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Theme One - Maíz: A Legacy Through Time
The thematic unit,
Maíz: A Legacy Through Time, was designed specifically for sixth
grade general students, English Language Learners, and students with
disabilities. Students are presented with integrated lessons that
revolve around these essential questions: What is man’s relationship
to corn? How has the harvesting of crops evolved over time? What
effect did César Chávez have on the farm labor movement in the
United States? What are the effects of the economy on farming today?
What are the ethical issues facing farmers today? The link between
the essential questions and the museums is through the importance of
corn to the life and myths of the indigenous people of Mexico, as
well as the farmers of the United States; methods of harvesting
crops over time; the role of César Chávez and his efforts in behalf
of the migrant workers; modern farming machines; the effects of the
economy on farms; the products produced from corn; and the role
science and technology has played in the production of crops and its
effect on society. The focus of the unit is how a staple of life has
been affected through the years by scientific, technological, and
economic changes. Students are able to use the information from
activities and research in the classroom, along with a trip to
Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum’s Mexicanidad exhibit, to develop an
informed understanding of how the issues of man change over time but
the basic needs remain the same. The Museum of Science and
Industry’s Farm exhibit shows the modern machinery and technologies
of breeding. Students are able to visit this exhibit as part of
their field trip for the second theme of this program. Students’
research allows them to debate issues raised by technological
advances as a culminating activity.
Lessons within this unit have
been designed to be completed during one to five class periods (45
minutes per day). The approximate length of the entire unit is about
five to six weeks; however, teacher judgment should be used for the
final determination. This unit is flexible and allows for student
and teacher creativity.
Theme Two - From Generation to Generation
The thematic unit, From
Generation to Generation, was designed specifically for sixth
grade general, bilingual, and special education students. Students
will be presented with a set of integrated lessons that revolve
around these essential questions: What effect does the environment
have on the genetic make-up of homosapiens? How are the genes of
our previous generations apparent today? What
was Gregor Mendel’s contribution to the study of genetics? What
roles do DNA, genes, and chromosomes play in the study of
heredity? What are the debatable issues surrounding genetics that
our society faces today? The link between these questions and the
museums is through the study of different cultures and their
practices; the effects of the environment on genetics; the
contributions of Gregor Mendel’s genetic studies; the effects of
mapping human and plant genomes; the effects of mutations and
inherited diseases; the results of current genetic technology; the
development of new careers in the genetic field; and the roles
that scientific and technological discoveries have played in our
changing society.
The focus of the unit demonstrates how scientific discoveries have
led to a deeper understanding of the functions of living things
and the possibilities that arise to cause genetic changes.
Students will use the information from activities and research in
the classroom, their experience with the Mexicandad exhibit
located in the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum as well as a trip
to the Museum of Science and Industry’s new exhibit, Genetics:
Decoding Life, to develop an understanding of how new scientific
and technological discoveries can help or hinder mankind. Students
will have an opportunity to visit the Museum of Science and
Industry’s Farm exhibit to help them make the connections between
the previous theme, A Legacy Through Time, and From Generation to
Generation. As a culminating activity, students will research and
debate ethical issues raised by technological advances.
The discussion of genetics and heredity may be a sensitive issue
for many families. Allow students the choice of using their own
families as examples, or a family of their choice, when
diagramming family trees or investigating how traits are
inherited.
From Generation to Generation Lessons within this unit have been
designed to be completed during one to four class periods (45
minutes per day). The approximate length of the entire unit is
five weeks; however, teacher
judgment should be the final determination.
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