Chesterfield Township

Elementary School

Gifted & Talented/

Enrichment
Curriculum

Grades K - 6

Revised 2013
 Table of Contents

Rationale and Philosophy 3

Units of Study by Grade Level

Kindergarten 5
Grade 1 15
Grade 2 25
Grade 3 35
Grade 4 45
Grade 5 54
Grade 6 64

Differentiation Guide 72

Curriculum Connections 75

Pacing Guide 78

2
 Rationale and Philosophy

Note on Curriculum Format

The Chesterfield School District has adopted the Understanding by Design (UbD) format to
organize the Curriculum Standards. Overall Unit topics are thus seen as guiding principles,
specifying the “Big Idea” which each unit addresses. These overall learning goals are included
the sections labeled Stage 1 below. Next, in stage 2, are the various ways that the mastery of
guiding ideas are assessed. Finally, in the sections labeled stage 3, teachers can then choose
from a variety of lessons or formats which address the particular needs and interests of the class,
as they address the learning goals.

Standards
While the NJ state department of education has not specified any set curriculum guidelines for
Gifted and Talented education, the Chesterfield Township School District had incorporated
various State Curriculum into our framework. Significantly, the state 21st Century Life and
Careers Standards have been integrated, as well as standards from the Common Core Literacy
and Math, and other subject area standards. These include standards in Health/Physical
Education, Art, Music, Social Studies, and Science.

Rationale and Philosophy

The Chesterfield Elementary School Gifted & Talented / Enrichment program is challenging and
meaningful to our students. The program supports a learning environment that encourages
students to reach their highest potential. The goal of the program is to allow students to engage
their creativity, strengths, and abilities to the greatest extent possible. We focus on promoting
high-level thinking and developing students who are well-rounded, 21st century learners. The
units of study are project-based and thematic, and they allow for discovery, open-endedness and
freedom of choice. The students must use complex skills, such as problem-solving,
collaboration/teamwork, communication and critical thinking. Students use current technology to
conduct research and complete tasks. The program uses a wide range of instructional strategies,
supporting resources, and grouping options throughout the year. The program allows for the

3
identification of unique patterns of strengths, abilities, and interests, which are sued to further
focus instruction and build on existing talents. This focus on individualized learning profile is
integrated into the first unit for each grade and identified strengths are then used to guide further
instruction.

Inclusion Focus: Enrichment

In whole class activities, the G&T curriculum promotes and facilitates constructivist,
participatory, self-inquiry, and cooperative learning experiences. Many units encompass cross-
curricular activities. The curriculum is designed to include differentiation, which enables the
teachers to easily adapt their teaching methods to parallel gifted students’ needs. Often this is
connected with ongoing work in the general education classroom. The G&T content also gives
students choices about topics to explore in greater depth and the process creates tasks based on
individual learning styles. Both the classroom teacher and the Gifted and Talented teacher work
collaboratively to provide instruction.

Pull-Out Focus: Project-based units of study

When meeting in small groups, curricular units of study emphasize creative thinking, authentic,
real-life problem solving, communication skills both oral and written, higher-order/analytical
thinking skills, and cooperative learning. Students’ strengths, interests, and talents guide the
selection of the units covered. All units include self-directed learning activities, instructional
materials and curricula that are challenging to each student. Each unit also provides a variety of
individual and group oriented projects that are designed to promote hands-on research and
investigative decision making.

4
 Kindergarten
Unit 1:
Getting to Know ME
3 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· What do I enjoy doing in my free time?

· How am I NOW?
· What are things that I love?
· What kinds of things interest me?
· What are things that I do not like to do?
· What am I good at?
· Who do I like to spend time with and where?
· What do I want to be when I grow up?
· What are my short-term goals for this school year?
· What are my long-term goals for my academic future?

Enduring Understandings:

· Each person is unique and has different interests and goals for themselves.
· To be successful in life, we must have a vision of what we would like to achieve.
· Each person has various abilities and strengths and it is okay for people to be strong in
one area but not in another.
· Understand different career descriptions that may or may not interest students.
· Various individuals shape the way we think and act.

Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Describe what they enjoy doing.

· Identify their particular interests and talents by analyzing results of an interest inventory
· Describe the characteristics of a chosen occupation
· Collaborate with peers about similar interests
Standards

21st Century Standards

· 9.1.8.C.3 Model leadership skills during classroom and extra-curricular
activities.
· 9.1.4.D.2 Express needs, wants, and feelings appropriately in various
situations.

5
 STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include by not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities

· Complete an interest inventory

· Interview family members or friends that have had a positive impact on student’s lives.
(sample questions could include occupation-related, morals/values, advice about life,
educational-related)
· Perform activities such as role-playing, dressing up, and acting the part of an occupation
of interest

Differentiation

Interest inventory can be scaffolded based on reading and writing levels

Give students the option of acting out a profession, drawing, writing or speaking

Resources

Helpful websites: Personality Test - http://www.personalitylab.org ; Bureau of Labor

and Statistics –A to Z list of careers - http://www.bls.gov/k12/aclist.htm ; Career Interest
Inventory -
http://www.pyninc.org/careerexposuretoolkit/downloads/CareerInterestInventory.pdf ;
Differentiated Instructional Strategy Interest Inventory -
http://www.duvalschools.org/newteachers/DI%20Strategies/DI%202012/Interest%20Inv
entory.pdf

6
 Kindergarten
Unit 2:
Economics – People/Work
8 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· Why do people work?

· What are the benefits and challenges of working?
· What is the difference between a “want” and a “need”?
· How do people survive in the world if no one is taking care of them?
· Why do people save money?

Enduring Understandings:

· People have many different kinds of jobs.

· People work to earn money.
· You need things to survive. A want is an item you would like to have but do not need.
· People use money to buy things that they want or need.
· People save money to buy things they might need in the future.

Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Understand that there are different kinds of jobs and understand that a product is
something made by humans, machines, or nature.
· Observe that everyone has needs and wants and understand the difference between needs
and wants.
· Explain how basic needs for food, clothing, and a place to live can be met.
· Recognize that people meet their needs by buying goods and services and understand the
difference between goods and services.
· Understand that people exchange money for goods and recognize why people save
money.

Standards
21st Century Standards
· 9.2.4.A.1 Explain the difference between a career and a job, identify
various jobs within the community and the related earnings.

7
 STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include by not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities
· Recognize the characteristics of a product and correctly organize them. For example,
display things that are electric and things that aren’t electric and have the students
categorize them.
· Create a “Needs and Wants” Collage – Cut out pictures and place them in the correct
category.
· “Water is your best friend” lesson
· Brainstorm a list of individual jobs and discuss
· Complete goods and services worksheet
· Barter and trade different objects with partners and share how the students felt about the
activity

Differentiation
· Use pictures to go along with discussions for visual and auditory learners.
· Have students act out different careers for more active students
· Vocabulary reinforcement
· Reduce the amount of items to categories for students who can be overwhelmed with too
many choices

Resources
· http://www.dsrsd.com/img/img_lesson_plans/Kindergarten_Lesson_Plan.pdf
· Grow Healthy instructional materials
· http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/economics/goods-and-services_WMZTR.pdf
· ABC’s of saving - http://www.econedlink.org/lessons/EconEdLink-print-
lesson.php?lid=414&type=educator
· “Why We Save” lesson - http://ecedweb.unomaha.edu/lessons/savek-2.pdf

8
 Kindergarten
Unit 3:
Exploring with the Senses
6 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· What are the 5 senses?

· How do I use the 5 senses?
· How can using the 5 senses help me?
· What happens if I lose one of my senses?
· How do objects look up close and from far away?
· How can you group objects by their properties?
· How are materials alike and different?

Enduring Understandings:

· The 5 senses help us to explore the world we live in.

· Some people have lost one or more sense, which in turn, may heighten another sense.
· All individuals can adapt to their environment using one or more of their senses.
· Objects and materials can be grouped by their properties.

Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Identify objects and discuss the kinds of information that each sensory organ provides.
· Conclude that information gathered about a nearby object and the same object seen at a
distance may vary
· Classify objects based on their observable properties.
· Observe properties of objects and classify the objects into groups based on the materials
from which they are made.

Standards
· 5.1.4.A.3 – Use scientific facts, measurements, observations, and patterns in nature to
build and critique scientific arguments.
· 5.1.4.B.3 – Formulate explanations from evidence

9
 STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE
May include by not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations
STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities
· Senses on the Farm – practice naming and describing the five senses as they sing verses
of “Old MacDonald Had a Farm”
· Telling a Story – creating children and animals on a piece of poster-board while
describing the senses used and classifying the kinds of information that each sensory
organ provides.
· Playing “I Spy” with the five senses – playing a game in which the students focus on and
describe objects that are close up and far away
· Classify scents, using the sense of smell and identify scents that are associated with
different objects.
· Observe properties of objects and classify the objects into groups based on the materials
from which they are made.
· Grouping objects by touch – using their sense of touch, students examine objects with
different properties, such as hardness, texture, etc. Place objects in different bags and
have the students draw a picture of what they think they are touching and then reveal the
actual object.

Differentiation
· Have students work individually and in groups throughout the unit
· For students who are able to write, they can write their own story while the others work
with the teacher as a group

Resources
· “I Spy” books
· Various objects that smell different, some with very pungent smells
· Various objects with different touchable properties, such as pencils, squishy balls,
cooked spaghetti, blocks, something fuzzy, etc.
· Helpful websites: 5 senses activities - http://www.littlegiraffes.com/fivesenses.html;
http://www.education.com/activity/the-5-senses/;
http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2012/10/21-five-senses-activities-for-kids.html

10
 Kindergarten
Unit 4:
Friends and Family – Culture
8 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· What does it mean to be a friend?

· What different traditions and celebrations are there in the world?
· What are the roles of people in their family?

Enduring Understandings:

· People celebrate different holidays around the world.

· A good friend is caring and helpful.
· People serve different roles in the community.

Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Explain why different holidays are celebrated worldwide.

· Differentiate between the actions of a good friend and one who is not a good friend.

Standards
· 9.1.4.D.3 – Demonstrate an awareness of one’s own culture and other cultures during
interactions in and outside the classroom

STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include by not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

11
 STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities
· Try foods from different cultures
· Discuss what it means to be a good friend
· Read books about different holidays and create a craft related to the holiday
· Draw a family tree

Differentiation
· Give students the option to act out, share aloud or draw a picture of what is a
good friend
· Group students who may need extra help with the family tree together in order to
give extra assistance

Resources
Book: Children Just Like Me by Anabel Kindersley

12
 Kindergarten
Unit 5:
Where We Live
8 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· What types of homes do people and animals live in?

· What is a neighborhood?
· How are the city and the country different? The same?
· How do people get from place to place?
· What is Earth’s surface like?

Enduring Understandings:

· People in different locations live in homes of different sizes and that are made of
different materials. They can look very different than the homes in your neighborhood.
Animals make their homes from the resources in their area.
· A neighborhood is a place where groups of families live, work and play together.
· In a city, there are more people living closer together, more businesses and heavy traffic.
In the country, there is more open land, people live further apart and you can see more
animals.
· People use transportation such as cars, boats, buses, trains and planes to get from one
place to another. They may travel for work, to visit people or just to explore a new place.
· Earth’s surface is mostly covered by water. It has 7 continents.

Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Identify different types of homes

· Understand what is a neighborhood and why we live in neighborhoods
· Compare and contrast the city to the country
· Identify different types of transportation
· Describe Earth’s surface

Standards
· 5.1.4.B.2 – Measure, gather, evaluate, and share evidence using tools and technologies
· 6.1.4.B.7 – Explain why some locations in New Jersey and the United States are more
suited for settlement than others.

13
 STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include by not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities
· Matching game- match animals to their homes
· Draw a picture of your home
· Carton City- using empty cartons create a 3D city
· Create interview questions for a neighborhood community worker such as a police man
or teacher
· Cut out pictures and decide if they should go under “City” or “Country”
· Survey the students on how they get to school. Create a bar graph with the results.
· Use clay to create models of different types of landforms such as a mountain or plateau

Differentiation
· Give students a graphic organizer for survey
· Pair students together who may need extra help with another student for the “City” or
“Country” activity

Resources
· Animal/Home Matching Game

14
 1st Grade
Unit 1:
Getting to Know ME
3 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· What do I enjoy doing in my free time?

· How am I NOW?
· What are things that I love?
· What kinds of things interest me?
· What are things that I do not like to do?
· What am I good at?
· Who do I like to spend time with and where?
· Who has shaped my thinking and how can I model that behavior?
· What do I want to be when I grow up?
· What are my short-term goals for this school year?
· What are my long-term goals for my academic future?

Enduring Understandings:

· Each person is unique and has different interests and goals for themselves.
· To be successful in life we must have a vision of what we would like to achieve.
· Each person has various abilities and strengths and it is okay for people to be strong in
one area but not in another.
· Understand different career descriptions that may or may not interest students.
· Various individuals shape the way we think and act.

Standards
9.1.8.C.3 Model leadership skills during classroom and extra-curricular activities.
9.1.4.D.2 Express needs, wants, and feelings appropriately in various situations.

Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Describe what they enjoy doing.

· Identify their particular interests and talents by analyzing results of an interest inventory
· Describe the characteristics of a chosen occupation
· Collaborate with peers about similar interests

15
 STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include by not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities
· Complete an interest inventory
· Interview family members or friends that have had a positive impact on student’s lives.
(sample questions could include occupation-related, morals/values, advice about life,
educational-related)
· Research an occupational field that interests the student and give a presentation.
· Perform activities such as role-playing, dressing up, and acting the part of an occupation
of interest

Differentiation

Interest inventory can be scaffolded based on reading and writing levels

Give students the option of acting out a profession, drawing, writing or speaking

Resources
· Helpful websites: Personality Test - http://www.personalitylab.org ; Bureau of Labor
and Statistics –A to Z list of careers - http://www.bls.gov/k12/aclist.htm ; Career Interest
Inventory -
http://www.pyninc.org/careerexposuretoolkit/downloads/CareerInterestInventory.pdf ;
Differentiated Instructional Strategy Interest Inventory -
http://www.duvalschools.org/newteachers/DI%20Strategies/DI%202012/Interest%20Inv
entory.pdf

16
 1st Grade
Unit 2:
All Kinds of Jobs
6 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· What are jobs in the community?

· What are service jobs?
· How are goods made? Who makes them?
· How do people exchange goods and services?
· How can technology help make work easier? What challenges may it cause?

Enduring Understandings:

· Different jobs provide different benefits to the community.

· Service jobs directly help people in the community such as a police officer and a fire
fighter.
· People use money to purchase goods or services.
· Various jobs are needed to create all the things you are able to purchase or services you
may buy.
· Technology and other inventions have made work easier but it can also have drawbacks.

Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Identify a variety of jobs (services jobs and other jobs) and describe the responsibilities
of the job and the benefits to the community
· Describe how certain jobs are made. Identify the title of the person who makes these
objects.
· Explain how people use money to purchase goods and services.
· Differentiate between the positive and negatives of technological advances

Standards

· 9.2.4.A.1 Explain the difference between a career and a job, identify various jobs within
the community and the related earnings.

17
 STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include by not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities
· Have students draw a picture of themselves in a profession. Have them explain why they
would be good at this job and why they want to do this job.
· Have students act out a job and others in the class can guess who they are.
· Create an advertisement for a product
· Students will list how they spent money. As a homework assignment, they can write how
money has been spent in the home.
· Compare tools used in the past in a certain profession to the tools used today.

Differentiation
· Bring in tools form the past if possible for students who are more visual and hands on
learners
· For students who feel overwhelmed by too many choices, give them a choice of two or
three products that they can create an advertisement for
· Give students the option to tell why they would excel in a career orally or through
writing

Resources
· Hot on the Trail board game to distinguish between wants and needs
· Books about careers in the classroom for students to read through
· Spending Money Worksheet

18
 1st Grade
Unit 3:
Magnets
6 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· What types of items can be attracted to a magnet?

· What is a magnetic force?
· Where are magnets strongest?
· What do the poles of magnets do?
· What is a magnetic field?

Enduring Understandings:

· Most metal objects are attracted to a magnet. Non-metal objects are not attracted to a
magnet.
· Magnets can be of varying strength.
· All magnets are strongest at the poles.
· Magnets have a force field around them which can attract objects without touching.

Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Classify objects that will and won’t be attracted to a magnet.

· Explain a magnetic force field and poles.
· Create ways to identify stronger and weaker magnets.

Standards
· 5.1.8.B.2 – Gather, evaluate, and represent evidence using scientific tools, technologies,
and computational strategies.

19
 STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include by not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities
· Make predictions about attraction and then test those predictions. Afterwards classify
into two groups: attracted to a magnet and not attracted to a magnet.
· Testing magnetic force: place a paper clip and magnet on a string. Place an object
between the clip and magnet. Record what happens. Ask why this happens?
· See how many paperclips the middle, side and poles can hold. Make a bar graph with the
results. Discuss.
· Make magnetic patterns using bar magnets.
· Have students try to make a magnet move on top of a thin book by moving a magnet
underneath the book.

Differentiation
· Let students work individually, in pairs and in whole group throughout the lesson

Resources
· Book: Marta’s Magnets By Wendy Pfeffer
· Interactive CD-ROM : I Love Science – Magnet Activity

20
 1st Grade
Unit 4:
Changes Over Time
8 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· What was the Earth like a long time ago?

· What were dinosaurs like? How big were they?
· What can we learn from fossils?
· How do fossils form?
· What did extinct animals eat?

Enduring Understandings:

· Describe the Earth in the distant past.

