ST1.6

ST1.6: The interdisciplinary problem-based curriculum includes a focus on real world applications.

Bluffton Elementary teachers utilize Rubicon Atlas curriculum-mapping software to layout problem-based curriculum for the school year.  The teachers meet over the summer and regularly during the school year to analyze and adjust the curriculum to meet the students’ needs and align it to STEM expectations. Because of this team-based approach, teachers are better able to create interdisciplinary curriculum infused with real-world applications because they work together across their own areas of expertise and knowledge bases.

Example of Second Grade Comparative Unit Calendar

cal1
calendar2
 
Below our robotics teacher works with teachers integrating robotics with their Social Studies standards.

 

Ideas for incorporating aspects of animation, creation and design into the K/1 curriculum.

 Quarter 1 (Umbrella theme is All About Me)
*intro/begin word walls and coding vocabulary (code, algorithm, loop, sequence, sprite)
*unplugged activities to introduce basic algorithms (short sequences, patterns)
*Ozobots available in relation to patterning and sequencing
Quarter 2 (Umbrella theme is Families)
*continued growth of vocabulary and word walls using the coding glossary on google docs.
*unplugged activities to build on sequencing and patterns- to continue building up to algorithms and coding- we focus on cycles (during Farm and trip around the world)- code.org has some unplugged activities about plant life cycles.
*dash and dot on the maps for trip around the world (if class is ready for that)
Quarter 3 (Umbrella theme is communities)
*continued growth of vocabulary and word walls using the coding glossary on google docs.
*continued development of sequencing and patterns to develop early coding using dash and dot
*using community maps as a setting for dash and dot or ozobots




 

Ideas for incorporating aspects of animation, creation and design into the 2nd grade curriculum.


All Year Long

Debugging Day in Math- Friday rotation/game day, “wrong” math problems and fix it

Read theme related books on Big Universe for each subject/unit

Use Dash to compute addition/subtraction facts

Using Discovery Education Techbook resources

Use Dash to create sentences, compound words, contraction, identify nouns/verbs/adjectives,

 

Quarter 1

ELA

Sequencing parts of a story using Dash, program Dash to go from each event in sequence, each group can have differentiated stories based on levels and abilities.

Math

Time/Money- Animate coins bouncing with labeling and values/combinations

Science

            Make a TouchCast weather report, assign different groups with each season

Social Studies

Rotate stations in Dash Lab, program Dash to find Bluffton, South Carolina, United States, North America on various maps.  Then read a sentence articulating the location of each using cardinal directions. 

Quarter 2

ELA

Make product in Robotics, then make iMovie or trailer for a commercial to express their opinion on their product

Math

            Utilize geoboard on iPad, create shapes/presentations on Educreations

Science

                Use Legos to see how much each can push, pull various weights, classroom competition