EPIC Teachers Progressing with Units
Last modified on Dec 06
Teachers are implementing their EPIC units at Daniel Webster, Shortridge and Broad Ripple. The professional development program was effective in terms of theory to practice connections. The teachers revised their units to include the alignment of desired results, assessment and the learning plan. This process resulted in the inclusion of authentic performance tasks connected to the students' real world. Many of the units were also enhanced by the inclusion of quality children's literature.
"It has been exciting to see the children genuinely interested in reading from a variety of sources as they engage in their inquiry," said Peggy Rice.
For example, in a sixth-grade unit, boys want to explore more survival stories from a male's perspective. In a kindergarten unit, students are exploring what it means to be a friend as they respond to a variety of stories focusing on friendship. One of the middle school units focused on Newton's Laws of Motion and required students to apply these laws by solving a real world problem. A tenth grade world geography class explored crucial issues related to threats to the world environment. Students examined practical and simple changes that they could make in their house to minimize environmental damage such as reducing water consumption. This plan was implemented and included parental involvement.
"It was very encouraging to hear what students had to say after they had been through one of the units," said Kenan Metzger. "They kept saying how all the smaller knowledge and skill sets led to a real world application they could relate to easily."
For more information about EPIC, please visit the project Web site or contact epic@bsu.edu.
 |