Artifact Two: Novel Unit
This novel unit was conducted during the RE 5730 - Reading and Writing Instruction for Intermediate and Advanced Learners. It represents the culmination of learning that was involved in planning and implementing an integrated novel unit.
Context:
This novel unit was prepared to demonstrate the knowledge gained in the class and to show how all of the curricular areas can be addressed while instructing the students within a novel framework. I have included the lesson plan, the actual writing handbook and a workbook that goes along with the lesson.
Standards:
● Standard A: Instructional Expertise
I wrote a lesson plan that would be good for 4th or 5th grade students. The novel I chose for instruction was From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. This novel proved to be very interesting and entertaining for this age group. The workbook that the students used and the writing handbook were very appropriate because many different genres were to be utilized to impact students learning.
● Standard B: Knowledge of the Learners
I was able to monitor the students' learning on a daily basis while they worked in small group and independently. This enabled me to modify my instruction based on each student's learning. By monitoring the small group discussion, I was able to interject important information to facilitate learning with ease.
While preparing for the unit, I did research on the author and also on the subject within the novel. Through online discussion and contact with colleagues who have used this particular novel, I was able to do adequate preparation for the unit. As a result, the students were able to take an on-line tour of the same museum that was studied in our novel.
● Standard D: Content Knowledge
Every other day I reviewed the students' work in their workbooks and during small group. According to the rubric that I created to match the novel unit, I was able to direct the student's learning in a productive way. Many educators are relying on small cooperative groups to enhance student learning. This unit availed itself to that very nicely.
● Standard E: Professional Development and Leadership
During the year that I used this novel unit, our school was doing a skills block on Author studies. This made my unit much more appealing since I was able to share my learning about E. L. Konigsburg so that the upper level teachers would be able to use this in their classrooms.