Qualities of Leadership
Our fourth grade TAG students are beginning the
higher-order/critical thinking unit, “Qualities of Leadership.” Throughout this unit, students will act as
historians, using many primary sources to evaluate how famous Americans have
demonstrated positive and effective leadership.
Ultimately, students will analyze themselves and their leadership
abilities, and find ways to grow and challenge themselves to become better
leaders!
In this unit, effective positive leadership will be defined by Lee Iacocca’s “9 C’s.” They are: Curiosity, Creativity, Communication, Character, Courage, Conviction, Charisma, Competence and Common Sense. Students will study the words and actions of historical figures to decide if and how they demonstrated these characteristics. Students will also identify times in their own lives when they have also demonstrated them as well. Historical figures that the students will investigate include Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, John Steinbeck, Dorothea Lange, Jackie Robinson, Albert Einstein, Lee Iacocca and the Human Genome Project.
Each day, students will determine and analyze higher-order/critical thinking skills used. These will include: asking complex questions, using criteria to make comparisons and decisions, using criteria to evaluate decisions, predicting consequences, using metaphors, examining issues from various perspectives, and drawing conclusions.
Students will also be working diligently to identify the skills of a historian used and creating products that a real historian would produce. We are looking forward to analyzing the past in order to shape the leaders of the future!
In this unit, effective positive leadership will be defined by Lee Iacocca’s “9 C’s.” They are: Curiosity, Creativity, Communication, Character, Courage, Conviction, Charisma, Competence and Common Sense. Students will study the words and actions of historical figures to decide if and how they demonstrated these characteristics. Students will also identify times in their own lives when they have also demonstrated them as well. Historical figures that the students will investigate include Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, John Steinbeck, Dorothea Lange, Jackie Robinson, Albert Einstein, Lee Iacocca and the Human Genome Project.
Each day, students will determine and analyze higher-order/critical thinking skills used. These will include: asking complex questions, using criteria to make comparisons and decisions, using criteria to evaluate decisions, predicting consequences, using metaphors, examining issues from various perspectives, and drawing conclusions.
Students will also be working diligently to identify the skills of a historian used and creating products that a real historian would produce. We are looking forward to analyzing the past in order to shape the leaders of the future!
Medlock Bridge 4th graders are ready for their close-ups with our new Creative Thinking and Creative Problem Solving Unit, “Mind Your Own Business.” Students will take part in a hands-on program called BizMovie.
In this real-world simulation, students work together to design, produce, and market their movie as they learn what it takes to start and run a movie production business. Students will participate in all aspects of the business process as they create their resumes and apply for positions, take on management roles, incorporate their companies, sell shares of their company to raise BizBucks, and track all corporate finances. Along the way, students will use creative thinking strategies to come up with new ideas and solve problems.
If you or someone you know may be interested in sharing your knowledge of the business world with us, please email Mrs. Coxen or Mrs. Bates. We would love to meet an actual venture capitalist or experienced entrepreneur!
In this real-world simulation, students work together to design, produce, and market their movie as they learn what it takes to start and run a movie production business. Students will participate in all aspects of the business process as they create their resumes and apply for positions, take on management roles, incorporate their companies, sell shares of their company to raise BizBucks, and track all corporate finances. Along the way, students will use creative thinking strategies to come up with new ideas and solve problems.
If you or someone you know may be interested in sharing your knowledge of the business world with us, please email Mrs. Coxen or Mrs. Bates. We would love to meet an actual venture capitalist or experienced entrepreneur!
FLIGHT
Our research unit, “Flight,” will focus on the history and science of flight. Students will learn about the basic principles of aerodynamics through many hands-on investigations.
The main ideas of the unit include:
Students will participate in a business simulation in which they buy, sell, and trade the supplies they need to build paper airplanes. They will then use what they learned about balance of forces, Bernoulli’s Principle, and aerodynamics to design airplanes to perform specific tasks. The airplanes will compete in areas of altitude, duration, and accuracy. The most profitable company also receives recognition.
Students will play the roles of pilot, co-pilot, and navigator in a race across a fictional continent, Andorania. In this race, students will develop an appreciation of the skills needed to navigate an airplane. They will learn how to file a flight plan, navigate the best route over a variety of terrains, use a mileage chart, keep a flight journal, and react to problems. The game reinforces map skills such as scale, symbols, latitude and longitude.
Students will study the development of flight from a historical perspective, including famous people and landmark events. Students will generate ideas on how discoveries and inventions related to flight have impacted the history of the United States. Students will also identify problems related to the increasing demand for air travel to transport people and cargo and then brainstorm potential solutions.
Students will hear from actual pilots, both in person and via Skype! They will also have the chance to interview the pilots and learn how to best navigate their fictitious scenarios throughout the "Andorania" simulation.
Prepare for take-off!
The main ideas of the unit include:
- The impact of the development of flight on the U.S. economy and culture
- Nature's influences on the early ideas of flight
- Flight is possible due to a balance of forces
- Milestones of flight were achieved by building on the ideas of others
- The ways in which a free market economy operates
Students will participate in a business simulation in which they buy, sell, and trade the supplies they need to build paper airplanes. They will then use what they learned about balance of forces, Bernoulli’s Principle, and aerodynamics to design airplanes to perform specific tasks. The airplanes will compete in areas of altitude, duration, and accuracy. The most profitable company also receives recognition.
Students will play the roles of pilot, co-pilot, and navigator in a race across a fictional continent, Andorania. In this race, students will develop an appreciation of the skills needed to navigate an airplane. They will learn how to file a flight plan, navigate the best route over a variety of terrains, use a mileage chart, keep a flight journal, and react to problems. The game reinforces map skills such as scale, symbols, latitude and longitude.
Students will study the development of flight from a historical perspective, including famous people and landmark events. Students will generate ideas on how discoveries and inventions related to flight have impacted the history of the United States. Students will also identify problems related to the increasing demand for air travel to transport people and cargo and then brainstorm potential solutions.
Students will hear from actual pilots, both in person and via Skype! They will also have the chance to interview the pilots and learn how to best navigate their fictitious scenarios throughout the "Andorania" simulation.
Prepare for take-off!