Projects: Cross-curricular studies
The Amazon Rainforest.
This cross-curricular study takes place over 6 school months. During the study the third graders become Amazon Rainforest experts through a series of projects based in science research, nonfiction & fiction reading, expository and creative non-fiction writing, realistic fiction writing, measurement and scale, social studies, and visual art. The project culminates in the creation of a rainforest museum built and run by the third graders. Third graders are ready to really dive into non-fiction reading and writing and are able to conduct independent research since they are proficient readers. They are also ready to write longer pieces on detailed topics in both fiction and non-fiction. The rainforest study depends greatly on these skills. The project also gives the children a great chance to connect their science research and math skills as they begin building life-size rainforest creatures. While measuring, sketching, and building the animals they have studied, several math skills are called upon. |
|
World Geography and Landforms.
Before focusing in on the Amazon Rainforest, the third graders spend some time studying world geography and landforms. By creating their own working map, the third graders are able to build an understanding of continents, oceans, mountains, rivers, and natural wonders of the world; adding them to the map as they are discovered as a class or as individuals. Once the rainforest study begins, we add the world's rainforests to the map as well! |
Water and Bubbles.
As an introduction to the scientific method I begin the third grade year with a study of water tension and bubbles. Though a series of science meetings and experiments, the third graders discover properties of water and then of bubbles. The children are challenged to come up with a question and a hypothesis to test through each experiment, then we discuss our observations to make conclusions as a class. Depending on the interests of the children different projects emerge from this study. Some children are interested in the colors and patterns found in bubbles and create watercolor paintings. Other children enjoy creating diagrams of their observations to share. |
|