Below is a collection of elementary curricula I have designed. I take a backwards design approach and incorporate Universal Design for Learning throughout all lessons and units to differentiate for diverse learners. I'm well-versed in a variety of formats from a traditional gradual release model to a more hands-on launch, explore, discuss format, and lots of others in between.
Coding Mathematical Art
This lesson was developed to introduce upper elementary learners to the intersection of visual art, computer science, and geometry. Students use the block-based art tools on code.org to draw a shape while also reviewing geometric attributes and learning about sequences and loops. Throughout the lesson, students make connections to the creative aspects of math and computer science. They examine geometric artwork by Piet Mondrian and Pablo Picasso, and they engage in discussions about how coding requires creative problem solving skills.
The Power of Water and Numbers
This 5th grade Earth science unit is designed around the NGSS standard, "Describe and graph the amounts and percentages of water and fresh water in various reservoirs to provide evidence about the distribution of water on Earth" (5-ESS2-2). Students explore the question: Is all water safe to drink? This unit focuses not only on the percentage of fresh vs. salt water distribution, but they consider why this matters to diverse groups of people.
Students read The Water Princess, the story of Georgie Badiel ("Gie Gie") as told and illustrated by Susan Verde and Peter Reynolds. Badiel is a New York City-based model who is from Burkina Faso. Students consider the idea of water access and what some communities, like Gie Gie's, must do to obtain clean drinking water. Students have a chance to learn about the Georgie Badiel Foundation, a charitable organization which aims to provide clean water and sanitation to the people of Burkina Faso by building and restoring wells, providing technical training in well operation and maintenance, and creating educational programs for sanitary and hygiene practice.
Students also learn about a kid who is making a difference - Ryan Hreljac. When Ryan was in first grade, he learned about how not everyone has access to clean water. Inspired to make a difference, he eventually began The Ryan's Well Foundation. His foundation works on projects around the world to increase access to sanitation and clean water.
In fifth grade math, students are also working to master decimal place value: "Read, write, and compare decimals to thousandths" ( 5.NBT.A.3). After reading informational texts and watching videos discussing fresh vs. salt water, which we is safe to drink, and distribution of each type on Earth, students use the decimal model to visually graph percentages of each:
To conclude the unit, students create their own PSA to share with their communities the importance of clean water and what people can do to help make sure everyone has access to it.
Students read The Water Princess, the story of Georgie Badiel ("Gie Gie") as told and illustrated by Susan Verde and Peter Reynolds. Badiel is a New York City-based model who is from Burkina Faso. Students consider the idea of water access and what some communities, like Gie Gie's, must do to obtain clean drinking water. Students have a chance to learn about the Georgie Badiel Foundation, a charitable organization which aims to provide clean water and sanitation to the people of Burkina Faso by building and restoring wells, providing technical training in well operation and maintenance, and creating educational programs for sanitary and hygiene practice.
Students also learn about a kid who is making a difference - Ryan Hreljac. When Ryan was in first grade, he learned about how not everyone has access to clean water. Inspired to make a difference, he eventually began The Ryan's Well Foundation. His foundation works on projects around the world to increase access to sanitation and clean water.
In fifth grade math, students are also working to master decimal place value: "Read, write, and compare decimals to thousandths" ( 5.NBT.A.3). After reading informational texts and watching videos discussing fresh vs. salt water, which we is safe to drink, and distribution of each type on Earth, students use the decimal model to visually graph percentages of each:
- salt water (97%)
- frozen fresh water (2%)
- liquid fresh water (1%)
To conclude the unit, students create their own PSA to share with their communities the importance of clean water and what people can do to help make sure everyone has access to it.
Equivalent Fractions Math Task
I designed this math task to help my fourth graders understand equivalent fractions. It aligns to the following learning objectives:
Specifically, students mastering the task would be able to explain that 1/2 is equivalent to 2/4. Even though the numerator 2 is greater than 1, the size of a half is larger than the size of a fourth. Since the sandwiches were the same size, PJ and Dolly received the same amount of sandwich. Students are given the opportunity to reason through this with the comic, then draw their own model. They also use writing skills to write a note to Dolly explaining their answer. This task could be extended into an entire math lesson on equivalent fractions for fourth graders. The comic could also be used as an entry event and discussion starter when beginning an equivalent fractions lesson. It was originally designed to be done paper/pencil, but it could easily adapt to a digital format. This task could also be used as an extension activity for third graders or a review activity for fifth graders. |
The Girl with a Mind for Math: Shared Reading Lesson
This lesson plan is designed around one of my favorite STEM-related picture books, The Girl with a Mind for Math by Julia Finley Mosca. It tells the story of Raye Montague, a Black woman and engineer who helped design a submarine for the US Navy. She faced racism and sexism throughout her career, and this book helps to honor her brilliance and success.
