3D Unit Planning - Where to start?

One of the most often questions we get asked during professional development workshops... "How do I get started?" Collaboratively, we've probably tried out a dozen different lesson and unit planning templates, but they all tried to fit a new type of instruction into a pre-existing planning framework. The NYSSLS "standards" begin at the level of the Performance Expectations; figuring out how to bring these alive in the classroom is not all that simple.

Thanks to some great elementary colleagues, I was introduced to the Frayer Model for vocabulary acquisition. This immediately sparked an idea, and with a few adjustments I think we finally have a useful tool for getting started with planning out how to tackle a Performance Expectation.

Help us pilot this planning tool! Let us know if you try it out, and share your thoughts about whether or not it was useful.

Make a copy of the original file so you can print (11x17) or edit.

Is DNA in our Food?

This slide show takes you through a 3D lesson where students plan an investigation to determine if food is a living thing.

3-D Experimental Design Templates MS & HS Levels

The following templates have been created to help guide your students as they delve into the world of 3-D investigations. Page 1 of each template is the exploration space. It is designed to be a brainstorming area as they work individually to record ideas about how they might proceed with their investigation. Page 2 is the actual experimental design page that their group agrees upon. Page 3 is intentionally left blank to allow students to build their own data tables and charts. Page 4 is a "report out" page in Claim, Evidence, Reasoning format. The last slides show a rubric I created using the performance expectations for the SEP: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations.

Reflection: My students are finding this template very easy to work with and appreciate the ability to have all their work in one place. 
- Cookie Barker