· Dinosaurs were very large creatures but there were also some smaller dinosaurs.
· Fossils can teach us about animals and plants that no longer exist.
· Fossils are left in rocks and earth using pressure.
· Animal’s teeth give clues to their diet.

Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Collect, record and interpret data about dinosaurs

· Infer the size and other information from fossils and bones
· Understand we can learn about the past from finding bones, teeth, and fossils.
· Use bones, teeth and fossils to make inferences to diet, size, and other characteristics.

Standards
· 6.2.8.D.1.c – Explain how archaeological studies are used to develop and enhance
understanding of life prior to written records
· 5.3.2.E.2 – Describe how similar structures found in organisms (e.g., eyes, ears, mouth)
have similar functions and enable those organisms to survive in different environments.

21
 STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include by not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities
· Create a diorama of the Earth as it looked long ago.
· Make a model of a dinosaur in comparison to a familiar animal that lives today.
· Study how bones and fossils are found.
· Compare the student’s skeleton to the skeleton of a dinosaur. Discuss what inferences
they can make about the dinosaur.
· Create a fossil using plaster of Paris. Compare this to a real fossil.
· Create a menu for dinosaurs dividing the menu into herbivore and carnivore choices.

Differentiation
· Use fossils (G&T Room) for tactile learners
· Group students who will need extra assistance with creating their own fossil
· vocabulary reinforcement
· Have students choose to work in pairs or alone for the Menu activity

Resources
· Collection of fossils

22
 1st Grade
Unit 5:
Citizens
8 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· Why do we have laws?

· What is a leader?
· Why do people vote?
· What rituals/symbols are related to citizenship?
· What makes a person a good citizen? How can you be a good citizen?

Enduring Understandings:

· Laws are rules people follow to keep them safe.

· A leader helps to make laws.
· People vote to make decisions that will make the majority of people satisfied.
· People make pledges and sing certain songs to show that they are all citizens of one
place. People hang flags as a symbol that they are a citizen of a given place.
· A good citizen is truthful, believes in treating others equally and takes responsibility for
the people around them.

Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Explain the need for rules in the classroom and other settings.
· Identify leaders in the school and government.
· Identify and use voting as a way to make a decision
· Identify symbols and rituals used in the United States to show patriotism
· Identify the characteristics that make a good citizen

Standards
6.3.4.A.1 Evaluate what makes a good rule or law.

23
 STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include by not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities
• Discuss classroom rules and relate those to rules outside of school. Create posters
of students following the rules and a caption of the rule and why it is important to
follow this rule.
• Have students draw themselves in a leading role. Have them write a short
sentence about how they are leading.
• Have the students vote democratically on a choice that will be implemented that
day. For example: Should we have 10 minutes of playing 7-UP or 10 minutes to
do a short art project?
• Research NJ State symbols. Present them to the class.
• Design a postage stamp of a good citizen. In a short presentation, explain why
they choose this person.
Differentiation
· For students who struggle with writing, ask them to tell you orally and record
their answer for them
· For students who struggle with choices, tell them what state symbol they will
research
· Give a graphic organizer for the research paper for those who need guiding
questions
Resources
• NJ State Symbols: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/kids/1280njsym.asp
• NJ State flag and Seal: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/kids/index.asp

24
 2nd Grade
Unit 1:
Getting to Know ME
3 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· What do I enjoy doing in my free time?

· How am I NOW?
· What are things that I love?
· What kinds of things interest me?
· What are things that I do not like to do?
· What am I good at?
· Who do I like to spend time with and where?
· Who has shaped my thinking and how can I model that behavior?
· What do I want to be when I grow up?
· What are my short-term goals for this school year?
· What are my long-term goals for my academic future?

Enduring Understandings:

· Each person is unique and has different interests and goals for themselves.
· To be successful in life we must have a vision of what we would like to achieve.
· Each person has various abilities and strengths and it is okay for people to be strong in
one area but not in another.
· Understand different career descriptions that may or may not interest students.
· Various individuals shape the way we think and act.

Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Describe what they enjoy doing.

· Identify their particular interests and talents by analyzing results of an interest inventory
· Describe the characteristics of a chosen occupation
· Collaborate with peers about similar interests
· Design and participate in an “interest club”

Standards
9.1.8.C.3 Model leadership skills during classroom and extra-curricular activities.
9.1.4.D.2 Express needs, wants, and feelings appropriately in various situations.

25
 STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include by not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities
· Complete an interest inventory
· Group students with similar interests together to create an “interest club”. Students can
meet regularly and discuss different aspects of their club
· Interview family members or friends that have had a positive impact on student’s lives.
(sample questions could include occupation-related, morals/values, advice about life,
educational-related)
· Research an occupational field that interests the student and give a presentation.
· Create and keep a writing journal while responding to related prompts given by the
teacher (example-“What did you do yesterday that you enjoyed?” or “What is one job
that you would like to learn more about?”)
· Perform activities such as role-playing, dressing up, and acting the part of an occupation
of interest

Resources
· Helpful websites: Personality Test - http://www.personalitylab.org ; Bureau of Labor
and Statistics –A to Z list of careers - http://www.bls.gov/k12/aclist.htm ; Career Interest
Inventory -
http://www.pyninc.org/careerexposuretoolkit/downloads/CareerInterestInventory.pdf ;
Differentiated Instructional Strategy Interest Inventory -
http://www.duvalschools.org/newteachers/DI%20Strategies/DI%202012/Interest%20Inv
entory.pdf

26
 2nd Grade
Unit 2:
All About Work
6 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· Why do people work?

· What can you do to earn money?
· In what ways can you use money? What are possible outcomes for those choices?
· What is the difference between a need and a want?
· What is the difference between a good and a service?
· How are a producer and a consumer different?
· How do countries trade with each other?

Enduring Understandings:

· People work to earn money and to help the community

· A need is something that will help you survive. A want is something you would like but
isn’t necessary for you to survive.
· Once you earn money, you can choose to spend or save. If you spend all your money on
things you want, you won’t have money for things you need.
· Goods are items you can buy. A service is a task or job you can pay someone to do for
you.
· A producer makes objects. A consumer buys and uses the object. At some points we are
producers and at some points we are consumers.
· Countries trade with each other to earn money and to be able to get resources they may
not be able to get in their own country.
·
Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Explain the benefits of working

· Compare a need to a want
· Explain how people can choose to spend their money
· Distinguish between goods and services
· Explain the difference between a producers and a consumer
· Understand why countries trade
Standards
21st Century Standards
· 9.2.4.A.1 Explain the difference between a career and a job, identify
various jobs within the community and the related earnings.
· 9.3.4.A.3 Appraise personal likes and dislikes and identify careers that
might be suited to personal likes.

27
 STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include by not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities
· Make a list of jobs and write what that person does.
· Interview a parent. Ask how many hours they spend working to earn money, doing work
around the house and free time. Create a bar graph with this information.
· Using a Venn Diagram, compare and contrast needs and wants.
· Make a list of needs and wants. Put them in order of importance. Explain to the class
their choices.
· Make a savings plan of $2.00 per week of an allowance and a goal to buy a $10.00 toy.
· Imagine you are producing a product. Create an advertisement so that consumers will
want to buy it.
· Look for labels to see where different objects are made. Put the findings on a map.
Discuss how those goods would get from the country of origin to the USA (By train,
plane, boat)

Differentiation
· For students who are more independent, they can create their own interview questions.
For those who would benefit, you may create the questions for their interview
· Use a large map for the whole class and give a smaller map that students can have at their
desk for those who need it

Resources
· Labeled printout of world map
· Venn diagram

28
 2nd Grade
Unit 3:
Ways of Thinking/Brainteasers
8 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· How can I solve problems?

Enduring Understandings:

· Using critical thinking is an important skill to solve problems.

· Collaboration is important to solving problems.
·
Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Evaluate available resources that can assist in problem solving.

· Participate in brainstorming sessions to seek information, ideas and strategies that foster
creative thinking.
· Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the classroom and family settings.

Standards
9.1.4.A.1 Recognize a problem and brainstorm ways to solve the problem individually or
collaboratively.

STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include by not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

29
 STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities
• Solve problems using the resources listed below.
• Work in groups to solve problems.
Differentiation
 Scaffold brain teasers
 Have a variety of brain teasers based on students strengths (Reading, Science, Math)
(G&T Room)

Resources
• Tangrams
• Brain teaser books
• Analogies
• Word problems
• Puzzles

30
 2nd Grade
Unit 4:
Our Community
8 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· What is a community?
· What is the difference between a city, the suburbs and a rural area?
· How has our community changed? How can a community change and why would it
change?
· What makes a good citizen and how does that help the community?

Enduring Understandings:

· People live in communities and people have different responsibilities that help the
community to function properly.
· Recognize the characteristics of the city, suburbs and rural areas.
· Communication, technology, transportation and other aspects can change a community in
a positive or a negative way.
· A good citizen benefits the community.

Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Identify different roles in the community and explain how those benefit everyone.
· Compare and contrast the city, suburbs and rural areas.
· Differentiate between the positive and negative changes that can happen in a community
· Identify the characteristics of a good citizen

Standards
6.1.4.A.1 Explain how rules and laws created by community, state, and national
governments protect the rights of people, help resolve conflicts and promote the
common good.

31
 STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include by not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities
· Draw a map of your neighborhood or write a poem about it. Present it to the class.
· Using a three column graphic organizer, list descriptions of cities, suburbs and rural
areas. Discuss the similarities and differences.
· Create a mural showing how transportation and communication have changed.
· Make a poster of something a good citizen would do. Add a caption to state what they are
doing.

Differentiation
· Give students the option to write a report in place of creating a mural
· Draw the roads in Chesterfield onto a map for those who may take more time. Let them
fill in their home , school, etc. For students who work quickly, they can draw their entire
map from scratch.
Resources
· Graphic Organizer:
http://spotlightonmusic.macmillanmh.com/assets/extras/0001/4380/mu08_graphorg_colu
mn.pdf

32
 2nd Grade
Unit 5:
Inventions
10 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· What is an invention?
· How are inventions created?
· What information is needed to get an invention to market?
·
Enduring Understandings:

· People of all races, genders and ages have created inventions which have changed our
society and the way we do things
· Creative thinking is necessary to make an invention
· Inventions are made to solve a problem or to improve the way we do something

Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Identify several inventors and the contributions they made to the world
· Explain the process in creating an invention and implement it
· Use creative thinking skills

Standards
9.1.4.A.1 Recognize a problem and brainstorm ways to solve the problem individually or
collaboratively.

STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include by not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

33
 STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources
Suggested Activities
• Create a new flavor of toothpaste. Take a survey and graph the results. Create the
packaging and calculate the retail cost.
• Research several inventors. Discuss why they were important. Role play different
inventors creating their invention.
Differentiation
 Create a variety of graphic organizers for the research paper based on the needs of the
class
 Let students read the book to themselves or with a partner for those who struggle with
reading on grade level
 Vocabulary reinforcement
 Provide alternative texts for various reading levels
Resources
• Book: Ben and Me
• Book: Mistakes that worked

34
 3rd Grade
Unit 1:
Getting to Know ME
3 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· What do I enjoy doing in my free time?

· How am I NOW?
· What are things that I love?
· What kinds of things interest me?
· What are things that I do not like to do?
· What am I good at?
· Who do I like to spend time with and where?
· Who has shaped my thinking and how can I model that behavior?
· What do I want to be when I grow up?
· What are my short-term goals for this school year?
· What are my long-term goals for my academic future?

Enduring Understandings:

· Each person is unique and has different interests and goals for themselves.
· To be successful in life we must have a vision of what we would like to achieve.
· Each person has various abilities and strengths and it is okay for people to be strong in
one area but not in another.
· Understand different career descriptions that may or may not interest students.
· Various individuals shape the way we think and act.

Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Describe what they enjoy doing.

· Identify their particular interests and talents by analyzing results of an interest inventory
· Describe the characteristics of a chosen occupation
· Collaborate with peers about similar interests
· Design and participate in an “interest club”

Standards
9.1.8.C.3 Model leadership skills during classroom and extra-curricular activities.
9.1.4.D.2 Express needs, wants, and feelings appropriately in various situations.

35
 STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include by not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities
· Complete an interest inventory
· Group students with similar interests together to create an “interest club”. Students can
meet regularly and discuss different aspects of their club
· Interview family members or friends that have had a positive impact on student’s lives.
(sample questions could include occupation-related, morals/values, advice about life,
educational-related)
· Research an occupational field that interests the student and give a presentation.
· Create and keep a writing journal while responding to related prompts given by the
teacher (example-“What did you do yesterday that you enjoyed?” or “What is one job
that you would like to learn more about?”)
· Perform activities such as role-playing, dressing up, and acting the part of an occupation
of interest

Differentiation
· Use different interest inventories based on reading level
· For those who struggle with writing, their journal entries can done orally and
recorded

Resources
· Helpful websites: Personality Test - http://www.personalitylab.org ; Bureau of Labor
and Statistics –A to Z list of careers - http://www.bls.gov/k12/aclist.htm ; Career Interest
Inventory -
http://www.pyninc.org/careerexposuretoolkit/downloads/CareerInterestInventory.pdf ;
Differentiated Instructional Strategy Interest Inventory -
http://www.duvalschools.org/newteachers/DI%20Strategies/DI%202012/Interest%20Inv
entory.pdf

36
 3rd Grade
Unit 2:
Architecture/Bridges
8 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· What is a bridge?
· What careers are involved in the building of a bridge?
· How can bridges be different? What is always the same?
· What are the names and qualities of the different types of bridges?
· What is the history behind bridges?

Enduring Understandings:
 Definition of bridge: a structure carrying a road, path, railroad, or canal across a river,
ravine, road, railroad, or other obstacle
 An architect, engineer, construction worker, aerial photographer and surveyor are some
of the jobs involved in building a bridge.
 There are differences and similarities between bridges.
 Types of bridges: beam, truss, cantilever, arch, tied arch, cable-stayed and suspension
 Understand the basic history of bridges and identify famous bridges

Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Define a bridge
· Evaluate the roles involved in building a bridge
· Compare and contrast the types of bridges
· Synthesize major historical changes/ events relating to bridges

Standards
9.4.12.O.(1).1 Apply the concepts, processes, guiding principals, and standards of
school mathematics to solve science, technology, engineering and mathematics
problems.

37
 STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include by not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities
• Role play the careers involved in building a bridge
• Draw the different types of bridges. Compare and contrast them in a discussion.
• Use a Web Quest to find information about the history of bridges
Differentiation
· Pair students based on strengths for the webquest
· vocabulary reinforcement
· Provide alternative texts for various reading levels
Resources
· Bridges binder (G&T Room)
· K’nex

38
 3rd Grade
Unit 3:
Meteorology
8 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· What is weather?
· What are the natural indicators of weather changes?
· What are the different types of clouds?
· How are a hurricane and tornado similar and different?

Enduring Understandings:

· Weather refers to the outside conditions such as precipitation, temperature and wind
speed
· By noticing certain plants and animals, we can make predictions about impending
weather
· The main types of cloud formations are: cirrus, cumulus , and stratus
· Hurricanes cause heavy rain and strong winds over a large area. A tornado causes high
wind speeds in small, changing area.

Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Make inferences about weather based on clues outside

· Infer impending weather changes using natural clues
· Identify different types of clouds
· Compare and contrast a hurricane and a tornado

Standards
5.4.2.F.1 Observe and document daily weather conditions and discuss how weather
influences your activities for the day
5.4.4.F.1 Identify patterns in data collected from basic weather instruments

39
 STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include by not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities
· Create weather instruments such as a wind sock
· Take measurements such as wind speed
· Conduct “A cloud in a jar experiment”
· Research hurricanes and tornados. Write a short report on each.
· Eye of the storm web quest: Hurricanes

Differentiation
For the webquest, reduce the amount of questions for certain students
Provide alternative texts for various reading levels
During experiments, seat students based on the needs of individuals
Resources
Excellent weather experiments : http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-
experiments.htm
Web quest: http://www.glencoe.com/sec/science/webquest/content/hurricanes.shtml
Weather tools (G&T room)

40
 3rd Grade
Unit 4:
Ancient Greece
10 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· How has Ancient Greece affected our modern lives?

· What was life like in Ancient Greece?
· Who are the important figures in Greek History?

Enduring Understandings:

· The Ancient Greeks contributed the following to our modern culture: philosophy,
democracy, and the Olympics
· The Ancient Greeks had a rich culture with their own alphabet, customs, literary style
and government
· Homer wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey. Plato and Socrates were Greek philosophers.

Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Develop historical perspective and cultural perception by recognizing and understanding

that history is a record of human experience with a past, present and a future.
· Understand the elements of culture and develop an appreciation for the similarities and
differences that exist among cultures.
· Develop creative expression through the application of knowledge, ideas, communication
skills, organization abilities and imagination.
· Develop an awareness of place
· Understand time and chronology
· Develop a sense of historical empathy

Standards
6.2.8.D.2.a Analyze the impact of religion on daily life, government, and culture in
various ancient river valley civilizations
6.2.8.D.2.d Justify which of the major achievements of the ancient river valley
civilizations represent the most enduring legacies

41
 STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include by not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities
· Create a timeline of important events in Ancient Greece
· Compare daily life in Ancient Greece to now
· Read: Aesop’s fables, excerpts from Iliad and Odyssey
· Write a character sketch about someone from Greek mythology
· Research the Greek Olympics
· Write your name in Greek
· Discuss the lives of important Greek figures such as: Homer, Plato, and Socrates

Differentiation
· Students can read to themselves or pair them based on reading level
· Provide alternative text based on interest area
· Create partially completed timeline for those who may work slower
Resources
· Teacher book: History Pockets- Ancient Greece

42
 3rd Grade
Unit 5:
Gardening/Hydroponics
8 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· What are the parts of a plant?

