Curriculum Title Reviewed:    This Land is Your Land           

 

Reviewer 1

Reviewer 2

Reviewer 3

How used in a classrm?

As part of a science unit (Earth Science would be most appropriate).

As core interdisciplinary project with Sci/SS/ELA in 7th grade

Very good project-would use in Science class identifying living materials, environment and build from that with this project.

Which grades?

4 – 6

6-12

3-5

Subjects?

Science, English, Family Consumer Science

Science, ELA, SS

Health, Science

Appropriateness, possibility to strengthen: Learning Goals/Academic subjects

(First) Learning goal is a bit vague.

They’re good, but too hard for 3-5 graders. Do this is in a higher grade where students can do research, PR, and document their project fully as it evolves.

Yes, they are strong, cannot think of way to strengthen them.

Community needs

All are relevant; no additional partners

National Wildlife Foundation – resources on-line, Audubon-resources online. Block association, garden clubs, landscapers, Cornell Coop Ext. Local river and trail groups probably already do cleanups.

Cooperative extension-partner. Relevant community needs and will be very beneficial to all (rural, urban, suburbs)

Character virtue prominence

Character virtues are appropriate and applied nicely. 

Implicit

Yes. Prominent, infused with curriculum-activity supports the virtues and reinforces them with students.

SL activities

Enough detail is provided.

A bibliography and/or extended list of research suggestions.

Yes, very good. Maybe the types of supplies/materials needed, how to go about creating ecosystem and maintaining would be helpful.

Reflection activities

(n/a)

Add journaling, written and photo, plus clipping file.

They are appropriate, can be easily taken a step further. Instead of only doing a mock meeting, have students attend real mtg, or have legislature visit room and listen to student questions/information., Students can send persuasive essays to newspaper and place in opinion section.

Costs

Picnic “materials” – depending on number of people who will attend.

Frequent bus trips, probably need minigrant $ (ask us: MHSLI), plus tools if not donated.

Not sure how much an ecosystem costs. Difficult to answer-don’t know if students need to be bussed, etc.

Time needed

1 year.

Full year-do ample planning, break ground early April. OK to do some tree (planting and pruning) and cleanups in Fall.

Reasonable. This will take a year to complete.

Teacher preparation required

(n/a)

Lots! Esp. re safety.

Lots of prep because there are so many levels/facets to year long project. Would be good to team w/ someone else to share burden.

Possible improvements

(n/a)

Author needs to clarify focus. “Ecosystem” is vague. Does she want the kids to design 1. a drought resistant garden 2. a deer proof garden 3.  a low maintenance garden  4. a butterfly/bird garden 5. a permaculture installation-there are plenty of resources on the web, but a good print resource is Sara Stein’s “Noah’s Garden: Restoring the ecology of our own back yards” Or are they just repairing degraded habitats by removing invasive exotics? Use local ag. Products from small vendors at picnic (build gardener/farmer linkages).

See reflection activities.

Assessment items

Excellent academic relevance; however, 3rd grade seems too young.  4 – 6 is more appropriate. 

 

Very relevant and appropriate. I like this project.

Experience needed in gardening/landscaping

 

Moderately experienced

 

Experience needed in CE

Moderately experienced.

Little or no experience

Moderately experienced

Experience needed in SL

Very experienced.

Moderately experienced

Moderately experienced

Rate the project in the following areas:

Doability

(n/a)

Average

Average-Strong

Addressing the character virtues

(n/a)

Strong

Average-Strong

Relevance to actual academic content

(n/a)

Strong

Strong

Reflection activities

(n/a)

Average-Strong

Average-Strong

How strongly are each of the character virtues addressed by this project….

Caring

Somewhat.

Not at all

Strongly

Citizenship

Very strong.

Very strong

strongly

Fairness

Not at all.

Not at all

Not at all

Giving

Somewhat.

Very strong

Strongly

Respect

Very strong.

Strongly

Strongly

Responsibility

Very strong. 

Very strong

Strongly

Trustworthy

Not at all. 

Strongly

Not at all