Anatomy of a Learning Activity

All Minnesota-China Connection learning activities (lessons) follow a similar format. There are slight variations in format based on the nature of the activity. This Anatomy page provides brief descriptions of each feature of a learning activity for teachers, parents, students, and community members.

Most, but not all, of the learning activities on the Minnesota-China Connection web site are aligned with current Minnesota Academic Standards.

Summary: The summary provides a quick introduction to the activity.

Subject Area: A subject area is one of the categories into which Minnesota Academic standards are organized.

For complete information about the Minnesota Academic Standards, visit http://education.state.mn.us/mde/Academic_Excellence/Academic_Standards/index.html.

Educational Level: Learning activities are broken into the following four educational levels. Teachers may adapt the activity for various grade levels. Each learning activity indicates appropriate grade levels for the activity. The grade level classifications are:

Primary (K-3)
Intermediate (4-6)
Middle (6-8)
High (9-12)

If a learning activity is aligned with current Minnesota Academic Standards, the standard addressed is indicated within the grade level classification, along with a link to all the Minnesota Academic Standards on the Minnesota Department of Education website at http://www.education.state.mn.us.

Directions

Objectives: Listed here are the specific learning goals for the activity. These objectives provide teachers with a focus for the activity and help them quickly identify if the activity will fit within their larger curriculum goals and plans.

Preparation: Teacher will adapt each activity to best meet the needs of the students and their curriculum goals. This section includes additional steps teachers will need to complete to prepare for the activity.

Time: Where possible, estimates of time needed to complete the activity are provided. Teachers will know how much time their students will need to successfully complete an activity.

Description : This section lays out an instructional plan in concrete steps for the teacher, parent, and/or student. Some activities also include introductory information that can be presented to students. It is assumed that teachers will modify and adapt these plans to meet their own teaching styles and needs.

Learning Resources: Listed here are links to websites that teachers or students may use to complete or enhance the activity. There is also a comprehensive bibliographic list of website and print resources that teachers, students, and parents may use to learn more about China.

Printable Materials: A few learning activities include worksheet pages that teachers may print, copy, and use in the classroom.

Evidence of Learning : Products produced by students that could be used to assess student learning. Teachers will know best how to integrate these products into the assessment plans for their classroom, school, or district.

Technology Integration: Many of the learning activities were designed to be completed with little use of technology tools because not all classrooms have optimum access to technology. We do, however, strongly encourage teachers to enhance and support student work with technology whenever it would add value, expand, or transform the teaching and learning experience to the benefit of students. This section provides ideas of technology integration.

Accommodations: Within every classroom are students with wide ranges of strengths and capabilities. An important part of teaching is adapting curriculum materials in ways that best meet students’ needs without losing the content or benefits of the original activity. This section contains a list of possible ways in which teachers can adjust an activity to meet more of their students’ needs.

Accommodations do not necessarily apply only to special education students. This section also provides ways for primary and intermediate grade teachers to alter some learning activities for age appropriateness. Special education teachers and paraprofessionals will know best how to accommodate the learning activities for the students they support.

Extensions: Listed here are possible ways to extend or expand the activity and increase student learning. This section may be helpful to high school teachers who wish to find ideas for making learning activities appropriate for high school students.

Sources/Credits: The Learning Activities on the Minnesota-China Connection project were originally developed by the Minnesota Department of Administration Office of Technology in 2001. They have been edited and updated by Minnesota Department of Education staff to reflect current educational practice and alignment with the Minnesota Academic Standards where possible. Listed here are credits from writers outside the Department of Education team as credited within the original activity.

Entire List of Curriculum Activities