Written in rhyme with beautifully drawn illustrations, it captures students minds and hearts. The text-based lesson is designed for a second grade reading class aligned to the following standards (plus more), though this lesson and/or picture book could be used across a variety of grade levels with some modifications. The message of the story is important for all ages.
This lesson plan includes a teacher's guide for before, during, and after shared reading, a tier 2 vocabulary list, supplemental ELA activities for fluency, word study, and writing, ELA extensions, and cross-curricular connections with art, social studies, and science. For example, it includes instruction on the prefix "un-" and an opportunity for students to create their own cover art as "the girl/boy with a mind for..."
Written in rhyme with beautifully drawn illustrations, it captures students minds and hearts. The text-based lesson is designed for a second grade reading class aligned to the following standards (plus more), though this lesson and/or picture book could be used across a variety of grade levels with some modifications. The message of the story is important for all ages.
- Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.
- Describe how words and phrases supply rhythm and meaning in a story, poem, or song.
- Use context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
- Acknowledge differences in the points of view of characters, including by speaking in a different voice for each character when reading dialogue aloud.
- Determine the meaning of the new word formed when a known prefix is added to a known word.
- Use commas in greetings and closings of letters.
This lesson plan includes a teacher's guide for before, during, and after shared reading, a tier 2 vocabulary list, supplemental ELA activities for fluency, word study, and writing, ELA extensions, and cross-curricular connections with art, social studies, and science. For example, it includes instruction on the prefix "un-" and an opportunity for students to create their own cover art as "the girl/boy with a mind for..."
The Wild Robot: A Life Science Novel Study
This novel study of The Wild Robot by Peter Brown combines reading standards and life science standards to create a cross-curricular unit. It is designed for fourth grade based on the NGSS standard, but the novel study could be adapted for third or fifth grade as needed. Throughout the novel, students explore the driving question: What does it mean to be a hero? while also covering the following standards:
Each grouping of chapters provides a mini lesson for whole group or small group instruction as well as comprehension questions and a vocabulary activity. The novel study could be conducted whole-class, as a read-aloud, or in literature circles. Supplemental and extension activities are also included. Students conclude the novel by reflecting upon the driving question. They create their own book jacket with a summary and depiction of Roz as a hero.
Throughout the novel, there are many opportunities to make life science connections. One strong connection ties to plant and animal adaptations. Mr. Beaver, for example, has strong, sharp teeth to help him chop wood for building homes. The stick bug uses camouflage to avoid predators. And Brightbill has certain adaptations to help him learn to swim and fly, though he also has to practice those behaviors to master them. Students track the animal adaptations throughout the book while also using informational resources to help them construct a scientific argument.
- 4th Grade ELA Common Core:
- Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
- Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character’s thoughts, words, or actions).
- Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 4 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
- Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding.
- Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors (e.g., as pretty as a picture) in context.
- NGSS 4-LS1-1: Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
Each grouping of chapters provides a mini lesson for whole group or small group instruction as well as comprehension questions and a vocabulary activity. The novel study could be conducted whole-class, as a read-aloud, or in literature circles. Supplemental and extension activities are also included. Students conclude the novel by reflecting upon the driving question. They create their own book jacket with a summary and depiction of Roz as a hero.
Throughout the novel, there are many opportunities to make life science connections. One strong connection ties to plant and animal adaptations. Mr. Beaver, for example, has strong, sharp teeth to help him chop wood for building homes. The stick bug uses camouflage to avoid predators. And Brightbill has certain adaptations to help him learn to swim and fly, though he also has to practice those behaviors to master them. Students track the animal adaptations throughout the book while also using informational resources to help them construct a scientific argument.
Informational Text
I authored this "Bluebonnets" text to help students develop reading fluency and practice skills reading informational texts. The photos and maps with captions, bold words, and section headings were intentionally included to help students interact with authentic text features. To support teachers in selecting appropriately challenging texts, it was written at a 810-1000 Lexile level, indicated at the top of the page.
Students can use this text to answer multiple choice questions for standardized test practice. They can also use this text as part of a science lesson or while doing research on plants or the state of Texas. Click on the image to the right to visit a Google Doc with the full text. |