Partners in Time Kits:

Authors: Jeanette Konchesky, Joanne Patti-Jaworski, and Elissa Miller Subject(s): Math, Science, and Technology Grade Level: 6-8

Problem: (watch video of this problem)

Miller-Konchesky-Jaworski
Middle School

Announcement from the principal:   April 17, 2007

Dear faculty, staff and students,

Millerski Middle School will be dismissed two hours early today due to the impending threat of a flood because of the cresting of the Mononghelia River within the next four hours.  Busses will begin loading in ten minutes.  If other arrangements need to be made, please come to the office at this time with your teacher’s permission. 

News Report: April 17, 2007

Good Afternoon Cheat Lake, this is channel 12 news reporting live from the banks of the Mononghelia River.  Currently we are looking at flood stage water which has overflowed its banks and flooded several low lying areas including Miller-Konchesky-Jaworski Middle School.  At this time it is known that only the gifted classroom on the north end of the Millerski Middle School building has sustained severe damages.  Stay tuned for more breaking news and updates.   

Announcement from the principal:  April 23, 2007

Dear faculty, staff and students,

Welcome back Millerski Middle School.  After the flooding of last week, Miller-Konchesly-Jaworski Middle School was not left unscathed.  As you know, school will run on a normal schedule today, excluding all Gifted Classes due to damage to their classroom.  Please report to room 228, better known as the custodial closet in the back of the library, until further notice. 

Announcement from Mrs. Meanie (Substitute Gifted Teacher):

Students, as you know there is very little funding for the Gifted population.  We will be working on a budget to get our room back into shape as soon as possible so we can return to work and research.  Please use your knowledge of architectural design, engineering and problem solving to make our room the ULITIMATE CLASSROOM.  There is a list of requirements all new classrooms must include according to No Child Left Behind, which I will provide you.  Remember, students, you must consider cost effectiveness while meeting all requirements for the ULTIMATE CLASSROOM.       

Unit Overview:

In this unit students will develop skills in math, science and engineering through their quest to develop the Ultimate Classroom using available technology.  In three lessons, we will focus on 21st Century Skills including: problem-solving, team work, brain storming, developing new vocabulary, written and oral presentations.  In addition, students will discover, evaluate, and analyze their own work as well as the work of fellow students through a critiquing conference.  This conference will develop student skills in delivering and receiving constructive criticism, another important 21st Century skill. 

Students will be given the problem as well as requirements and will be in charge of engineering the most cost effective classroom using the given criteria.  Students will be assessed by meeting each criterion, developing a classroom model using Classroom Architect online, and participating in a written and oral presentation.                

Pre Assessment

Post Assessment

Credits and References:

"Classroom Architect." 4Teachers.org. 2006. ALTEC the University of Kansas. 11 Jul 2007 <http://classroom.4teachers.org/>.