Curriculum 

Problem-centered curriculum design teaches students how to look at a problem and formulate a solution. Considered an authentic form of learning because students are exposed to real-life issues, this model helps students develop skills that are transferable to the real world. Problem-centered curriculum design has been shown to increase the relevance of the curriculum and encourages creativity, innovation and collaboration in the classroom. The drawback to this format is that it does not always consider individual learning styles.

 

Essential Questions are to help the teacher guide the lessons. Enduring Understanding is what you ultimately want to students to take away from the lesson.

 

Ch 1 Essential Question - How do scientists uncover, research, and solve environmental problems?

Ch 1 Enduring Understanding - Adapt the scientific method and engineering design process to their lives as a problem solving skill.

 

Ch 5 Essential Question - How do organisms affect one another’s survival and environment?

Ch 5 Enduring Understanding - Examine how removing one organism from its environment affects the other organisms. Macro - Link that understanding to human actions and the affects on the environment. Micro - Examine their lifestyles and evaluate how their actions have an impact on the environment.

 

Ch 6 Essential Question - How does the environment affect where and how an organism lives?

Ch 6 Enduring Understanding - 

 

Ch 7 Essential Question - Why is it important to protect biodiversity?

Ch 7 Enduring Understanding - Evoke within students to realize that they have to protect biodiversity and they cannot leave it up to “someone else.”

 

Ch 4,8 Essential Questions - How do changes in population size relate to environmental conditions?, How does human population affect the environment? 

Ch 4,8 Enduring Understanding - Personal choice on family size.