THEMATIC CYCLE CRITERIA

Name:

Each cycle should include ALL of the following.  Numbers are points per
criteria.

Project typed, double-spaced, pages numbered and placed in
a folder. No plastic slips. Do not bind - unit is a working hard copy.

TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE - 610

INTRO (40 points)

  5   Title page

 10   Complete table of contents

 10   Specify developmental level and describe.

 10   Theoretical Framework - describe the theories/theorists 
      underlying this study

  5   Specify length of time (weeks, days, time per day)


CONTENT (160 points)

  5   Purpose (the purpose of the unit is. . . one or two sentences)

  5   A brief rationale for topic (Why are you doing it? Why is this 
      unit important to children?)

 10   Identify the main ideas and the concepts to be included.

 10   Goals (big ideas) of the study. Includes content, cognitive and 
      social/emotional, affective goals that children are expected to 
      acquire. General descriptors should be used. Among others, examples 
      are: For the children to develop an understanding of, promote, to 
      enhance, for children to appreciate, become aware

 15   Objectives--Are objectives measurable? (correspond with lesson
      plans.)  For each experience in the day-by-day chart you should have
      at least one objective. The experience should clearly evidence 
      curriculum integration.

 50   Day-by-day schedule of instruction/learning events are described. 
      Events are meaningfully connected and are interrelated to one
      another.  Specify content areas (not less than 40 experiences).

 15   Webbing diagram.

 10   Initiating Experience - How will you begin?

 10   Culminating Experience - What special event(s) will conclude the 
      unit!  (Assess goals?)

 30   Unit evaluation -- describes how you will determine if the unit 
      has accomplished the major goals. (How will different types of 
      experiences be assessed, e.g. group participation, written work, 
      art projects,etc.? Does the unit evaluation assess the goals of
      cycle?)  Systematic documentation over time.l

EXPERIENCES (90 points)

  6   Developmentally appropriate

  6   Fun and engages children's interests

  6   Unit includes experiences that are authentic and whole

  6   Inspires active experimentation and problem solving.

  6   Fosters cooperation/collaboration between adults and children and 
      among children themselves.

  6   Enhances self concept

  6   Provide meaningful choices for children

  6   Provides opportunities for students to take risks and to take 
      responsibilities.

  6   Includes creative arts plus expression.

  6   Evidences varied instructional strategies.

  6   Provides small, large, and independent learning alternatives.

  6   Integrates literature.

  6   Includes technology in a meningful way.

  6   Evidences opportunity for learner reflection

  6   Evidences opportunity for instructor reflection

CYCLE STRUCTURE (35 points)

 15   Description of arranged environment.  Identify and describe 
      centers

 10   Describe preparation by teacher

 10   Prototype of letter(s) to parents

MULTICULTURAL, BILINGUAL AND DEMOCRATIC (30 points)

 10   Cycle experiences reflect cultural, ethnic, racial sensitivity

 10   Experiences intentionally integrate anti-bias practice with respect
      to language, class, and ability

 10   Indicates pro-social opportunities

TECHNOLOGY (30 points)

 10   Technology has been utilized as process and as an integral component
      of inquiry learning

 10   Demonstrates evidence of graphics in the cycle itself: borders, 
      pictures, charts.

 10   References identified in bibliography

BIBLIOGRAPHY (40 points)

For full credit a comprehensive and representative number of books should 
be included. (APA FORMAT)

 20   Teacher books and resources (Use APA format) 

 20   Children's books and resources.  Use this form: Gibbons, Gail
      (1984).  Tunnels, New York: Holiday House.  PLEASE NOTE: IF APA
      FORMAT IF NOT USED, FULL CREDIT WILL NOT BE ISSUED.

PROJECT (20 points)

 20   Evidences Project Approach

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT (25 POINTS) 

 25   Classroom management policies identified

CHARTS (75 points)

 25   A chart which cross-references unit experiences with content areas.

 25   A chart which cross-references experiences and unit goals.

 25   A chart which cross-references unit experiences with state essential 
      skills. (Check blue book)

COMMUNITY/OUT-OF-DOORS (45 POINTS)

 15   Experiences are meaningfully related in the out of
      doors. Experiences may include field trips, walks, playground
      experiences, gardens.

 15   Experiences meanfully include community personnel as resource.

 15   Cycle meaningfully involves and integrates persons and interests of
      the community.

OVERALL QUALITY OF UNIT (20 POINTS)

 20   Overall evaluation of the cycle as a whole.
 
NOTE:  THIS PROJECT MEETS REQUIRED NCATE STANDARDS

COMMENTS