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Full-Text Articles in Junior High, Intermediate, Middle School Education and Teaching

Fractions [6th Grade], Carol Von Hoff Jul 2008

Fractions [6th Grade], Carol Von Hoff

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

Fractions are part of a whole or part of a group (set). Fractions are equal to each other in different forms (example: ½ = 2/4). Fractions can be simplified.


Intro To Spanish I [8th Grade], Leigh Sheppard Jul 2008

Intro To Spanish I [8th Grade], Leigh Sheppard

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this unit, students will learn what basic conversation skills are and how they begin the process of language acquisition. They will define what a basic conversation is and what makes up how they appear to others. We will begin in the native language and end in the target. Students will create personal “web pages” about themselves in Spanish to be posted on “MiEspacio”, our created Spanish MySpace. Students will be able to describe themselves and carryon a polite conversation about themselves and their school in Spanish.


Whose Fault Is History? [7th Grade], Kate Empson Jul 2008

Whose Fault Is History? [7th Grade], Kate Empson

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this unit students will learn about the events that culminated in the beginning of the Texas Revolution. Students will study specific legislative acts by the Mexican government and discover how these acts, which placed restrictions on activity in Texas, pushed many Texans to rebellion. They will then analyze these events and try to understand how historical figures in both Mexico and Texas would have viewed these legislative acts. The final performance assessment will require students to study a current conflict and the events that led up to that conflict. Students must then decide which side they would support in …


Discovery Through Nonfiction [6th Grade], Allison Grant Jul 2008

Discovery Through Nonfiction [6th Grade], Allison Grant

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this unit students will read a variety of informative and literary nonfiction texts focusing on the tragedy and discovery of the Titanic. The readings will provide them with the opportunity to uncover the understandings that discovery is the illumination of information, discovery leads us to understand the truth, and discovering types and features of nonfiction makes us more effective readers. Through discussion with their classmates and creation of several graphic organizers, students will answer the question “what is discovery and what is it not?” As students read the nonfiction books 882 ½ Amazing Answers to Your Questions About the …


Discovering Our World [6th Grade], Vanessa Sanchez Jul 2008

Discovering Our World [6th Grade], Vanessa Sanchez

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this unit for 6th graders, students will bridge their understanding between reading for information and reading solely for entertainment. Students will develop an understanding of the connection between discovery and reading as well as understanding that they are discoverers in their own right. Students will construct a fact book that includes information from various sources on the areas we have covered as well as constructing an analysis and explanation of their decisions. The assessments will provide students the framework to adjust perceptions and utilization of resources to match the purpose of their actions. In the end, students will understand …


Holocaust [8th Grade], Allison Grant Jun 2006

Holocaust [8th Grade], Allison Grant

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this unit students will read Night by Elie Wiesel as a means for discovering the atrocities of the Holocaust. Our study will provide them with the opportunity to uncover the following understandings: prejudice generates powerful feelings which can lead to violent consequences and human suffering, suffering produces significant change in humans, and effective communication of the change in an individual can promote the growth of human society. As students read the nonfiction book and conduct research on the historical events surrounding the Holocaust they will answer the questions why does different matter? and can hope and despair coexist? Through …


U. S. Constitution [8th Grade], Ben Altman Jun 2006

U. S. Constitution [8th Grade], Ben Altman

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this unit, students will explore the U.S. Constitution. They will begin by analyzing the issues and debates of the colonial era that brought about the need for a more structured centralized government. They will then study the processes of creation and ratification, and examine how these processes have contributed to the documents longevity and success. They will further that examination by evaluating the actual words of the document. The culminating performance assessment will require students to create their own constitutional plan for the governance of their history classroom. They will present their plans to the class and examine the …


Cultural Justice [7th Grade], Kathleen Fenske Jun 2006

Cultural Justice [7th Grade], Kathleen Fenske

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

This unit focuses on cultural justice and how the type of justice implemented depends on the culture. The unit focuses on the 3 essential questions: What is justice? Is there truly justice for all? And is one culture's system of justice better than another? Along with these three questions, the unit also focuses on the 4 types of justice: revenge, retribution, rehabilitation, and restoration. This unit begins with reading Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelson, a story about a boy, Cole, who is sent to live alone on an island instead of being sent to jail for committing a crime. …


Why Learn Spanish? [7th Grade], Leigh Sheppard Jun 2006

Why Learn Spanish? [7th Grade], Leigh Sheppard

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

No abstract provided.


