Final Board and Reflection

Final Project: Board Builder- Environments

I created this board to teach students about different environments or ecosystems around the world. I wanted to provide them with an opportunity to continue to develop their respectful and ethical minds through science by learning about the world around them. The Discovery Education board that I created meets one of my science standards as well as introduces another. It will be a perfect starting point for students to work through either together on our SMART Board or independently on computers or iPads.

         Howard Gardner describes the respectful mind as one that notes          and welcomes differences between individuals and groups, tries to          understand others and seeks to work with them. He also mentions that the world is interlinked and that intolerance and disrespect should no longer be an option as the respectful mind develops. Gardner then explains that the ethical mind ponders the nature of one’s work, as well as the needs and desires of the society that one lives in. When developing the ethical mind, one works selflessly to improve all (Gardner, p.3).

My board focuses on the characteristics animals and plants need in order to survive in different environments. Students will first view a few short video clips about plant and animal survival in environments. One of the clips is about the deciduous forest, which is most similar to the environment in which we live. While students are viewing the four clips, they will be taking notes on characteristics plants and animals must have in order to survive, as well as noting differences between the environments. This will allow for us to have discussions based on their understandings as to how the environments relate to human life and everyday living.

My goal, through the use of this board, is that students will be able to recognize that our (all living things) resources are different depending on which environment that we live in. However, based on what is provided and what we can do to help ourselves, of course without harming nature, is living life just they same as we do, it just may look a little different. I want my students to look at places around the world with an open mind and not be judgmental to how others are living, but to recognize their environment and see how they are using their resources in order to survive and live a fulfilling life. As Gardner says, “A truly respectful individual offers the benefit of the doubt to all human beings” (Gardner, p.113).

I know as a fourth grade teacher that I am simply helping students build the blocks that will be the foundation for their learning and understanding through life. Through lessons like this and others, I hope my students will ask themselves “What is the right thing for me to do?” (Gardner, p.144) as they are “…all humans as part of a single community” (Gardner, p.120) including both all living and non-living entities.

Resource:

Gardner, H.  (2008). Five minds for the future. Boston, Mass.: Harvard Business Press.