Parents Newsletter

1. Lights, Camera, Action A Unit About Light

2. Curriculum Framing Questions Essential Question What is the importance of light? Unit Questions How does the sun affect everyday lives? How well does light shine through objects? Content Questions Do most plants need sunlight to survive? Is glass transparent or translucent or opaque? Does light travel in a straight line?

3. Summary of unit In this unit students will learn the key components of light. Students will learn how light travels. They will also learn how light shines through different materials.

4. Role of teacher As a teacher, my role will be facilitating the hands on learning. I will encourage students to get into projects or experiments and really work with the task at hand.

5. Role of the parent As parents, I ask that each of you encourage your child. It is important for parents to show their children that learning is very important and that grades matter. Students need to feel what they are doing in class is worth their time. Please assist your students with homework and help them in any way possible.

6. Role of student The students’ roles in this unit will be to experiment. Students will be expected to use critical thinking skills, and attempt to apply what they learn to real life.

7. Benefits of the unit This unit will prepare students for higher science courses in the future. This unit also allows the students to participate in Project Based Learning.

8. Standards This unit will meet the following state standard SC.4.3 Recognize how light interacts with transparent, translucent, and opaque materials.Students will be able to identify whether an object or material is transparent, translucent, or opaque. Students will be able to predict how light will reflect on a material or object. SC.4.9 Describe the appearance and movement of Earth and its moon.

9. Objectives Students will be able to identify whether an object or material is transparent, translucent, or opaque. Students will be able to predict how light will reflect on a material or object.

10. What is project based learning Project-based learning is a form of learning much deeper than the traditional textbook instruction. Students experience project-based learning through working with groups of other students in a real life situation. While students are learning life applicable situations, they are also learning across the curriculum. PBL also allows students to be graded on performance instead of just an essay or written work. This can be beneficial for students who are not always the best performers when it comes to written work. Project based learning is a great form of instruction because it shapes more than a student’s mind. It helps to shape his or her communication skills, research skills, and organizational skills.

11. Need to get in touch? Miss Hindman 205-555-5710 (home) 205-555-0399 (cell) mbhindman@google.com-email Prep Time (1-1:45 M-F)