Friday, March 27, 2015


Phase 2: Reflections on Lessons Implementation

1. Instructional Decisions/Teaching (InTask standard #9):
After teaching my first lesson, I believe everything went pretty well and as planned. The beginning of the lesson went smoothly and my anticipatory set successfully grabbed all of my student’s attention. The students cooperated very well while reading the story and answering questions throughout. The students also enjoyed participating in the online quiz, drawing on the monster cut outs, and completing the writing prompt. The lesson was closely aligned to the standards and objectives. Every activity I planned for the students had them practicing the skills I wanted them to master by the end of the lesson. One modification I had to make during the lesson was having the students work together on the online quiz. This was poor planning on my part. I forgot to send the link to all of the students, which slowed down the lesson a bit. However, the students were still able to practice answering the questions on the quiz while I observed and assessed their progress.

2. Mechanics
I chose to integrate technology in my lesson by having the students work on an online quiz towards the end of the lesson.  This online resource was used to help quiz the students on different details and events that occurred in Where the Wild Things Are. I used this quiz as a quick formative assessment for myself. This quiz showed how the students were progressing on the first two chosen objectives. I was able to see if the students could recall key details and events in the story, and also checked on how well the students were able to identify the main characters and setting of the story. My lesson ended up being a few minutes shorter than I planned. I believe this was due to all of the students having to share a computer while taking the online quiz. I also thought the story was going to take a lot longer to read aloud. Next time, it may be a better idea to have the students each have a copy of the book and take turns reading aloud. Also, I will definitely be better prepared and have the links emailed and ready for the students to access.

3. Assessment of Learning (InTask Standard #6)


Sample of monster cut out!! :)


Sample of writing prompt!! :)

After reviewing my artifacts, I believe all of my students were successful in achieving the standards and objectives I chose for my lesson. For example, while reading the story, the students were able to successfully answer the questions about the main characters, setting, and central message of the story. The students also did an excellent job while filling out the monster cut outs and connecting the story to their very own lives. The students were also able to correctly recall key details and main events of the story while taking the online quiz. Lastly, each of the students were able to master all of the objectives when completing the writing prompt at the end of the lesson. After looking over my peers feedback, I am confident that I successfully taught the lesson I planned for them. I am now aware of the importance of planning ahead of time and being completely prepared. Again, I will definitely be sure to have any resources ready for the students to access ahead of time. I’ve also gained the experience of a lesson being shorter than planned. I believe this will help me better gauge the time and activities needed for my next lesson!

4. What did you learn from designing and teaching this lesson and how will you use this in the creation in future lessons/learning activities?
After designing and teaching this lesson, I’ve learned the importance of planning and being prepared for anything while teaching. I’ve learned how important it is to come prepared when planning to use any resources; this will ensure that I will not be wasting any critical time in the classroom. However, I’ve also learned that lessons will not always go as planned for various reasons, and I must always be prepared to adjust to any changes. I plan to take all I’ve learned and apply them to future lessons.

Friday, March 6, 2015

Blog Phase One Reflection


Assessing Prior Knowledge and Planning Instruction:
Prior to teaching this lesson, students will need to know how to read a short story and identify basic ideas while reading. For example, students will need to know how to identify the main character, plot, and setting of a story. They will need to understand the concepts of a story having a beginning, middle, and end. Prior knowledge will be assessed on the students reading and comprehension levels during the weeks leading up to the lesson. This assessment data will be used to guide the planning process for this lesson and when it should be taught. The content of this lesson should be taught at this grade level because it practices skills students should be mastering in their reading development. The objectives I put in place for this lesson match closely with the language art standards. Each objective has the student meeting each standard chosen. For example, students will be taking a quiz online asking them questions about key details in the short story. Next, students will be asked to complete a journal entry on identifying and describing their favorite main character and event in the story. In addition, students will be asked to write about what they believe the central message/lesson of story was. Students will also be working towards these objectives throughout the lesson when they are participating in the class and small group discussions. This lesson should likely be taught in middle of the school year. In doing this, it will give the teacher plenty of time to assess the students on their various reading levels. It will also allow time for students to master the needed prior knowledge for the lesson discussed above.

Designing Instruction (InTask Standards 7 and 8):
I chose to use these instructional methods because they allow different opportunities for all students to learn and be consistently engaged. For example, I plan to engage students in small group and whole discussion. I also planned for the storybook to be read aloud by students who volunteer to read. Second, I chose to have the students take a fun online quiz about the story while providing them with an online video on the story being read. This will give students who need extra help an opportunity to listen and follow along with the story again. I also incorporated a creative project with the monster cut outs. These cut outs will be a fun and creative way students can make a deeper connection to the central message of the story. Lastly, I chose to give the students a writing prompt for their journals. This will allow for proper individual closure and reflection by all students.
 

Planning Assessment (InTask Standard 6):  
The assessment aligns with the standards and objectives of this lesson by assessing on the different skills students are being asked to master. Each individual standard/objective has an activity that correlates throughout the lesson. These assessments show the progress of the students in a variety of ways. For example, the online quiz will show if the students were able to read the story and answer multiple choice questions about key details in the text. Second, students will be assessed on discovering the central message of the text when discussing and filling out the monster cut outs. Lastly, students will be assessed on the responses in their individual journals. The variety of assessments planned will give all students an opportunity to practice and master these skills. Individual needs will be met through teacher assistance and class discussions and group work is needed. Students will be assessed and engaged in a variety of ways through group work, online quizzes/videos, creative projects, and writing individually in their journals. 
 

