Explore Our World Theme: Who We Are C.I: Each of us is inspired by the lives of others

Unit Road Map Writing:

Learner Profile/International Mindedness: In introducing students to the Learner

Profile I came up with a systematic way to introduce each attribute using my unit planner

as a guide. I introduced one attribute every two weeks. Using quotes, stories, video

clips, life events, people and the world around us we made connections with each

attribute. I also used my read alouds to “think aloud” and connect to the Learner Profile,

characters, people and the world. Although each attribute was highlighted on its own

we talked about all attributes when applicable through our journey to become

internationally minded, global citizens (evidence can be found in each lesson on my lesson

road map).

Reading:

Differentiation Lesson: Novels of study: The One and Only Ivan by Katherine

Applegate, Long Way from Chicago by Gregory Peck, Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli

and Number the Stars by Lois Lowry.

Literature discussions will be conducted in small group and whole class settings.

Students will work on different reading strategies like making text-to-text, text-to-

world, and text-to-self connections, inferring, synthesizing and visualizing to enhance

understanding of text. We will also evaluate literary elements such as figurative

language, conflict, plot, characterization and point of view to promote discussion and

understanding. All of these elements will be used to formulate connections to the

theme and central idea.

Read Aloud: A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park, The Giver by Lois Lowry,

andThe Witches by Roald Dahl

Through each read aloud I will connect to the theme and central ideas. Students will

document thinking supported by evidence in their read aloud journals. The

relationships in these books and the effects different characters have on each other

greatly affect the lives of others. Each book has also inspired me and that will be

shared through discussions too.

Social Studies:

Problematic Scenario: Students will learn about the cultures and lives of the earliest

people of the Americas, the impact of the environment and how they changed over

time. They will then connect what they learned to the culture and lives of people in

the Americas today.

Science:

Our first unit is on the human body. We begin with cells and the understanding that

cells are the basic building block of all living things. We evaluate the hierarchy of

living things as cells-tissue-organs-system-body. We dive into each body system and

how organs are influenced by other organs and how systems are influenced by

different systems. We will connect the theme using the elements from science.

Inquiry Lesson: Learn the organs and functions of the digestive system. How does

what you eat affect your body and the digestive system? How do organs affect each

other? Students will investigate problems that may occur within the digestive system

to gain a stronger grasp of how the digestive system works.

Math:

Collaboration: It’s important for students to communicate, negotiate and express

themselves with other people. The best way for students to learn is to actually work

in a group setting. Students will use this activity to reflect on how they can

strengthen certain Learner Profile attributes and attitudes to make them a better

team player. We will create a Thanksgiving menu using local sale ads. Students will

have $60 to spend and will have to add, subtract and multiply to determine what they

can afford.