Artifact # 4
Context:
This artifact was created during my block
experience at ASU during the fall 2001 semester. I used Netscape
composer and Microsoft Frontpage to create the literature circles unit
and a scanner to import examples. It was done as a group effort and
each person in the group was given a particular grade level on which to
focus.
Impact
This unit was created for a fourth grade
reading level. The organization of the unit put each child in a group
according to his/her reading level. After reading three sections
and doing a job on their own, the group would gather together to share
what they had learned and to discuss the book in detail. The unit
was created by reading levels so that no matter what the level, each child
was actively engaged in the readings. This artifact meets standard
course of study for the fourth grade reading level and they are listed
here.
Alignment:
This lesson is designed so that the individual
needs of all the students are met. Because there are many different
levels of reading in a single classroom, students are often expected to
deal with reading on a higher or lower level than where they are.
This unit however, allows the student to be on his/her reading level.
The Literature Circle units are posted on the web and are therefore easily
accessible for any teacher to help meet the needs of their students in
their classroom. (Tech Comp 2A)
Through this unit, the classroom is learner centered instead of teacher
directed. Students have the opportunity to use the internet to do
research for one of the jobs in the unit and they are expected to do this
on their own during the class time. (Tech
Comp 3B) This unit shows how each child has differing needs and how
the teacher needs to take in account this needs. Each child learns
differently and this unit often touches on the strengths of many students
instead of the downfalls (INTASC #3).
When using this unit, teachers are encouraging social interaction, active
engagement in learning, and self motivation. (INTASC
#5).