This video from second graders at Conservatory Lab Charter, an Expeditionary Learning school in Boston, MA, shows how the Commons Core Standards can be taught in a way that deeply engages students in meaningful work and joyful learning.
 | | Click on the picture above to see the video |
These students built deep scientific knowledge of snakes (they became "herpetologists," they will tell you) by reading, writing, listening, speaking, and observing. Their work exemplifies the shifts required by the Common Core: they demonstrated reading for evidence and writing with evidence by reading challenging, non-fiction text and producing a high-quality informational book. They conducted field research at Harvard University and a nature sanctuary; they interviewed a herpetologist; and they created beautiful, accurate scientific illustrations for their book, revising their work through multiple drafts with peer critique. Finally, the second graders at Conservatory Lab Charter School wrote this song and produced the music video to persuade others not to fear snakes -- after all, snakes are "born that way." Their learning is public, meaningful and joyous.
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 | | Click on the book cover above to download the book |
This "What Am I" book is a combination of scientific facts and realistic drawings of snakes. The students worked in pairs on multiple drafts of their text and drawings. Many include carefully drawn individual scales, accurate color, and patterning as well as three-dimensional space with overlapping forms and shadows.
Visit the Center for Student Work to see how high-quality student products can bring the Common Core Standards to life and provide clear models for educators. |
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Click on the cover above to download Don't Be S-s-scared
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Don't be S-s-scared: The Truth About Snakes documents the second graders' six-month learning expedition, during which students became scientists, musicians, authors, and artists. The focus on snakes was designed to challenge students to think beyond their initial conceptions and misconceptions and to use scientific inquiry to dispel the myths behind people's aversion to this often misunderstood creature.
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