Matter [6th Grade], Anne Cowell Jun 2006

Matter [6th Grade], Anne Cowell

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this unit students will identify matter by its chemical and physical properties and begin learning how to write sections of a lab report. Students will also practice using scientific equipment especially graduated cylinders, beakers, and triple beam balances.


What Is Measurement? [8th Grade], Catherine Risinger Jun 2006

What Is Measurement? [8th Grade], Catherine Risinger

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this 8th grade unit, students will bridge their understanding of measurement from 7th grade Math to a new level which is required for the further development of Mathematical Skills. Students will gain a better understanding on the needed skills when solving for both direct and indirect measurement. Through the performance assessment students will design in small groups a 4,000 square foot home. Not only will students complete a scale drawing of their design they will also be building their design as well. This allows students to appreciate the amount of details that are required in the buildings that we …


Family [7th Grade], Amy Nichols Jun 2006

Family [7th Grade], Amy Nichols

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this unit, students will explore the different forms and meaning family can take. Throughout, there will be an emphasis put on a fluid definition of family. From the traditional mother-father-children to friends who are like brothers to a woman caring for her aging boss, this unit will use age-appropriate literature to guide an exploration of what family can look like. In turn, there will also be opportunities for exploration of how families choose to represent and define themselves. Additionally, there will be study of the importance of point of view. A story and a situation--can change dramatically depending on …


Who Am I? [7th Grade], Lisa Shay, Judy Shaw Jun 2006

Who Am I? [7th Grade], Lisa Shay, Judy Shaw

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this three week unit students will gain a better understanding of themselves and how their life experiences and environment have shaped them. Students will also understand that by gaining self-knowledge they are better able to set goals for their future. In order to better understand themselves, students will first examine others lives and obstacles that these individuals have overcome to achieve some level of success. Through this examination students will be able to discover that the past doesn t have to decide their future. They will gain an insight into how certain individuals have triumphed despite difficulties and have …


Conflicts In Literature [8th Grade], Erin Phillips Jun 2006

Conflicts In Literature [8th Grade], Erin Phillips

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this unit, students will gain a greater understanding of conflict and its implications on life. The reading of short stories, biographies, and newspaper articles will guide the students in exploring the understandings that conflict brings about change, conflict is a catalyst of fiction, and that conflicts in literature can be applicable to our own lives. Performance task #1 invites students to delve into a newspaper article identifying the essential component of every story, (Does every story have a conflict?) conflict. The purpose is to locate the conflict and arrive at the conclusion that conflict is the determining factor of …


Historical Sources [7th Grade], Beth Mcphail Jun 2006

Historical Sources [7th Grade], Beth Mcphail

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

This unit introduces the concepts and skills associated with historical research and interpretation. Students will learn how to identify primary and secondary sources and how to interpret sources in a variety of formats. They will learn how to identify bias and some of the reasons it exists. Students will apply these skills of analysis and interpretation in a performance assessment that asks them to interpret a variety of sources about a historical event. Students will create a presentation for their peers in which they explain this event, based on their source analysis. The purpose of this unit is to prepare …


Survival Stories [6th Grade], Allison Grant Jun 2006

Survival Stories [6th Grade], Allison Grant

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this unit students will read historical fiction and nonfiction texts focusing on the tragedy of the Titanic. The readings will provide them with the opportunity to uncover the understandings that the genre of a text not only determines its purpose but also informs our approach to reading and that survivors make adjustments or adaptations in their lives in order to overcome significant challenges or difficulties. As students read the historical fiction book Voyage on the Great Titanic accompanied by various newspaper articles and nonfiction sources on the sinking of the ship, they will answer the question why does genre …


Obstacles: The Study Of Life's Hurdles Through Reading And Writing Personal Narratives [7th Grade], Nilima Patel Jun 2006

Obstacles: The Study Of Life's Hurdles Through Reading And Writing Personal Narratives [7th Grade], Nilima Patel

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

The study of writing and reading is all too often carried out separately. Students learn how to read and write in isolation; such learning proves to be limited. This unit aims to integrate these two studies into one. Students will study authors and the strategies they employ when writing. These strategies will then be applied in their own writing. Such strategies include developing characters and ideas, organizing ideas using the plot components, and cultivating writing through tone and mood.


