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Lesson 3 (QAR)

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Lesson 2 (Prediction)

   The second lesson that was taught introduced students to predictions.  The lesson started with a short introduction and review of the agenda for the day.  After viewing the plans for the day, we went into the vocabulary. The vocabulary consisted of the main elements that go into making and reflecting on predictions ( prediction, clue, evidence, revise, confirm, and reject).   All of the terms were covered and revealed as we transitioned between words.  All students were given an opportunity to reveal a word.  The term and definition was read aloud by the teacher, which were then repeated chorally with the students.  As we went through the vocabulary terms, teacher verbally explained how each step (term) builds upon the term before it.  This helped students to become familiar with each word meaning and how it works systematically.   Visual Vocab Chart Visual Agenda Example Prediction Chart     Once students had an i...

Lesson 1 (Story Maps)

Visual Agenda      This was the first lesson that was taught, where students were introduced to story maps.  The lesson started with a short introduction and reading survey, where students shared their opinion of books.  We reviewed the agenda so students had an idea of what we will be doing for today's lesson.        After reviewing the visual agenda, we went through the vocabulary.  The vocabulary consisted of the story elements that will be important for the story map activity (setting, characters, problem, outcome, and theme).  All of the terms were covered and revealed as we transitioned between words.  All students were given an opportunity to reveal a word.  The term and definition was read aloud by the teacher, which were then repeated chorally with the students.   Vocabulary with Visuals     Once having an idea of what the elements mean, we went over an example story map.  The example...

Teaching with Primary Sources

    In the future, I would like to work as an elementary-level general education teacher.  Primarily working with younger grades, I lean more towards teaching in the first grade level.  Primary resources are the materials of history that were created during that time.  These sources encourage students to develop their critical thinking skills by analyzing raw materials that have not been altered.  These resources cultivate wonder and curiosity by providing students with first hand information that is accurate to the time they are learning about.  These resources are often times unfamiliar to students, usually receiving information that has been published times and times again by different authors.  These tools also offer students the ability to compare the past and the present as accurately as possible.  The use of primary resources also allow students to make their own interpretations, rather than being exposed to others early on.  Stud...

Teaching With Primary Resources

      While we were creating our lessons on our country Mexico, we used a lot of primary sources.  In our first lesson, geography, we had students compare and contrast an old and a new map of Mexico.  The primary resource that we used for this lesson was the old map.  We then use an I see, I think, I wonder chart to analyze and compare the two maps.  For our old map, we completed the chart together and for the new map, students worked in partners to fill it out.  Our students did really well with filling out this chart, so we decided to use it again for our second lesson, history.  The primary resources that we used for this lesson was examples of Aztec codex's.  We had three different ones for this activity.  For the first two, they were given the photos and had to work together to figure out what the images meant.  After sharing their ideas, we would reveal what each symbol represented.  They then did the same for the la...

Lesson 6 Reflection

       Our final lesson talked about Mexican advocates.   We started the lesson with a short matching activity where students would have to match a picture or short definition to the correct vocabulary word.   The poster was covered up with papers, so students would be able to focus in on one term at a time, while also having the opportunity to reveal the next word.  Each word and definition, after being read by us, would be read together as a group to further their comprehension.  Students then did a card matching activity where they received either a cause or an effect, and they had to find their matching partner.  (e.g. car breaks down matched with car gets towed).  After all students found their match, they sat back down with their parter and each group shared what their cards were.  Once all students shared, we did a problem/solution activity.  Students worked in groups and received a problem that they had to col...

Lesson 5 Reflection

 Our fifth lesson was about Mexico's culture.  We started the lesson with a short matching activity where students would have to match a picture or short definition to the correct vocabulary word.   The poster was covered up with papers, so students would be able to focus in on one term at a time, while also having the opportunity to reveal the next word.  Each word and definition, after being read by us, would be read together as a group to further their comprehension.  The first few vocabulary words revolved around culture, tradition, and values, while the rest surrounded two of Mexico's holiday (Cinco de Mayo and Day of the Dead).          Our lesson was split so students would listen to a read aloud and complete a corresponding activity.  For the Day of the Dead we read the book  ‘ Day of the Dead: A First Look’ by Katie Peters and had students answer the question 'what are some things that people leave on altars?...