I. Curricular Framework

Concept:

Change

Essential Question:

How is harvesting a sign of a seasonal change?

Bridge:

Murals and “C”s

Content:

Corn Harvest and Letter "C"

Outcomes:

II. Standards Aligned

III. Instruction and Assessment

1. Connect: Connecting to the Concept Experientially

Objective: To connect with previous farm and food experiences and to create an experience with corn harvesting.

Activity: Sing "Corner Grocery Store" by Raffi. Recite "Little Boy Blue" and act out. Draw out field trip. Take a field trip to see corn being harvested.

Assessment: Participation in song & rhyme. Level of interest and questions asked during field trip.

2. Attend: Attending to the Connection

Objective: To use the written word to recall what was learned on the field trip and introduce the letter "Cc".

Activity: Write a class experience story about the field trip and practice choral reading. Have students find and mark "Cc's" in the story. Write a class thank you to the farmer.

Assessment: The level of participation and quality of input for story. Student interest.

Assessment, Phase One, Level of Engagement, Fascination:

3. Image: Creating a Mental Picture

Objective: To reflect on the field trip personally and further develop an awareness of the use of the letter/sound "Cc".

Activity: Make a class mural or individual pictures of the field trip. Discuss what they saw. Note "Cc" words as mentioned in discussion.

Assessment: The level of student participation, quality of product and interest in discussion.

Assessment, Phase Two, Seeing the Big Picture:

4. Inform: Receiving Facts & Knowledge

Objective: To develop the concept of corn harvesting, plant parts, growth and products, as well as developing the concept of the letter "Cc".

Activity: Lecture on corn harvest. Include plant needs, growth, parts and samples of products made from corn. Read Corn is Maize by Aliki. On a second day, introduce Letter Person Mr. Cotton Candy C. Let students describe him. Discuss the sound a "Cc" makes. Show how to make that letter using a hand sign. Demonstrate how to write "Cc's". Have make with their bodies.

Assessment: Participation in discussion, attentiveness and accuracy of responses

Assessment, Phase Three, Success with Acquiring Knowledge:

5. Practice: Developing Skills

Objective: To practice using the information received about corn and the letter “Cc”

Activity: Complete “My Corn Book” & read. This is about corn parts and plant needs. Plant corn seeds. Participate in a corn product taste test & graph results. On a second day, write “Cc” words on a large corn plant and practice writing “Cc’s” as a group on palms, floor, chalkboards, etc.

Assessment: The quality of student work and participation.

Assessment, Phase Four, Success with Acquiring Skills:

6. Extend: Extending Learning to the Outside World

Objective: To extend and practice what has been learned about corn in a self-chosen project.

Activity: Complete 1 of 4 projects to teach others about corn:
1) Work in groups to write a song about corn harvest or make a poster about corn parts & products.
2) Write a report about the importance of corn using pictures, own writing or dictation.
3) Survey another class to find out their favorite corn products & report results.
4) Create a corn field/harvest scene in the classroom including as many components as possible.
Also, practice writing "Cc's" at the writing center during the week.

Assessment: The level of participation and interest in project chosen.

7. Refine: Refining the Extension

Objective: To evaluate one's work by sharing with others.

Activity: Share project with an adult and discuss any additions or changes.

Assessment: Student's ability to help evaluate their work and willingness to make needed additions or changes.

8. Perform: Creative Manifestation of Material Learned

Objective: To share what was learned with others at school.

Activity: Present project to the class or another class. Celebrate what has been learned by reading Barn Dance by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault and making a classroom scarecrow for the corn field.

Assessment: Interest in sharing and quality of ideas shared. Attentiveness.

Assessment, Phase Five,Performance, Creative Use of Material Learned: