Education Commons^™

Meeting The Need For K-8 Teachers For Classrooms With Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Students: The Promise And Challenge Of Early Field Experiences, Amy Strage, Susan Gomez, Kari Knutson-Miller, Ana Garcia-Nevarez

Faculty Publications

The writers present the findings of their study focused on teacher learning through early fieldwork experiences to address the problem of teachers working with a culturally and linguistically diverse student population. Data were analyzed from an archive collected from approximately 500 students enrolled in six undergraduate child development courses at three state university campuses located in urban areas of California. Findings suggest that early field experiences provide participants with opportunities for career goal clarification, and the context of field experience is significant and may lead to outcomes beyond the initial goal of the experience.

To Blend Or Not To Blend: Online-Only And Blended Learning Environments, Rachel M. B. Collopy, Jackie Marshall Arnold

Teacher Education Faculty Publications

Increasing curricular demands and the desire to provide meaningful, engaging instruction have pressed teacher educators to review and revise their programs. Many have viewed the assets of online learning as a potential solution to meet the seemingly ever increasing state- and accreditation-mandated course content and competencies. Universities have explored the inclusion of Web based courses for students for several decades. According to Martyn (2003), over 90% of higher education institutions use some type of electronically enhanced learning or “e-learning” option.

These options vary between courses that are offered completely “online” to those that include a blend of differing amounts of …

Continuing Change In A Virtual World: Training And Recruiting Instructors, Michael K. Barbour, Jim Kinsella, Matthew Wicks, Sacip Toker

Education Faculty Publications

The process of teacher identification, selection, initial training, and on-going professional development that has developed at the Illinois Virtual High School (IVHS) over the past seven years is described and discussed in this article. Validation was based upon existing practices and research. To provide background the creation and initial development of the IVHS is described. Some of the issues within the hiring process and professional development that the IVHS continues to struggle are examined including teacher certification and the changing nature of technology. The paper concludes with a recommendation that teacher education programs assist in addressing these challenges to support …

Nefdc Exchange, Volume 21, Number 1, Fall 2009, New England Faculty Development Consortium

NEFDC Exchange

Contents

Message from the President: A Reflection of a Different Light - Tom Thibodeau, New England Institute of Technology

From the editors - Jeanne Albert, Donna Qualters, and Naomi Migliacci

New England Faculty Development Consortium Fall 2009 Conference, November 13, 2009, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States; theme: When Questioning is the Answer: Reflective Practice for College Faculty; keynote presentation by Stephen Brookfield, University of St. Thomas

Excerpt from Becoming a Critically Reflective Teacher, Jossey-Bass, 1995 by Stephen Brookfield

NEFDC Fall 2009 Conference Agenda

Connecting with others

Contemplative and Transformative Pedagogy - Arthur Zajonc, Amherst College

SAVE the date! NEFDC 2010 Spring …

Barriers And Bridges To Success: Factors For Retention Of Nontraditional Mexican American Students In Teacher Education, Gail Shroyer, Sally Yahnke, Amanda Morales, Cindi Dunn, Gayla Lohfink, Pedro Espinoza

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

This paper discusses the findings of a qualitative, microethnographic case study of 15 nontraditional, Mexican American students as they completed their coursework in a 2+2 teacher education program in the Midwest. The theoretical frameworks that serve as the basis of this study are Tinto’s Model of Student Integration (Tinto, 1975, 1993), Bean’s attrition model (1980), and von Destinon’s empowerment model (1988). This integrated framework is an inclusive adaptation as it addresses the complex interaction among first-generation, Mexican American students’ backgrounds, geographical locations, and the institutions that serve them. The researchers identify characteristics of those students who persisted on to graduation, …

School-Based Mentoring: A Nurturing Approach To Improve The Educational Outcomes Of Students At-Risk, Paul Caldarella, Shauna Valentine, Drew Daniels, Barbara Quackenbush

Faculty Publications

Advantages of School-based Mentoring: Less costly; Identify more children; School resources, staff, administration; More convenient; Time commitment; Safety; Community support. Dubois & Karcher (2005)

The Use Of A Computer Graphic Organizer For Persuasive Composition Writing By Hispanic Students With Specific Learning Disabilities, Caridad H. Unzueta

