Friday, August 28, 2009
Partner Blog I Proposal Discussion
Quick write a short proposal with rationale, area of focus you are considering and a few ideas of what you envision your outline to look like. Include ideas from readings. Share your quick write/overview with your Blog Partner and Seek Feedback. Partners will ask probing questions of each other and share resources and ideas.
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My proposal is to write a lesson plan (cyberlesson) based on the children's book The Librarian of Basra by Jeanette Winter.
ReplyDeleteMy outline is as follows:
Target grade level: Grade 3
A.Theme: a.Appreciation of libraries and literature
b.Background information on Irag
(story is based on a true tale of
an Iraqi librarian saving books from
the war torn country)
B. Other books related to this story:Continuing the theme of library appreciation.
Alia's Mission by Mark Alan Stamaty
Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen
C.I found three articles related to this lesson plan from professional journals.
Two are from The Reading Teacher of the IRA and one is from the Canadian Journal of Education entitled Learning Not To Speak in Tongues ...Thoughts on the Librarian of Basra.
I invite your comments. The direction I am taking is the appreciation of libraries as well as the sharing of this true story of present day Iraq. What other direction should I take with this lesson?
ReplyDeleteHi Girls: I have been having a very frustrating time with this whole thing. Add the fact that I don't regularly work with students or in a classroom, I do not have a thorough understanding of any grade's science units.
ReplyDeleteI chose first grade because I feel most comfortable with my knowledge of that grade. Plus, I have a first grade teacher who is allowing me to try this in her room.
Since we have to try this out and write a reflection at some point, I chose their science unit on Living Things.
I gathered the following information from CSDE Core Science Curriculum Framework.
PreK-2: Scientific Inquiry is a thoughtful and coordinated attempt to search out, describe, explain and predict natural phenonemena.
Scientific Inquiry includes speaking, listening, presenting, interpreting, reading and writing about science.
Scientific Numeracy includes mathematics which provides useful tools for the description, analysis and presentation of scientific data and ideas.
Conceptual Theme: Structure and Function
Essential Question: How are organisms structured to ensure efficiency and survival?
Enduring Understanding: Living things have different structures and behaviors that allow them to meet their basic needs.
Many different kinds of living things inhabit the earth.
I admit, I do not know enough yet about the district's unit in grade 1 on living things. I plan to meet with my friend to ask her more about their instruction with this unit and will review the unit objectives.
I would like to see if there are gaps that I feel need to be addressed and will then address those gaps as an important part of my project and include in my proposal.
I was able to find 2-3 articles I can use (I hope) that relate to teaching this content as well as the importance of using non-fiction text and authentic text with the students. (Took a long time to find any).
Courtney- I know you taught First Grade the last 2 years in EH, so your input would be invaluable.
Jane, I will probably be speakng with you throughout this because you service students in her class and work well with Despina.
I do not yet have a timeline of activities or lessons as others may have. But I will gladly accept any feedback from you both. Thanks!
Jane- Your project sounds very interesting. Maybe you could incorporate something where the students make connections with the places they and their families came from. Or, if they had a time when they treasured something so much they risked their safety to save it?
ReplyDeleteDear Jane,
ReplyDeleteI love your idea- the importance of literacy and libraries in our lives. I think that your activities might include a visit to your class by your school librarian. I like Carrie's idea to about bringing in family backgroundl. Perhaps, asking children and families to tell about when and where they read at home and their favorite books. Also, encourage obtaining library cards- work with local library for families to attend an event.
These are just ideas- of course you would not implement them- but could include and even check out for future reference.
Dear Carrie,
ReplyDeleteI love that you are working with someone to develop something that is real. And that you are ploughing through even though it is difficult. I think you need to get a handle on what those science objectives really mean in terms of content and teaching. What big understandings will you want the students to come away with? Maybe you can discuss this with the first grade teacher with whom you are working.
Dear Carrie: Your project sounds interesting and I think that your idea of using authentic literature for science is great. The children in that first grade classroom will be so enthused.I also like your idea of bringing the family bacjground into my project.
ReplyDeleteDr.Kirkjian: Thank you for your comments. I think that your suggestion regarding the librarian visit and the library cards is great. I will follow through with this idea. My main idea is to generate interest in books and literature as well as to appreciate how fortunate they are that they do not live under the same threats as the children in Basra.
I am so sorry ladies that I forgot to blog regarding the proposals...I started writing mine and blogging just slipped my mind....so sorry!!
ReplyDeleteCarrie-living things is a great unit that fist graders just LOVE! I have a binder of stuff for the living things unit that I will be sure to share with you. The topic is so huge and you could go in many directions with it. Are you going to focus on plants and animals? Or just choose to focus on one? Are you going to focus on needs of living things? Or the types of living things (mammals, birds, reptiles, etc.) Just a few things to think about and narrow down your focus. I will bring the binder for next class.
Jane-WOW! What a powerful lesson for young children. The importance of libraries and literacy is a point that needs to made to children at a young age. How about finding the similarities and differences of libraries in the USA and libraries in Iraq? Do they look differently? Do they serve the same purpose? Do they contain the same types of materials? Just a few thoughts...
Onto a quick write of my proposal...now this is my first year teaching kindergarten so I am not 100% comfortable with the curriculum yet...I am still learning but I wanted to choose something that I will be able to use in my classroom so I chose to focus on The Five Senses (which is a Science unit that is taught in K and aligns with the CT Science Frameworks)
ReplyDeleteAccording the the CT Core Science Curriculum Frameworks for Kindergarten it states:
K.1.a. Some properties can be observed with senses, and others can be discovered using simple tools or tests.
The Grade-Level-Expections that coordinate are:
1. Students should be able to match each of the five senses with its assocaited body part and the kind of information it perceives.
2. Students should be able to make scientific observations using five senses, and distinguish between an object's observable properties and its name or its uses.
I was able to find a few articles that aligned with my project regarding early childhood science inquiry and the use of the senses to explore their world.
I plan for part of the unit to focus on the senses and ways to use their senses to explore and gather information in their environment. However, I do want to put a spin on it and have the children explore what their world would be like if one of their senses was removed (ex. deaf children or blind children). I found a number of children's books that focus on this and helps the children to understand differences. They explain the challenges and adaptions that need to take place. I want children to realize that when one of your senses is removed or weak, then you need to rely more heavily on another sense. I may do activites where the children must complete a task when blindfolded or have ear plugs in. This way the children will actually experience what it is like. I also will discuss American Sign Language and teach them a few signs and Braille and bring in Braille books.
Any suggestions/comments? I am very open to them!