Grade: 3rd Grade
• Age: 8-9 years old
• Subject Area: Science
• Description: Students are in the upper elementary school age range and have built solid reading skills. They are still working on spelling more complex words, but are able to communicate clearly and work independently and as a group.

Standards

State Standards

ISTE Standards

L.3.2 - Students will demonstrate an understanding that through reproduction, the survival and physical features of plants and animals are inherited traits from parent organisms but can also be influenced by the environment L.3.2.1 Identify traits and describe how traits are passed from parent organism(s) to offspring in plants and animals L.3.2.3 Describe and provide examples of offspring from two parent organisms as containing a combination of inherited traits from both parent organisms. L.3.2.4 Obtain and communicate data to provide evidence that plants and animals have traits inherited from both parent organisms and that variations of these traits exist in groups of similar organisms (e.g., flower colors in pea plants or fur color and pattern in animal offspring).

1.1d Technology Fundamentals - Students understand fundamental concepts of how technology works, demonstrate the ability to choose and use current technologies effectively, and are adept at thoughtfully exploring emerging technologies. 1.3.a Effective Research Strategies - Students use effective research strategies to find resources that support their learning needs, personal interests and creative pursuits. 1.3.c Curate Information - Students curate information from digital resources using a variety of tools and methods to create collections of artifacts that demonstrate meaningful connections or conclusions.

MAterials and Technology

Teacher:

• Mystery Science Lesson (https://mysteryscience.com/selection/mystery-2/trait-variation-inheritance-artificial-selection/1139)

• Pigeon Cards and Pigeon Pairings Worksheet
• Personal Computer and Projector/Smartboard

Students:

• Computer for Each Student
• Paper and Pencil
• Pigeon Cards and Pigeon Pairings Worksheet
• Glue and Scissors
• Powerpoint Presentation Software (Microsoft, Canva, Genially, etc.)

9 Elements Of PBL: Anchor

• First, the teacher must have access to a personal computer where she can go to (https://mysteryscience.com/selection/mystery-2/trait-variation-inheritance-artificial-selection/1139) and preset it on to a larger screen through the use of a projector or a SmartBoard

• Once the Mystrey Science lesson has been located and presented on a larger screen, the teacher should expand the video portion of the lelsson and press play.
• This portion of the video presents studnets with a real-world situation that sparks there interest into the topic of the lesson. In this specific lesson, it provides videos from "Pigeon Park" in Puerto Rico. It introduces the idea of pigeons all having different traits that set them apart from one another. This serves as the anchor becasue it grabs the studntes attention and helps them see how the lesson will be meaningful to them.

9 Elements Of PBL: Task

• Once the students are introduced to the idea of animals all having different traits, the students begin wondering how this may be possible.
• The video continues to explain how other varieties of pigeons can have more exaggerated characteristics. They choose to call these "fancy pigeons". This re-exaggerates that pigeons can all have a variety of different characteristics.
• The video continues by introducing the purpose of the lesson: to show students that traits are passed down from parents through inheritance, but can vary across children. It prompts students with questions to think about along the way and then introduces the task.
• When introducing the task, students are told that they will be given two sets of pigeon parents and 8 different offspring. Their job is to determine the 4 offspring that match each set of parents based on their physical traits.

9 Elements Of PBL: Directions

• The students are asked to grab their pigeon cards and pigeon pairings worksheets, along with scissors, glue, and a pencil. The students are asked to cut the pigeon cards on the dotted lines and set them aside while they listen to the video scenario shown.
• The students will work in pairs and each take one set of parents: Sonic and Stardust or Tango or Toto. Together, the partners look at the cards with pigeon offspring and decide which ones belong to each set of parents. Then, they answer the questions that follow.
• Students are presented with another video scenario that states Charlie wants to breed pigeons with feathers. This requires her too determine which parents would result in having offspring with feathers on their heads.

9 Elements Of PBL: Student CHoices

• The students are given the opportunity to make individual choices that help them create their own learning. The teacher will allow students to choose from a variety of choices that relate to their project-based learning projects and assignments.
• In this assignment, students were able to choose their partners for both the pigeon pairing assignment and for the public presentation.
• Choices are given to students when choosing the presentation website they want to use. They can use Microsoft Powerpoint, Genially, Canva, or any other resource that is approved by the instructor.

• Students are also given choices when they research because thy can choose where they research and gather information from as long as it is appropriate.

9 Elements Of PBL: Student Inquiry

• The students are given the opportunity to inquire many times during the lesson. First, the mystery science lesson does an amazing job of prompting the students with questions that get them thinking about why and how offspring acquire similar traits to their parents.
• Students can also utilize inquiry during the class discussion after the mystery science lesson. This discussion will include questions from the pigeon pairing worksheet, questions from students, and more.

• Students will also be allowed to use inquiry when they create their own questions for their presentations that the other classmates will answer.

9 Elements Of PBL: collaboration

• The students will work with partners during the pigeon pairing worksheets and while researching/completing the public presentation project.
• Students will have the choice of which partners they would like to choose, but it is required that there are only 2 in each group except for 3 for an odd number of students.
• During student collaboration, it is expected that students conduct themselves responsibly, respect each others ideas, and work together to further their learning.

9 Elements Of PBL: Teacher coaching and feedback

• While students work on their projects in partners, the teacher will provide positive feedback and walk around the room to guide students down the right path.
• The students will also gather teacher feedback on the pigeon pairings worksheet.

9 Elements Of PBL: Self Reflection

• While students work on their projects and pigeon pairing worksheets, they are given the oppurtunity to reflect and see how their knowledge has grown and changed across the assignment.
• They can also reflect on their projects after gaining assessment feedback from the teacher. They may ask questions, analyze their growth, or notice improvemnts for the future.

9 Elements Of PBL: Public presentation

• Students will be presented with the task of getting in pairs to create a powerpoint presentation focused on traits and inheritance.
• Students will conduct research on their personal computers using the websites of their choice. They will gather infomration on important vocabulary terms, examples of traits and inheritance in animals, and a small pop quiz for the studnets listening.
• This public presentation is way for students to display what they have learned and conitnue groowing in their knowledge.

Assessment Plan