Strategies
Throughout this unit, students will be working in their "teams." Teams are groups of four students, one high achieving level student, one middle-high, one middle low, and one low student. With these groupings, students are given the ability to be the teacher and the learner in their groups. Because ninety percent of my classroom time is spent completing tasks with small groups or partners, my activities are always geared to be hands-on and interactive. With these teams, students are encouraged seek assistance through partners' questions before asking the teacher. Students learn to work collaboratively and become more responsible with their learning.
This unit will provide many opportunities to explore literary works pertaining to the unit that will be provided in the classroom (listed in the student biography section). Students will be exposed to this literature during silent reading time. They will read independently, with partners, and I will contribute with several read-aloud stories. Students will keep a journal to record the books they have read or heard. In their journal, students will write the title and author of the book, three facts they learned, and their opinion of the story.
"Pairs compare" is completed with two students in a team. Each student completes the activity assigned independently, checks their work, and compares their work with their partner. This activity is meant for the student to work independently and have the opportunity to compare and check their work with someone else when it is finished. Students are not to assist their partners until their assignments are complete.
Literature groups will be used in reading Mississippi Bridge. These groups will be assigned using the same method as teams, a heterogeneous ability group. Each day, students will be assigned a different job in their group. Students will have one of the following jobs:
- Recorder- This person will be the writer. If the assignment for literature groups is to answer questions, the recorder will write the answers the group formulated.
- Director- The director of the group will make sure the group is staying on task when reading or completing an activity. If the group has a question that cannot be answered amongst them, the director will ask the teacher.
- Timer- The timer will be aware of how much time the group has to complete their activity and will make sure the activity gets completed in that time.
- Organizer- This person will get all the materials needed to complete the activity, make sure everyone has the materials needed, and puts the materials away at the end of the activity.
"Take a Stand" is a type of debate in which the whole classroom participates. In this activity, the whole room is divided into two sides. Students will be made aware of the two sides of the argument by the teacher and will decide their stand about the issue. In this activity, all students will be active participants in the debate. Every student must be ready to defend their side.
Sybil Liberty flyers have been created by the ACLU Department of Education to educate children about what liberties are and how they apply to children. Sybil is the character that explains liberties to students in the flyers. Each flyer gives an explanation of different freedoms that apply to children. All of the flyers are written from the child's point-of-view. One flyer will be given to each group to read and report to the class. Some portions of the flyers may not be appropriate for elementary aged children and will need to be omitted from the flyer. The flyers available are as follows:
- Your Right to Privacy
- Your Right to Equality in Education
- Your Right to Fair Treatment
- Your Right to Free Expression
- Your Right to Religious Freedom
- Your Right to Keep School Records Private
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