Connie's+Unit

=Farms and Food= (Social Studies, Language Arts, Character Education, grade 1)

Overview
The Farms and Food Learning Expedition will have first graders experience research in and out of school, that will help them to better understand how food gets from the farm to the table. They will research, study an d experience various kinds of farms. Experts will come to our classroom to speak and converse with the children. They will collect data, create a nonfiction farm book, and in so doing strengthen their ability to write nonfiction, read and illustrate. The children will create a healthy food calendar. Interwoven throughout the unit will be the arts, service learning and social justice together with academic content.

Reflection
** From this PLP experience I am taking with me a convergence of many things: some new, some familiar but in new format, some a combination of the two. My mental visual is that of many bright, laser-like beams that are shooting toward a central focal point. The beams represent things such as: Project-Based Learning, Expeditionary Learning, Edutopia, Critical Friending, teacher as guide, experiential multi-faceted learning, seamless integration of technology, problem driven learning and more. It is an exponentially expanding graphic organizer with endless possibilities and the child as the center. One of the brightest laser beams is the idea of being and having a critical friend. Our group as a whole served as critical friends to one another as well as each one of us interacting with one particular critical friend. Teachers spend their days in isolation from one another. True 21st century teaching and learning must be developed as a compilation of the skills and thoughts of many colleagues. Without judgment. With guidance. With questions. With passion. With interest. With support. This is true growth as an educator. Creative, inspirational and energizing. **