Springfield Junior High

1. Springfield Junior High LDC: Cross Curricular Project

2. Cross Curricular LDC Project

3. LDC Template Used: After researching teacher-selected articles from INFOHIO link on a specific taxonomy group selected by students in groups, write and create an Informational Presentation in Google in which you analyze gathered information on the group's defining characteristics, different species within the group, the individual species: physical attributes, geographic range, habitat, survival adaptations, food web links, and other interesting facts, providing evidence to clarify your analysis. Include a bibliography, as well as labels for research findings. In your discussion, address the credibility and origin of sources in view of your research topic.

4. Animal Research Adventure • Subjects Included in the Project: • Science • Language Arts • Computer Technology • Social Studies

5. With the LDC Module… We were able push students toward comprehensive, rigorous writing tasks that fit like a glove with Common Core topics in our subject areas.

6. Essential Elements for Success What is needed for success with an extensive LDC project?

7. Collaboration • Delegation • Administrative Support • Flexibility • Google Docs • Hype

8. Collaboration, Collaboration, and More Collaboration Without the input and work from our entire team, the final outcome of this project would have been impossible. Students watching our collaboration prompted their positive collaboration as well!

9. Delegation • We truly work as a well oiled machine – each bringing our own expertise to the table. • With a large project, it is not feasible for one teacher to do all of the work. • The LDC Module was each subject area’s focus for the project. • We all shared the same goal – to make learning fun!

10. Administrative Support • This is a crucialelement for success! • Our principal is a big advocate of LDC in our school. • Because of her, we have many teachers who feel empowered by LDC, using the LDC modules in classrooms daily. • Mrs. Frola supported this project from the beginning. • Her interest and acknowledgement of the work put into this project has been a driving force in the success we have experienced!

11. Flexibility • Being a flexible team member is definitely a key to success. • There were many obstacles thrown our way, from technology issues to time constraints. Being flexible team members allowed us to deal with these issues with relative ease. • Team members shared a give and take relationship- often changing plans on the spot if needed.

12. Google Docs • Our librarian and tech coach taught students the basics of Google Docs. • Using this knowledge, students were able to work outside of class time to collaborate on their project. • Google Docs also allowed the teachers to collaborate on the project outside of prep times. • Google Docs also made presentation days smooth, as students were able to share their projects with the teachers.

13. An Important Key to Success:HYPE • Teachers created a real excitement about the project. • This was crucial, as the project was extensive…spanning several months to complete! • Students were excited about the project the entire time—following our lead! • This was probably one of the most crucial elements to our success with this project. Because students continued interest in it-they took their learning in the subject matter to very high levels. Their research on this project went beyond the normal elements included in a traditional research paper.

14. Literacy Design Collaborative