Artifact # 8
Context: The text set artifact was a final product in the "Teaching Reading and Writing to Advanced Learners" class. During the class we had worked on a text set selected by the instructor and our assignment was to select a txt set for our personal project. I chose the topic of "The Great Fire of Chicago" that occurred in 1871. The reason for this selection is that there is an excellent nonfiction book that is targeted toward middle school students. Additionally, there is a recently published novel that centers on a young adolescent, black girl in the midst of the fire and her experiences and narrow escapes that occurred the night of the fire. The novel is historically accurate in regards to location, street mapping, and social customs and mores of this era. This selected text set ties in very well with the NCSCOS in both communications and social studies.
Impact: Completing the text set assignment proved to be a rewarding experience. Middle school philosophy requires teachers to do integrated units and integrated planning. Additionally, teachers are encouraged to use multimedia and technology more and more in the classroom. The text set project clearly demonstrates how a unit or theme of study can go across departmental lines in a school setting. The cumulating activity from this text set allows students to explore web sites and to compare various points of view from both the text that were read and internet authors perspectives. In preparing this text set, I was able to include various activities that enhance comprehension, build vocabulary, increase fluency, and foster collaborative learning. Overall, a text set is a valuable teaching tool for a middle school teaching team.
Alignment:
Standard B: Knowledge of Learners By completing the text set, I was able to design a unit of study that is responsive to the differences among learners. The text set is also conducive to a learning environment in that it includes all students and the grading established by the use of rubrics allows all students to be successful with the project.
Standard D: Content Knowledge The text set is an excellent way to integrate the curriculum across departmental lines. This is clearly within the context of middle school philosophy an established trends in education.
Standard E: Professional Development and Leadership By completing a text set project, a teacher is more professionally developed to function on a team that integrates the curriculum and has a better understanding of the collaborative nature required when any unit is integrated across departmental lines.
Standard E: Professional Development and Leadaership