What Are Rational Numbers? [8th Grade], Catherine Risinger Aug 2005

What Are Rational Numbers? [8th Grade], Catherine Risinger

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this pre-algebra unit of rational numbers, students will further their understanding of rational numbers and its application to everyday experiences. Pre-algebra is the stepping stone to high school mathematics. Therefore, it is imperative for students to recognize and demonstrate that there are appropriate situations in which rational numbers should be used and their usefulness to us. In the culminating performance task, students are asked to develop and present a plan for the BBQ that they will be hosting for a specified number of people. The BBQ scenario allows students to apply their knowledge of rational numbers in order to …


The Giver [8th Grade], Melissa Garza Aug 2005

The Giver [8th Grade], Melissa Garza

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

Students will explore the implications of a society where personal freedom is eliminated for the benefit of all. Through the use of provocative questions, studies in contemporary issues in their school and nation, and reading of The Giver students will come to terms with their own understanding of this essential question: How much should a government be able to control your individual rights for the benefit of the society? Other essential questions include: Could something intended for the good of society really be bad? What makes an ideal society?


Survival Guide: Writing A Personal Narrative [7th Grade], Nilima Patel Aug 2005

Survival Guide: Writing A Personal Narrative [7th Grade], Nilima Patel

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

The goals of this unit are threefold: first, instilling in students a sense of purpose for writing. Too often, students do not understand why it is important to write, and more acutely, they do not understand why it is important for them to write. Secondly, this unit aims to teach students specific strategies to implement when writing that will serve to engage the audience. There are three strategies that develop students writing in very concrete, understandable ways. Lastly, students will recognize the benefit of collaborating with peers when writing. While writing is primarily an individual exercise, this unit will challenge …


Catastrophic Events [7th Grade], Theodore Risinger Aug 2005

Catastrophic Events [7th Grade], Theodore Risinger

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

This unit focuses on the study of earthquakes and volcanoes as a means for better understanding the dynamic Earth we live on; and the impact of catastrophic events on human life. The student should complete this unit with a greater understanding of Earth's dynamic nature, being able to scientifically explain the cause of earthquakes and volcanoes. Along with the science of volcanoes and earthquakes the student will appreciate the value of scientific study as it relates to the protection of human life and society. This unit is by no means an all inclusive look at all catastrophic events. The goal …


We Can Make A Difference [8th Grade], Lisa Sutherland Aug 2005

We Can Make A Difference [8th Grade], Lisa Sutherland

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this unit students will be reading about a variety of injustices that exist both locally and around the world. Students will be uncovering the understanding that justice is not always a black and white issue and often has more than one perspective it can be seen from. Students will also see examples of individuals who have fought against injustice. Students will practice using their reading skills on both fiction and non-fiction pieces on this topic. Students will also participate in shared inquiry discussion and a debate wrestling with the ideas of justice. In the culminating performance task, students choose …


Native Texan Cultures [7th Grade], Beth Mcphail Aug 2005

Native Texan Cultures [7th Grade], Beth Mcphail

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this unit, students will explore the basic understanding that geography influences history within the context of Native American cultures. They will begin by finding ways in which geography has influenced their own culture and presenting these connections in a brochure for newcomers to the area. Students will then apply the same concept to the study of native cultures. They will learn about the major tribes and cultural groups that existed in Texas prior to European exploration, and how these cultures reflected the environments in which they lived. The culminating performance assessment will require students to develop a fictional native …


Texas Revolution [7th Grade], Katharine Givens Aug 2005

Texas Revolution [7th Grade], Katharine Givens

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

This unit focuses on the road to the Texas Revolution and the Texas Revolution. The unit begins with Students learning the causes of the Texas Revolution as well as the events that led up to the war. The unit will also focus on the people who were involved in the Texas Revolution. The road to revolution will end with students completing a letter writing activity in which they take on the role of a person living in Texas or Mexico before the revolution and write letters about the problems they are facing. Students will also respond to these letters and …