For my final project, I am planning on creating an English Language Arts lesson plan for fourth graders. The basis of this lesson will be on narrative writing. This would be a month long curriculum unit, but this lesson would be the final project. The lesson would consist of the students composing one last narrative piece of their choosing, that they know will be graded. Once the students have completed their written piece, they will then be using an application to illustrate their writing and record themselves reading their writing. This will be what is graded.
Resource 1:
Name/Title of the resource: Mobile App: “Timeline”
How you found it: I found this on the readwritethink website. By clicking on the classroom resource tab, I then searched for mobile apps. Because my students have a cart of iPads, this would be realistic to use in my lesson plan. I then searched by grade level (4th grade) and found this application listed there.
How you might use it in your final project: I might use this app in my final project as part of the planning process for the student’s writing. Every writing must begin with a plan, as that is an essential part of the writing process. A timeline would be a great idea for a narrative writing, as it must have a beginning, middle, and end. By planning this out prior to the writing, the student would then have a better idea as ti what they are writing about and when to include each detail in their story, thus creating a flow of ideas and an organizational structure.
What standards does the resource address:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.5 With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing.
Resource 2:
Name/Title of the resource: Formative
How you found it: I found this resource from one of the blogs on my PLN. I originally stumbled upon this blog by searching for technology in the classroom on Pinterest. Once on the blog, I clicked on the post “Top 16 tech tools to try in 2016”. Formative was located there.
How you might use it in your final project: I might use this in my project to conduct a form of formative assessment. I like that this is electronic, and that you can give immediate feedback and it is done in live time. That makes it easy to use and also different for the students. I would possibly have students submit one paragraph of their writing to receive feedback that they could apply to the rest of their writing moving forward.
What standards does the resource address:
3-5.CC.1. use digital communication tools (e.g., e-mail, wikis, blogs, IM, chat rooms, videoconferencing, Moodle,
Blackboard) and online resources for group learning projects
Resource 3:
Name/Title of the resource: Utah Education Network: Fourth Grade Writing Lesson #1/Narrative Prompt
How you found it: I google searched for “narrative writing projects 4th grade” to find ideas. I was drawn to this website because it was .org so I figured that it was a credible website.
How you might use it in your final project: I might use this resource to tie a book into creating a prompt for my students. This is an idea that I have moving forward, so I like how they already provide a list of books to use with a sample writing prompt.
What standards does the resource address:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
Timeline mobile app: This seems like a great idea for what you are doing. The app looks simple and easy to navigate. One thing to consider if you were to use this in your lesson is to incorporate modeling how to use the app for what you are having them do. I think any time the students are able to be on the iPod, they are more connected and involved with the lesson. Seems like a great way for students to organize their thoughts. I definitely think fourth graders would be able to use this and would even enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteFormative: Easy way to formatively assess students. I could see this being a little confusing for this level of students but if used often then it could be a great interactive tool. Astatically, I don’t think it is the greatest for this age level but I like that it is not cluttered an overwhelming as well. I do like that this will allow you to get feedback to all students and give a voice to those students that may not always participate or speak up. Also I like that you are able to write comments back, however, if you are giving feedback on a section of writing, it may be more beneficial if you are able to highlight a specific part of the writing and make comments on it rather that addressing it all in one comment box over the whole section.
Writing Prompt: I believe this to be a reputable source and good tie in with your lesson. I assume the students would not be using the site so from a teacher stand point, it seems to be easy to read and astatically pleasing. The resource is age appropriate since it is also at a fourth grade level. It is well laid out, and seems like a great source for your lesson.
Thank you for your feedback! As far as the first resource, there would most definitely be a prior lesson involved to familiarize the students with the site. Modeling and scaffolding would be essential with it, so it would be more time consuming, but I think it would be a great way from the students to connect with their writing. I also was having mixed feelings on my second resource, so thank you for explaining your concerns, as well. It does not seem extremely user-friendly, but I think the concept behind it is great. I would almost rather use Google Docs and provide feedback that way to my students for writing, because like you said, I can provide feedback on specific elements.
DeleteI really thought the timeline was a neat idea. You could use it in more ways than one. Rough drafts and planning would be great, but they could use the timeline in their story too!
ReplyDeleteI also really like the formative website, although I might suggest linking the url to the exact site https://goformative.com/, but overall a really cool tool to use. I like how you can see students' thinking and answers all in one spot! Definitely adding that to the list!
Meghan,
DeleteI'm glad you found some value with the formative assessment resource. I feel like I never would've thought of using technology as a way to formatively assess, but I love the way that everyone's answer is right there and it allows immediate feedback. Could be a real time saver!
Good comments. Student comfort level will determine how much scaffolding you'll need to do with the resource.
ReplyDelete