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An interdisciplinary
project of the mathematics and science departments to connect
the curriculum with real life.
Why
connect the curriculum to life?
According to a recent report by the National Association
of Secondary School Principals as well as abundant research
on brain-compatible learning, students remember more and
achieve more when the curriculum is tied to real-life situations.
At Cranford High School we are also training our students
to become responsible citizens who develop a life-long habit
of contributing to their community. This unit attempts to
unite both goals while also addressing the New Jersey Core
Curriculum Standards in a creative way.
What
is involved in the unit?
In their science and math classes, our juniors will recieve
two readings that will spur them to think about ways in
which math and science can be used to help the community.
One article accents the importance of "math and science
literacy." Simply put, an individual living in the twenty-first
century must be able to understand numbers and statsitics
in analyzing a situation and projecting and answer.
How
does the unit relate to "authentic learning?"
The term "authentic learning" is frequently used in education;
its aim is to engage students in situations that resemble
real-life situations. After discussing the ideas in class
and writing reflective journals on the articles, the students
advance to the next step: completing two service projects
in math and in science that will help our town or our citizens
in some way. The projects may be done individually, in teams,
or in class.
What
are our goals?
- To
connect the curriculum to life.
- To
stimulate analytic thinking and problem-solving skills.
- To
lead students into seeing a relationship between disciplines.
- To
inculcate good citizenship.
- To
unite all juniors in exploring cooperation and teamwork.
- To
fulfill the New Jersey Core curriculum standards
- To
foster a life-long habit or "service to the community."
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