- What was the biggest takeaway from building the unit?
The biggest takeaway from building my unit plan is the importance of keeping in mind the goals I have for my students. What do I want my students to learn and do? How is it connected to standards and relevant to them? I started with a grand idea of what my unit and lessons would be about, but had to think more critically when addressing Kindergarten math standards. I believe that planning a unit can include both creativity/fun as well as thoughtful use of standards.
- Describe a connection you’ve made across two or more of the areas in the unit.
My unit is a mathematics unit about patterns. While thinking about my unit as a whole, I have discovered important and relevant connections between the traditional standards-based view of patterns that use colors and shapes, and patterns in other content areas. The concept of patterns can be applied to a variety of topics and subjects. For example, my unit will include a lesson about exploring patterns in nature, with animals, plants, and humans. It is a cross-curricular concept.
- What would you think about for the next time you build a unit?
I would think about the best way to sequence learning that would support all students–those who are grasping learning more quickly, those who are partially proficient in the learning target(s), those who have limited background knowledge, and those who need extra scaffolds and support in activities or in accessing the language. I have addressed these questions in my current unit, but I would focus on them even more (and consistently) during future unit planning. I would also likely have a set curriculum that I would need to work with and modify or supplement to meet the needs of my students.
- What would you tell people for next semester working on this project? (or for me)
Select a topic that you find interesting. One that you find complex yet fun, and important in yours and students' lives, both because of the age/grade-level standards and because of where students are at. Try to have fun with it!
--By Anna Zucchero