How to Share Curriculum and Sample Curriculum Posting

This is an extension of the exhibit discussion blog.

You may print off the Bookmark and Brochure here to share with your community.


Suggested curriculum format for teachers to use in their classrooms. When posting please be pithy and try to keep sections to a maximum of three sentences.

Curriculum Format:

Book:

Topic:

Level:

Subject:

Objective:

Essential Questions:

Materials:

Refelecting on what you have learned:

Standards (which state)

How does this apply to one of the following. 

Visual Arts, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health, Language Arts, and Technology

Sample Curriculum:

Book:  Joyful Noise: Poem for Two Voices by Paul Fleischman
Topic:  Poetry
Level:  Age 9+
Subject:  Science, English, Drama, or Communications

Objective: 
 To awaken student's awareness of nature’s rhythms through recitation of poetry illuminating the actual sounds and behaviors of the insects in our own backyards.  Students will also gain an appreciation of group participation while developing better communication skills.

Related Vocabulary:

cicadas, requiem, chrysalis, serenade, whirligig beetles, contrasting, mayflies, fireflies, revolving, water striders,    swarming, book lice, simultaneous, boisterous, alternating

Students and families can increase their vocabulary about insects and sounds while investigating these words.

Essential Questions: 

·  Do you feel a connection to nature as you listen to the rhythms of Fleischman's poetry? 

·  Do you see insects differently after listening or reading these poems?

·  Does the collaborative fun of reading these poems together with others motivate you to read more poetry or even find out more about the featured insects?
 

Materials:
Wide open natural spaces (maybe your favorite trail), two students ages 6+, Digital Camera, Voice Recorder, and computer for downloading on YouTube or for podcast 

Activity:

• Find a place in nature where you and your partner can hear active insects residing and stand or sit among them with the book Joyful Noise.  Pick out one of the poems that resonates with the both of you. 

Example of how to write a two voiced poem.

Two voice poems are written to be read aloud by two readers at once, one taking the left-hand line, the other taking the right-hand line. The poems should be read from top to bottom, the two parts meshing as in musical duet. When both readers have lines at the same horizontal level, those lines are to be spoken simultaneously. 

• Side note:  Remember to practice this a couple of times before recording.  Practice time is one of the fun experiences of this project so let loose.

• Set up your recorder or video camera relatively close to you so that everything is heard and when you are ready begin to speak loudly and mindfully.

• When you are satisfied with your recording take it back to the classroom or your home to listen and reflect on your experience reading simultaneously in nature.

 Reflecting on what you have learned: 
Listen or watch your two-person poetry readings with your class or partner. 
Ask each other question such as … did you feel in sync with the rhythms of what nature has to offer? 

Side note:  Each participant could share their experience with the class or personal journal entry.

How does this apply to ...

Writing:

Ask the class or your family to develop a two voice poem of your own about nature.  Use Joyful Noise as a refererence to develop the poem.  Pick a certain insect and concentrate and do research before writing.

Information literacy:

Excellent information can be found at the author Paul Fleischman's website about the creation and inspiration of the book Joyful Noise.  Research relating to your insect of choice for the two voice poem can be found on the Bio - Kids website .

Art:
Creating a collage picture poem out of different items in nature about your subject may help in the written creation.  Making pictures about how your subject feels to you will allow the words to flow.  Do this while sitting in a natural landscape that encounters your subject by yourself or with your poem partner.  Think of this as an simultanoeus journal entry and allow nature to be your classroom, learning through hands on experience.

Performing arts / Communications:  Presence and Presentation

Environmental Stewardship

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