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Technology

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

2011

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Bamboo People—An Interdisciplinary Unit For High School, Mitzi Moore Aug 2011

Bamboo People—An Interdisciplinary Unit For High School, Mitzi Moore

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

A summer assignment asks students to read the book Bamboo People, by Mitali Perkins, and complete assignments in every class that are connected to the book. At the beginning of the school year, teachers use the assignments to extend the learning and help students understand the major themes of the book (child soldiers, landmines, literacy, and service to others). A video conference with the author is planned, as well as interactions with people familiar with modern-day Myanmar/Burma. The culminating activity is to bring all the assignments together in one place by publishing a blog post.


Global Environmental Problems, The Isa Way, Mitzi Moore, Kathleen Pedder Aug 2011

Global Environmental Problems, The Isa Way, Mitzi Moore, Kathleen Pedder

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

This unit asks freshmen to verbally advocate for an assigned policy option from an assigned roll, during a simulation in which they work in teams to influence a mock Presidential Advisory Panel on Environmental Issues. Learning the content (global environmental problems), researching, and collaborating to establish a position will take one month and be taught primarily through Biology and World Geography classes, with support from Math and Multimedia. They will also read Ishmael in English class, and extend their understanding of sustainability issues by taking a week-long field trip immediately following the simulation.