· What conditions are optimal for gardening?
· Why is gardening an important skill?
· How can it be important for the community?
· How can we grow plants if we have poor soil?

Enduring Understandings:

· A flowering plant consists of a: flower, stem, leaf and roots

· Each plant has unique needs. It is best to know how much sunlight, soil type and needed
amount of water for your specific type of plant.
· Gardening can provide food for people and can make a place more beautiful. It also helps
the environment.
· Plants are able to grow outside of soil through hydroponics.

Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Identify the parts of a plant

· Differentiate the needs of certain plants
· Create a plan for a garden
· Understand the benefits of gardening

Standards
5.3.6.B.1 Describe the sources of the reactants of photosynthesis and trace the pathway to
the products

43
 STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include by not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities
· Examine the parts of a plant
· Grow a bean in wet cotton balls or Indian corn in water
· Plan a garden by making a map
· Implement your plan and care for it
· Label the parts of a plant

Differentiation
· Give two versions for the Label a Plant activity, one being much more detailed than the
other

Resources
· Hydroponics guide: http://theimaginationtree.com/2012/04/growing-beans-on-cotton-
balls.html or http://thehomeschoolden.blogspot.com/2010/10/fall-theme-activities-indian-
corn.html
· Label parts of a plant: http://urbanext.illinois.edu/gpe/case1/c1m1app.html

44
 4th Grade
Unit 1:
Getting to Know ME – Autobiography
6 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· What do I enjoy doing in my free time?

· What important things happened in my life?
· How am I NOW?
· What are things that I love?
· What kinds of things interest me?
· What are things that I do not like to do?
· What am I good at?
· Who do I like to spend time with and where?
· Who has shaped my thinking and how can I model that behavior?
· What do I want to be when I grow up?
· What are my short-term goals for this school year?
· What are my long-term goals for my academic future?

Enduring Understandings:

· Each person is unique and has different interests and goals for themselves.
· To be successful in life we must have a vision of what we would like to achieve.
· Each person has various abilities and strengths and it is okay for people to be strong in
one area but not in another.
· Understand different career descriptions that may or may not interest students.
· Various individuals shape the way we think and act.

Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Write about their lives

· Describe what they enjoy doing.
· Identify their particular interests and talents by analyzing results of an interest inventory
· Describe the characteristics of a chosen occupation
· Collaborate with peers about similar interests
· Design and participate in an “interest club”

Standards
9.1.8.C.3 Model leadership skills during classroom and extra-curricular activities.
9.1.4.D.2 Express needs, wants, and feelings appropriately in various situations.

45
 STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include by not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities
· Complete an interest inventory
· Create a Life Map
· Write an autobiography
· Interview family members or friends that have had a positive impact on student’s lives.
(sample questions could include occupation-related, morals/values, advice about life,
educational-related)
· Research an occupational field that interests the student and give a presentation.
· Create and keep a writing journal while responding to related prompts given by the
teacher (example-“What did you do yesterday that you enjoyed?” or “What is one job
that you would like to learn more about?”)

Differentiation
· Students can use their Life Map or an Autobiography outline to guide their writing

Resources
· Helpful websites: Personality Test - http://www.personalitylab.org ; Bureau of Labor
and Statistics –A to Z list of careers - http://www.bls.gov/k12/aclist.htm ; Career Interest
Inventory -
http://www.pyninc.org/careerexposuretoolkit/downloads/CareerInterestInventory.pdf ;
Differentiated Instructional Strategy Interest Inventory -
http://www.duvalschools.org/newteachers/DI%20Strategies/DI%202012/Interest%20Inv
entory.pdf ;

4th Grade
Unit 2:
Simple 46
Machines
9 weeks
 STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS
Essential Questions:

· How do simple machines work?

· How do we use simple machines to make our lives easier?
· What machines can we create to solve problems in our lives?
· How can simple machines be used in the designs of complex machines?

Enduring Understandings:

· There are a variety of simple machines (levers, gears, pulleys, etc.) that can be used on their
own or in more complex designs.
· Humans create and use simple machines to make tasks easier and faster.
· Throughout history many individuals have created machines to solve problems and make
tasks easier.
· When we encounter a challenging task, we can problem-solve about ways to make it easier.

Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Identify various simple machines

· Compare and contrast the structure and capabilities of simple machines
· Build models of simple machines: inclined planes, screws, wedges, wheels and axles,
levers, gears, pulleys
· Research and communicate how simple machines make work easier
· Identify the use of simple machines throughout daily life
· Create simple machines to solve problems in life or our world
· Explain how simple machines are utilized in more complex machines

Standards
5.1.4.A.2 Use outcomes of investigations to build and refine questions, models and
explanations
5.1.4.B.1 Design and follow simple plans using systematic observations to explore questions
and predictions

47
 STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE
May include but not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities:
· Learning vocabulary: work, force, machine, inclined plane, screw, wedge, wheel and axle,
lever, gear, pulley
· K’Nex Simple Machine activity cards and pieces: For each construction, build the model
and complete the problem-solving challenges (such as conducting experiments, performing
measurements and calculations, modifying and designing the model).
· Teach classmates how each machine works and explain its mechanical advantage
· Write and illustrate how a simple machine is making the lives of people easier
· Research and inventor who used a simple machine in an invention. Determine and explain
how that simple machine was used and how the invention helped people.
· Use at least two machines to create a new invention. Present the invention and explain what
problem it solves in your life.
· Choose a complex machine and determine how simple machines are utilized in its design.

Differentiation
· Vary the graphic organizer for the research paper based on students’ needs
· Let students work in groups for the Invention activity

Resources:
· K’Nex Simple Machines Educator Guides
· K’Nex building pieces
· Safari Montage
· http://www.mikids.com/Smachines.htm
· http://www.fi.edu/qa97/spotlight3/
· http://lessonplanspage.com/sciencemd6simplemachinesfullunit46-htm/

48
 4th Grade
Unit 3:
Mystery Writing
8 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· How can we develop strong characters in our writing?

· How do the characters in a story affect other story elements, such as plot and setting?
· How does plot structure vary between mystery writing and other genres?
· What writing devices are most effective when writing mystery stories?

Enduring Understandings:

· Understand different writing techniques

· Solving mysteries incorporates problem-solving skills
· Good character development enhances the quality of the story

Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Write a mystery that contains certain elements of the genre, including: crime, detective,
clues, suspects, motivation
· Develop a strong character through pre-writing activities, prior to drafting a story
· Reveal a character’s personality through actions, words, possessions, appearance, etc.
· Create a setting that reflects the character
· Use symbolism to reflect the character’s personality
· Edit one’s own writing and the writing of peers

Standards
CCSS ELA-Literacy.W.4.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or
events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequence that unfolds
naturally

49
 STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include but not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations
· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities:
· Work on a personality bubble map – with 6 lines coming from the personality circle
· Show, Don’t Tell – Read a passage and have students discuss character traits that come
through in the writing
· Jackets Have Personalities – share pictures of different jackets, write sentences about the
personality of the jackets, the owners, and the environment the jacket is in. (page 31)
· Read a short story and discuss the symbols and what they suggest about the characters.
· Write and edit a mystery story

Differentiation
· Alternate between whole group mini lessons and small group mini lessons
· Arrange seating so that you are able to work more closely with those who need to be
refocused

Resources:
· Challenging Units for Gifted Learners (Language Arts Edition) by Smith and Stonequist
· Mystery Unit Binder (G&T Room)
· Books: Grandpa’s Teeth and A Bad Day at Riverbend as mentor texts

50
 4th Grade
Unit 4:
Building a Miniature Golf Course
10 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· What makes games of miniature golf so appealing to people?

· Which hole designs are the most attractive and fun? Why? How can we construct such a
design?
· What strategies can a golfer use to achieve a hole-in-one?
· How does the design of the miniature golf hole affect which strategies should be used?
· Where must a golfer hit the ball on a bumper to send it toward the hole?
· How can geometry concepts such as angle measures help us to hit a hole-in-one?
· How do people use levers in everyday life?
· How can we build a lever? How can we incorporate a lever into our miniature golf course
design?

Enduring Understandings:

· Games of strategy, such as miniature golf, are appealing to people and require us to think
critically about outcomes.
· Geometry knowledge, like congruent angles, can help people to achieve a hole-in-one or
the best score possible.
· We can make predictions about the motion of objects, such as golf balls, based on what
we know about forces.
· Levers (first and second class) are used in a variety of everyday life situations.
· We can use our artistic talents to design unique, creative projects that are visually
appealing and fun.

