Introduction
What makes humans different than every other species on the planet? What accounts for differences between species? Why is there such diversity in each species? An incredible story that spans billions of years can explain the complexities and similarities of all species.
I teach at Scammon School. We are a Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth grade school in Chicago's north-western neighborhood of Hermosa. We have about an 89% Hispanic population, 8.4% of students require special assistance or services, and 33% are English Language Learners. About 95% of our students receive free or reduced priced lunch services 1. We are a neighborhood school and most of the students live within walking distance. The surrounding community has a high rate of transiency which leads to some instability in school attendance as students move from school to school. This unsteadiness contributes to students coming to seventh grade with varying levels of prior knowledge.
I teach four 60 minute blocks of seventh grade science. Each of my four classes has thirty-two students enrolled. We sit in cooperative learning groups of six to seven students per table. All learning in our classroom must have a cooperative element to it. Most students are able to choose their own learning community groups. Nearly all my students share an interest in science and the discovery of answers to questions past and present. Nothing delights both my students and me more than the light bulb moments of new discoveries, further inquiry, and thought provoking analysis. Science allows students who struggle with reading and writing an even opportunity for success. Hands on manipulatives, experimentation, and kinesthetic learning evoke a positive response to scientific and mathematic principles. Science instruction in my classroom lights fires, both figuratively and literally. This passion, creativity, and willingness to explore are what I will tap into greatly for this eight week unit.
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