Systems and Change
6th Grade Challenge:
“Where Systems Thinkers Seek the Bird’s Eye View”
Ancient Civilizations: Is the End Foretold in the Beginning?
Content
- Time, Perspectives and Ambiguity
- Caves and Shadows: Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
- Geologic Timescale
- Early Man
- Are We Our Heros?An exploration of the Hero Cycle through Gilgamesh
- Mesopotamia: First Civilizations
- Ancient India
- The Beginning of Western Civilization: Egypt, Greece, Rome
Themes
- Climate Change and Extinction
- Evolution and Adaptation
- Social Adaptation
- Story or Truth: Oral Tradition vs. Scientific Method
- Mental Models
- Heroes Over Time
Skils
- Perspective/ Interpretation
- Thinking Processes or Framework Thinking
- Discussion
- Collaboration
- Connective-Metaphoric Thinking
- Writing:
- Story
- Argument
- Trend and Event Analysis and Prediction
- Interpersonal/Intrapersonal
- Presentation
Systems Thinking Allegories
Shadows of the Neanderthal
Experiences
Students will:
Formative Assessments
- Participate in class discussions: whole class, fishbowl and small group.
- Investigate Plato’s Allegory of the Cave and create a metaphoric interpretation of the “Cave” in his or her life.
- Develop timelines marking events for each content area in order to visualize history.
- Memorize and be able to “tell the story” of man’s history through “Landmark Dates.”
- Analyze and evaluate maps for each content area.
- Work collaboratively to research and use systems tools to analyze ancient accomplishments and participate in simulations.
Performance Assessments
- Write narrative of Early Man evolution to provide evidence of comprehension and metaphoric thinking.
- Create products to compare/ contrast and connect the heroic traits of various characters. (“Allegory of the Cave,” Shadows of the Neanderthal, Gilgamesh,”Ramayana”)
- Demonstrate lower and higher order thinking through traditional assessments (multiple choice, matching, short answer, argument and expository essays ).
Creative Experiences
- Explore abstract concepts (time, perspective, ambiguity, metaphoric thinking, historical thinking skills) with an open mind.
- Create a Timeline of the Future to connect all “big ideas” learned throughout the year.
- Contribute to Class Blog
Systems of Historical Thinking
- Visualize History (The Big Picture
- Mental Models: Geographic Determinism; Origins Determine Mental Models; stories/beliefs/religion/philosophies
- Built and Underlying Systemic Structures:survival strategies; rules/ laws/ government; art/culture/architecture; economics; understanding of unknown
- Patterns and Trends of Behavior within and throughout the Natural World and Civilizations:
- Events as Tipping or Turning Points
Systems Thinking Tools
- Ladder Of Inference
- Iceberg Diagram
- Behavior Over Time Graph
- Causa/Feedback Loops:
- Balancing
- Reinforcing
- Stock and Flow
- Habits of a Systems Thinker
- Complex Systems Thinking
- System Archetypes
Allegories
- Shadows of the Neanderthal
Enduring Understandings and Essential Questions
Systems Thinking and Change
- A system is a set of specifically organized, interdependent parts which serve a purpose.
- Understanding the behavior of one system creates a framework to understand other systems.
- Systems serve specific purposes within larger systems.
- Systems thinkers use particular vocabulary and tools to understand the short-term and long-term impact of patterns and events. They observe, discuss and connect information in order to understand systems.
- Systems seek stability.
- Change in one system causes change in another system. The real world often operates in circular causality, not just cause and effect. (Feedback)
- Designing effective change requires understanding of systems thinking.
Interpersonal/Interpersonal Knowledge
- Becoming knowledgeable about yourself gives you the power to make choices and decisions about personal actions.
- Collaboration, communication, and contribution are necessary in order to be an effective self advocate, learner and citizen.
Producing and Presenting
- To communicate a message it must be received.
- Presenting your knowledge in organized, insightful, and engaging ways purposefully informs and educates your audience