3rd Grade IMAGE Units and Field Trips
Unit One: Gerfuls (Higher Level Thinking)
(September- October)
During the first unit, students will participate in ice breakers to get to know their IMAGE classmates, be introduced to the Gifted Bill of Rights, learn exactly what the IMAGE program is, and become familiar with higher level thinking skills. Students will learn that an educator named Benjamin Bloom originally classified student learning into six different categories. Students will see that much of what is done in traditional classrooms falls under the lower thinking levels (remembering and understanding). However, Grandville teachers are increasingly trying to get students to tap into higher level skills. In IMAGE, each unit will culminate in a project, which will encourage students to create something related to their learning. This ensures students are tapping into high level thinking during every IMAGE unit. Bloom's levels from lowest to highest are: Remember, Understand, Apply, Analyze, Evaluate, and Create! In order to present this in a student-friendly way, students will use each of Bloom's levels to complete an assignment related to "Gerfuls." Gerfuls are adorable (fictional) creatures that our students will be learning about. As their unit project, each student will build a habitat so that the Gerfuls can be protected and happy at John Ball Zoo.
(September- October)
During the first unit, students will participate in ice breakers to get to know their IMAGE classmates, be introduced to the Gifted Bill of Rights, learn exactly what the IMAGE program is, and become familiar with higher level thinking skills. Students will learn that an educator named Benjamin Bloom originally classified student learning into six different categories. Students will see that much of what is done in traditional classrooms falls under the lower thinking levels (remembering and understanding). However, Grandville teachers are increasingly trying to get students to tap into higher level skills. In IMAGE, each unit will culminate in a project, which will encourage students to create something related to their learning. This ensures students are tapping into high level thinking during every IMAGE unit. Bloom's levels from lowest to highest are: Remember, Understand, Apply, Analyze, Evaluate, and Create! In order to present this in a student-friendly way, students will use each of Bloom's levels to complete an assignment related to "Gerfuls." Gerfuls are adorable (fictional) creatures that our students will be learning about. As their unit project, each student will build a habitat so that the Gerfuls can be protected and happy at John Ball Zoo.
Unit Two: Medieval Times
(November- January)
This unit will transport students back to Medieval Europe (400-1500 B.C.). Students will learn all about the feudal system and get to experience each role (peasant, knight, bishop, and king or queen) for one class period. Students will have multiple choices for their unit project to demonstrate their learning. Examples of their choices include creating a family crest, building a marshmallow catapult, keeping a time period journal, writing an illuminated poem, designing a stained glass window, and more. There will also be a culminating activity for the students. All the students will participate in a medieval feast. Students will enjoy medieval foods, sports, and music at their feast to finish the unit. Parent help would be welcomed with this!
(November- January)
This unit will transport students back to Medieval Europe (400-1500 B.C.). Students will learn all about the feudal system and get to experience each role (peasant, knight, bishop, and king or queen) for one class period. Students will have multiple choices for their unit project to demonstrate their learning. Examples of their choices include creating a family crest, building a marshmallow catapult, keeping a time period journal, writing an illuminated poem, designing a stained glass window, and more. There will also be a culminating activity for the students. All the students will participate in a medieval feast. Students will enjoy medieval foods, sports, and music at their feast to finish the unit. Parent help would be welcomed with this!
Unit Three: Wagon Train West
(February- May)
This unit focuses on 1800s American pioneers, so students will again travel back in time. During this unit, they will form Wagon Train teams. The groups will attempt to complete activities the pioneers would have faced on their trip west, and we will track their progress westward. The field trip for this unit will be a visit to Blandford Nature Center where we will tap maple trees and help make syrup. Parents are welcome to accompany us on this field trip. Will all the groups make it to Oregon? We will find out as this exciting journey unfolds in our classroom!
(February- May)
This unit focuses on 1800s American pioneers, so students will again travel back in time. During this unit, they will form Wagon Train teams. The groups will attempt to complete activities the pioneers would have faced on their trip west, and we will track their progress westward. The field trip for this unit will be a visit to Blandford Nature Center where we will tap maple trees and help make syrup. Parents are welcome to accompany us on this field trip. Will all the groups make it to Oregon? We will find out as this exciting journey unfolds in our classroom!