Assignment Task: Model of the Mind
1. How does attention play a role in learning? Use the following terms in your answer: environment, working memory, long-term memory, and encoding. Need Assignment Help?
2. Read the scenario below and answer the questions:
Two teachers are planning elementary science lessons on the following standard:
2-LS4-1. Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
They both want to have students learn about fish native to their area and compare and contrast them to fish living in habitats different from theirs.
Teacher A has students first research fish that live in the creek behind their school, then each student is assigned a habitat that contrasts with the creek area. The students research a fish that lives in their assigned habitat and prepare a presentation for which they will be graded on addressing the following points: a) The characteristics of each fish that are similar, b) The characteristics of each fish that are different, and c) The characteristics of each habitat that influence certain traits in each fish
Teacher B assigns each student to two fish, one from the creek behind the school and another from a different habitat. Each student must represent each fish visually through an art project of their choosing, and the teacher provides tissue paper, cardboard, and a variety of craft supplies for making the fish. Students will be graded on the accuracy of each fish in representing the traits of that fish, and the creativity they put into their design.
Which teacher's students are more likely to demonstrate knowledge of the target standard?
Teacher A or Teacher B
3. Justify your answer above. Be sure to explain what students in each lesson are likely to be thinking about and how that relates to their learning.
4. In the scenario above, Teacher A is concerned that multilingual students learning English in the class may struggle to complete the assigned project. He debates two options for scaffolding for these students: which most supports these students?
Options:
A. Instead of researching for a presentation, which would entail overly difficult text they aren't ready to read, have the students read one kindergarten-level text about a native fish and summarize it.
B. Allow students to research the fish in their native language using a translation app, so they still complete the assigned project, but only the final product needs to be in English.
5. Why did you select your answer? How does your answer support equitable learning for this group of students?