51
Objectives - Students will be able to:
· Build a miniature golf course based on the principles of geometry: including isosceles
triangles, congruent angles, and bisected segments
· Measure and record congruent angles
· Bisect and measure isosceles triangles and use the findings to predict paths for holes in
one
· Reflect points over a line and use the findings to predict paths for holes in one
· Graph, build and manipulate sets of pentominoes; use pentominoes to shape the golf
holes
· Locate, draw and photograph different classes of levers; build first and second class
levers
· Incorporate levers into the designs of the golf holes
· Use artistic ability to design and decorate a golf hole around a specific theme

Standards
CCSS.Math.Content.4.G.A.1 Draw points, line segments, rays, angles (right, acute, obtuse), and
perpendicular and parallel lines.
STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include but not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

52
 STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities:
· Introduction to the role angles play in miniature golf
· Finding and measuring angles
· Discovering how congruent angles make someone a better golfer
· Reflection and geometry proofs
· Pentominoes: creating various shapes and choosing a design for your hole
· What is a lever
· Incorporating a lever into a miniature golf hole
· Second-class levers, and fulcrums in first-class levers
· Is a golf club a lever?
· Designing the miniature golf holes
· Building and decorating the miniature golf holes
· Playing the golf holes

Differentiation
· This unit incorporates math, science and art so each student is able to bring their own
strengths to the group to complete the unit as a whole
Resources:
· Challenging Units for Gifted Learners (Math Edition) by Smith and Stonequist
· http://www.achieve.org/files/CCSS-CTE-Task-MiniatureGolf-FINAL.pdf
· http://boyslife.org/hobbies-projects/projects/718/fore/
· Geometry related lessons in Everyday Math

53
 5th Grade
Unit 1:
Getting to Know ME- Career Investigation
6 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· What do I enjoy doing in my free time?

· How am I NOW?
· What are things that I love?
· What kinds of things interest me?
· What are things that I do not like to do?
· What am I good at?
· Who do I like to spend time with and where?
· Who has shaped my thinking and how can I model that behavior?
· What careers interest me?
· What careers would I excel?
· What are my short-term goals for this school year?
· What are my long-term goals for my academic future?

Enduring Understandings:

· Each person is unique and has different interests and goals for themselves.
· To be successful in life we must have a vision of what we would like to achieve.
· Each person has various abilities and strengths and it is okay for people to be strong in
one area but not in another.
· Career choices will effect various aspects of your life such as schedule, economic
security, socialization and happiness.
· Understand different career descriptions that may or may not interest students.
· Various individuals shape the way we think and act.

54
Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Describe what they enjoy doing.

· Identify their particular interests and talents by analyzing results of an interest inventory
· Synthesis research to create a report about a career
· Describe the characteristics of a chosen occupation
· Collaborate with peers about similar interests
· Design and participate in an “interest club”

Standards
9.1.8.C.3 Model leadership skills during classroom and extra-curricular activities.
9.1.4.D.2 Express needs, wants, and feelings appropriately in various situations.
9.2.12.A.2 Identify a career goal and develop a plan and timetable for achieving it,
including educational/training requirements, costs, and possible debt.

STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include by not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

55
 STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities
· Complete an interest inventory
· Group students with similar interests together to create an “interest club”. Students can
meet regularly and discuss different aspects of their club
· Research a career
· Present your research in any of the following platforms: story book, oral presentation,
creating a brochure, writing a report
· Interview family members or friends that have had a positive impact on student’s lives.
(sample questions could include occupation-related, morals/values, advice about life,
educational-related)
· Research an occupational field that interests the student and give a presentation.
· Create and keep a writing journal while responding to related prompts given by the
teacher (example-“What did you do yesterday that you enjoyed?” or “What is one job
that you would like to learn more about?”)
· Perform activities such as role-playing, dressing up, and acting the part of an occupation
of interest

Resources
· Helpful websites: Personality Test - http://www.personalitylab.org ; Bureau of Labor
and Statistics –A to Z list of careers - http://www.bls.gov/k12/aclist.htm ; Career Interest
Inventory -
http://www.pyninc.org/careerexposuretoolkit/downloads/CareerInterestInventory.pdf ;
Differentiated Instructional Strategy Interest Inventory -
http://www.duvalschools.org/newteachers/DI%20Strategies/DI%202012/Interest%20Inv
entory.pdf ;
· Non-fiction career books

56
 5th Grade
Unit 2:
Building a Funfair
6 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· How are percents, decimals and fractions related?

· How can you determine the probability for certain outcomes?
· How can you use probability to decide if a game is fair or unfair?

Enduring Understandings:

· Percents, decimals and fractions can be used to represent the same value in a different
format.
· Probability is the number of desired outcomes over the number of possible outcomes
· A game is unfair if you have less than a 50% chance of winning
· By changing the rules of a game, you can make a game fair or unfair

Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Compute the probability of various outcomes

· Compute probability for compound events
· Convert fractions, decimals and percents to another form
· Develop, analyze and explain the methods they used to solve problems
· Communicate their mathematical thinking to peers
· Use problem solving to alter a games ‘fairness’

Standards
CCSS.Math.Content.5.MD.B.2 Make a line plot to display a data set of measurements in
fractions of a unit (1/2, 1/4, 1/8). Use operations on fractions for this grade to solve problems
involving information presented in line plots. For example, given different measurements of
liquid in identical beakers, find the amount of liquid each beaker would contain if the total
amount in all the beakers were redistributed equally.
CCSS.Math.Content.6.RP.A.2 Understand the concept of a unit rate a/b associated with a ratio
a:b with b ≠ 0, and use rate language in the context of a ratio relationship. For example, “This
recipe has a ratio of 3 cups of flour to 4 cups of sugar, so there is 3/4 cup of flour for each cup of
sugar.” “We paid $75 for 15 hamburgers, which is a rate of $5 per hamburger.”1

57
 STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include but not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities:
· Lesson 1: Introduction to probability
· Lesson 2: Equalizing Probability: “Rock Paper Scissors”
· Lesson 3: Independent Events: “Guess your luck”
· Lesson 4: Experimental and Theoretical probabilities: “Chip toss”
· Lesson 5: Simulation Plan: “Allowance Challenge”
· Lesson 6: Creating games for the Funfair
· Lesson 7: Testing Games and Preparing for the Funfair
· Lesson 8: Final Preparations, Participate in Funfair and debriefing

Differentiation
· Students are able to work individually, in pairs and as a group throughout the unit
· Vary the amount of work load based on students’ needs

Resources:
· Challenging Units for Gifted Learners (Math Edition) by Smith and Stonequist

58
 5th Grade
Unit 3:
The Marsville Project
12 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· Is it possible for life to exist on other planets?

· What are the characteristics of the planet Mars?
· Is it possible for humans to colonize the planet Mars?
· What are the challenges to human colonization of Mars?
· How can humans create solutions to biological problems in order to survive on Mars?
· How can humans use teamwork and communication to co-exist and succeed?

Enduring Understandings:

· Each planet has specific characteristics that differ from one another, some being
favorable to human life and others unfavorable.
· The planet Mars has certain challenges to human colonization.
· When we approach a new environment (a new school, country, planet, etc.), we can adapt
to it.
· In order for humans to survive there are biological life-supporting systems that must be
in place and working properly (such as communication, transportation, food production,
etc.).
· Humans can and must communicate and work collaboratively to be successful.

59
Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Retell mathematical and scientific information about Mars and Earth

· Compare and contrast conditions on Earth and Mars
· Describe the special challenges that the planet Mars poses to human colonization
· Create a solution to the specific biological or social problem assigned to their “Martian
colony”
· Design, build and present a model of the assigned life-support system
· Organize, communicate, collaborate and problem solve as a team with students of
Chesterfield, as well as the greater Marsville community of schools
· Determine how scientific facts of the planet Mars are applied to solve a problem to
human colonization and use this knowledge in the assigned system
· Apply mathematical knowledge of Mars to calculate weights and volumes for lunches
· Erect a “habitat bubble” with students from other schools on Link-Up Day

Standards
5.1.8.A.1 Demonstrate understanding and use interrelationships among central scientific
concepts to revise explanations and to consider alternative explanations

STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include but not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

60
 STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities
· Research and develop an understanding of the physical and biological characteristics of
Mars
· Form teams and select one of eight life-support systems. Then research the type of life-
support system their team is going to create
· Design and build mini-models of life-support systems
· Compare and contrast characteristics of Mars and Earth
· Create visually appealing uniforms to wear on Link-Up Day
· Present to classmates how Mars’ characteristics have been incorporated into students’
life-support systems
· Students communicate their plans for construction with other schools (three teams from
various schools make up a “Habitat Crew”) through written or technological
communication
· Students use mathematical knowledge of weights and volumes in Mars to calculate
lunches and pack lunches to meet specific nutrition, size and weight restrictions .
· Students design and construct their 1/3 of the inflatable habitat (which is the physical
structure that houses three teams on Link-Up Day).
· Link-Up Day: Students meet at Georgian Court University in their uniforms, along with
specifically required lunches and their 1/3 model systems. Teams cooperatively build
their habitat bubbles. Teams formally present their systems and participate in various
activities. Students problem solve about how to fix a sudden crisis facing their colony. To
culminate, all habitat bubbles are physically linked to form Marsville.