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) struggle with the writing process. Particularly, they have difficulties developing and expanding ideas, organizing and elaborating sentences, and revising and editing their compositions (Graham, Harris, & Larsen, 2001; Myles, 2002). Computer graphic organizers offer a possible solution to assist them in their writing. This study investigated the effects of a computer graphic organizer on the persuasive writing compositions of Hispanic middle school students with SLD. A multiple baseline design across subjects was used to examine its effects on six dependent variables: number of arguments and supporting details, number …

Amy Leh Cd Summer 2008, Amy Leh

Innovative Course Redesign Grant Reports

Supports faculty to redesign or develop a course in ways that implement high-impact, evidence-based, and/or innovative teaching strategies to improve student learning.

Rhetoric In The Real World [11th Grade], Sarah Berce

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

This unit is designed to help students think critically about the world. Students, especially with the increasing role of technology in our world, are exposed to persuasive messages in various capacities everyday. The class will read, analyze, and respond to several real world sources including persuasive speeches, position papers, advertisements, commercials, political campaigns, newspaper articles, and pictures. Through these sources and accompanying activities, students will discover the effects of advertising and the means to effectively persuade. After reading, exploring, and analyzing various sources, students will work creatively to design a shoe and an accompanying advertisement campaign. Then, they will critically …

Vamos De Compras [8th-10th Grade], Merida Elizondo

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this unit students will examine the similarities and differences between the shopping experience in the United States and in Spanish speaking countries. They will identify the reasons behind the differences and uncover their cultural significance. This unit will focus on three different shopping experiences which are common in Spanish speaking countries. The Mercado experience, where bargaining is a way of life. The super department store, where customers can find anything they wish from cars to produce. Finally, areas where neighborhood shops line the streets and shopping requires visiting multiple specialty stores in the same area. This unit includes a …

Using Fred Gipson's Old Yeller To Practice Essential Reading Skills [4th Grade], Kathryn Morrow

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this unit, students will practice essential reading strategies while reading the novel Old Yeller by Fred Gibson. They will enhance their awareness and use of skills such as using context clues, identifying the main idea and the author’s purpose, making predictions and inferences, summarizing, and checking for understanding. Students will understand that good readers use specific skills and strategies to help them better comprehend a text, and they will be able to identify and describe some of those strategies. After participating in a number of learning activities, students will be able to answer the questions, “How do reading strategies …

The Play Is A Mirror: Looking At Human Nature In Romeo And Juliet [9th Grade], Melissa Manny

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

Since reading Shakespeare for the first time often causes students to doubt themselves or quit from frustration, the purpose of this unit is to support students throughout the reading process so that they learn to appreciate drama as a means for better understanding themselves, rather than letting it defeat them from the beginning. Through an examination of character motivations, in addition to the language and dramatic conventions Shakespeare uses to bring their stories to life on stage, students will experience theatre as a mirror that reflects their own struggles and desires back to them. The relationship between the audience’s reaction …

Proportional Relationships [7th Grade], Sabrina Bennett, Courtney Bryand

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this unit students will discover how everyday situations can be represented mathematically through proportional relationships. They will explore the use of ratios, rates and proportions as a problem solving tools. Students will examine proportional relationships in a variety of situations including percents, scaling, and purchasing situation (tax, tip, discount, best value etc). This unit provides two levels of learning activities. The seventh grade activities incorporate the seventh grade standards, and seventh grade pre-AP/GT activities compacts the seventh grade curriculum to incorporate both seventh and eighth grade standards. Pre-AP/GT activities can also be used as extension to the 7th grade …

Patricia Polacco Author Study [2nd Grade], Catherine Brackett

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

Through the study of Thank You, Mr. Falker, Firetalking, The Thinking Quilt, Thundercake, Ginger and Petunia, My Ol’ Man, and The Limonade Club, this unit will allow students to grow as writers by studying an Patricia Polacco. The students will also learn to apply lessons addressed in literature to their own lives. Most importantly, the students will learn how their words and actions can either build a person up or tear them down. In the end, they will be asked to apply what they have learned to create a story or play that will help a bullying situation in a …

