Assignments change every year -- This is a very flexible unit. I always try to build on whatever I am reading, school activities outside of this classroom and any other resources that become available. As well, in this type of project, it is harder for students to keep up with the work so I keep the due dates fuzzy. I mostly care about how their work improves over time so I am trying to measure their improvement. (Teacher, Bill McWeeny)

Observation Assignments Building a Model Ecosystem Assignments Reading and Reflection Assignments Making Connection Assignments

Next Steps:

A Year of 8th Grade Science Contents Introduction Bill's Teaching Biography Bill's Most Influential Books Bill's Teaching Philosophy An Interview with Bill McWeeny The Classroom Environment Setting Up the Year: Throughlines Setting Up the Year: Notebooks The Culturing Unit     - Implementing the Culturing Unit     - TFU and The Culturing Unit     - Assignments and Examples of Student Work         - Observing         - Building         - Reading         - Connecting The Genetics/Family Tree Unit The Cell Unit The Body Systems Unit Pictures of Practice Contents Introduction The Colonial Biography Unit (7th Grade History) A Year of Seventh Grade English A Year of Eighth Grade Science The Jazz Unit Snapshot Using the CCDT to Develop Generative Topics Teaching for Understanding Quick Menu - select a destination - INFORMATION   What's Understanding?     - An Interactive Look at Understanding   What's Teaching for Understanding?     - A Performance Criterion   What's the TfU Framework     - Throughlines     - Generative Topics     - Understanding Goals     - Performances of Understanding     - Ongoing Assessment PICTURES OF PRACTICE   The Colonial Biography Unit (7th Grade History)   A Year of Seventh Grade English   A Year of Eighth Grade Science   The Jazz Unit Snapshot   Using the CCDT to Develop Generative Topics COMMUNICATION CURRICULUM DESIGN TOOLS   Planners   Tip Sheets   On-line Tools

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