Launch Stage

Practice Stage

Extend Stage

Choice and Challenge Stage

Create Lab

Guiding Question:

How can I create a sculpture of my favorite dinosaur?

Summary of Lab:

In the Create Lab, students create dinosaur sculptures as they learn how to use artistic skills and concepts such as shape and detail.

Connection to Module Lessons:

Students build on their knowledge of paleontology and fossils as they learn different sculpting techniques to create dinosaur sculptures. In the Module 2 performance task, they write a narrative describing a paleontologist who just discovered a fossil, so the dinosaur sculpture could be a companion to this writing piece as students present at the End of Module Celebration.

Learning Target(s):

I can identify the shapes that make a dinosaur.
I can sculpt the shapes of a dinosaur.

Purpose of Launch Stage:

Students examine a picture of a dinosaur, working together to identify the various shapes that make the dinosaur.
Students explore with clay, attempting to sculpt the various shapes of a dinosaur.
Students explore with toothpicks or skewers, attempting to attach the parts of a dinosaur together.

Learning Target(s):

I can identify the shapes that make a dinosaur.
I can sculpt the shapes of a dinosaur.

New in This Stage of the Lab:

Students have a greater degree of independence, both in their work in the Lab and in their movement during Lab time.

Learning Target(s):

I can add details to my dinosaur sculpture using my hands and other tools.

New in This Stage of the Lab:

Students learn multiple ways to make their clay sculptures more detailed.

Learning Target(s):

I can create a final sculpture of my favorite dinosaur.
I can add beautiful details to my dinosaur sculpture using small found or recycled objects.

New in This Stage of the Lab:

Students learn that sculptors add both realistic and non-realistic details to their sculptures, using a variety of materials to make their sculptures beautiful and to highlight different areas of their sculpture.
Students use all the art skills and concepts they have learned, the Dinosaur Sculpture Criteria List anchor chart, and peer feedback to complete a final sculpture.

Explore Lab

Guiding Question:

What can I learn about paleontology by exploring the tools of a paleontologist?

Summary of Lab:

In the Explore Lab, students become paleontologists as they use paleontology tools to explore a simulated dig site.

Connection to Module Lessons:

Students build on their knowledge of paleontology and fossils as they explore how to use different paleontological tools in a simulated dig. The key module texts, Stone Girl, Bone Girl, Fossils, and The Big Dinosaur Dig, serve as inspiration and information for this Explore Lab.

Learning Target(s):

I can learn about paleontology by exploring the tools of a paleontologist.
I can show respect when using the tools of a paleontologist.

Purpose of Launch Stage:

Students explore what it means to be a paleontologist in a simulated dig site.

Learning Target(s):

I can learn about paleontology by exploring the tools of a paleontologist.
I can show respect when using the tools of a paleontologist.

New in This Stage of the Lab:

Students have a greater degree of independence, both in their work in the Lab and in their movement during Lab time.

Learning Target(s):

I can learn about paleontology by exploring the tools of a paleontologist.
I can show respect when using the tools of a paleontologist.
I can create my own paleontologist dig (optional).

New in This Stage of the Lab:

Students have the option to create their own simulated paleontological dig, using the same or similar materials as those used in the Practice and Launch stages.

The Explore Lab does not go to the Choice and Challenge stage in this module.

Imagine Lab

Guiding Question:

How can I use Imagine Lab materials and my imagination to bring paleontology stories to life?

Summary of Lab:

In the Imagine Lab, students create a world of play as they reenact, and later create, paleontology stories.

Connection to Module Lessons:

Students explore the art of writing a narrative during the module lessons, and this same narrative process continues to be used with imaginative play as students reenact, and later create, paleontology stories using their imaginations and the materials from the Imagine Lab.

Learning Target(s):

I can reenact paleontology stories using my imagination and materials of the Imagine Lab.
I can collaborate with others to reenact paleontology stories.

Purpose of Launch Stage:

Students continue to create a world of imaginative play in a guided experience as students retell familiar stories from the module lessons.
The Imagine Lab becomes a more guided experience as students retell familiar stories from the module lessons through dramatization and reenactment.
Although the teacher is central in establishing the purpose and expectations, and in monitoring student progress in the Imagine Lab, the students have autonomy to design and regulate their Imagine Lab.

Learning Target(s):

I can reenact paleontology stories using my imagination and materials of the Imagine Lab.
I can collaborate with others to reenact paleontology stories.

New in This Stage of the Lab:

All Imagine Lab materials are now in one space. Students are able to choose which materials they use as they participate in the Imagine Lab.

Learning Target(s):

I can create paleontology stories using my imagination and materials of the Imagine Lab.
I can collaborate with others to act out paleontology stories.

New in This Stage of the Lab:

Students are invited to create their paleontology, fossil, or dinosaur-related stories.

Learning Target(s):

I can create paleontology stories using my imagination and materials of the Imagine Lab.
I can collaborate with others to act out paleontology stories.

New in This Stage of the Lab:

The Imagine Lab intentionally remains unchanged to promote student independence and allow teachers to strategically focus their attention on the Research and Create Labs.

Research Lab

Guiding Question:

How can I use research skills to learn and wonder about dinosaurs?

Summary of Lab:

Students use research skills to learn new information about and ask questions about dinosaurs. The Research Lab culminates with the creation of dinosaur trading cards that share facts about different dinosaurs.

Connection to Module Lessons:

Students build upon their understanding of paleontology and fossils as they research facts and ask questions about different dinosaurs. The final dinosaur trading cards could be companions to the performance task writing piece as students present at the End of Module Celebration.

Learning Target(s):

I can learn new information about dinosaurs using my research materials.
I can ask questions about dinosaurs based on my research materials.

Purpose of Launch Stage:

Students are given time to explore the various materials they will use in the Research Lab and begin to formulate ideas about their individual research interests and how they might use these materials in the future.

Learning Target(s):

I can learn new information about dinosaurs using my research materials.
I can ask questions about dinosaurs based on my research materials.

New in This Stage of the Lab:

All Research Lab materials are now in one space. Students are able to choose which dinosaur topic they would like to research.

Learning Target(s):

I can learn new information about dinosaurs using my research materials.
I can ask questions about dinosaur based on my research materials.

New in This Stage of the Lab:

Students focus their line of inquiry and research into a specific area of expertise: carnivores, herbivores, swimmers, or fliers.
Facts that students learn about their specific area of expertise will be used in their final product during the Choice and Challenge stage.

Learning Target(s):

I can use facts I have learned to create dinosaur trading cards.

New in This Stage of the Lab:

Students no longer collect new facts or generate new questions, unless it is necessary for the completion of their dinosaur trading card.
Students use the information they collected in the Research Lab, the Dinosaur Trading Card Criteria List anchor chart, and peer feedback to complete their dinosaur trading cards.

Module 2: Overview