Context:
My literature circle unit was created in my Language Arts methods class
in the Fall of 2002. The purpose of a literature circle unit is to
encourage readers to not only read the material, but get involved with
it. When participating in a literature circle, each small group memeber
is assigned a "job". These jobs may include discussion director, artful
artist, word wizard, or passage picker. With each job, the student has
a set alignment of areas to focus on in the selected reading. This particular
literature circle unit is focused on the fantasy genre. The two selected
books are Wishes, Kisses, and Pigs and Aquamarine.
Impact:
Reading is a very important aspect of any classroom. Literature circles
provide an intense impact on a student to read and get involved in the
material. With each reader assigned a different role or job, they are influenced
to participate in deep discussion in small groups as well as large groups.
Alignment:
In creating a literature circle unit, I have met the following Technology
Competencies. I have accessed resources for planning instruction via
telecommunications (10.3) as well as locating, evaluating, and selecting
appropriate teaching/learning resources and curriculum materials for the
content area and target audience with literature books and other documents
(10.6). I used technology in the discipline for learning as a medium of
communication due to the unit being accessible via the web (11.1). The
literature circle unit is available through the internet so it is presentable
and comprehensible to others (11.2). The unit was designed with tools that
are specific to the discipline (11.3) and it uses technology to facilitate
teaching strategies that is specific to the discipline (11.4). The literature
circle unit also provides physical settings that support active student
involvement, inquiry, and collaboration in addition to the organizational
and management strategies that support group collaboration (12.4 and 12.5).
I also used media and technology to support learning for children with
special needs and whose primary language is not English (13.2 and
13.3).
The INTASC Principles met are due to creating learning experiences through the literature circle unit that make the aspects of teaching meaningful to students (Principle 1). I used an understading of individual and group motivation to create a learning environment that influences positive interaction among students (Principle 5). With this unit, I can use assessment to evaluate and ensure continuous educational development of the learner (Principle 8).