Artifact # 2
Literature Circle Unit: An interdisciplinary unit where students break into groups based on their different reading levels. All students in the classroom will be reading about the same topic but the books for each group will be on their reading level. Each member of the group will be assigned a job to prepare while they are reading the book by sections. After each section is read, the group will get together and discuss the book by using their prepared jobs. The discussion is completely student led with teacher listening in on the groups.
Context
I created this online unit plan as a part
of a group in my Language Arts class at Appalachian State University in
March 2001. I used Netscape Composer to create this interdisciplinary unit
so that it will be on the World Wide Web for other educators to access.
The unit that my group prepared was for a fifth grade class on the Salem
Witch Trials and Pilgrims because they were both going on during the same
time period. I created my lesson for the fourth grade reading level, which
is one below grade level.
Impact
This Literature Circle Unit can be accessed
by classroom teachers to meet standards in both Language Arts and Social
Studies Curriculum. This unit is an effective way to integrate subjects,
use different teaching styles, and to let students gain confidence in their
abilities by using their instructional levels. The students will take ownership
in their learning since they will be responsible for leading and taking
part in the discussion. This unit can be used as a model for classroom
teachers to use for any set of books that will fit into their grade, class,
and curriculum.
Alignment
In order for the group discussion of the
book to be effective the students to need to be in an environment where
they feel safe and respected. That way they will feel comfortable when
sharing their thoughts and feelings about what they have read. The different
groups should be placed far enough apart so as not to distract the others
and should be in places that are comfortable so that everyone will be ready
to discuss and learn. (Tech competency 12.4)
One of the jobs in the group is that of Investigator. For that job you
have to investigate something further that was brought up in the book by
doing research. Research can be done on World Wide Web, interviews, or
non-fiction books. Students will communicate what they have learned with
the group in whatever format best fits the topic. (Tech
competency 12.1) When planning this unit, I used many resources off
of the World Wide Web. I looked at other Literature Circle Unit Plans online,
searched online lesson plans for launch and closing activities, and used
the DPI website to find what standard course curriculum was met with the
interdisciplinary unit. (Tech Competency 10.3)
As we were planning the literature circle unit, we needed a great deal
of knowledge about the subject matter of Pilgrims and Salem Witch Trials.
We had to do research for background information, launch and closing activities,
and for appropriate books. While we were planning the unit, we had to keep
the fifth grade curriculum goals in mind. (INTASC
#7) This unit plan is made specifically to be used with learners who
are on different reading levels. Since the students will be working in
groups on their own level, they will be able to work and consequently make
progress by working at their own pace and level. (INTASC
# 3) Because this unit plan is online, teachers everywhere can use
technology to access it and teach their students on different levels that
will allow for the most progress. (Tech Competency
13.1) By letting students create their own discussions and consequently
increasing their interest in the subject at hand and in learning, the teacher
is creating an environment that will make learning more meaningful for
students. The teacher shows that he/she knows the subject matter and the
discipline well enough to structure her/his class in a way the best fits
her students learning. (INTASC #1)
The teacher is able to put aside his/her instinct to control all aspects
of learning and let the students take part in their learning. This shows
that the teacher can do what is best for her students. This allows the
students to develop socially by being in a group that will help them build
confidence instead of shattering it, intellectually by letting them learn
at the level they are on instead of their frustrational level, and personally
by giving them a chance to take responsibility for their learning and helping
their group learn. (INTASC #2)