Week 4 Assignment #2

Week 4 Assignment 1

The objective of these lesson plans was to develop the students English language and writing skills. In order to do so the teacher must ensure that her lessons are prepared with clear goals and objectives and include the content and resources necessary for students to master their skills.

As the lessons were based on common core standards the results were evaluated  and compared to meeting of those standards. The lessons also included specific goals that students could attain and be evaluated on.  The essential questions were formulated to ensure that students fully comprehended the material being presented and where appropriate express their thoughts clearly in writing.

Lessons were developed based on age appropriate levels using school curriculum standards. By creating the lessons using practical hands on applications, students will have the opportunity to share ideas and increase their knowledge of the subjects learned. These techniques are skills required for success in both college as well as in real life work situations.

Week 3 Assignment 2

Established Goal:
W.6.2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.

Students Understanding

• Must collect information relevant to the topic presented
• Will use complete sentences to convey their message
• Will use accepted grammar and vocabulary appropriate for their age level
• Will organize their writing in proper format using an introduction, body, and conclusion

Essential Questions

• Does the writing clearly convey the message I am trying to get across?
• Does the writing stir the readers thoughts, feelings, and emotions?
• Does the writing leave the reader wanting to learn more?

Students will know...

• How to formulate their writings in a organized fashion
• How to use proper sentence structure and acceptable grammar
• Demonstrate comprehension of the topic and information they are presenting

Students will be able to...

• Organize their thoughts and present information in a cohesive manner
• Convey their message in a clear and understandable manner

Week 3 Assignment 1

Established Goals:

RI.6.4. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative and technical meanings

RI.6.6 Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text

Understandings:

Students will understand that...

• Students will understand the meaning of words and relate them to their existing vocabulary.
• Students will apply their knowledge of word meaning to new concepts, including figurative, connotative, and technical.
• Students will demonstrate comprehension of the views and themes expressed by the writer.

Essential Questions:

• What themes and emotions are being portrayed by the author?
• How can you relate your own experiences to parts of the story?
• Is the writer trying to teach us an underlying lesson?
• Do you agree with the authors point of view?

Students will know

• The meaning of the words used by the author
• The central theme expressed by the author
• Students will understand the authors point of view on the topic presented

Students will be able to

• Students will be able to answer WH questions based on the story (what, when, where, why)
• Students will be able to associate characters presented in the story with individuals they know
• Students will be able to reflect on their own experiences and emotions in relation to those expressed by the writer

Week 2 Assignment #3

I found these videos by Grant Williams on Backward Design to be fascinating. He emphasized the importance of teachers to have our long term goals clearly outlined and follow them. Our focus should be on long term goals and embed them into our short term plans. For example, as educators using backward design we should ask ourselves, "if that's the goal what follows for assessment and instruction?" Additionally, when using textbooks we should ask ourselves, "if this is the goal, what should we do with the resources (textbooks)?"  I look forward to learning more about Backward Design as I feel it can benefit both me as a teacher keep in sight of my goals, and help my students reach their goals.

Week 2 Assignment 2