Proyecto Desarrollo: Café Saludable [9th-11th Grade], Susanna Pierce

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

The United Nations Development Program seeks to eliminate poverty by promoting economic growth among underdeveloped and developing nations. Professionals within the organization strive to improve education, health standards, and infrastructure of these nations in order to boost standards of living. Because the majority of Latin America consists of developing nations, equipping the next generation with the basic Spanish language skills and economic knowledge to address the issues of our world’s poorest nations is imperative. Through collaborative efforts, we can address the Millennium Development Goals of alleviating the disease and poverty that pervade these countries. In this interdisciplinary unit, students will …

¿Qué Ropa Compraste? (Realidades Tema 2: Un Evento Especial) [9th-12th Grade], Daris Z. Valdez

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this unit students will learn new vocabulary on clothing and shopping. The unit will provide them with the opportunity to uncover the understanding that culture influences the clothes people choose to wear. Students will engage in oral and written exchanges of learned material to socialize and to provide and obtain information. Students will answer the question, “Why does clothing matter” as they learn new vocabulary to help them talk about shopping, to describe what clothing is made of, the colors, and to discuss paying for purchases. Students will uncover the understanding that that our clothing choices can influence the …

Foundations Of Forensics: The Role Of Debate Throughout History [9th-12th Grade], Lori Ingersoll

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

This unit will focus on both the history and significance of debate as a communication tool utilized to resolve conflict and discover truth. By addressing the prevalence of controversy in everyday life, students will consider the various actions that individuals and groups employ in an effort to advocate change and call for justice. As these actions are examined, students will focus on the role of communication in controversial issues, both past and present. (i.e. civil rights, human rights, connections to personal life) With the foundational knowledge of communication as a key element to resolve conflict and discover truth, the focus …

Reading Music-Abc’S, 123’S, Do Re Mi’S [6th Grade], Jessica Koppe

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this unit, students will get an introduction to reading music at the middle school level in choir. This unit is theory intensive and meant to help students strengthen their basic music reading skills to provide a strong foundation for the ensemble and its ability to do more difficult music. This unit is not preparing students for a concert, so it may need to be spread out depending on the school’s needs and required performances. Activities are meant to keep students engaged in theory. By the end of the unit, students will be able to sing a major scale using …

Para Mantener La Salud [9th-11th Grade], Maria S. Allen

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

Food and nutrition are an integral part in the study of a country’s lifestyle. There are many factors that influence the diet and exercise regimen of a nation and its culture. Some of these factors include diet and exercise. In understanding a region’s culture, one must compare how our own lifestyle is affected by the diversity of cultures here in the United States. To encourage this understanding, students must be aware of the cultural similarities and differences of these lifestyles. Students will be exposed to ideas about nutrition and exercise based on a global comparison of the eating and exercise …

Heroísmo Y Los Medios De Comunicación (Capítulo 5a &5b) [9th-11th Grade], Carol Arnold

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

The unit encourages students to look at media and the portrayal of heroes and consider who is telling the story and why. The goal of this unit is to present grammar (preterite and imperfect tenses) and vocabulary in an authentic context (the news and legends). The unit is infused with real world examples of media including: online media clips, Latin American legends, and other internet news resources. Students are encouraged to pull on previous knowledge and make ties to personal experiences of heroism, media exaggeration, and storytelling.

Photographic Eye: Capturing The Moment Through Personal Narrative [8th-9th Grade], Amy Anderson

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

Students will explore the connections between the writing process, art and memory. Through the lens of photography and art, they will refine and publish a “moment in time” personal narrative. This unit was created for the beginning of the school year, and serves the dual purpose of reviewing the writing process and helping students create meaningful connections with each other. Learning culminates as students produce and present a literary magazine celebrating their work.

Earth Sun Moon Phenomena: Seasons, Lunar Cycle, Tides [7th-8th Grade], Theodore Risinger

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

This unit focuses on the interactions and motions of the earth, sun, and moon that cause seasons, the lunar cycle and tides on earth. Most middle school age students have misconceptions of these topics. The primary goal of this unit to correct any misconceptions students may have on these topics. Secondly, to further their understanding of how and why things on earth happen the way they do. For each of the topics covered no one single rule or individual event will cover all the aspects involved in the great question of “Why?”. Students will be challenged because they will have …

