Variety of Explorative Active Learning

Day 5

Goals:

1. For the students to have fun and experience different aspects of the Caribbean.

2. The goal is that students will have a first hand experience and then allow feedback at the end of the lessson.

Time:

3-3 1/2 hours

Resources/Materials:

Transportation to museums, game boards, TV/VCR, informational videos on nations - Jamaica, Bahamas, documentaries discussing wildlife in the Caribbean - National Geographic, treasure maps, rewards for activities - food/beverages

Procedure:

1. Begin this lesson by offering the students choices of activities that they would like to participate in ( or describe the activity(s) that they will be participating in).

2. Either during lunch, or the designated time of the day, prepare Alloo Pie for the students to taste, as it is a food derived from the Caribbean - http://www.erinet.com/martika/

3. Play music during this time that is from the Caribbean - http://www.discoveredmonton.com/Cariwest/

4. This lesson should open up for a choice of activities. This lesson is intentionally structured so the instructor can choose an activity or activities that can be applied to the Caribbean and is/are fun for the students. The following are suggestions and can be modified or added to. The block of time here is to be used for a cumulating activity, such as a field trip. Receiving student feedback is to take place at the end of the lesson.

5. Play a game involving the knowledge and information learned during the week such as Caribbean Jeopardy which uses facts or information in the form of an answer, requiring the students to answer in the form of a question. Students can be divided into teams, and points can be awarded with rewards for prizes. Another game might be Caribbean Island Twister which would requre students to place a part of their body on the island that is called off and involve other students or have teams again. This could take place in the gymnasium or a larger area of the school, even outside.

6. The instructor could choose to show an informational movie on the Caribbean from National Geographic or from an embassy of a country in the Caribbean, such as St. Lucia.

7. The instructor could chose to have a treasure hunt outside, or in the gym, using the mapping skills learned earlier in the week. Using longitude and latitude, the students can find where something might be buried. Also, direction could be used for a treasure hunt along with headings on a compass.

8. A field trip would be very appropriate here. Visit a maritime museum or an anthropological/art museum which could relate to the people or ancient cultures of the Caribbean region. A field trip could also include going to a concert with Caribbean Calypso or Steelband Music, or even having a group perform at the school for a dance later that day, with the students dressing up. A field trip to a Caribbean style restaurant or food that relates to it is also a good suggestion. Or, the instructor could charter a boat to go fishing.

Assessment:

Rubric

4 The student consistently demonstrates determination in what he/she are doing, monitors his or her level of involvement, and develops strategy(s) to keep self on task.

3 The student consistently shows determination and finds a strategy to keep self on track.

2 The student sporadically shows determination in the pursuit of involvement and keeps self on track.

1 The student rarely, if ever, shows determination in the day's activities and does not keep self on task.

(Adopted from Green Bay Area Schools)

Curricular Strands:

Social Studies - place and location

Self-exploring - learning by yourself

Critical Thinking - feedback from students, reviewing benefits and weaknesses of the week

Carribean Unit - written by Trina Collins, Richard Wheeler, & Daniel Shimek

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