What does it mean to be part of something bigger than yourself? by DeNae Kizys https://padlet.com/dleach71/ryg6ccptbhz6 This is a thematic text set based on the book, All of the Above by Shelley Pearsall. Although this book is filled with themes, the one that stuck with me was this idea of belonging to something bigger than yourself. I follow this question with the following: What happens when you finally belong to something and it is unceremoniously taken from you? This thematic text set pairs this book with other non-fiction, fiction and multimodal pieces that would be relevant in a high school biology classroom. I relate this concept of inclusion to the environmental issues that are occurring right now. This includes habitat fragmentation and species extinctions because of this. en-us 2017-12-11 19:38:56 UTC 2023-05-23 03:43:08 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Apple.png What does it mean to be a part of something bigger than yourself? dleach71 https://padlet.com/dleach71/ryg6ccptbhz6/wish/215195961 The idea of wanting to be included in something larger than yourself is more than just human nature. In this text, individual students needed a push in life to motivate them to become better citizens. When they begin to accomplish something, it is taken away. How does that affect them? For them, it allows them to grow even stronger. Unfortunately, this particular piece is mostly only relevant to humans. I have paired this fiction book with the idea of belonging in terms of the ecological factors that are currently hurting our world's ecosystems. How do these animals, who have found their own habitat in our world, survive once their habitat has been destroyed? I would use this to have students realize the difficulties that animals face and how they can make a difference. Similarly, the students in All of the Above came back and made a difference for themselves.]]> 2017-12-11 19:45:29 UTC https://padlet.com/dleach71/ryg6ccptbhz6/wish/215195961 The Animals of Farthing Wood by Colin Dann dleach71 https://padlet.com/dleach71/ryg6ccptbhz6/wish/215198172 Companion Text for Discipline
This fiction piece describes the journey of animals who are seeking refuge once their habitat is threatened by the development of buildings by humans. They must work together to overcome the dangers of the world outside their habitat and find peace in a wildlife sanctuary. 

I chose this book because even since the time it was written, several of the animal characters in the book are now extinct, while others are near extinction.

This text would bring the central them to a more science related field and make it relatable to further teaching.]]> 2017-12-11 19:50:06 UTC https://padlet.com/dleach71/ryg6ccptbhz6/wish/215198172 Habitat Degradation dleach71 https://padlet.com/dleach71/ryg6ccptbhz6/wish/215199797 1 of 4 Multimodal Source
This website details the impact that habitat loss can have on species. Students would be able to research what is happening to the animals here. This relates to the idea of what would happen when what kept you included was taken away from you.]]> 2017-12-11 19:53:41 UTC https://padlet.com/dleach71/ryg6ccptbhz6/wish/215199797 Mass Extinction dleach71 https://padlet.com/dleach71/ryg6ccptbhz6/wish/215200533 2 of 4 Multimodal Source
This news article details the mass extinction that is being brought upon by humans. It includes detailed regulations, as well as interviews with experts that would inform the reader. It continues to detail what would happen upon the extinction of these animals that no longer have a place to go.]]> 2017-12-11 19:55:31 UTC https://padlet.com/dleach71/ryg6ccptbhz6/wish/215200533 That Look dleach71 https://padlet.com/dleach71/ryg6ccptbhz6/wish/215202367 4/4 Multimodal Source
This look says it all. He had what was needed and it was taken away. I will pair this with another picture that will show the raw desperation of animals who have lost their homes, and therefore they feeling of being included.]]> 2017-12-11 20:00:14 UTC https://padlet.com/dleach71/ryg6ccptbhz6/wish/215202367 Devastation dleach71 https://padlet.com/dleach71/ryg6ccptbhz6/wish/215203936 4/4 Multimodal Source
This picture, along with the first one doesn't need anymore rationale.
(Although for points, I gave it on the first one.)]]> 2017-12-11 20:04:11 UTC https://padlet.com/dleach71/ryg6ccptbhz6/wish/215203936 When all the trees are gone, where will the wild animals live? dleach71 https://padlet.com/dleach71/ryg6ccptbhz6/wish/215205058 3 of 4 Multimodal Source
This article explains the top 5 causes of species extinction. I chose this because it shows what humans can do to not exclude these animals from our future. Just like the characters in All the Above working together for a final cause, we as humans need to work together to ensure that these animals do not go extinct.]]> 2017-12-11 20:06:47 UTC https://padlet.com/dleach71/ryg6ccptbhz6/wish/215205058 Be a Changemaker: How to Start Something That Matters by Laurie Ann Thompson dleach71 https://padlet.com/dleach71/ryg6ccptbhz6/wish/215208648 2 of 2 Nonfiction Companion Pieces
This book is a non-fiction guide that would enable students to make a difference in their community and eventually the world. The idea behind the theme of feeling included, is coming back from it even when you aren't. This is a tool for humans to ensure that the impact we have on wildlife won't detriment their entire future.]]> 2017-12-11 20:15:44 UTC https://padlet.com/dleach71/ryg6ccptbhz6/wish/215208648 The Wasp That Brainwashed the Caterpillar: Evolution's Most Unbelievable Solutions to Life's Biggest Problems by Matt Simon dleach71 https://padlet.com/dleach71/ryg6ccptbhz6/wish/215209576 1 of 2 Nonfiction Companion Pieces
This book is a detailed illustration of the world that animals live in. It is written like a fiction book but is actually non-fiction. This would allow readers to get on the level of these animals and really feel how they would be impacted.

