5th Grade IMAGE Units and Field Trips
Unit One: Inventions
(Sept-Nov)
We will start the year by focusing on using creative thinking strategies and learning the invention process. The unit will also begin with a discussion of important inventors and their inventions. Throughout the unit, students will have hands-on opportunities to become inventors themselves by constructing electric circuits, motorized machines, and even creating their own “Junk Inventions.” However, this unit will culminate with research about an inventor the student selects. They will first create an inventor trading card on the computer that summarizes their inventor research. Then, students will create a comic book biography about their inventor. During this unit, we also plan to visit GVSU’s engineering department to see how all these skills can translate into exciting careers.
Unit Two: Surfing With Sharks
(Dec-Feb)
This unit will incorporate two kinds of surfing: a study of sharks and website development. During this research and science-based unit, students will learn about various species of shark. For the students' final project, they will use computer coding to create a website about the species of their choice. The unit will then culminate with a shark dissection.
(Sept-Nov)
We will start the year by focusing on using creative thinking strategies and learning the invention process. The unit will also begin with a discussion of important inventors and their inventions. Throughout the unit, students will have hands-on opportunities to become inventors themselves by constructing electric circuits, motorized machines, and even creating their own “Junk Inventions.” However, this unit will culminate with research about an inventor the student selects. They will first create an inventor trading card on the computer that summarizes their inventor research. Then, students will create a comic book biography about their inventor. During this unit, we also plan to visit GVSU’s engineering department to see how all these skills can translate into exciting careers.
Unit Two: Surfing With Sharks
(Dec-Feb)
This unit will incorporate two kinds of surfing: a study of sharks and website development. During this research and science-based unit, students will learn about various species of shark. For the students' final project, they will use computer coding to create a website about the species of their choice. The unit will then culminate with a shark dissection.
Unit Three: Think Tank
(March- May)
In this unit, students will work together in small groups as businesses. Over the course of several weeks, students will have opportunities to compete against the other businesses to win “money.” During these competitions, creativity will again be our focus. At the conclusion of the unit, students will have an auction where they can use their money to bid on small items to take home. We are also planning a field trip to a local business. Last year we visited the Apple store, and students created their own iMovies. However, if any parents have connections with local businesses that might allow our students behind-the-scenes access or a glimpse into their marketing, please contact Ms. Capps.
(March- May)
In this unit, students will work together in small groups as businesses. Over the course of several weeks, students will have opportunities to compete against the other businesses to win “money.” During these competitions, creativity will again be our focus. At the conclusion of the unit, students will have an auction where they can use their money to bid on small items to take home. We are also planning a field trip to a local business. Last year we visited the Apple store, and students created their own iMovies. However, if any parents have connections with local businesses that might allow our students behind-the-scenes access or a glimpse into their marketing, please contact Ms. Capps.