Artifact # 7
Literature Circle Unit
This literature circle unit is on Patricia Polacco. This literature circle unit is a planned for teaching children in groups based on their reading levels. This particular unit is designed to be used with third and fourth grade reading levels. Each student in the group is assigned a certain role that they must complete for each section of the book. The students’ roles are changed with each section of the book.
B. Context
This literature circle unit was created in spring of 2002 during my
senior block. The project was completed in RE 3142, language and
literacy in the elementary school. I completed the unit as a joint
effort with Jackie Thomas. I created the lessons for fourth grade.
After all of the work for the unit was done, we complied the information
into a web site using Netscape Composer.
C. Impact
I believe that literature circle units are a very effective way of
teaching. They involve the student in many exploration activities.
They encourage the students to read and are easily used to assess the students’
reading comprehension skills. By placing the unit on the World Wide
Web it not only becomes a valuable resource for me, but also one that is
reachable to many other teachers.
D. Alignment
This web based literature unit meets the needs diverse learners.
The different jobs allow opportunities for students to explore many different
learning styles. (Technology Standard
II A)
This lesson includes the students working online. The students will need to apply critical thinking skills as they explore the unit and examine the examples. The students will also use critical thinking skills as they complete their roles. (Technology Standard II E)
This web based literature circle unit will help the teacher meet technology standards required for their students. (Technology Standard III A)
The literature circle unit helps the teacher promote learner-centered
activities. The students will be coming up with their own questions
and their own ideas of the books.
(Technology Standard III B)
This web based literature circle unit has many available tools for assesing
students using the online unit. The students can complete the role
sheets online and e-mail the instructor questions.
(Technology Standard IV A)
This literature circle unit will allow the students to engage in interpreting ideas on their own. They will have the opportunity to develop questions that check for understanding and make predictions on their own. They will be able to link to prior learning to help themselves through their task. (INTASC 1)
The literature circle unit provides many opportunities for different leaning styles. The different jobs for each lesson provide for different learning styles. The lessons are also broken down into different reading levels. The literature circle unit creates a learning environment that respects the different ideas of individuals and allows each individual to share what they learned or retrieved from the readings. (INTASC 3)
This literature circle unit provides support for the learner by allowing the learner to express their ideas in writing, speaking, drawing and other various forms. By using such forms of communication, this literature circle unit enriches learning opportunities. (INTASC 6)
These lessons encourage students to work together and share their information with each other. Literature circle units help students share their ideas in a comfortable environment. The unit also pushes the students to think on their own and expalin things things to other group memebers. (INTASC 5)