Final+Project

Learning Targets:

 * I can show what I know about geology in a picture.
 * I can label my picture with appropriate geology vocabulary.
 * I can make a detailed, colorful, accurate drawing.
 * I can give feedback to my classmates.
 * I can use feedback to improve my work.

Day 1
Start each day with a short geology quiz / question (instead of doing a final unit test).

Introduce the project. Have vocabulary words on cards to stick to the magnet board and to move around. Put examples of the materials on the cards when appropriate, or have students draw pictures on the cards that will help them remember what they are. (Alternate plan: make a few sets of the cards and have small groups work on moving the cards around on the floor.) Students move the cards around to talk about what they have learned about geology. Which words go together? Why? Ask for volunteers to pair / group words and explain why.
 * clay
 * humus
 * sand
 * soil
 * pebbles
 * gravel
 * boulders
 * water
 * ice
 * icebergs
 * mountains
 * rivers
 * streams
 * ocean
 * beach
 * trees
 * roots
 * building materials
 * cement
 * bricks
 * volcano
 * lava
 * waterfall
 * rocks
 * minerals
 * translucent
 * transparent
 * opaque
 * dull
 * glassy
 * metallic

You can also move cards that someone else has moved -- you can re-arrange and change the organization as much as you want as long as you have a reason.

Introduce the project:

Three choices:
 * big picture: to hang in the hallway and share with another class at YA so they can learn about geology too.
 * write a book: for future second graders to use to learn about geology
 * build a model in a shoe box: to show other kids and people in the school what you know about geology
 * materials:
 * pipe cleaners
 * clay
 * cotton balls
 * popsicle sticks
 * tissue paper
 * construction paper
 * shoe boxes
 * school glue
 * little pretend trees
 * real pebbles
 * real gravel
 * real sand
 * real humus
 * real clay

Your job is to make a project that shows what you have learned about geology this fall.

There are geology books for you to use as a reference as you work. You can also ask other people in the room questions, and get help and feedback from kids and grown-ups.

Have to include: Students may begin first draft in pencil if they want.
 * labels
 * at least 2 ways rocks get smaller and smoother
 * mountain
 * river
 * ocean
 * rocks
 * sand
 * boulders
 * humus
 * clay

Days 2 and on
Introduce some nonfiction books to use as references in project.


 * 1) Students should do a little brainstorming / planning. Using the words from the day before will help.
 * The art and book groups should work with a teacher to make a list of things to put in their work.
 * The model group should work with a teacher to brainstorm what to put in and what to make it out of. (You don't have to brainstorm the whole thing, but enough for them to work on today.)

Work on drafts / models. Put kids who are writing on the computer.

At the end:


 * Do some feedback in small groups: put up 2-4 drafts and have students say what they like and what they think could be better. (Maybe mix people doing different projects so they can see each other's work.)

Sentence starters for feedback:
 * I like
 * I understand
 * I don't understand
 * It would be even better if