Designed by
This interdisciplinary unit will focus on recreational diving. Students will explore the effects that the ocean has on divers as well as the effects that divers have on the ocean. Students will also learn math through the perspective of diving.
Math Standards Addressed
Students will be given the opportunity to practice math skills and learn about the physical aspects of recreational diving by exploring information on the web. Math skills will range from learning function and algebra concepts, problem solving and mathematical reasoning and putting mathematics to work.
Sum up the total cost for your diving trip.
The teacher will need a good understanding of the internet to instruct students when using the computer. A novice teacher with some experience in conducting group projects and interdisciplinary units will be able to implement this unit with very little trouble.
Introduction
This unit was developed at San Diego State University in EDTEC 596, Interdisciplinary Teaching with Technology, Bernie Dodge, Instructor.
Content Areas and Grades
This unit is anchored in grades seven to nine with the learning emphasis placed on math and physical education. The unit can be extended to grades ten to twelve with very little modification.
Curriculum Standards
Students will explore recreational diving and topics including rates of change (with respect to oxygen consumption and related topics), understanding charts and graphs (with references to slope), and physical effects of diving on the body, along with how these topics are related.
Physical Education Standards Addressed
Organizing Theme and Guiding Questions
The unit will begin with each student team exploring the aspects of taking a diving trip. Students will begin their project by shopping for equipment and understanding its use. The students will then need to become aware of the dangers of diving and the physical demands on the body. Students will be expected to create their own exercises that could enhance diving ability.
Guiding Question
Knowledge
Comprehension
Application
Analysis
Synthesis
Evaluation
Why do people dive?
List three reasons for diving.
What kind of diving do you want to do?
Describe a way that you would make diving profitable.
What is needed to dive?
List 10 supplies needed for diving with their costs.
Combine supplies needed and possible dive plans to select the best option.
Rank the supplies/services in order of importance.
How does diving affect the environment?
What are three effects divers have on the environment?
In what ways do people have a positive or negative effect?
How does diving affect health?
List five possible health considerations related to diving.
What kind of exercises would make a better diver?
Considering your own health, should you dive? Why or why not?
Implementation Overview
Using diving as a central theme, we will explore topics in mathematics and physical education. The unit will require two periods a day. It will take three weeks to do this interdisciplinary unit.
Material Resources Needed
Human Resources Needed
There will be two teachers involved, one in Physical Education and one in Math. A computer aide in the class will be needed to assist students with using the computer. A field trip to the Scripps Institute of Oceanography on the last week of the unit will take place to allow students to conduct a survey of environmental issues that concern the public (found at the institute). A presentation on how humans affect the environment would also take place (using data gathered at the institute and the Web).
Entry Level Skills and Knowledge
The students will need basic computer skills, basic arithmetic, a general knowledge of human physiology, and an understanding of their own human musculature.
Outline of Activities
Physical Education Math Description
Week 1 - Physical Education
Week 1 - Math
Students will explore elements of diving as it relates to mathematics and physical education.
Week 2 - Physical Education
Week 2 - Day 1 - Math
Week 2 - Days 2-3 - Math
Week 2 - Days 4-5 - MathExplore deeper concepts in mathematics and physical education dealing with diving.
Closure - Physical Education & Math
Discuss environment, design and conduct a survey on environment, go to Scripps, present project, and take tests on covered materials.
Evaluation
We will know if this unit was successful by the quality of their final presentations and scores on tests. Their presentations should include some higher order thinking about health, environment, and relationships between pieces of information.
Possible Variations
You can add in other disciplines such as science and language arts.
Conclusion
This unit will help the students to be more aware of their bodies, to observe effects of diving, to shop around on the Web, to evaluate data using prior knowledge, and to gain experience and understanding the concepts of graphs/charts.