Astronomy Poetry: Combining Poetry With the Content Areas
Review Publish Date: 2021-03-30 23:11:16
Reviewer: INFOhio Reviewer
Rubric Version: Reviews Review Rubric Version 0.92
Endorsements
Flexible Learning Endorsement |
Summary: Overall the unit is highly usable, flexible, and adaptable. The PDF's are easy to read and very adaptable to either online or offline learning. Another positive is the PDF's are at a Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level of 8.3, parent-friendly for a middle grades assignment. Also, the unit uses the Gradual Release of Responsibility Model (I do, We do, You do) and peer-editing, both strong evidenced-based strategies.
Areas to improve the activity include developed more discussion questions, clearly linking the activity to the Next Generation Science Standards of helping students identify with scientists of similar backgrounds, and making sure all links like the "Printing Press" interactive are updated to work.
Usability
Meets
Expectations
Flexibility and Adaptability
Exceeds
Expectations
Inclusive Teaching
Meets
Expectations
Research-Based Strategies
Meets
Expectations
Usability : 4/6 Top
a. Materials follow Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
Reviewer Notes: "ASTRONOMY POETRY PROJECT REQUIREMENTS" PDF worksheet is in 12 pt. font, but all other resources are 14 pt. or higher. Teacher should teach students to use "Control-Plus symbol" function or how to zoom in on a PDF. When printing increase the ratio to 110% and that will work, too. There is no alternative text, but there are captions on the images. The video/interactive called "Printing Press" does not work due to it using Flash Player technology.
b. Material(s) are not overly resource intense that would require consistent high-speed internet access, such as large video files and multiple high-resolution photos.
Reviewer Notes: The video/interactive called "Printing Press" does not work due to it using Flash Player technology.
c. The visual design of materials is clean and coherent, lending itself to ease of learning.
Reviewer Notes: PDF's are clean and coherent. Flexibility and Adaptability: 6/6 Top
d. Materials are flexible to allow students to access and complete work online or offline as needed.
Reviewer Notes: PDF's are easy to access offline, too. e. Materials can support and/or facilitate learning in hybrid and/or online delivery methods.
Reviewer Notes: Material is copyrighted: http://www.readwritethink.org/util/legal.html
f. Teacher supports, documentation, and/or guides for effective use are present.
Reviewer Notes: The unit uses the Gradual Release of Responsibility Model (I do, We do, You do) and peer-editing, both strong evidenced-based strategies. The PDF's are at a Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level of 8.3, parent-friendly for a middle grades assignment. Two of the electronic links, i.e. "Printing Press", do not work. While there are several examples, a teacher-created template would help. Inclusive Teaching: 4/6 Top
g. Content is presented with an objective view on topic and is free of bias.
Reviewer Notes: Student choice and opportunity powers the unit. h. Content creates student experiences that enable all children to reach empowering and rigorous learning outcomes regardless of their race or income.
Reviewer Notes: A template created by teacher would help make the project more explicit. More real-life experience examples generated by the teacher or students could help. i. Content cultivates an awareness and acceptance of a variety of ages, cultures, races, religions, and gender roles and identities.
Reviewer Notes: Developing strong discussion questions around cultivating awareness and acceptance in Astronomy could help here. For example, tying in the Next Generation Science Standard around identifying professionals in science sharing the students' similar backgrounds would go far in promoting cultural awareness while meeting national standards. Research-Based Strategies: 10/14 Top
j. Content builds on prior learning
Reviewer Notes: As mentioned earlier, an advanced organizer/template would go far in taking this unit to the next level. k. Content leads to further learning by gradually removing supports and requiring advanced skills and concepts.
Reviewer Notes: Poetry goes far in achieving K.5. l. Content provides for authentic learning, application of literacy skills, student-directed inquiry, analysis, evaluation and/or reflection.
Reviewer Notes: The vocabulary instruction is implied, but not explicitly stated here. The teacher would be advised to specifically add it into the unit. Student discussion should be fleshed-out more. m. Content engages students through discussion questions and other supports that build toward independence.
Reviewer Notes: While the unit does meet M.1 through M.4, discussion questions need more fleshed-out. n. Uses technology and media to deepen learning and engage students.
Reviewer Notes: If the "Printing Press" interactive/video is updated N.3 & N.4 would be met. o. Content includes options for differentiation to meet needs of all learners.
Reviewer Notes: Great opportunities for student choice and creativity are available within the unit. p. Instructional approaches used are reflective of best practices and research on what works in education.
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Usability
Flexibility and Adaptability
Inclusive Teaching
Research-Based Strategies
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Endorsements
The Accelerating Learning endorsement indicates that the material meets or exceeds expectations for both the Standards Alignment and Research-Based Strategies indicators.