Evelyn Metcalf, 2nd Grade, Barringer Academic Center
Synopsis
Charlotte’s watersheds and waterways provide historical, geographical, and scientific context for students to explore. Without being “in” the water, they can certainly be immersed! Having a broad enough topic that can allow endless connections for students to make, affording them opportunities to “tap” into universal themes like: change, conflict, exploration, patterns, order and chaos, power, structure, relationship, systems, and adaptation(https://www.giftedworks.fyi/reading-instruction) is a hallmark of a strong thematic unit. Although lessons are a cross section of multiple content strands including arts, literature, mathematics, and social studies, the “hub” of this wheel is: wonder, observation, and discovery. In other words: SCIENCE!