Final Assignment-Lesson

My Final Assignment Lesson is available at the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD3QEGxmJ98

FINAL ASSIGNMENT
REED 502 Content Area Classroom Observation Form
Date of Observation: May 12, 2010
Grade/Content Area Observed: 8th Grade Social Studies
Objective of the Lesson:
Students will be able to make connections to the text using prior knowledge and experiences. Students will be able to use a graphic organizer or another note-taking technique to record important ideas or information. Students will be able to periodically summarize or paraphrase important ideas while reading

What procedures, texts, and assessments were used?
Procedures-Students brainstormed facts about Rosa Parks and Christopher Columbus. They then completed the pre-reading section of Venn diagrams for each person. Next they read “Mythbusting” information. In the end they completed their pre-/post Venn diagrams about Rosa Parks and Christopher Columbus and summarized what was learned.

Texts-Copies of The Politics of Children’s Literature-What’s Wrong with the Rosa Parks Myth by Herbert Kohl: Zinn Education Project. Copies of Columbus: Fact vs. Fiction by The Order of Sons of Italy in America: The Commission for Social Justice.

Assessments-Completed Venn diagram of pre & post “Mythbuster” of Rosa Parks’ facts, Venn diagram of pre & post “Mythbuster” of Christopher Columbus facts.

Describe the students’ level of participation:
Students were very involved in the lesson in many ways. Student participation was an integral part of the lesson in terms of the class discussion. Students were engaged in various activities. During the activities they could work with partners and were very engaged in the lesson.

In what ways was the observed lesson similar to the main points you identified in your Content Literacy Graphic and Video?
The lesson contained several aspects stated in my overview. Rapport was used throughout the class period. Wait time was employed after each question and or statement to allow students time. The teacher used modeling to give the students examples of how the Venn diagram assignment was to be completed. Students also worked in groups/pairs.

Did the classroom teacher utilize any of your “toolkit items”? If so, how were the items utilized? If not, how do you think the items could have been incorporated into the lesson?
The teacher used modeling, rapport, and Overall Literacy Teaching Techniques. The modeling was done before students began their work in pairs as an example. Rapport was evident throughout the class period.
In what ways, did the classroom teacher utilize Dr. Moje’s ideas regarding content literacy instruction?
The observed class was a Social Studies class that included “literacy across the curriculum”. Students used basic literacy skills to take notes, read, complete organizers and will be writing essays in future lessons.

What part of the lesson was most interesting to you? Why? What did you learn?
The most interesting part was the dispelling of myths and the student reactions. It was interesting because a lot about these figures was myth. I learned that students like being investigators and finding the truth in situations.

What recommendations would you provide to the classroom teacher? Why?
I would include various sources about each of the historical figures. This would allow further exploration of their myths. It also could foster further discussion.
Did you debrief with the classroom teacher by sharing your answers to the previous questions? How did s/he respond?
N/A
Additional thoughts, comments:
This assignment made me miss being a classroom teacher.

Observation Summaries

Science Unit

Math Unit Overview

Social Studies Unit Overview

Unit Plan Overview

Blogs Summary Video