Differentiation
· Assign students different tasks based on strengths
· Vary the workload based on student’s abilities

Resources
· Marsville Management Manual
· Helpful websites: http://www.nrc-
cnrc.gc.ca/eng/education/marsville/teachers/overview_mini.html ;
http://www.eirc.org/website/giftedandtalented/marsville/

61
 5th Grade
Unit 4:
Poems from Nature
8 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· How are structure and content important to writing poetry?

· What strategies can I use to understand a poem?
· What is the difference between a metaphor and a conceit?

Enduring Understandings:

· A poet must choose a type of structure and the content before writing a poem.
· Using mentor texts can inspire one with their own writing.
· A reader must use their past experience, vocabulary, knowledge of other poems, context
clues and an understanding of textual features to interpret a poem
· A metaphor compares two objects, a conceit compares two things through several
metaphors

Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Define and create metaphors, similes, and conceits

· Analyze several poems for rhyme, pattern, figurative language, literal meaning, and
symbolic meaning
· Develop personal criteria for evaluating and discussing poetry
· Create original poetry modeled after ones they have read
· Use dramatic voice and expression when presenting original poems to the class
· Collect pictures from nature that reflect poetic themes

Standards
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.5 With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and
strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
(Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1-3 up to and
including grade 5 here.)

62
 STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include but not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities:
· Lesson 1: Similes, Metaphors and Conceits
· Lesson 2: “The Road Not Taken”
· Lesson 3: Final Versions of Frost-Style Poems
· Lesson 4: “A Late Walk”
· Lesson 5: “Like Trains of Cars on Tracks of Plush”
· Lesson 6: Sharing Student’s work
· Lesson 7: Presentation

Differentiation
· Have extra examples in the room for those who need it
· Provide a short list of optional topics for students who need help making decisions
· Vary mini lessons as small group or whole group based on students’ needs

Resources:
· Challenging Units for Gifted Learners (Language Arts Edition) by Smith and Stonequist
· Poems from Robert Frost and Emily Dickenson

63
 6th Grade
Unit 1:
Getting to Know ME- Memoirs
6 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· What do I enjoy doing in my free time?

· How am I NOW?
· What are things that I love?
· What events in my life have had the most impact?
· What kinds of things interest me?
· What are things that I do not like to do?
· What am I good at?
· Who do I like to spend time with and where?
· Who has shaped my thinking and how can I model that behavior?
· What do I want to be when I grow up?
· What are my short-term goals for this school year?
· What are my long-term goals for my academic future?

Enduring Understandings:

· Each person is unique and has different interests and goals for themselves.
· To be successful in life we must have a vision of what we would like to achieve.
· Each person has various abilities and strengths and it is okay for people to be strong in
one area but not in another.
· Understand different career descriptions that may or may not interest students.
· Various individuals shape the way we think and act.

Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Write a memoir
· Describe what they enjoy doing.
· Identify their particular interests and talents by analyzing results of an interest inventory
· Describe the characteristics of a chosen occupation
· Collaborate with peers about similar interests
· Design and participate in an “interest club”
Standards
9.1.8.C.3 Model leadership skills during classroom and extra-curricular activities.
9.1.4.D.2 Express needs, wants, and feelings appropriately in various situations.

64
 STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include by not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities
· Complete an interest inventory
· Group students with similar interests together to create an “interest club”. Students can
meet regularly and discuss different aspects of their club
· Interview family members or friends that have had a positive impact on student’s lives.
(sample questions could include occupation-related, morals/values, advice about life,
educational-related)
· Create and keep a writing journal while responding to related prompts given by the
teacher (example-“What did you do yesterday that you enjoyed?” or “What is one job
that you would like to learn more about?”)
· Write a memoir

Differentiation
· Provide various graphic organizers and let students select on that meets their needs
· Provide list of prompting ideas for reluctant writers

Resources
· Helpful websites: Personality Test - http://www.personalitylab.org ; Bureau of Labor
and Statistics –A to Z list of careers - http://www.bls.gov/k12/aclist.htm ; Career Interest
Inventory -
http://www.pyninc.org/careerexposuretoolkit/downloads/CareerInterestInventory.pdf ;
Differentiated Instructional Strategy Interest Inventory -
http://www.duvalschools.org/newteachers/DI%20Strategies/DI%202012/Interest%20Inv
entory.pdf ;
· Books: Boy by Roald Dahl, The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

65
 6th Grade
Unit 2:
Thrill Ride
8 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· What are Newton’s Laws of motion?

· How does energy change?
· What are different types of forces? How do they effect energy?
· Why do we use simple machines?

Enduring Understandings:

· Newton’s laws of motion

· Energy cannot be created or destroyed; It only changes form.
· The relationship between forces and energy
· Simple machines can be used to reduce the amount of energy needed to cause change
Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Demonstrate the ability to interpret and explain information generated by their

exploration of scientific phenomena by designing a scientifically valid experiment and
demonstrating that predictions are based on data.
· Use developmentally appropriate instruments and materials to demonstrate: controlling
variables, conducting an experiment, using statistics for analysis, and communicate
procedures and findings.
· Work cooperatively, complete hands-on investigations and explore authentic tasks.
· Use a variety of media and formats to communicate information and ideas effectively
· Employ technology in the development of strategies for solving problems in the real
world.
Standards
5.2.6.E.3 Demonstrate and explain the frictional force acting on an object with the use of a
physical model.

66
 STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include but not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities:
· Respond to a letter from an amusement park developer
· Using Newton’s Laws, design a ramp to transport fragile items
· Investigate forces exerted on a person on a ride
· Identify the energy transformations in a pendulum
· Design and demonstrate a parachute drop device
· Examine what factors would make a theme park successful
· Write a persuasive essay to the owner of a theme park
· Using K’nex, create a Ferris Wheel. Prepare a presentation about the simple machines
used on the ride

Differentiation
· Add extra examples that connect to students lives for those who have trouble
understanding
· Give students the opportunity to work with partners and small groups

Resources:
· K’NEX Manual

67
 6th Grade
Unit 3:
Developing a Small Business
8 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· How can I create a business plan?

· What is the value in doing market analysis?
· What do I want to learn from my customer to improve my chances for selling my
product?
· How can I successfully advertise?
· How do I calculate my profit?

Enduring Understandings:

· Market analysis is necessary for increasing sales as it lets you know what customers are
looking for which will increase sales
· A business plan should include: goals for the business, costs to make product, description
of product, how it will be advertised, description of target customer, etc.
· Successful advertising includes highlighting benefits specific to the desired customer
· Profit = Cost item sells for- Cost to produce and advertise product

Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Understand supply and demand to make decisions regarding the business

· Conduct market analyses to increase profits and use this to create a business plan
· Use mean, median and mode
· Develop budget and profit goals
· Present a request to gain investors
· Develop the product to be sold and how it will be marketed

Standards
· 9.2.8.D.5 Explain the economic principal of supply and demand

68
 STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include but not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities:
· Lesson 1: Ideas for a business
· Lesson 2: Calculating Investment and Equity
· Lesson 3: Calculating Profit
· Lesson 4: Projecting 4th Quarter earnings and Business Evaluation
· Lesson 5: Advertising, Knowing your target audience
· Lesson 6: Presenting your business pitch

Differentiation
· Let students select their business partner based on their academic and personality
strengths

Resources:
· Challenging Units for Gifted Learners (Math Edition) by Smith and Stonequist
· Small Business Unit binder

69
 6th Grade
Unit 4:
Robotics: Lego Mindstorms Robolab
8 weeks

STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS

Essential Questions:

· What is a robot?
· How are robots being used to solve problems facing society today?

Enduring Understandings:

· It is important to develop strong problem solving skills to help us in everyday life in the
real world.
· A team’s success depends on the members’ abilities to cooperate.
· Robots can be designed and programmed to assist humans with specific challenges or
tasks.

Objectives - Students will be able to:

· Design, build and program a robot

· Create and test hypotheses
· Communicate thoughts both orally and in written form
· Explain how robots are being applied to solve problems facing society today
· Use NXT bricks to teach a robot to execute simple behaviors
· Explain how a sensor works and program a sensor

Standards
· 9.4.12.B.(2).14 Manage relationships with teachers and classmates to successfully
complete a construction project.
· 9.4.12.O.(1).1 Apply the concepts, processes, guiding principles, and standards of school
mathematics to solve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics problems.

