Chapter 15 Explain: the Pasture Story

CHAPTER 15 EXPLAIN: THE PASTURE STORY The Commons CD - Teacher Implementation Guide

DAY 1 (50 minutes – computer access required) Introduction to The Pasture Story (20 minutes) 1. Journal Prompt: Define the word commons and share with class 2. Watch ‘The Pasture Story’ on the big screen (3 minutes) A story about how people all used the same pasture to herding/grazing their cows. The pasture was ruined over time – too many cows on the pasture. 3. Questions – Prompt on CD a. Why do you think such tragedies occur? b. Who benefits from the purchase of another cow? c. Who pays the cost? 4. Analogy of how the city park closure is like the ‘commons’ pasture 5. Review definitions of commons on CD 6. Discuss ‘common’ areas - can you think of any areas around here that are commons? National forests, Lake Washington, Golden Gardens, etc.

Simulation – Directions and Student Work Time (30 minutes) 1. DISCUSS the simulation goals – make money 2. REVIEW purchase order screen 3. DEMO how to increase quantity, make sure you click order agreement 4. INTRODUCE data collection documents, put into journal 5. REVIEW directions  Read the opening screens on the Pasture Profits simulation.  Work in pairs, each person represents a different character.  After simulation copy summary report data into table and graph copymaster.

DAY 2 (50 minutes – computer access required) 1. Review data and graph from previous day w/ unmanaged commons 2. EXPLORE OPTIONS - Pasture Profits (unmanaged commons), Different breeds, Larger pasture, Private pasture, Pay to graze, 3. Graph data for new simulation 4. Copy summary report data into new table and graph results on copymaster 5. Prepare for presentation

DAY 3 (50 minutes) Conclusion – Group Presentations 1. Prepare to communicate their findings - white board or poster presentations: a. IDENTIFY AND DESCRIBE model used – explain variables in the model: manipulated, responding, controlled. b. EXPLAIN graphed results on copymaster, display on document camera. c. ANALYZE results by answering Enrichment Questions:  What happened to the number of cows during the simulation?  What happened to the total production of milk? To the production of milk per cow?  What happened to the condition of the pasture?  Now offer a social/economic explanation for the outcome  Do you think you maximized your profits? Why/Why not? d. DISCUSS – generalizations, patterns, applications to local situations, further investigations

Notes: Need to have a cheat sheet for students to help with navigation tools, will need to communicate with school’s tech person to install software,