Artifact # 7
Literature Circle Unit is a unit that is based on dividing children into different groups depending on their instructional reading level and allowing them to learn and explore one children's novel that corresponds with other novels that the entire class is reading. Each group reads a novel that matches their reading level. The teacher then assigns each student in the group a job to complete from the information in each section.
Competency 10.3: "Access resources for planning instruction available
via
telecommunications (e.g., experts, lesson plans, authentic data, curriculum
materials)."
Competency 12.5: "Organizational and management strategies that support active student involvement, inquiry, and collaboration ."
Context:
I created this artifact during block of my senior at ASU. It
was created by using Netscape Composer to create web pages that were divided
up into four different grade levels. Each lesson focuses on Pioneers
of the American West (one above grade level, one at grade level, and two
below grade level). It uses the Historical fiction genre to expand
on these ideas. The unit focuses on various reading levels, which
allows all students to become engaged in the same topic by reading different
novels. This unit was developed for fifth grade. My section
was created for the fourth grade reading level, which was one grade below
the actual reading level.
Impact:
This Literature Circle can be used in both Language Arts and the Social
Studies Curriculum. It is very useful when helping students learn
reading and language arts skills. Students are responsible for reading
each section and completing each job, which are interchangeable, that they
are given to them. This type of reading can help students to improve
their reading, writing, and language arts skills. The Literature
Circle, Pioneers of the American West, can be used as an example for other
teachers to go by to create their own literature circle on any topic or
author. It is outlined section by section to show how each job is
completely and they are demonstrated with various examples.
Alignment:
This artifact aligns with competency 10.3
- the example can be found on the internet for other teachers to use within
their own classroom.
This artifact aligns with competency 12.5 - this allows students to organize the materials that they find within each section. They must learn to manage their reading time in order to complete each section to share with their group. Students are also encouraged to get involved and collaborate with their group.
The Literature Circle Unit aligns with INTASC principle 1 - it allows students to dig into each chapter to find various answers based on their jobs. The students are then making predictions, researching information, and drawing conclusions on their own based on the information that they find. It may be more beneficial to the students to find and create their own answer rather than relying solely on the teacher's opinions because they can began to form their own opinions and find proof to back them up. The literature circles allow them to do just that by looking through each section to find answers to their own questions. They learn by finding and proving the information themselves, which definitely makes it become a more meaningful experience for everyone involved.
The Literature Circle Unit aligns with INTASC principle 4 - the literature circle helps to teach the students using a different instructional strategies to get the idea across. It is an effective way of helping students' develop critical thinking skills, problem solving skills, and performance skills. The students act as the teacher by preparing their jobs to share with their groups.
The Literature Circle Unit aligns with INTASC principle 6 - the teacher uses effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication to teach the students about literature circles and how to complete them. It is an excellent way to get students involved interacting and collaborating with other classmates, than some more traditional language arts lessons.