Appendix 1: Annotated District Standards
This curriculum primarily focuses on Virginia standards of learning for science, but also includes some language arts standards and a social studies standard. The science standards are 4.1, 4.4, 4.5, and 4.9. Beginning with science standard 4.1 which is scientific investigation and includes many different skills which are not intended to be taught in isolation, but embedded throughout the content of the other standards. This particular curriculum unit ties in nicely with the emphasis on scientific reasoning, logic, and nature of science by having the students investigate case studies, data, and make observations. Standards 4.4 and 4.5 focus on the life processes of plants and animals. The most related topics are behavioral and physical adaptations and survival and perpetuation of species. Standard 4.5 focuses on ecosystems and some of the most related areas are habitats, populations, niches, and the influence of human activity on ecosystems. Standard 4.9 is about conservation of natural resources and includes plants and animals and how public policy impacts the environment.
The language arts standards that are embedded in this curriculum unit are 4.1 which is oral communication, 4.6 which is reading of nonfiction texts, and 4.9 which is comprehension of materials for research. Standard 4.1 states that students will contribute to group discussions across content areas, seek ideas and opinions of others, communicate new ideas to others, and collaborate with diverse teams. There are many opportunities to work in small groups throughout this unit. Standard 4.6 refers to comprehension of nonfiction text which is the case studies. Standard 4.9 speaks to comprehension of information resources to research a topic. The students will research endangered species throughout the state and create brief descriptions for the electronic map.
Virginia Studies standard 2b relates to the five regions of Virginia. My students will pin the endangered species on a map of the five regions of Virginia.
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