SED-454 Assignment-Specific Questions
Here are some common concerns that students encounter when completing assignments. As a reminder, please refer to rubrics before beginning your assignment, as all assignments are graded using those. And if I haven’t addressed your question here, please send me a message using the Questions for Instructor Forum or Individual Forum. Thanks!
Module 1: Literacy Strategies
Many students ask how they should organize their presentation. Here’s one way to approach it: You will probably have a few slides at the beginning of the presentation that "outline the underlying assumptions in content teaching, what it means to be literate, and how the reading process impacts comprehension”; then, the remaining slides will include literacy strategies that secondary-content teachers could use to help students learn from texts. It’s a bit of both, as it’s important to present the why (why teach literacy) before getting to the how (how to teach literacy).
Additionally, please be sure to use the GCU eLibrary to find 3-5 peer-reviewed articles to support your ideas. For help using the GCU eLibrary, please visit this page: http://www.gcu.edu/Student-Affairs/Library/Tutorials.php.
And if you need a few tips on navigating PowerPoint, be sure to check out the PowerPoint Tips in the General Resources tab.
Additionally, please be sure to use the GCU eLibrary to find 3-5 peer-reviewed articles to support your ideas. For help using the GCU eLibrary, please visit this page: http://www.gcu.edu/Student-Affairs/Library/Tutorials.php.
And if you need a few tips on navigating PowerPoint, be sure to check out the PowerPoint Tips in the General Resources tab.
Module 2: Student Reading Attitude and Interest Inventory
In addition to turning in the 750-1,000 word analysis, don’t forget to turn in the survey results, as well. This can be included in the appendix of your analysis, or as a separate document (Excel, Word, etc.). Finally, the directions ask for 3-5 peer-reviewed articles from the GCU eLibrary; if you need help with this, you’ll find a how to in the General Resources > APA Style & Avoiding Plagiarism.
Module 3: Interactive Classroom Enhancement: Comprehension Guide
1. Choose a topic in the content area you are observing. For example, if I was observing a 9th grade English class, I might choose Romeo & Juliet as my topic. Be sure to select a topic that students are currently studying, as you will be testing out your assignment later!
2. Create your own, ORIGINAL comprehension guide for this topic; be sure to include at least 12-15 ideas. Here are a few comprehension strategies to choose from: Cued Retell, Anticipation Guide, Think-Aloud, SQ3R, and Reciprocal Teaching. I've attached samples and templates below, and you'll find other types of comprehension guides at these two sites: http://www.adlit.org/strategy_library/ and https://wvde.state.wv.us/strategybank/comprehension.html.
3. Submit your assignment to the Module 3 dropbox...that's it! Just submit your comprehension guide!
4. Visit your CLC space and share your strategy with your group; comment on the strategies posted by your team. You may choose to use this feedback for your Module 8 assignment (but you do not need to use the feedback for your Module 3 submission).
2. Create your own, ORIGINAL comprehension guide for this topic; be sure to include at least 12-15 ideas. Here are a few comprehension strategies to choose from: Cued Retell, Anticipation Guide, Think-Aloud, SQ3R, and Reciprocal Teaching. I've attached samples and templates below, and you'll find other types of comprehension guides at these two sites: http://www.adlit.org/strategy_library/ and https://wvde.state.wv.us/strategybank/comprehension.html.
3. Submit your assignment to the Module 3 dropbox...that's it! Just submit your comprehension guide!
4. Visit your CLC space and share your strategy with your group; comment on the strategies posted by your team. You may choose to use this feedback for your Module 8 assignment (but you do not need to use the feedback for your Module 3 submission).
cell_cued_retell_example_student.docx | |
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cued_retell_report_form_student.docx | |
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sampleanticipationguideforsocialstudies.doc | |
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anticipation_guide_blank.pdf | |
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Module 3: Evaluating Textbooks & Instructional Materials
This is a 750-1,000 word analysis of a textbook currently used in a content area (preferably from a classroom at the school you are completing your practicum at). Once you select your textbook, you may select to create and administer an assessment tool (Close procedure, Fry Readability Formula, PLAN, etc.). Your assignment will include an analysis of the overall text (format, style, structure, content, etc.) with research to support your findings; if you used an assessment test, you may also include the results from both of the test and your insights about those results. You will find more details about Fry’s Readability Craft and Garinger’s article in Loud Cloud > Course Material > Week 3 > Electronic Resource. If you need an outline to help you organize your ideas, you’ll find one here.
Module 4: Interactive Classroom Enhancement: Tiered Reading Guide
After reading the Module 4 resources, you will create a Tiered Reading Guide. If you’re looking for additional details, feel free to visit these sites:
http://www.specialconnections.ku.edu/?q=instruction/universal_design_for_learning/teacher_tools/tiered_assignments
http://www.bertiekingore.com/tieredinstruct.htm
http://www.specialconnections.ku.edu/?q=instruction/universal_design_for_learning/teacher_tools/tiered_assignments
http://www.bertiekingore.com/tieredinstruct.htm
Module 4: Collaborative Learning Community: Literacy Strategies at Work
This is the first of two CLC assignments; your teams will be posted at the beginning of Module 2, and conversations should be started during Module 3. You will find lots of thought-provoking articles about CLCs, their purpose, and how to make them successful in the General Resources > CLCs That Work.
For this assignment, your team will complete this table. You will create 12 activities for each content area. And each cell needs THREE activities (total = 12 per row); be as specific as possible and do not reuse activities for different content areas. As a note, some members will be creating activities for subjects that are not their content area; don’t stress! Do your best and when you get stuck, that’s what your CLC is for. Collaborate with your peers! And don’t forget to include citations and a references page, if outside sources are used. Need to see a sample? Check out this document.
