Exploring New Zealand

Unit Author First and Last Name School District School Name School City, State Unit Overview Unit Title Exploring New Zealand Unit Summary This unit will briefly introduce students to what it is like in New Zealand. Topics to be discussed during this unit include: animals from NZ, weather/climate, geography and landscapes, and the Maori people and culture. This resources and materials used to create this unit are mainly my personal resources/materials that I have collected during my travels in New Zealand. Other resources and materials found via the internet and Lethbridge Public Library have been used to supplement the unit. I have created a Notebook Presentation which covers the main topics listed above, giving students an up close look of what New Zealand is like. At the end of the unit students will create a Kiwi Bird craft and complete a journal entry about animals in New Zealand. The journal entry will be used as one of the assessments for this unit. A bulletin board about New Zealand will be created using my own resources and materials to supplement this unit. Subject Area Social Studies Grade Level Kindergarten Approximate Time Needed 4 weeks (6 lessons) Unit Foundation Student Objectives/Learning Outcomes Develops skills of media literacy: Determines the main points or ideas in a media presentation Demonstrates skills of oral, written and visual literacy Applies the research process: Asks questions to make meaning of a topic Considers ideas and information from varied sources Essential Question Unit Questions What is it like in New Zealand? What is the weather like in New Zealand? What kinds of animals live in New Zealand? What are the people like in New Zealand? What does it look like in New Zealand? Develops skills of critical thinking and creative thinking: Curriculum-Framing Questions Kelsey Boulton Lethbridge School Division No. 51 Park Meadows Elementary School Lethbridge, Alberta

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Assessment Plan Assessment Timeline Students will be assessed using direct observation during lessons, oral questioning. Assessment will take place on an ongoing basis throughout the unit. At the end of the unit students will complete a journal entry which will be used as a piece of assessment. Assessment Summary Students will be assessed using direct observation during lessons, oral questioning and journal prompts. Students will be encouraged to ask questions about my New Zealand and my Notebook presentation in order to make meaning of the topics being discussed. Students will be asked questions throughout the unit to assess students understanding of the topics being discussed and to encourage students to demonstrate their oral, media and visual literacy. Students will be given a journal prompt at the end of the unit. Unit Details Accommodations for Differentiated Instruction Discuss with Mrs. Olsen what, if any accommodations need to be made for Jobe.
Special Needs Students

I have used large, easy to read font for my Notebook Presentation making it easy for all students to see and read the information being presented. Students will be given extra time to complete their journal entry if needed. Extra assistance and guidance will be provided to any students requiring it.

Materials and Resources Required For Unit Technology Hardware Camera Computer(s) Digital Camera DVD Player Internet Connection Technology Software Database/Spreadsheet Desktop Publishing E-mail Software Encyclopedia on CD-ROM Meet Our New Student From New Zealand (By Ann Weil) National Geographic Printed Materials New Zealand: Land of Many Contrasts Kiwi Bird Template New Zealand Animals (pictures for Journal Entry) Margaret Mahy Supplies Kiwi Bird Craft Supplies (Kiwi Bird Template, paper (black, brown, tan, and yellow), eyes, green tissue paper New Zealand animal pictures for Journal Entry Image Processing Internet Web Browser Multimedia Web Page Development Word Processing Other Laser Disk Printer Projection System Scanner Television VCR Video Camera Video Conferencing Equip. Other

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www.prezi.com National Geographic Internet Resources www.activityvillage.co.uk YouTube

Other Resources

Maori color song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ju7AAbAbIlg) Korero Parirau (http://youtu.be/Ij7EaOyL6rA)

Pictures and videos from my time spent in New Zealand Pictures for New Zealand Bulletin Board New Zealand Notebook Presentation

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