]]> 2017-12-11 20:18:15 UTC https://padlet.com/dleach71/ryg6ccptbhz6/wish/215209576 Reflection dleach71 https://padlet.com/dleach71/ryg6ccptbhz6/wish/215217628 I will admit that I originally worried about what I could relate science wise to this book. I chose this book over the science related ones because I was intrigued by the description, as well as the fact that it was set in Cleveland, Ohio. Even while reading it, I was not sure how I would relate it to my science classes. However, by the end of the book, I realized that these students had formed their own little niche. Although not necessarily an ecological habitat, these students came together just like any other animal group would, in order to thrive (if not, survive). I think relating this book to my future students when teaching them about environmental issues because it makes such an abstract concept, much more relatable.
            First, students would be able to relate to the book in the same way that I did. It is not very often that you read a book set in a neighboring town and I think this would intrigue my students. Then, the story itself is rather relatable, especially to students who are unmotivated. The interesting thing about this particular text is it could be cross-curricular for reading (analyzing the text), mathematics (the tetrahedron is a mathematical skill that could be broken down further in many different lessons), social studies (this is a book that deals with a lot of racial issues) and science (by relating it to a concept within another part of the animal kingdom). To relate it specifically to science, however, more texts would be needed.
            There is a lot to be gained from using these sources along with the major text. To relate it to science, it is important to have factual information. I chose several websites (from a variety of different sources) that would allow students to access the information needed to fully comprehend not only climate change but human input in habitat fragmentation. This could continually be related back to the central theme. I also think that by adding another fiction book, especially one that shows the thoughts from the animal’s point of view after being kicked from their homes, it will bring it down another entire level. Overall, I think this has given me a tremendous insight into cross-curriculum planning and I would use many multi-modal/ mixture of fiction/non-fiction books in the future. 
]]> 2017-12-11 20:42:33 UTC https://padlet.com/dleach71/ryg6ccptbhz6/wish/215217628 Lesson Plan dleach71 https://padlet.com/dleach71/ryg6ccptbhz6/wish/215223422 Lesson Plan (4 days)
10th Grade Biology
 
Standards: HS-LS2-7: Design, evaluate and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activites on the environment and biodiversity.
 
Objectives: TSWBAT use the text, All of the Above, and it’s companion sources to form an argument on inclusion within a classroom and in a habitat.
 
Timeline:
Prior to start of activity: Students will have read All of the Above by Shelley Pearshall in Language Arts. They would have discussed the relevant themes and known that we would be relating one theme (what it means to be a part of something bigger than yourself) to another science activity.
 
Day 1: Introduction
1) Students will discuss this theme and come up with an idea on how it can relate to science (~3 minutes). 
 
2) They will then be told that it will relate to science dealing with climate change, deforestation, habitat fragmentation and species extinction (~1 minute).
 
3) They will then come up with a KWL chart at their lab groups (~5 minutes).
 
4) They will then share out with the class on the board (~ 5minutes).
 
5) Students will be given access to this edited padlet. They will be able to access the articles listed and learn more about the unit (~25 minutes).
 
6) They will have the opportunity to share out what they found and update the KWL chart (~5 minutes).
 
Day 2/3: Breaking down the texts
1) Students will remain in their lab groups and be assigned one source of information from the padlet (~5 mintues). 
 
2) They will have the remainder of the period and the entire next day to work together to form a presentation around the central theme. They will be required to formulate an argument based on the theme from All of the Above, design a solution for reducing human impacts on the environment, and put it in a multimodal presentation to be given to the rest of the class (~75 minutes).
 
Day 4: Presentation/ Closing
1) Students will share out their findings as a group to the rest of the class.
 
2) Short lecture on themes, working together, inclusion and what they can do as students to help limit deforestation and habitat fragmentation.
 
3) Invite to Biology club!
 
Assignments:
Lab Work- How well did they work together? Did everyone participate?
Presentation- Did the group formulate their argument based on the central theme? Did they relate it to All of the Above? Were they able to design, evaluate and refine a solution for reducing human impacts/ activities on the environment?
]]> 2017-12-11 21:04:12 UTC https://padlet.com/dleach71/ryg6ccptbhz6/wish/215223422