70
 STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

May include but not limited to:

· Formal and informal teacher observations

· Discussions
· Teacher questioning and student oral responses
· Performance assessments
· Rubrics
· Lesson assignments and records
· Completed projects
· Class presentations
· Self-assessments
· Peer evaluations

STAGE 3 – Suggested Activities and Resources

Suggested Activities:
· What is a robot? – Research the five fundamental parts of a robot on the Internet
(possible resource: HowStuffWorks.com)
· Human vs. Robot – Compare and contrast the fundamental parts of a robot to a human
using a Venn Diagram
· Learning about the history of robots and how they are being used today
· Introductory video to become familiar with Lego technology
· Writing instructions – Students write instruction to a simple task (how to make a PB&J
sandwich for example) and have other students act as robots and follow the instructions
given

Differentiation
· Scaffold mathematically problems based on ability
· Create different writing rubrics based on expectations for each student

Resources:
· http://education.lego.com/en-us

71
 DIFFERENTIATION ADAPTATIONS
Areas for consideration when designing accommodations
Learning Environment Curriculum Teaching and Learning Styles
Allow a “time out” or private Adapt number of items that Plan using UbD planning tool
space for students to choose need to be completed Adapt the way instruction is
Use preferential seating Use different forms of delivered to the learner- use
Provide opportunities for assessments that multiple teaching styles to teach
movement demonstrate different a new concept
Vary activities both in and out of learning styles Use concrete examples and
desk/table Allow use of charts and move towards the abstract
calculators Provide an overview of lesson
Allow different visual aids, at beginning
concrete examples, hands- Monitor the rate and manner in
on activities, and cooperative which the material is being
groups to learn new presented
concepts
Time Demands Cooperative Learning Behavior Concerns
Allow extra time to complete tests Use flexible grouping Give clear expectations of goals
Give different versions of tests Use student choice in for the class period
Follow a routine grouping Be consistent in follow through
Set specific time limits for test Assign peer helpers to check with both positive and negative
in on one another consequences
Use of cues
Give immediate positive
reinforcement and feedback
Avoid power struggle
Allow for a time out or “cool off”
space in classroom for
designated amount if time
Attention/Focus Concerns Organization Written Expression
Give notification of transitions Give copy of notes Allow use of manuscript,
Use of cues to refocus Allow student to leave cursive, or typing for
Seat near teacher or in area of unnecessary materials in a assignments
less distraction nearby area Leniency in spelling and
Introduce assignments in Color coded materials neatness (to an agreed upon
sequential steps Use of binder system level)
Make sure books/materials are Use a checklist for work in Provide a copy of notes
on the correct pages smaller units Avoid pressures for speed or
accuracy

72
Visual Processing Language Processing Audio Processing
Give highlighted/color coded copy Give both written and verbal Provide a copy of notes
of notes directions Use of a checklist
Avoid copying notes from the Slow the rate of presentation Keep statements short and to
board and paraphrase information the point
Check in with student to be sure Keep statements short and Use of eye contact
that visuals are comprehended to the point Have student sit closer to
from the beginning of lesson Allow for extra wait time instruction
Avoided cluttered worksheets Use student’s name before Use of student buddy to check
keeping them clear and well- asking a question in with sitting nearby
defined Use of visuals and hands-on Use of visuals
materials Stop and check in for
Familiarize students with understanding
new vocabulary before
lesson

73
 DIFFERENTIATION
Strategies for Special Education, Struggling, Enrichment,
and English Language Learners
Additional Support:

· Vocabulary reinforcement- flash cards, graphic organizers, games

· Frequent use of partners or small groups
· Alternative text- lower reading level text for reference especially for homework
assignments
· Build a model
· Hands on experiments
· visual representations- both in class and with assignments
· video demonstrations
· musical connections
· oral review of information after reading
· collaborative group work- flexible grouping
· Different color paper for copies of different things (for example body systems-
respiratory- blue, circulatory- gold, digestive- pink…)
· Verbal and non-verbal cues

Extension activities:

· Research report/project
· Make a periodic table
· Create a compound alphabet
· Additional experiments- compare and contrast results to analyze
· Teach a group/peer assistance
· Application to own life or the real world report
· Research careers that use the science being learned and explain how it is used
· Compare and extend past the material covered in class for homework or project
· Content related online academic games
· Complete a visual representation of learned content (i.e. Venn Diagram/T-chart)
· Writing activity in response to content (i.e. letter or story)
· Read/research and share learned information with class

Also see:
Differentiating-Instruction-for-Gifted-Learners
http://www.nagc.org/index2.aspx?id=978
http://www.gifted.uconn.edu/nrcgt/newsletter/spring98/sprng985.html
http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content/diff_instruction.html
http://envisiongifted.com/index.html
http://www1.teachersfirst.com/gifted/strategies.html
http://www.sengifted.org/archives/article_category/diversityspecial-populations-of-gifted
http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/differentiation.htm
http://www.ldonline.org/indepth/gifted
http://www.nagc.org/uploadedFiles/Information_and_Resources/Position_Papers/twice%
20exceptionality%20position%20paper.pdf
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 Chesterfield Elementary School
Gifted and Talented Curriculum Connections
Indicates at which grades level content is first introduced

GRADE Standard 9.1.A Standard 9.1.B Standard 9.1.C Standard 9.1.D Standard Standard
9.1.E 9.1.F
Critical Creativity and Collaboration, Cross-Cultural Communicatio Accountability,
Thinking and Innovation Teamwork, & Understanding and n and Media Productivity, &
Problem Solving Leadership Interpersonal Fluency Ethics
Communication
K 9.1.8.C.3 9.1.4.D.2
9.1.4.D.3
1
2 9.2.4.A.1

3
4
5
6

GRADE Standard 9.2.A Standard 9.2.B Standard 9.2.C Standard 9.2.D Standard 9.2.E Standard 9.2.F Standard 9.2.G

Income and Money Credit and Planning, Becoming a Civic Financial Risk
Careers Management Debt Saving, & Critical Responsibility Management
Management Investing Consumer and Insurance
K 9.2.4.A.1
1

2
3

4
5 9.2.12.A.2
6 9.2.8.D.5

75
GRADE Standard 9.3 Standard 9.4
Career Awareness Career and Technical
Education
K
1

2 9.3.4.A.3 9.4.12.O.(1)

4
5

6 9.4.12.B.(2).14
9.4.12.O.(1).1

GRADE Standard 5.1 Standard 5.2 Standard 5.3 Standard 5.4

Science Practices Physical Science Life Science Earth Science

K 5.1.4.A.3
5.1.4.B.2
5.1.4.B.3
1 5.3.2.E.2

2 5.4.2.F.1

5.4.4.F.1

3 5.3.6.B.1

4 5.1.4.A.2

5.1.4.B.1

5 5.1.8.A.1

6 5.2.6.E.3

76
GRADE Standard 6.1 Standard 6.2 Standard 6.3
US History World History Active Citizenship
K 6.1.4.B.7

1 6.2.8.D.1.c 6.3.4.A.1

2 6.1.4.A.1

3 6.2.8.D.2.a

6.2.8.D.2.d

GRADE CCSS ELA CCSS Math

K
1

4 CCSS ELA- CCSS.Math.Content.4.

Literacy W.4.3 G.A.1

5 CCSS.ELA-
Literacy.W.5.5 CCss.Math.Content.5.
MD.B.2

CCSS.Math.Content.6.
RP.A.2

77
 Pacing Guide for Gifted and Talented Curriculum

Kindergarten
Unit Name Unit Length Timeline

Getting to Know Me 3 weeks September

Economics- People/Work 8 weeks November/December

Exploring with Senses 6 weeks January/February

Friends & Family- Culture 8 weeks March/April

Where We Work 8 weeks May/June

1st Grade
Unit Name Unit Length Timeline

Getting to Know Me 3 weeks September

All Kinds of Jobs 6 weeks November/December

Magnets 6 weeks January/February

Changes Over Time 8 weeks March/April

Citizens 8 weeks May/June

2nd Grade
Unit Name Unit Length Timeline

Getting to Know Me 3 weeks September

All About Work 6 weeks November/December

Ways of 8 weeks January/February

Thinking/Brainteasers

Our Community 8 weeks March/April

Inventions 10 weeks End of April/May/June

78
3rd Grade
Unit Name Unit Length Timeline

Getting to Know Me 3 weeks September

Architecture/Bridges 8 weeks November/December

Meteorology 8 weeks January/February

Ancient Greece 10 weeks March/April/Beginning of

May

Gardening/Hydroponics 8 weeks May/June

4th Grade
Unit Name Unit Length Timeline

Getting to Know Me: 6 weeks September/November

Autobiographies

Simple Machines 8 weeks November/December/Begi

nning of January

Mystery Writing 8 weeks End of

January/February/March

Building a Miniature Golf 10 weeks April/May/June

Course

5th Grade
Unit Name Unit Length Timeline

Getting to Know Me: 6 weeks September/November

Career Investigation

Building a Funfair 6 weeks November/December

Marsville 12 weeks January/February/March

Poems from Nature 8 weeks April/May

79
6th Grade
Unit Name Unit Length Timeline

Getting to Know Me: 6 weeks September/November

Memoirs

Thrill Ride 8 weeks December/January

Developing a Small 8 weeks February/March

Business

Robotics: Lego Mindstorms 8 weeks April/May

Robolab

80