Blog #5: What a strong STEMS^2 unit should look like

A strong STEMS^2 unit should contain:

1.     Clearly defined goals and objectives of the designated content that promote critical thinking and problem solving.

2.     Real World Problem Solving/Application

a.     Content connects to local and/or global community issues.

b.     Focuses on students’ sense of self as a local and global citizen

c.      Explores each student’s own relationship to their environments

d.     Integrates Project-Based Learning opportunities that are cross curricular

e.     Integrates Place-Based Learning opportunities that are cross curricular

                                               i.     Explores each students sense of place

                                              ii.     Teachers sense of place

                                            iii.     Communities perspectives

                                            iv.     Global perspective

3.     Integration of STEM

a.     Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

                                               i.     Scientific Inquiry

                                              ii.     Integration of technology effectively and efficiently

                                            iii.     Engineering design

                                            iv.     Standards of Mathematical Practice

1.     Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them

2.     Reason abstractly and quantitatively

3.     Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others

4.     Model with mathematics

5.     Use appropriate tools strategically

6.     Attend to precision

7.     Look for and make use of structure

8.     Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning

4.   Differentiated Instruction

a.     Ongoing, formative assessments

b.     Recognizing diverse learners

c.      Group work, problem solving, different representation of material, and activities to engage all students

d.     Understanding interests and motivation

e.     Clarifying misconceptions

5.     Alignment to standards

a.     Common Core State Standards

b.     Next Generation Science Standards

6.     A clear and defined rubric for Formative and Summative Assignments of the Unit

a.     Refers back to the goals and objectives

b.     Clearly defines what qualities as:

                                               i.     Exceeded Proficiency

                                              ii.     Proficient

                                            iii.     Approaches

                                            iv.     Does Not Met

A unit to me should contain on main topic that may cover several standards.  For me, I want to do my unit on Solving Systems of Linear Equations using any method.  This is the last unit of Systems of Linear Equations before the unit on Systems of Linear Inequalities.

For example my curriculum map looks like this for Term 3:

·      Review of Linear Equations                                                                       (3-5 days)

Systems of Linear Equations

·      Unit 1

o   Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Graphing            (7-10 days)

·      Unit 2

o   Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Substitution       (7-10 days)

·      Unit 3

o   Solving Systems of Linear Equations by Elimination        (7-10 days)

·      Unit 4

o   Solving Systems of Linear Equations using any method   (4-6 days)

·      Unit 5

o   Solving Systems of Linear Inequalities                              (4-6 days)     

However, due to the service learning field trip I’m helping to plan for our Math Department, which includes 1,400 students in Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry/MOW, we might have to have the service learning field trip in Term 4 if we cannot fit all the field trip days in the end of Term 3.  We are currently working out all the details such as how many field trip days we will need depending on how many students the site can accommodate at a time and when the site is available.  Also there are buses, chaperones, and funding to consider.  Basically, there is a lot to consider when there are that many students and teachers.  We also need to get the teachers on board…wish us luck…