21st Century Lesson Revised -Limiting Factors Project-

21st Century Skills & Standards (Up-Date)

1.    Collaboration: Students were encouraged to work on this project with a partner. The rubric they were given also emphasized that both partners must participate in the creation and presentation to the class. Another student must run their PowerPoint or Prezi if they choose to present their information using either of those programs.
2.    Creativity: Students were not limited to using Prezi or PowerPoint- although all of them chose to present their information using one of those 2 formats. The rubric used for grading suggested the possibility of using another format such as an Info-graphic or podcast.
3.    Critical Thinking: The information that they present in their project is not directly available and must be created by them. They (collaboration) had to research the organism and determine how an organism’s physical, chemical and behavior characteristics can develop into an adaptation. They will present that to the class in way that demonstrates understanding of how a limiting factor or an adaptation effects a population as a whole.  While the characteristics of an organism are usually easy to find, the factors that limit a population’s success over time requires analysis. Some limiting factors are even beneficial to a population in the long run.
4.    Communication:  I demonstrate and teach the basic principles of  being an effective presenter- someone who communicates with their audience.  Before they present, I model the presentations of 2 or 3 projects from previous years. I show them the difference between a concise presentation and one that has so much text in it that it doesn't communicate the message that they want to convey. I then encourage them to comment on a presentation that has an enticing image and only enough text to support 2 or 3 specific points about the image. I then demonstrate how the presenter is the one who needs to engage the audience to create questions and interest. I review the importance of eye contact and speaking with conviction and enough volume to communicate effectively.
Students were totally engaged and excited by this project.  Many commented on how no one had ever taught them how to effectively present before. They completed a reflection piece that I found very interesting to read. I also asked them to include any suggestions on how we could improve the project. The most common suggestion was to have more time to work on the project. This project also allowed students to work at their own level and progress at their own pace.

This project supports  LS4.C   Adaptation    9-12   From the NGSS

Natural selection results from genetic variation of individuals in a species, competition for resources, and proliferation of organisms better able to survive and reproduce; Adaptation means that the distribution of traits in a population, as well as species expansion, emergence or extinction, can change when conditions change

Connie Baker

Glogster Project Introduction

Reflection & Analysis of Project