Art & Technology [6th-8th Grade], Elizabeth A. Bendele

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

This unit was designed to meet several needs in the art classroom: a.) to expose students to digital art and design; b.) to reveal instances where technology has altered the path of artists, c.) to integrate technology standards in the art curriculum. The central understandings for this unit are: a.) Art evolves as technology develops; and b.) Technology has provided a venue for the widespread production and mass viewing of art. Essential questions are: a.) In what ways has technology changed art? b.) Has art advanced/improved or declined/deteriorated with the advent of new technology? c.) Is the value of an …

Math And Me [9th Grade], Mckinley Rich

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

The purpose of this unit is to have students question and analyze their opinions about mathematics. Students, particularly in math, have very strong perceptions of themselves as a learner. These self-perceptions have many different roots, and in this unit students will analyze the origin and perpetuation of such perceptions. Through a series of articles and some moments of self-reflection, students will look for answers to the questions: “What perceptions do I have about math?” and “What has shaped and will continue to shape my perceptions about math?”. While this is unlike 99% of math units, I believe that in order …

The Nature Of Narratives [10th Grade], Devon Erlich

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this unit students will read five narratives (both fiction and nonfiction) that have a common theme of sacrifice. The readings will provide them with the opportunity to uncover the understandings that sacrifices occur on a daily basis in our world, in our lives, and in our literature. Additionally, the students will have the opportunity to understand that authors write narratives with a message in mind, and effectively conveying this message requires a purposeful use of literary elements, organization, and diction. As the unit progresses, students will be able to answer the question, “What is a narrative?” And “How do …

“Happily Ever After?” A Fairy Tale Unit [1st Grade], Audrey Tan

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

This unit is designed as a mid-year unit for 1st grade language arts. Students will have had some exposure to story elements and will have written a few stories independently. The unit is designed around fairy tales. In this unit, students will explore the features that define fairy tales. They will learn how to recognize fairy tales. Students will understand that fairy tales are fantasy. The students will listen, compare, and analyze the characters of fairy tales. Throughout the unit students will develop their idea of happiness. Their understanding will deepen through exposure and discussions. Students will also connect to …

Sarah Plain And Tall Book Study [3rd Grade], Karen Morrison

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this unit, students will be doing a chapter book study using the novel, Sarah Plain and Tall. At the end of the unit, the students will deeply understand that there are always things to miss no matter where you are, a sense of belonging happens when someone accepts where they are, and that we carry symbols and artifacts that represent the people and places that matter the most to us. Students will be engaged using the 6 Reading Comprehension Strategies: Phonics/Decoding, Predict/Infer, Monitor/Clarify, Question, Summarize, Evaluate. Other skills such as analytical thinking, predicting outcomes and connecting text to self …

What Section Do I Go To In Barnes And Noble? [7th Grade], Carol Cagnoni

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

The following unit is based upon the 7th grade reading TEKS and College and Career Readiness Standards for TEXAS. In this unit, students will explore a variety of genres. Through group discussion, lectures, and self-discovery, students will be able to better understand how to choose a book in a genre that interests them. The unit ends with students reading a self-selected book based on criteria tailored to them. Finally, after reading a book, the students will create a brochure advertising the book they completed as well as share their opinion with their peers.

Why Government?...Why Our Government? [12th Grade], Samuel Dejohn

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

This unit was constructed as an introduction to 12th grade US Government. It is an attempt to provide enduring understandings of the United States Constitution and how it compares with other forms of government. There are many options of governing systems, but through an evolutionary process, the United States Constitution contains sound principles which allowed a republic endure through regional infighting, civil unrest, and infinite political reforms. The unit begins with taxonomy of various governing systems and ideas. After the classification process, students will look at how regional politics play into nation building. While reflecting on the Constitutional Convention and …

Ideas Trait: The Foundations Of Writing [3rd Grade], Carolys Gordillo

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

Based on the 6+1 traits of Writing, the Idea Trait is the first element that students explore to brainstorm unique ideas to write about and improve details in writing. This 4 week unit focuses on ideas and content, the first trait which helps students develop their writing skills. Students will write a personal narrative about an ordinary activity that occurred during their summer vacation with a fun twist. The picture book Ted will be shared and will be discussed to get students thinking of how their ordinary activities during summer could become extraordinary if they had an imaginary friend. Over …