WOODLAWN ELEMENTARY

Unit Goal:

Students read informational and literary texts to understand how different scientific theories have changed over time.  They express their understanding about these theories and the process of scientific inquiry by gathering evidence and comparing and contrasting different theories.

Texts:

“The Making of a Scientist” by Richard Feynman as published in Cricket Magazine, October 1995 (Vol. 23, #2)

The Templeton Twins Have an Idea by Ellis Weiner

The 13 Planets: The Latest View of the Solar System by David A. Aguilar

“New Theory: Galileo Discovered Neptune” by Robert Roy Britt (SPACE.com)

Giants of Science: Isaac Newton by Kathleen Krull (Chapter 8)

Skills:

Main Idea and Supporting Details

Comparing/Contrasting

Theme

Summarizing

Writing Process

Assessments:

Comprehension Cold Reads – weekly

In-Class Writing Assignments - one essay each 9 weeks

Group/Class Participation - 100 point grade each 9 weeks

Digital Learning Portfolio – 100 point grade each 9 weeks.  This is a culmination of our learning throughout the 9 weeks.  Students should work hard at completing all assignments to the best of their ability to earn full credit.

Extra Credit Points: Maximum 20 points earned each 9 weeks for up to 2 completed book reports.  Students have the book report options available to them in the classroom.  These will be due by the end of the 9 week period in order to obtain credit for the current grading period.