Day 4 11/7/13

11/7/13

·         What students learned and which students struggled with the lesson

Today, we practiced determining subject and predicate in earnest. So, the students should have a better understanding of determining the subject and action in a sentence. Students should have also learned more about China as we read about the country and its history as a way to make more connections to the stories we have been reading.

Students struggled when we started with a difficult sample sentence to deconstruct.

·         What are alternate reads of your students’ performance or products?

The sentence was difficult to determine the exact subject and required a longer period of examination before a student came up with a method to test for a subject. This was a very ingenious technique that had not been formally taught. As the student explained their thinking to the class, more students were able to understand the method and helped immensely in their understanding of finding a subject that is not immediately observable.

·         What did you learn about your students’ literacy practices that extend beyond your objectives?

My students enjoy creating sentences to be used as examples. After working through the difficult example, I had the students work as a whole class to create simpler sentences with obvious subjects and predicates. As this activity progressed, the students gained more confidence and created more complex sentences. The participation during this exercise was phenomenal.

·         When and how will you re-teach the material to students who need additional support?

This will continue to be a subject that will be revisited as the semester continues. Each morning begins with the students creating work based on predetermined requirements. I can use this time to have the students revisit creating sentences with subjects and predicates.

·         If you were to teach this same lesson again, what would you do differently and how do you think the changes would improve students’ learning?

My lesson was changed dramatically because our internet was down and I had based my lesson on a video I was going to share with the class. I had to make some decisions on how to fill the time and the material I chose was a last minute decision. This material proved to be only somewhat related to the content we had covered thus far during the week. If I were to have another chance at finding an alternative activity, I would have chosen an activity students were familiar with and tried to put a new spin on it.  

·         What did you learn so far about implementing your ‘core practice’ and what do you need to do to continue your professional learning?

So far, I have found that focusing on vocabulary acquisition has been a relatively easy and beneficial practice for the students to develop. They enjoy learning new words and their properties. They enjoy using these vocabulary words as they create writing. I need to find new ways for the students to learn and incorporate vocabulary so they can develop a deeper understanding of words and truly own their new vocabulary.