For this assignment, your team will complete this table. You will create 12 activities for each content area. And each cell needs THREE activities (total = 12 per row); be as specific as possible and do not reuse activities for different content areas. As a note, some members will be creating activities for subjects that are not their content area; don’t stress! Do your best and when you get stuck, that’s what your CLC is for. Collaborate with your peers! And don’t forget to include citations and a references page, if outside sources are used. Need to see a sample? Check out this document.
Module 5: Lesson Strategy Book
This can be a time-consuming assignment, but if you play your cards right, it will become a valuable resources for your classroom. Here are a few items that students often overlook:
-Five Strategies for Each Component: There are four components, which means you should have a total of 20 strategies in your book.
-Explanation & Examples: Each strategy needs a detailed description (a strong paragraph) and an example. Examples can include worksheets/handouts, a description of the strategy in action in your content area, etc.
-Visual Presentation: The lesson strategy book should look good; graphics and other visual elements (fonts, color, type size) are a way to do this, but remember that consistency is key.
-Organization: One way to make your book organized is to list each strategy on a separate page and to include an appendix with all the worksheets/handouts. Additionally, don't forget a title page, a table of contents, and headings for each component & strategy.
-Research: The rubric requires the use of 3-5 peer-reviewed articles. Please remember to cite your sources and include a references page.
**Click here to see a excerpted sample of a lesson strategy book.
-Five Strategies for Each Component: There are four components, which means you should have a total of 20 strategies in your book.
-Explanation & Examples: Each strategy needs a detailed description (a strong paragraph) and an example. Examples can include worksheets/handouts, a description of the strategy in action in your content area, etc.
-Visual Presentation: The lesson strategy book should look good; graphics and other visual elements (fonts, color, type size) are a way to do this, but remember that consistency is key.
-Organization: One way to make your book organized is to list each strategy on a separate page and to include an appendix with all the worksheets/handouts. Additionally, don't forget a title page, a table of contents, and headings for each component & strategy.
-Research: The rubric requires the use of 3-5 peer-reviewed articles. Please remember to cite your sources and include a references page.
**Click here to see a excerpted sample of a lesson strategy book.
Module 5: Interactive Classroom Enhancement: Vocabulary Strategy
This is similar to the M3 Interactive Classroom Enhancement assignment; however, this time you are focusing on a vocabulary strategy. Create ONE vocabulary instructional strategy that could be used in your practicum...that's it! You may want to create a Frayer Model Map (details in our Module 5 Course Material) - it's such a handy strategy to have in your toolbelt! I love it so much that I'm even giving you this PowerPoint template (create text boxes to type in your details).
Module 6: None
No assignments due this week! Please take advantage of this opportunity to get a jump start on the Module 7 CLC assignment and your Module 8 Benchmark.
Module 7: Collaborative Learning Community: Literature-Based Unit
With your team, you will come to a consensus on one young adult novel to “teach” and create 15 “springboard” activities total for your group (this means each team member will be responsible for 4-5 activities, specific to his/her content area). Each activity will include a quote/passage from the novel, as well as a rationale and a detailed explanation of the activity. For a couple of examples, see this document.
Module 8: Reading in Content Areas: Effective Strategies (Benchmark Assessment)
There are three parts to your benchmark (detailed directions are in Loud Cloud > Resources > Course Material > All > Week 8 > Other (all the way at the bottom of the page).
Part 1: Practicum Observation Journals: You should have a journal entry for each observation. Don’t forget that the main purpose of these observations is to identify and evaluate literacy strategies in action. Additionally, be sure to include references to Marzano, the course, or websites. You will also submit your practicum forms when you submit your benchmark (they can be attached as separate documents or in the appendix of your benchmark). Need to see a couple samples? Here's one and here's another.
Part 2: Mini-Lesson Plans: You need three lesson plans, and you will find templates in the Student Success Center or in General Resources tab above (Lesson Plans). The goal of the lesson plan is to also include a literacy strategy in your lesson, so don’t overlook that component…you can even use the strategies that we’ve learned and created over the past few weeks! Additionally, please be sure that you use your own brain when creating this - all lesson plans MUST be original; while a quick internet search will reveal thousands of lesson plans, it defeats the purpose of this assignment. :)
Part 3: Comparative Analysis: The question is simply asking for you to discuss the most effective approaches to teaching literacy. Most students approach this question by providing details on 3-5 strategies, and some include a discussion on whether they vary based on the content area. Your analysis will be 500-750 words.
Submission: Please prepare all three parts in ONE DOCUMENT for submission.
*To see a sample benchmark submission, open up this document.
Part 1: Practicum Observation Journals: You should have a journal entry for each observation. Don’t forget that the main purpose of these observations is to identify and evaluate literacy strategies in action. Additionally, be sure to include references to Marzano, the course, or websites. You will also submit your practicum forms when you submit your benchmark (they can be attached as separate documents or in the appendix of your benchmark). Need to see a couple samples? Here's one and here's another.
Part 2: Mini-Lesson Plans: You need three lesson plans, and you will find templates in the Student Success Center or in General Resources tab above (Lesson Plans). The goal of the lesson plan is to also include a literacy strategy in your lesson, so don’t overlook that component…you can even use the strategies that we’ve learned and created over the past few weeks! Additionally, please be sure that you use your own brain when creating this - all lesson plans MUST be original; while a quick internet search will reveal thousands of lesson plans, it defeats the purpose of this assignment. :)
Part 3: Comparative Analysis: The question is simply asking for you to discuss the most effective approaches to teaching literacy. Most students approach this question by providing details on 3-5 strategies, and some include a discussion on whether they vary based on the content area. Your analysis will be 500-750 words.
Submission: Please prepare all three parts in ONE DOCUMENT for submission.
*To see a sample benchmark submission, open up this document.