SURVIVAL IN JAMESTOWN AND ON THE MOON (TWO LESSONS-4th Graders)
Overview:
Students were provided two very different survival scenarios - one involving the Jamestown Settlement and the other a hypothetical setting on the Moon. Groups of four students ranked by consensus the value of 15 items for each scenario in a limited time frame. Students compared their rankings to those made by two experts for each situation. Students learned the following four strategies to facilitate their collaboration and decision-making:
Objectives:
Resources and Opportunities to Explore More:
If your child would like to conduct this activity with their family, the teacher manual can be found at: http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/166504main_Survival.pdf. Your child may wish to look over the rationale from the experts, as we did not have adequate time to discuss this.
Overview:
Students were provided two very different survival scenarios - one involving the Jamestown Settlement and the other a hypothetical setting on the Moon. Groups of four students ranked by consensus the value of 15 items for each scenario in a limited time frame. Students compared their rankings to those made by two experts for each situation. Students learned the following four strategies to facilitate their collaboration and decision-making:
- Cluster items into three sections (top, middle, bottom values) and rank items therein
- Self-assign individual responsibilities within group context (i.e. manage time, record rankings, and encourage positive participation)
- Utilize “I” statements to diplomatically communicate frustrations or opinions
- Find common ground with fellow students; consider other peers’ opinions before pushing one’s own perspective.
Objectives:
- Participate effectively in a collaborative discussion, building on each other’s ideas and expressing one’s own opinions clearly and politely.
- Follow agreed-upon rules for collegial discussion and carry out assigned roles.
- Support opinions with logical reasoning and relevant information.
- Recognize that there is often more than one solution to a problem, as evidenced by the differing opinions of the experts.
- Evaluate the differences between and the necessity for consensus versus unanimous decision-making.
Resources and Opportunities to Explore More:
If your child would like to conduct this activity with their family, the teacher manual can be found at: http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/166504main_Survival.pdf. Your child may wish to look over the rationale from the experts, as we did not have adequate time to discuss this.
