Using Japanese Lesson Design to ANTicipate an Invasion on Maui

by: Sandy Buczynski, Sherri Garcia, and Evelyn Lacanienta

Native ant species do not exist on the island of Maui, the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands. However, one ant, the little fire ant (LFA or Wasmannia auropunctata) has recently appeared in the region, being discovered on the Big Island of Hawaii in 1999. As a result, the LFA is a serious impending threat to Pacific biodiversity. The invasion of LFAs provides an ideal story problem for a series of lessons designed in the Japanese lesson study (JLS) style. Using this approach, students use problem-solving techniques and work collaboratively as they study LFAs and learn about environmental unity, evolution, and integrated pest management.

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Type Journal ArticlePub Date 11/1/2007Stock # tst07_074_08_49Volume 074Issue 08

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Tina Harris (Bloomington, IN)
Tina Harris (Bloomington, IN)

Very similar to a case-study PBL

This article outlines a series of lessons designed to lead students to investigate an authentic problem and design feasible solutions. The problem is introduced in parts, similar to a case s... See More

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