TITLE OF THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE: Goodness Gorillas in our Community by Julie DeStefano

1. LEARNING CONTEXT

The purpose of this learning experience is to extend student's prior knowledge of the term community. Through this experience, Kindergarten and Second Grade students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of Social Studies standard #5. They will understand the roles, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship. The students will answer the essential question, "What qualities does a positive community member have?" The following standards will also be met: ELA #2, Arts #1, and MST #5.

2. PROCEDURE

To launch the experience, a sign stating "Join the Club" will be hung in the Kindergarten and Second Grade classrooms. As a whole group, students will brainstorm what this could mean. The students will listen as the teacher reads "Goodness Gorillas", a story from "Chicken Soup for the Little Soul" written by Lisa McCourt. After discussing the story, Kindergarten students will be paired with Second Graders. Together they will complete a character map on the Goodness Gorillas and Todd, the character who did not belong to this group. After completing this organizer, we will discuss the positive qualities of both characters. Using a concept attainment chart, students will view pictures representing examples of good community members and nonexamples of good community members. As a part of a whole group discussion, students will describe the concept of being a good community member and define the attributes. The teacher will write the concept and attributes on the chart. The teache r will explain that their classroom is a community and the students may join the community club, "Goodness Gorillas". Then, students will use their knowledge to become positive community members. After being positive community members for two days of school, children will write about and illustrate their qualities. Kindergarten and Second Grade students will work together in pairs to type this information on computers. The teacher will scan their illustrations. These pieces will be compiled into a group book. With parental permission, the book pages may even be put on a web page.

3. INSTRUCTIONAL/ENVIRONMENTAL MODIFICATIONS

In order to accommodate the range of abilities, students will be working at tables with a partner. This will be a confidence builder for the Second Graders.

4. TIME REQUIRED

Teachers will need three 40 minute planning periods to coordinate ideas with each other. The implementation of the experience should las for approximately 3-5 thirty-minute meetings. Assessment should occur through observation throughout the experience. Formal assessment using rubrics should take approximately one hour.

5. RESOURCES

The teacher will need a computer, a scanner, a printer, "Goodness Gorillas" by Lisa McCourt, character maps, and a conept attainment chart. The students will need to use computers, printers, paper, markers, crayons, and pencils. Citation for book: McCourt, Lisa (1998), "The Goodness Gorillas", Florida, Health Communications, Inc.

6. ASSESSMENT PLAN

Evidence of student progress will be observed during group discussion. Their knowledge will be assessed by using a rubric to score their page in the book. They will also be using a checklist to score their partner's ability to work cooperatively.

7. STUDENT WORK

8. REFLECTION

This learning experience will give the students the opportunity to use Language Arts, Technology, and Art to express their knowledge of positive community members. The "hands on" activities will give all students a chance to put their knowledge to work.