Prezi Project- The Water Cycle

Prezi-The Water Cycle

I know that at some point prior to my fourth grade students coming to my class that they have had some experience with the term water cycle. However, I have no idea to the extent at which they have studied this topic. Therefore, it is my job to ensure that students not only have a mastery of the water cycle at the level in which we will study it, but also that they have the capacity to be able to renew this craft through regular application through the years (Gardner, 2008, p. 43). This will meet the duel meanings of the word discipline in relation to the “Five Minds” that Gardner speaks of.

The media infused presentation that I created will help foster the development of a disciplined mind as it follows the four essential steps in order to achieve a disciplined mind (Gardner, 2008, p.32-35). The important concept has been outlined, there are a variety of models and examples, the topic is being approached in a number of ways, and there are ample opportunities for students to perform their understandings. I feel that this media infused presentation is engaging and interactive which follows what Plato is quoted for saying that “Through education we need to help students find pleasure in what they have to learn” (Gardner, 2008, p.41).

In order to foster the development of a synthesized mind, information has to be taken from various sources, time to understand the information needs to be given, and the learner needs to collate the information into a way that makes sense and can be applied (Gardner, p.3). Throughout the media presentation that I created about the water cycle, I have used visual examples, video segments and audio files that build upon the topic which will allow students with different learning styles to pull away the information needed in order to understand how and why water goes through phases. From the first clip to the last, students should be able to make connections with time to process and write down their thoughts and then apply them at the conclusion. Without this synthesizing students would be overwhelmed and unable to make connections for their personal self or for the sake of applying the information pushed to them (Gardner, 2008, p.18).

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