How does your lesson meet each of the ISTE NETs Standards?
My lesson meets standard 1 by providing plenty of opportunities for students to be actively engaged and working with the teacher and with one another. It allows time for students to demonstrate their successfulness in a variety of ways -- through discussion, online games and videos, a creative monster project, and through writing. My lesson meets standard 2 by providing the students time to take a quiz on a fun a website, and also by providing the students with a video on the story being read aloud. In doing this, students are becoming familiar with navigating a computer, being assessed online, and working with online videos. Furthermore, my lesson meets the 3rd standard by the teacher providing all of the website links and activities for the students. The teacher can also help the students learn to navigate the websites by working on a master computer that projects on the board in front of the classroom. For example, the teacher can begin taking the quiz to show the students how to select a correct answer and move on to the next question. The teacher can also show the students how to start and pause the YouTube video in front of the class. Lastly, my lesson meets all four elements of standard 4 by demonstrating for the students how to safely and properly navigate through the websites. This lesson addresses the diverse needs of different students by planning ahead for those who may need extra help on hearing the story again with the YouTube video. It also allows for flexibility if students need to work in partners when completing the different activities. Responsible digital etiquette will be promoted by the teacher when the students are on the computer. The teacher will walk around the room to answer any questions and ensure all students are on task. 

Blog Phase One


I. Rationale
This lesson will provide the students opportunity to practice the literacy skills of identifying the key ideas and details of a story. The students will also practice determining the central theme of a text while analyzing it's plot, setting, and characters.

II. Overview
Grade level:
1st
Subject: 
Language Arts
Topic of Study:
Comprehending Literary Text
Time Allotment:
30 minutes

Standards:
-Ask and answer questions about key details in a text. (1.RL.1)
-Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details. (1.RL.3)
-Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson. (1.RL.2)

Objectives: 
Students will be able to:
1.) Ask and answer questions about key details in the story Where the Wild Things Are.
2.) Describe characters, settings, and major events in the story Where the Wild Things Are.
3.) Demonstrate their understanding of the central message/lesson in the story Where the Wild Things Are.
 
III. Implementation
Procedure:
Anticipatory Set- Have students discuss in small groups what imagination means to them individually, and when is their favorite time to use it. Next, have students draw and color a picture of their favorite place their imagination takes them.
-Introduce Where the Wild Things Are to the students. Ask the students what the predict the book may be about based on the cover. Read the story aloud with the students - having them take turns reading aloud.
-Discuss with the students the main characters and events while reading the story.
-After reading the story, check for understanding by having them take the online quiz at:Learning Games for Kids
-Have students complete quiz while the teacher walks around and checks for understanding and answers any questions
-Next, discuss with the students what they learned after reading Where the Wild Things Are. What do they think the main idea/lesson the author was trying to teach? The teacher can prompt the students with questions such as: Has there been a time when you’ve been very angry and lost your temper like Max? Where would you like your imagination to take you when your frustrated/angry? Do you think Max’s mother forgave him for accidentally losing his temper?
-Hand out monster shaped cut outs with the example Discuss how Max was feeling wild, what did he do? (acted wild, yelled at his mother, wore his wolf suit, etc.)
-The teacher will provide an example for the students.
-The students will then fill out their very on sentence on their monster. This will be a positive reminder for students when they may happen to feel like they're going to lose their temper like Max did in the story.
-Hand out writing prompt for students to complete in class or at home

Technology Integration:
-Students will take quizzes on the website Learning Games for Kids
-If needed, students will be provided a link to view a video of the story being read on YouTube

Differentiated Instruction:
-Cognitive Delay: these students will be supported throughout the lesson by the teachers awareness of each child's strengths and weaknesses. For example, the teacher will plan to assist these students when completing the online quiz. The teacher may also provide these students with the link of the YouTube video and their own copy of the book if needed. These students may also be allowed to work in partners on the quiz, monster cut out, and writing prompt.
-Gifted: gifted students will be supported in this lesson by an extra link I will provide during the time spent on the computers. This link will take students to an additional vocabulary quiz on the words used throughout the story. Word-O-Rama 
-ELL: these students will be supported throughout the lesson by the teacher providing many examples using visuals throughout the lesson. The pictures in the story will help students understand the plot, characters, and main ideas. The fun and interactive quiz will also engage these students while answering the questions. The teacher will also be walking around with the book to help answer an questions students may have will completing this quiz. Lastly, the teacher will provide a link to a video of the picture book being read on YouTube. This will allow the students plenty of opportunity to hear the book being read aloud while making connections to the pictures. Where the Wild Things Are Video

IV. Assessment
-Listening to class discussions while reading story
-Observe how the students are doing on their quiz while paying close attention to the questions they may be asking
-Respond to following prompt in their journal (or on piece of paper):
Who was your favorite character in Where the Wild Things Are? What was your favorite part (event) in this story? Why? What lesson did you learn after reading this story?

IIV. Materials and Resources
1.) Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
2.) Computers with the online links ready
3.) Monster cut outs for each student with example ready