Independent Study using Scientific Methods

Rationale: The enrichment project is designed to differentiate instruction, optimize a student’s ability to master skills, actively engage students in the planning and implementation of teaching and learning activities, and enable self directed learning. The flip video will be used to record the process.

Overview: The independent study should include a teacher approved identified problem, a hypothesis, sited research, collected data, a graph and analysis, and explanation or prediction of real life or future application/uses.

Student identified embedded skills: punctuality, talent, thinking, leadership, communication, comprehension, organization, empathy, and technolgy.

10 week pacing chart:
Week 1 - Decide on a platform of communication and resording of process while modeling and practicing responsible use of social media.

Week 2- Each learner will brainstorm and record ideas of interest.

Week 3- Learners will probe and reflect with one another to ensure endurance and leverage of topics.

Week 4- Learning Teams will form and submit topic and rationale of the independant study.

Week 5- Learners will use multiple sources for research, supported by instruction and guidance from a lirary staff member.

Week 6- Learners will submit individual hypothesis and begin collecting materials.

Week 7- Learners will execute the experiment and collect data. Learners will tally, graph, and analyze data.

Week 8- Learners will collaborate on real life application and significance of the independent study, as well as reflect on the process.

Week 9- Learners will use a digital media platform for dissimination of their study.

Week 10- Learners will prepare and share their presentations in a learning community.

Variety of Assessment:
Each community member will write positive feedback on notecards to each other community member.

Each learning team will select three community members to score them on a grading rubric.

Each learner will complete a cooperative learning rubric with reflection of the independent study process.

Additional notes: Learners should be given the first five minutes of every class period to record ideas and generate questions, an additional five minutes should be dedicated to problem solving.

As with all things new, it takes longer to establish a routine in the beginning; however, once the behavior is routine, it is time well spent.